By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

August 22, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – An Ethiopian official on Monday said government will not punish its own Athlete for staging protest sign against his home government during Sunday's Rio Olympic marathon race.

A group of protestors carry placards in support of Oromia region (Opride.com)

Ethiopia's Feyisa Lilesa crossed his arms above his head, holding up an X gesture as he crossed the finish line of the men's marathon as he came second.

At a news conference he gave in Rio, Feyisa told reporters that the protest gesture was to show solidarity with the Oromo protests that have been taking place in the country since last year.

The protest gesture was the same sign made by Oromo protesters who say are subjected to heavy-handed police crackdowns.

“The Ethiopian government is killing the Oromo people and taking their land and resources so the Oromo people are protesting and I support the protest as I am Oromo” he said.

According to Human rights groups, dozens of Oromo protesters were killed by security forces during recent crack down against protesters.

Government officials say the protests are being staged illegally, organized by exiled anti-peace elements and dissidents.

According to police officials protesters were armed in some of the protests and have killed several members of the security force.

“The Ethiopian government is killing my people so I stand with all protests anywhere as Oromo is my tribe. My relatives are in prison and if they talk about democratic rights they are killed. I raised my hands to support with the Oromo protest."

The 26-year-old runner from Oromia, home to Ethiopia's largest Ethnic group, said his life would be in danger if he returned home.

“If I go back to Ethiopia maybe they will kill me. Otherwise, they will put me in prison. I have not decided yet” he said adding he might consider moving to another country.

Despite the protest gesture, the Ethiopian government said it will warmly welcome Feyisa.

Ethiopia"s information minister, Getachew Reda, however, dismissed the athlete"s concerns.

“Though it is impossible to express a political stance at Olympic Games, the athlete will be welcomed while returning home along with other members of the Ethiopian Olympic squad,” he told state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation.

The state-run Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) has aired Rio's Marathon race Live on TV on Sunday afternoon. However after the protest gesture, no footage of Feyisa was shown including while he was being awarded his silver medal.

(ST)

August 22, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The acting U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Khartoum Steven Koutsis has expressed his country's keenness to provide technical and logistical support for Sudan to face challenges of climate change.

Sudan's Minister of Environment and Natural Resources and Urban Development Hassan Abdel-Gadir Hilal on Monday discussed with Koutsis environment issues in Sudan particularly with regard to the impact of climate change on the country.

Hilal told the official news agency (SUNA) that he briefed the American diplomat on problems facing the environmental work in Sudan, saying the two sides agreed to execute a package of integrated activities and provide training and capacity building for the Sudanese workers in the field.

He pointed that Sudan would receive the first batch of the U.S. support in October, calling for the need to enhance environmental awareness among the various segments of the Sudanese society in order to create a clean environment.

The Sudanese minister further stressed importance to improve, protect and preserve the environment in order to achieve the sustainable development.

For his part, Koutsis underscored his country's keenness to provide technical and logistical support for Sudan to face the impact of climate change particularly in the most affected areas.

Washington imposed economic and trade sanctions on Sudan in 1997 in response to its alleged connection to terror networks and human rights abuses. In 2007 it strengthened the embargo, citing abuses in Darfur which it labelled as genocide.

Also, Sudan has been on the US list of countries supporting terrorism since 1993, for allegedly providing support and safe haven for terrorist groups.

Last year, the US Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it is amending Sudan's sanctions regime to allow exports of personal communications hardware and software including smart phones and laptops.

(ST)

August 22, 2016 (JUBA) – Official spokesman for former First Vice President, Riek Machar, has dismissed accusations against his boss as “thoughtless”, saying Machar had never initiated violence. He said President Salva Kiir has been responsible for the wars in the country and should therefore be the one to be told to denounce violence.

James Gatdet Dak, Riek Machar's spokesperson 'Reuters photo)

South Sudanese Minister of Information, Michael Makuei Lueth, over the weekend accused Machar of inciting the recent violence and called on him to denounce it if he wanted to return to the country after he was dislodged from the capital, Juba, by President Kiir's forces.

“If Riek Machar wants to come back to South Sudan, then he should denounce violence," Lueth told the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) TV on Saturday.

James Gatdet Dak, opposition leader's spokesman however said the two violent incidents on 15 December 2013 and 8 July 2016 were started by President Kiir and his inner circles with the aim to eliminate his deputy, Machar.

“It is thoughtless and nonsensical to accuse him [Machar] of the violence he never initiated. A false coup was stage-managed by Salva Kiir on 15 December 2013 with the aim to kill Dr. Riek Machar. His house was bombed that year to eliminate him. Again on 8 July 2016 he was lured to the palace in order to get killed. He narrowly escaped again after majority of his bodyguards were killed at the palace. He was followed to his residence and his house was also bombed with tanks and helicopter gunships in another attempt to kill him. He again escaped and was followed into the bushes until he fled to a foreign country. Why should the victim of attempted assassinations be instead blamed for the violence against him? It is insensitive,” Dak told Sudan Tribune.

“The perpetrator [Kiir] who wanted him [Machar] murdered twice is the one to be asked to denounce the violence,” he said.

He also dismissed the calls on Machar to abandon politics at home or stay in exile, saying such comments by President Kiir's officials “are anti-democracy and against his human and constitutional rights in the country.”

“Let them read the constitution and let them also read and digest the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. It seems they are oblivious,” Dak challenged.

He argued that Machar, like any other citizen or politician in South Sudan, has the right to pursue politics in order to apply his vision for the welfare of the people of the nation.

Dak also said President Kiir and his “friend” Taban Deng Gai, should stop misleading the world that the “illegal” action to replace Machar was an internal process of the opposition faction of the SPLM-IO, saying there was no process done, but a conspiracy involving a handful of officials and it was therefore a violation of the peace agreement.

He said Machar remains the First Vice President of the country. He also warned of the total collapse of the August 2015 peace deal should the government not abide by IGAD resolution which expects Gai to step down and for a third party force to be deployed to secure the capital, Juba, before Machar's return.

He warned that the opposition faction led by Machar may be forced to explore other options to correct the situation should the peace agreement collapse.

(ST)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ST)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ST)

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

British Ambassador to Sudan Michael Aron (Reuters Photo)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ST)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ST).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

August 23, 2016 (BOR) - About 280 people were killed in the fighting which occurred in Duk county of South Sudan's Jonglei state last week, an official told Sudan Tribune.

Jonglei state governor, Phillip Aguer speaks during the independence occassion July 9, 2016 (ST)

Among those killed were 10 civilians, 23 government soldiers and 250 rebels, according to official figures released by the office of the state governor, Phillip Aguer.

The incident has reportedly forced hundreds of civilians to flee from Pajut to Poktap towards Twic East county.

“People had been forced to run away and retreated back to Poktap. Second is the looting of their properties by the attackers and the killing of innocent civilians”, said Aguer

“Among the dead, who were killed in Pajut, there are women, there are children and the number in total is 33. 23 are soldiers and 10 are civilians that include business people, include women and that is the bad side of the war”, he added.

The governor said he expects the numbers of rebels killed to rise by the time the search ends.

“The SPLA [Sudan People's Liberation Army] has defeated the attackers, and they [rebels] lost heavily. Unfortunately those who are dying are sons and daughters of South Sudan on both sides. The forces of Riek Machar had left 250 dead, and the number may be more, search has not been completed”, Aguer told Sudan Tribune.

Calm has reportedly returned to the area, despite the fighting that occurred on 19 August, amidst calls by authorities for civilians to return home and resume their normal activities.

Meanwhile, five other people were reportedly killed between Panyagoor and Poktap, by suspected Lou Nuer fighters who allegedly came on a mission to loot cattle on 20 August.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

August 23, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia and neighbouring Sudan have drafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration and cooperation on cross-border animal health and livestock trade programmes.

The cross-border meeting, which was held last week in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, was organised by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD).

Reinforcing Veterinary Governance in Africa" (VETGOV) programme and the Standard Methods and Procedures in Animal Health (SMP-AH) projects supported the program.

Funded by the European Union and the United States aid arm (USAID), the joint projects are implemented in partnership with the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the African Union.

The main aim of the cross-border meeting was to initiate development of binding agreements between Ethiopia, and Sudan on Animal Health to facilitate service delivery along the shared territory.

It also provides a framework for stronger cooperation and collaboration along their bilateral border in order to address disease surveillance, disease control and timely sharing of animal health and trade information.

The MoU develops an agenda that address the common challenges and guides implementation that lays the foundation to facilitate prevention and control of various trans-boundary animal diseases across border.

Participants said widespread disease outbreaks in the region was the major challenge that need a collective prevention measures within the IGAD states to enhance trade.

Speaking on behalf of ICPALD, Joseph Magona said the IGAD region had immense livestock resources that are severely affected by trans-boundary animal diseases.

“ICPALD therefore supports the improvement of livestock health and production especially in pastoral and dry land within the region” Joseph said.

“This necessitates strong cross-border collaboration and cooperation between countries”, he added.

The meeting was attended by 30 participants from Sudan, Ethiopia, IGAD and AU-IBAR.

SMP-AH project aims to stabilise livelihoods of livestock-dependent communities by enhancing capacities of all livestock value chain actors to effectively control trans-boundary animal diseases in a coordinated manner.

The project has supported large numbers of vulnerable livestock-keeping communities across the East African region residing along borders who are vulnerable to drought.

Drought conditions force animals move across borders in search of pasture and water.

It is widely believed that such movement for either pasture or trade facilitates spread of trans-boundary animal diseases and the project thus provides support for communities in cross-border areas to collaborate, coordinate and harmonise diseases control.

VETGOV which also is an implementing partner intends to bring about institution strengthening of veterinary services in Africa towards the establishment of adequate veterinary services at the national and regional level.

The program also seeks to strengthen regional institutions to play their roles of coordination, harmonisation, integration and support to countries with the aim to stimulate a more conducive environment for public and private investments in the livestock sector.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese government on Tuesday revealed that the former First Vice-President of South Sudan and armed opposition leader Riek Machar is in Khartoum saying Juba was notified that he has been received for pure humanitarian reasons.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit sacked Machar from his post as vice president after a renewal last month of fighting between forces loyal to the long-time rivals that forced tens of thousands of people to flee.

The Kenyan Standard news website on Thursday reported that the Sudanese government had sent an aircraft to evacuate the former first vice president from a hideout in a remote town in the DRC where he crossed into after 40 days in the bushes.

However, an SPLM-IO official told Sudan Tribune that the report published by the Kenyan website was “unfounded.”

In a statement to the official news agency (SUNA) on Tuesday, Sudan's Minister of Information Ahmed Belal Osman said Sudan has recently received Machar for medical treatment, pointing he arrived in a critical health condition and needed immediate care.

However, Osman didn't mention when Machr has arrived in Khartoum.

“Machar's health is stable currently and he will remain in the country under comprehensive healthcare until he leaves to a destination of his choice to complete his treatment," he added.

The United Nations had earlier announced that Machar was received by one of the neighboring countries for the medical reasons.

The Sudanese minister further stressed that South Sudan's government has been notified of Machar's presence in Khartoum for pure humanitarian reasons.Machar's presence in Khartoum coincides with the visit of Taban Deng Gai who replaced him as First Vice President of South Sudan.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese journalists have accused security agents of undermining freedom of press and expression by dictating on the content of the newspapers and removing articles at printing facilities.

A vendor sells newspapers in South Sudanese capital Juba (Photo: Al-Jazeera)

The Association of Media Development in South Sudan (ADMISS) said officers from the country's national security service are deployed at printing facilities in the capital Juba to physical remove news and opinion articles critical of President Salva Kiir's government.

“Removal of articles constitutes censorship and repression of the work of media in South Sudan,” said Alfred Taban, the chairperson of AMDISS in a public statement on Tuesday.

Taban, also the editor of the Juba Monitor, said six articles have been removed from his paper and Nation Mirror in the last thirty days.

“It amounts to undermining freedom of expression and media that have been enshrined in the transitional constitution of South Sudan and the South Sudan Media Act 2013,” he added.

The Nation Mirror said an article on reappearance of former first vice president Riek Machar in DR. Congo was removed last week before publication, forcing the paper to shelved Friday's issue.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government has welcomed remarks attributed to United States' secretary of states, John Kerry, in which he referred to replacement of armed opposition leader and the first vice president in the transitional unity government, Riek Machar as “legal” and in accordance with provisions of the peace deal.

US secretary of state John Kerry (L) meets with South Sudanese president Salva Kiir in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on 26 May 2013 (Photo: Reuters)

A presidential source said as long as the replacement came from the opposition faction of the SPLM-IO, there was nothing wrong with it.

“The president made the appointment in accordance with the provision of the resolution of the conflict in the republic of South Sudan which states that the position of the first vice president who is the nominee of the SPLM-IO must be filled in the event of being absent from his duties. And this position must be filled by a nominee of the SPLM-IO. The work of the president is to confirm and approve the nomination. It would be considered to be a violation of peace agreement if the new nominee was from other political forces or stakeholder,” said presidential advisor on security affairs, Tut Kew Gatluak,

Gatluak said the government was now committed to the full implementation of the agreement and called on the international community, especially the government of the United States to stand with President Salva Kiir's government in the implementation of the agreement and in provision of basic services to the people.

SPLM-IO however criticized Kerry for his comment, saying it was against Article 6.5 of the agreement as well as against resolutions of IGAD and United Nations Security Council.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (KHARTOUM/JUBA) - Sudan and South Sudan appear to be on the verge of bringing their relations to a new level following the current visit of First-Vice President Taban Deng Gai to Khartoum which Juba hopes would normalize ties between the two nations particularly as it faces mounting international pressures.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir (R) and his Sudanese counterpart Omar al-Bashir look on during a photo opportunity at the state house in capital Juba January 6, 2014 (Reuters/James Akena)

On the one side, Gai and his senior economic and military delegation who arrived in the Sudanese capital on Sunday, have discussed outstanding issues between the two countries including security, border and oil issues.

However, South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit seems to have sought to gain support of the Sudanese government in the face of the heavy international pressure that he encountered following the escape of his former First Vice-President Riek Machar which exacerbated the humanitarian and security situation in the newborn state.

Kiir had written a special letter to his Sudanese counterpart Omer al-Bashir expressing full commitment to implement all cooperation agreement signed between the two countries in 2012 before asking Khartoum to deal the same way with his government.

He also underscored his personal commitment to work to achieve a homegrown solution to stopping the war that brought his country to the brink of economic collapse.

“Let me be clear my brother, Omer al-Bashir and members of your government that we are not opposed to the regional support. We need support of the region, particularly countries like Sudan but this support should be supplementary. It should be a supplementary to our own so it is not rejected by the people. The region also needs to know that imported solutions aren't the answer. We have many examples where external intervention had been short lived in other countries. Only a domestic solution realised from understanding people's needs and aspirations that can be permanent”, Kiir explained in the special letter addressed to al-Bashir, copy of which Sudan Tribune obtained.

The South Sudanese government has declined to respond to a UN Security Council Resolution 2304 that authorized sending extra 4,000 troops to boost UN peacekeepers in country with a mandate to fight rival forces considering the move a violation to its sovereignty.

Washington is standing behind the resolution to send extra troops to South Sudan, saying it would participate to the protection of civilians in the country.

“It is absolutely indisputable that we need to push for the deployment of the regional force which has been approved by the UN Security Council” said US Secretary of State John Kerry during his meeting with five Foreign Ministers from the regional bloc IGAD on Monday in Nairobi.

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

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

Earlier this month Sudan declined a proposal by some international partners to conduct a solo mediation between the warring parties in South Sudan and also refused to send troops within the regional force, saying it doesn't want to create any sensitivities with the conflicting parties.

“Sudan is sticking to its role within the IGAD only,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Garib Allah Khidir, told reporters on August 2.

In his special letter, Kiir further projected the future of South Sudan to be brighter, saying the country was now moving forward after the appointment of Gai as his new first deputy in unity government in place of armed opposition leader, his main political rival for top office in the country, Riek Machar.

"We are moving towards a brighter future and the international community should support and not weaken us, the letter adds in part. It further added that South Sudan doesn't need lessons on human rights from the international community. “Respecting human rights is enshrined in our culture, heritage and it is part of our values system. We are more respectful of human rights in terms of commitment and action,” it added.

It was apparent from Kiir's letter that Juba seeks to win the trust of Khartoum by sending clear signals to assure the latter that it intends to open a new chapter in relations.

Also, these signals were sent by Gai when he directly addressed Khartoum's major concern about the security file between the two countries and particularly with regard to Juba's support for the Sudanese rebels saying his country is keen to resolve the outstanding security issues within three weeks.

On Monday, Gai also sent amessage from Khartoum to the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) demanding the rebel group to resort to the peaceful settlement with the Sudanese government.

He stressed that his country wouldn't serve as a launching pad for any Sudanese who wants to continue the war against Khartoum, adding “we hope that Sudan wouldn't serve as a launching pad for Machar”.

South Sudan's First Vice President Gai also on Tuesday denied that Darfur movements and SPLM-N are currently present in South Sudan's territory, saying mutual accusations between the two countries “would continue until we agree on a verification mechanism”.

“We would go to Addis Ababa and all places where these [rebel] movements have presence and tell them that appropriate time has come to achieve peace and we would render the necessary support and advise them in a kind manner” he said.

“We advise them [SPLM-N] that wartime is over, and we say to them that your brothers in South Sudan shouldn't suffer because of you, for even if the South didn't support you Sudan is making use of that [pretext]” he added.

South Sudan seceded from Sudan on July 9th 2011 following a referendum on whether the semi-autonomous region should remain a part of the country or become independent. 99% of the southern Sudanese voters chose independence.

Relations between the two nations soured after South Sudan's independence following a series of disputes over a number of issues.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese main opposition faction in South Sudan has welcomed comments by United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, on the need to deploy a third party force to Juba to secure the capital before any return of the “legitimate” First Vice President, Riek Machar.

John Kerry chairman of Foreign Relations in US Senate meets with Riek Machar GoSS Vice-President Juba on October 23, 2011 (ST)

The opposition faction however criticized the US official, Kerry, for approving an “illegal” action by President Salva Kiir that chased away from Juba an important peace partner, Machar, in order to scrap provisions of the August 2015 peace deal in South Sudan which the US helped in brokering.

Speaking to reporters after meeting five foreign ministers of Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan and Somalia in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Monday, Kerry was quoted in the media to have said a regional force should be deployed and that the replacement of Machar was consistent with the provisions of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS).

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

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

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

Kerry's comments contradicted the IGAD resolutions which called on Gai to step down and Machar to be reinstated as First Vice President. It also contradicted the resolution of the United Nations Security Council which criticized the replacement as “inconsistent” with the peace agreement.

The comments attracted criticism from the SPLM-IO officials under Machar's leadership, with his spokesman, James Gatdet Dak, describing Kerry's comment as an “unfortunate contradiction” to the success of the implementation of the peace deal.

“I hope he [Kerry] was misquoted in the media. Otherwise it was an unfortunate comment of double standard and contradiction to the implementation of the August 2015 peace agreement in South Sudan. If he thought it was a good idea to chase away from Juba the important peace partner, Dr. Riek Machar and his officials and army, and to illegally bring in a defector and President Salva Kiir's partner in conspiracy to scrap provisions of the peace deal, then he is wrong. How will the agreement be implemented in such away which clearly violates it?” Dak inquired.

Dak said the article 6.5 of the agreement has been violated by the illegal replacement of Machar. He also dismissed the claim that the replacement was an internal process of the SPLM-IO.

“First, the illegal replacement has clearly violated the Article 6.5 of the peace agreement which deals with the temporary absence of the First Vice President. Second, it was never an internal legal process within the SPLM/SPLA (IO) party. This was a conspiracy between President Kiir and Taban Deng Gai, a defector to Kiir, to remove Machar in order to compromise or scrap vital provisions in the peace deal. How could the replacement process be done by five officials in the absence of more than 20 members of the SPLM-IO's Political Bureau (PB), or in the absence of hundreds of members of the National Liberation Council (NLC) of the party? There was no quorum and Taban Deng was already dismissed from the membership of the SPLM/SPLA (IO). Even in the United States a party leader cannot be removed in such an illegal action,” he said.

He added that either Kerry was misled, or not well informed or simply did not bother to investigate what actually transpired in the illegal procedure or action to replace Machar.

He said the US official should have respected the resolutions of IGAD and the United Nations Security Council who “properly studied the situation” with participation of representatives of the US government.

Dak also said Machar is in full control of the SPLM-IO and its army, adding that Gai had no grass root support in the party.

He said the action by President Kiir to try to divide the SPLM-IO's leadership was a clear indication that he was looking for a way to destroy the peace deal.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (NEW YORK) – United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will conduct an independent investigation into the recent violence in the South Sudanese capital, Juba, which also targeted civilians and the response of the United Nations peace keeping forces in the capital, reveals a statement released by the world body in New York on Tuesday.

A woman prepares food as displaced women, men and children gather, in Juba, South Sudan at the UN compound in Tomping area, Tuesday, July 12, 2016 (AP Photo)

The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, on Tuesday announced the appointment of Major General (retired) Patrick Cammaert of The Netherlands to lead an independent Special Investigation into the violence in Juba, which occurred in July 2016.

The statement said the investigation will review reports of incidents of attacks on civilians and cases of sexual violence that occurred within or in the vicinity of the UN House Protection of Civilians (POC) sites in Juba.

Dozens of South Sudanese women were raped outside the UNMISS compounds and American female relief workers were also raped by soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir in Terrain Hotel near the UNMISS compound as well. The Mission failed to respond to their pleas despite reported contacts to alert the peacekeepers.

Also a young man working and staying with the American relief workers in the Terrain Hotel was shot dead after being identified to be from the Nuer ethnic group.

The investigation will include the level of response by UNMISS forces in Juba, which have been criticized for non-response during the targeting of civilians despite the Chapter Seven of the UN mandate that authorized them to respond.

“It will also determine the actions of UNMISS and whether the Mission responded appropriately to prevent these incidents and protect civilians within its resources and capabilities at the time. In addition, the investigation will review the circumstances surrounding the attack on the Terrain Hotel and assess the Mission's response,” it said.

It added that the Special Investigation team will undertake a field visit to Juba to interview the relevant interlocutors.

A final report will be presented to the Secretary-General within one month, the findings of which will be made public.

The appointed head of the investigation team, Major General (retired) Cammaert recently led a board of inquiry on the circumstances of the clashes that occurred in the UNMISS Protection of Civilians site in Malakal on 17-18 February 2016.

Cammaert previously had a distinguished military career in both The Netherlands with the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the United Nations, including as Force Commander in United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).

He also served as Military Advisor to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), and as General Officer Commanding the Eastern Division in the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (KHARTOUM).The African Union envoy to Sudan on Tuesday welcomed the initiative of the leader of the National Umma Party (NUP), Sadiq al-Mahdi to end the deadlock of peace talks between Sudanese government and armed groups over humanitarian truce.

AUHIP chief Thabo Mbeki (R) meets opposition NUP leader Sadiq al-Mahdi on June 2, 2016 (Courtesy photo of NUP)

Last week the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) suspended the two tracks of talks on cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access agreements after the failure of six-day meetings to strike a deal over the two matters

The Head of the African Union Office in Khartoum, Mahmoud Kan said the regional body has welcomed the initiative of Sadiq al-Mahdi to end deadlock of peace talks between Sudanese government and rebel groups. He further said that the mediation is in consultation with the Sudanese parties to reach agreements on the cessation of hostilities and the humanitarian access.

“Sadiq al-Mahdi is an important part and can play a vital role in solving the pending issues,” said Kan in statements to the semi-official Sudanese Media Center (SMC) on Tuesday.

On Monday, the leader of the National Umma Party (NUP), Sadiq al-Mahdi announced that he would submit an initiative to the AUHIP in a bid to break deadlock of talks, pointing that the initiative would help creating agreement.

However the NUP leader didn't give the elements of his proposals.

Al-Mahdi, who is residing in Cairo since two years ago, cosigned the Roadmap Agreement with the SPLM-N, JEM and SLM-MM. However, would only participate in the process with other opposition groups, after the signing of the agreements on the humanitarian truce.

The talks are expected to resume during the first two weeks of September, but Kan pointed that AUHIP did not yet fix a date for the next round of talks between government and rebels groups yet.

After the failure of the talks the government and armed groups accuse each other of lacking seriousness to reach a peace deal.

In a related development, Presidential Assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid Tuesday met the acting U.S chargé de Affairs in Khartoum Ambassador Stephen Kontess and briefed him on the outcome of the recent peace talks in Addis Ababa from 9 to 14 August.

In statements to media after the meeting, the U.S diplomat said he discussed with Hamid the bilateral relations, the situation in the Two Areas and Darfur. Also, he reiterated his government readiness to back the African Union-led efforts to achieve peace in Sudan.

“U.S government is ready to help the parties to reach peace agreement,” he said.

Sudanese Vice President, Hasabo Abdel Rhaman, renewed his government's rejection of the SPLM-N's demand to deliver 20% of the humanitarian assistance directly to the rebel controlled areas in the Blue Nile State.

Abdel Rahman stressed that the relief should pass through the regular government procedures.

The government says no aid can reach the rebel areas without being inspected, hinting the SPLM-N could seek to use such channel to deliver weapons to their fighters there.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (JUBA) - Governor of the newly created Yei River state, one of the new controversial 28 states which came into existence through presidential establishment order in 2015, has issued an order appointing new county commissioners.

Governor David Lokonga Moses speaks to the press in Yei May 31, 2016 (ST)

David Moses Lokonga, according to his Tuesday' order, has appointed 13 county commissioners after issuing an order to create more counties in fulfillment of the presidential directives authorizing all the governors of the new states to create counties and appoint new officials in their new territories.

The order named Luka Nyombe as the county commissioner for Kajokeji, Juluis Tabule for Kangapo, Lasu Erasto for Kupera, Augustino Kiri for Lanya, Victor Ware for Liwolo and Toti Jacob for Lujulo

Other officials include Samuel Henry who has been named Marobo county commissioner, Natalino Lasuba for Mugwo, Beneia John for Mukaya, Julius Lokonga for Nyepo, Anthony Ande for Otogo, Martin Dodo for Tore and Bidali Cosmas for Yei River county.

The appointments also came as fighting escalates around Yei River state's capita between rival forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition leader, Riek Machar, as opposition forces control some of the areas in the state.

Yei is located south of the South Sudanese national capital, Juba.

(ST)

August 24, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - A reconciliation conference between Darfur's Rizeigat tribe and a clan of the Ma'alia tribe known as Agarba kicked off on Wednesday in West Kordofan's state town of Al-Muglad.

West Kordofan State (Wikipedia)

The conference, being held under the auspices of West Kordofan and East Darfur states, aims to settle the longstanding conflict between Rizeigat and Agarba tribes.

The first session of the conference was held in the presence of the Minister of Federal Government Chamber and representative of the presidency Faisal Hassan Ibrahim.

For his part, head of the Agarba delegation Muslim Saeed said they came to the conference determined to open a new chapter of relations with the Rizeigat.

On the other hand, the representative of the Rizeigat, Mahmoud Khaled Mohamed said it is hightime to settle the prolonged differences between the two tribes.

Ibrahim said that First Vice-President Bakri Hassan Salih would attend the closing session of the conference on Thursday if the two sides reached an agreement, stressing the government is determined to end the tribal conflicts.

Governors of West Kordofan and East Darfur states praised participation of the two sides in the conference, underscoring the need to achieve reconciliation between the two tribes.

Meanwhile, traditional and youth leaders from the Ma'ala have issued a statement ahead of the conference, describing it as incomprehensive because it only includes one clan within the tribe.

It added that the traditional administration of the Ma'alia is not aware of the conference and has nothing to do with it, saying the tribe refuses to participate in any reconciliation conference that doesn't recognize its unity as a social entity.

Tribal clashes are now seen as the first source of violence in the western Sudan region and displaced thousands of civilians in Darfur five states.

The conflict between the Rezeigat and the Ma'alia tribes in East Darfur state is considered one of the longest and most deadly in the region.

Both the Rizeigat and the Maalia are pastoralist tribes, based in East Darfur. The centre of Rizeigat territory is in El Daein town, while the Maalia centre is in Adila, the second largest town after El-Daein.

Numerous reconciliation conferences and mediation efforts have failed to end the long-standing feud especially after reports that the disputed land contained oil.

Last year, the reconciliation conference between the two tribes, which was held under the auspices of Sudan's first vice-president, Bakri Hassan Salih in the locality of Merowe in the Northern state, stalled over the right of land ownership known as Hakura (traditional land grant).

Tribal clashes are now seen as the first source of violence in the western Sudan region and displaced thousands of civilians in Darfur's five states.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (WAU) - Shortage of fuel in South Sudan's Wau state has badly affected the supply of water to residents living in town, the urban water manager in the area said.

Tankers line up before water distribution in Juba (MDI photo)

Eng. Olwak Mugo said lack of fuel forced the station halt pumping and supplying water.

“The station consumption is two barrels per day of which the station could not afford such amount of money because at the end of the month, the station could reach 66 barrels which is 1,748,000 SSP of which the station cannot afford it,” said Mugo.

He said the station was being supported by the United Nations children fund (UNICEF), but the funds have reportedly been halted due to the high prices of fuel.

But the station management, he said, was in contact with UNICEF to offer more support.

According to Mugo, the recent violence in Wau town which forced thousands of people out of their homes also affected the station's subscription ccollections used to buy fuel.

Reconstructed in 2011, Wau's water treatment plant was meant to supply over 100,000 households within the town and the construction was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at an estimated cost of about $8 million.

(ST)