August 24, 2016 (JUBA) – A peace conference between rival communities of Dinka Bor and the Murle aimed at ending child abduction, cattle raiding and creating harmony in two regions of South Sudan's Jonglei state is in the offing, an official has disclosed.

The map of Jonglei state in red

The commissioner of Bor county, Isaac Mamer Ruuk said the governor of Jonglei state Philip Aguer and his counterpart for the newly-created state of Boma, Baba Medan Konyi both agreed to bring traditional chiefs and political leaders together in a week's time.

“On August 30, 2016, we are going to have a peace conference either in Gumuruk or Pibor,” he said in reference to main towns inhabited by members of the Murle tribe.

Also expected to attend the conference is the country's deputy minister of defense and veterans affairs David Yau Yau who is popular among the armed cattle wrestlers.

The conference, according to the commissioner, would also involve issues of child abduction and how to stump out crimes between the two neighbouring communities.

“We want the communities to interact amongst themselves through trade and other activities,” he told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

“We have a plan that after peace conference, the traders doing the business between the two states will be escorted by organized from Boma State until the reach safely into Jonglei State and back” he added.

Planned efforts to reconcile the two communities has been welcome by several citizens.

“We can't live as enemies if we want peace and delivery of basic services in our greater Jonglei state,” John Chol posted on the social networking site Facebook.

Currently, there are no business activities between Pibor and Bor. Cattle traders from Pibor travel directly to Juba by-passing Jonglei state. The two communities of Dinka Bor and Murle often trades accusations of cattle raiding, child abduction and deadly attacks on their villages but local officials have not initiated any grassroots peace conference.

However, if the proposed peace initiative commences later this month as planned, it will be the first time the rival communities directly discuss their differences in 15 years.

The first ever peace conference held in 2001 resulted into four years of tranquility in the area.

(ST)

August 24, 2016 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese government under the leadership of President Salva Kiir say they wished their peace partner and ex-First Vice President, Riek Machar does not return to Juba and assume his position in the coalition government.

President Salva kiir(C) FVP; Riek Machar (L), and VP, Marilyn, raise their hands after swearing in ceremony of Machar on April 26, 2016. (Photo Lomayat Moses)

Senior officials allied to President Kiir on Wednesday announced willingness to fully implement the August 2015 peace agreement which the President Kiir signed with the opposition leader, Machar.

Presidential advisor on decentralization and intergovernmental linkages, Tor Deng Mawien, described the implementation of the agreement to be moving at rapid speed with the appointment of Taban Deng Gai as the replacement of Machar after he was unilaterally removed from his capacity as First Vice President by Kiir due to his absence.

“Anybody who has been following the turns of events and the level of movement would appreciate the speed at which the president has demonstrated his commitment to implementing the peace agreement because he has now found a partner. General Taban Deng Gai has demonstrated willingness to working collaboratively with the president to implement the peace agreement so that to move the country forward. This is what is very important. It is not who occupies which position,” Mawien, a relative and a strong political ally of President Kiir, said during an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune.

Mawien said it was now time for the region and the international community at large to extend a helping hand and work together with the current transitional government of national unity as recommended by the outcome of the communique of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

“With such changes taking place within the presidency, where there is now a better working relationship, the region and the international community should take advantage of this new spirit and the working environment of cooperation to come out and extend support to implement the agreement,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gordon Buay, one of the senior representatives at South Sudanese embassy in the United States, claimed that the world was now accepting the appointment of Gai because they have realised that it was not easy for president Kiir to work together with Machar.

“The entire world is convinced that Riek Machar cannot work together with President Kiir given the incident of July, 8, this year coupled with December, 15, 2013. Therefore, the world accepted Taban Deng Gai to implement the peace [agreement] with President Kiir simply because bringing back Riek Machar to Juba to the Presidential Palace is like lightening a match near kerosene or benzene. The result is fire, fire, fire, fire, fire and fire,” Buay told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday from Washington DC.

He claimed further that the world leaders have reached a logical conclusion that Riek Machar has no place in the transitional government of national unity because he is purportedly “a combustible product that can easily explode and kill people.”

Gai, on the other hand, he described, is like “an air condition that cools the room. He is the right person to work with President Kiir to cool South Sudan.

However, both IGAD communiqué and United Nations Security Council's resolutions criticized the replacement of Machar as “inconsistent” with the peace agreement and called for reinstatement of Machar to his position as First Vice President.

Observers are keen to underline that the speed at which the assembly reconstitution and after the replacement of Machar suggests there was an underground conspiracy to remove him from office and replace him with someone who would not stick to implementation of the key provisions in the deal.

President Kiir himself announced at the opening of the assembly that the delay was due to petty political differences and lack of better working relationship between him and Machar at the time.

He declared he would from the time of opening the assembly work collaboratively with Gai to implement the agreement. Gai declared at the inaugural function of his appointment that there was no need for two armies in the country and president Kiir was the only existing commander in chief in the country.

(ST)

August 24, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour on Wednesday discussed with the United States Secretary of State John Kerry bilateral relations between the two countries and recent developments in Sudan and the region.

John Kerry (R) shakes hands with the Sudan's FM Ibrahim Ghandour as they pose for photos at the Palace Hotel in New York, October 2, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Stephanie Keith)

The meeting, which took place in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, comes two days after the American top diplomat met with the five foreign ministers from the regional bloc IGAD to discuss the situation in South Sudan.

In a press release extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, Sudan's Foreign Ministry said Ghandour briefed Kerry on the progress of the national dialogue process, pointing to the participation of the political, societal and armed forces in order to reach national consensus that achieves security and stability in the country.

It added the meeting also discussed the outcome of the recent peace talks between the government and the opposition Sudan Call forces in Addis Ababa, pointing to the obstacles that hampered talks on Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

A six-day round of talks from 9 to 14 August between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) on the Two Areas had stalled over humanitarian access.

Also, the Sudanese government, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-MM) led by Minni Minnawi failed to sign a cessation of hostilities in Darfur after the parties disagreed on how to determine the sites of the rebel fighters.

According to the press release, Ghandour stressed his government is determined to resume negotiations to reach a cessation of hostilities that paves the road to complete the national dialogue and achieve stability and national consensus.

It pointed that Kerry expressed his country's keenness and support for the national dialogue, mentioning the importance of Sudan's role in addressing regional issues.

On Tuesday, Sudan's Presidential Assistant and head of government negotiating team for the Two Areas talks Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid briefed the acting U.S chargé de Affairs in Khartoum Ambassador Stephen Koutsis on the outcome of the recent round of peace talks

Following 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.

It is noteworthy that the US Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth has led the international efforts to convince the opposition to sign the Roadmap Agreement and engage in the peace talks with the government.

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.

(ST)

August 24, 2016 (JUBA) – A group of armed and unarmed political parties opposed to South Sudan President Salva Kiir's government have resolved to overthrow what they described as the "totalitarian regime” along with supporters, mainly from the Dinka tribe.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir (Photo: AP/Sayyid Azim)

The resolution emerged at the end of a consultative meeting attended by former agriculture minister, Lam Akol and ex-education minister Peter Adwok Nyaba in Nairobi from 18-20 August on the theme “Towards National Democratic Revolution.”

“The political situation in South Sudan underlying the current civil war is a contradiction, as well as a struggle, between narrow ethnic sectarianism represented by President Salva Kiir and Jieng [Dinka] Council of Elders (JCE) on the one hand and South Sudan nationalism on the other hand,” partly reads a seven-page dossier from the group.

“The parties to the Consultative Meeting have to cooperate and coordinate efforts in all spheres of the struggle to overthrow the totalitarian regime in Juba,” it added.

While, Nyaba represented the armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) loyal to former first vice president Riek Machar, Akol represented National Democratic Movement (NDM) which he formed after resigning from non-violent Democratic Change party last month.

The other politicians who attended the meeting were Clement Juma Mbugoniwia from the People's Revolutionary Movement/Army (PRM/A), Juma Zackaria Deng of Western Bahr El Ghazal Group (WBG Group), Fr Joseph Otto (Eeastern Equatoria Group), Justin Joseph Marona, Pasquale Clement Batali and Dominic Akwai Henry Bahgo.

Describing the meeting's resolution as a “blueprint” towards removing “totalitarian regime in Juba,” the politicians insisted that the peace agreement signed by President Kiir and the armed opposition leader in August last year should remain on course.

“We insist that the resuscitation of ARCISS [Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan] must be contingent on […] the Regional Protection Force under the banner of the UN should be deployed to take charge of the security all over South Sudan to create an environment conducive for free political discourse on the future of the country,” further noted the document.

They group appealed to the people of South Sudan to join them in liberating the country.

“We appeal to our people to lend it their full support and call upon the other political organizations and groups that could not take part in this dialogue to join us in future discussions. We must unify our ranks to save our country from imminent collapse,” stressed the group's paper.

In the document, however, the opposition parties outlined the major economic, political and social reforms that will be taken once President Kiir's government was overthrown.

It still remains unclear as to how the opposition politicians intend to achieve these goals

(ST)

August 24, 2016 (LEER) -As fighting intensifies south of Unity state, there is massive displacement of civilians as about 2,000 have reportedly left their homes in the last one week following clashes between the armed opposition forces and government soldiers.

The map of Unity state

James Yaoch Bideng, the spokesperson of armed opposition, told Sudan Tribune government forces attacked their position in villages of Leer and Koch counties.

He said humanitarian agencies on the ground especially south of Unity state were overwhelmed after renewed fighting displaced thousands of people.

“Majority of the population remained in the bush with hundreds of people fleeing every day into the United Nations protection of civilians camp in Bentiu town and others more risk walking to the neighborhood of Payinjiar county for safety,” he said.

Last week, the armed opposition forces clashed with pro-government soldiers in the northern part of Leer, the capital of Southern Liech, one of South Sudan's new states.

Bideng further said most of the people that are trapped in the conflicts went and hid and currently live in swamps and highland areas which have no access to aid agencies.

Koch, Leer and Mayiandit counties remained some of the most insecure territories in the southern part of the oil-rich Unity state since violence erupted in South Sudan in 2013.

The armed opposition official urged international organisations and the United Nations agencies to rescue the civilians on the ground that still lack humanitarian responses.

(ST)

August 25, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - A new report by the United States-based Enough Project said the severe economic crisis has become the greatest vulnerability for the Sudanese regime and allowed the US government to spearhead efforts to support an inclusive peace deal in the country.

Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir (AFP Photo/Ashraf Shazly)

The report “Khartoum's Economic Achilles ' heel : The intersection of war, profit, and greed”, explains how the economic crisis in Sudan was exacerbated by the sanctions imposed on the country since 1997.

“This economic vulnerability has caused sanctions relief to replace debt relief as the regime's primary preoccupation, giving the U.S. government powerful leverage to support an inclusive peace deal in Sudan that leads to a transition to democracy” said the report

It adds that the understanding of the economic weaknesses of the government would make policymakers better deal with the Sudanese officials who according to the report “orchestrate large-scale atrocity crimes and theft in Sudan”.

“In a situation where grand corruption and mismanagement of mineral resources are among the key drivers of deadly conflicts in Sudan, understanding the Sudanese regime's economic vulnerabilities in greater detail can equip policymakers to better tailor their financial pressure measures to target top Sudanese leaders and their enablers” the report read.

The report mentions how the regime and its supporters dominated the Sudanese economy since they came to power in 1989, saying the country's public corporations and private sector were undercut.

“The regime and its supporters began to dominate and extract wealth for themselves from the economy's key strategic and high-value sectors, including the oil, transportation, communications, and construction industries” it said

“The regime privatized state corporations, giving over the control of these corporations to regime-affiliated businesses and charities—on a non-competitive basis and for low prices. The regime-affiliated economic networks of hundreds of commercial companies, which dominate what might otherwise be a productive and independent private sector, constitute what many Sudanese people call a “gray economy” the report added

The report explains that the Sudanese government became highly vulnerable as a result of the economic practices created and sustained by the regime itself.

“State-enshrined grand corruption, combined with economic mismanagement and short-sighted, opportunistic over- spending of finite public money on unproductive pursuits, have left the regime heavily indebted” read the report

It also explains how the economic sanctions imposed on Iran have affected the Sudanese economy and the government officials.

“Tighter enforcement of sanctions on Iran has prompted global financial institutions to de-risk and stop doing business with risky clients, including Sudan” read the report

According to the report, the Sudanese economic crisis gives Washington and the international community a good opportunity to develop a new strategy aiming at pressing the regime to engage in a comprehensive national process that allows peaceful transition to democracy.

“In particular, the financial pressure that Sudanese leaders feel now can be tightened and eased by U.S. policymakers in strategic ways as part of a system of coercion and incentives that is one part of a broader enhanced comprehensive U.S. strategy with Sudan” the report said

The Enough Project, an atrocity prevention policy group, says it seeks to build leverage for peace and justice in Africa by helping to create real consequences for the perpetrators and facilitators of genocide and other mass atrocities.

The organization says it aims to “counter rights-abusing armed groups and violent kleptocratic regimes that are fuelled by grand corruption, transnational crime and terror, and the pillaging and trafficking of minerals, ivory, diamonds, and other natural resources.”

It has been conducting field researches in conflict zones, developing and advocating for policy recommendations and support social movements in affected countries as well as mobilize public campaigns.

(ST)

August 25, 2016 (JUBA)- South Sudan has claimed it reached a consensus with the US and the region to be given a time, during which it would expedite the implementation of the peace agreement while discussions about the deployment of a regional protection force in the country continues.

South Sudan's information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, speaks to reporters in Jonglei state capital Bor on 25 December 2014 (ST)

Information and broadcasting Minister Michael Makuei Lueth, who led the government delegation to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, where the US secretary of state had visited recently, announced that the outcome of the recent meeting between a delegation from Juba and the US Secretary of State approved the deployment of the force approved by the UN Security Council after conclusion of discussions.

The government, according to Minister Lueth, who speaks on its behalf, has been given conditions to expedite the implementation process and cease hostilities.

“We would be given time provided that we moved very fast, provided that we silence the guns, provided that we talked to the IDPs so that they move out of the displacement camps so that they go back to their respective homes, and then we continue to negotiate with the region on the idea of the protection force,” said Lueth. He said regional protection force will not be deployed immediately as expected.

“They are not coming soon and we are to negotiate, because there is no way an intervention force or a foreign force can enter any nation without the consent of that country.

But Lueth claimed the forces will not be deployed immediately to the country as expected, US secretary of John Kerry said the deployment of a protection force will guarantee safety of the civilians and enable investors to return to the country.

The US secretary of state confirmed that 4,000 troops from the region would complement efforts of the unity government by providing security to civilians in Juba.

(ST)

August 25, 2016 (JUBA)- South Sudanese government has announced the presence of armed opposition leader and ex-first vice president, Riek Machar, in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, but said it would not affect the relations between the two countries because Sudanese authorities were acting out of humanitarian grounds.

Machar speaks on a mobile phone after an interview with Reuters in Kenya's capital Nairobi July 8, 2015

The South Sudanese presidential advisor on security affairs, Tut Kew Gatluak, told reporters on Wednesday after briefing President Salva Kiir on a visit to the Sudanese capital, Juba, with the new first vice president, Taban Deng Gai, that the government has been informed of the presence of Machar in Khartoum.

Gatluak, flanked by the minister in the office of the president Mayiik Ayii Deng, who spoke before him and oil minister, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, said the government has received reports of the presence of Machar in Khartoum by the Sudanese authorities without objection.

“Yes, we have received reports of the presence of Riek Machar in Khartoum. We have been informed about and we know he is there on humanitarian ground. This will not affect our relations. We understand”, said Gatluak in a statement broadcast by South Sudan broadcasting corporation.

The Deputy Minister of Information, Akol Paul Kordit, also announced the same government owned broadcaster that first vice president Taban Deng Gai was informed of the ex-FVP's presence in Khartoum.

He added that the government calls upon Riek to denounce violence and disassociate himself ‘from all the activities that are likely to undermine the implementation of the peace agreement.' Kordit said ‘peace is a collective responsibility for unity government and the IGAD member states.

The official revealed that IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) member countries as well as neigbouring African countries in the region and the entire region have been asked to not give Machar any conducive environment that he would use to undermine the stability of South Sudan and the implementation of the peace agreement.

The armed opposition leader and ex-FVP Riek Machar arrived in Khartoum for medical treatment on 'humanitarian grounds', according to Sudan's Minister of Information, Ahmed Bilal Osman.

In a statement by the Sudan News Agency, Osman announced that Sudan had recently received Riek Machar ''for he needs for urgent medical attention for purely humanitarian reasons.''

The statement adds that Riek's condition is now stable, and he will stay in the country under full medical supervision until he leaves the country for a destination of his choice to complete his medical treatment. South Sudan Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth claimed in a separate interview that Riek was suffering from a chest infection.

He did not elaborate on his claims. Machar's arrival in Khartoum comes after the United Nations announced last week that he and 10 others were airlifted from South Sudan's border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for their safety.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

August 25, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan's former first vice-president and armed opposition leader, Riek Machar, is in good health condition, an opposition diplomat said.

South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar addresses a news conference in Uganda's capital Kampala January 26, 2016 (Reuters photo)

The Sudanese government on Tuesday announced that Machar was in Khartoum to receive medical treatment.

In telephone interview, the armed opposition representative to the United Nations, Miyong Kuon said Machar's state of health is much better than it was two weeks ago.

“The Chairman is recovering very well in Khartoum. He is doing well and ready to talk to the world”, he told Sudan Tribune.

The opposition official added Machar was not shot as reported by some media outlets.

Machar is receiving medical treatment because “He had cuts in his left foot from long walks coupled with exhaustion”.

Machar had reportedly walked about 200 kilometers from Eastern Equatoria inside Sudan before managing to arrive in the Democratic republic of Congo (DRC).

Khartoum had notified Juba that Machar's presence in Sudan is for pure humanitarian reasons.

There were rumors that the Sudanese government has sent an aircraft to evacuate the former vice president from a hideout in a remote town in the DRC.

However, SPLM-IO official on Friday dismissed those reports saying unfounded.

“Khartoum was not involved in the rescue operation, there was no a Sudanese airplane used as reported”, he explained.

It is not yet clear if Machar will return to DRC or move to other country after recovery.

However opposition officials here in Addis Ababa told Sudan Tribune that they want their chairman to be relocated to Ethiopia where IGAD still recognizes him as the legitimate vice-president of South Sudan.

Riek Machar has refused to return to South Sudan's capital Juba unless a regional force is deployed.

Machar fled the capital Juba, over a month ago following fierce fighting with government troops which led to attempts on his life.

Opposition officials say this is this is a second murder attempt he has survived after the one in December 2013.

Machar reportedly fled the country along with his wife, Angelina Teny, Brigadier Simon Bangong and 100 soldiers.

(ST)

August 25, 2016 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese cabinet has proposed nearly SSP 30 million for financial year 2016/2017, two months after the end of the fiscal year.

A man from South Sudan displays new currency notes outside the Central Bank of South Sudan in Juba on 18 July 2011 (Photo: Reuters)

In an extraordinary meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir on Wednesday, the cabinet directed the ministry of finance to consult other ministries before presenting the budget proposal to the council and later Parliament.

"The proposed financial year 2016/2017 is 29,655,000,000 [twenty nine billion six hundred and fifty five million] South Sudanese pounds," the country's information minister Michael Makuei Lueth told reporters after the meeting in Juba on Wednesday.

Makuei said the cabinet accepted the proposed budget in "principle." There is an increased of nearly SSP 20 Billion compared to last year budget but some economists said the value is lower when inflation rate of 600% is factored and compared against the United States dollars.

South Sudan's local currency, the pound, has fallen sharply since the government allowed floating of exchange rate in December, pushing price to increase several times.

Information Minister Makuei said the increase in the budget is meant to cover peace implementation and expanded transitional government of national unity.

"That is, there is an increase of 19,310,547,663 SSP [compared to last year's budget]. This increase is estimated to be 187 percent. Of course, as a result of so many factors including the implementation of the agreement,” he said.

He said the minister of finance has been asked to invite other ministries and technocrats to study the budget and return to the cabinet "soon."

South Sudan financial year usually begins on 1 July and therefore for a new budget to be implemented, parliament must approve it after deliberations for at least 30 days.

(ST)

August 25, 2016 (NAIROBI) - South Sudanese displaced by the country's months of violent conflict have started receiving refugee identification cards in neighboring Kenya.

One of the refugees, only identified as Nyanluak, expressed delight after receiving her identification card, which is being issued by the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR).

UNHCR officials, however, said that they were still receiving a lot of refugees from south Sudan in the aftermath of the 8 July clashes in the capital, Juba and that most of those fleeing into Kenya were children, women and elderly people.

As such almost all refugees currently occupying Nakuru, Kisumu, Mombasa and Eldoret have already been issued with identification cards, an official told Sudan Tribune.

The exercise was last year initiated by the Kenyan department for refugees affairs. Kenya has a refugee department that handles problems facing refugees in urban centers.

(ST)

August 25, 2016 (YAMBIO) – The road connecting Yambio, Ezo and Tombura counties in Gbudue, one of South Sudan's newly-created Gbudue states has been re-opened by the national army (SPLA) after three months of closer by armed youth using huge logs.

The map of Western Equatoria in red

The road closure made it difficult for the government and non-governmental organisations to deliver the much needed services to communities in those areas.

The local government and law enforcement minister in the state, Jackson Ezekiel Buguwa said the army successfully re-opened the roads connecting Ezo and Tombura.

“I congratulate the SPLA forces for opening the roads connecting the State headquarters with Ezo and Tombura County without challenge on the way," he said.

Buguwa further said authorities in the state had dispatched the SPLA forces to open the road peacefully or forcefully to Ezo and Tombura so that medicines and humanitarian assistance could reach the people living in a terrible situation.

The SPLA forces combined with the organized forces managed to clear all the trees on the roads making it easier to travel to those areas and also push faraway the armed groups along the roads.

Humanitarian agencies and partners, the minister said, were now free to go those areas for assessment and to help the displaced persons who have been living in bushes since the violence broke several months back.

The SPLA have recovered some looted NGOs items which includes solar panels and other valuable items in the Primary health care unity in the county, he said.

Daniel Rakazi of Medicines San Frontier (MSF) said the medical charity managed to reach Yambio, Ezo and Tombura, providing drugs to people living with the HIV/Aids epidermic.

Last month, however, MSF said it tried to transport the HIV/Aids drugs to Ezo, but their vehicle could not return to Yambio because roads were closed while they were in Ezo.

Thousands of civilians in Ezo county fled to the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central Africa Republic (CAR) due to the conflict which erupted between the government forces and the armed groups in the area killing dozens of the population.

(ST)

August 26, 2016 (JUBA) – The official spokesperson for South Sudan's former First Vice President, Riek Machar, said their leader has been discharged from a hospital in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, after significant health improvement from his swollen leg, coupled with extreme exhaustion.

South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar speaks during an interview with Reuters in Addis Ababa on July 9, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Tiksa Negeri)

James Gatdet Dak, Machar's spokesman, confirmed to Sudan Tribune on Thursday that his boss was released from the hospital after days under the care of the Sudanese government.

“Yes, my Chairman Dr. Riek Machar has been discharged from the hospital in Khartoum. He has regained strength from the extreme exhaustion. His swollen leg has also significantly improved. He can now walk with it, although still slowly,” Dak explained.

He said the South Sudanese former First Vice President, who is considered by his opposition faction of the SPLM-IO as the legitimate First Vice President despite his controversial replacement on 24 July, has moved to a resident in Khartoum for further in-house care before he will begin to officially visit IGAD and AU countries.

“He is no longer in the hospital. He has been moved to a residential area. We thank the Sudanese government for their hospitality,” he added.

MACHAR'S CIRCULATED PICTURES

Dak also confirmed the widely circulated pictures by one of President Salva Kiir's senior diplomats, Gordon Buay, who resides in Washington DC, and shared by other officials in the President Kiir's government. Buay on Thursday circulated on social media pictures of Machar taken while lying on bed and was being carried by United Nations peace keepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Dak said the pictures are authentic and were taken, probably by the peacekeepers who airlifted him. He, however, said they were old pictures taken on 17 August when Machar was being airlifted from the DRC-South Sudan border by the UN peacekeepers.

He however said lying on the bed and being carried did not mean his health condition was in very critical condition, but was simply due to exhaustion and swollen leg which made it difficult for him to walk well on his own.

“Yes, the pictures are authentic. But what do you expect from someone at his age who had been chased in the bushes by ground forces and helicopter gunships for 40 days? Surely, anybody can get extreme exhaustion and when you are exhausted and you have swollen legs, you definitely lie down. This is obvious,” Dak added.

“And if it was Salva Kiir who had been chased for 40 days in the wilderness, I can also guarantee you that he would have been in the same situation, extremely exhausted and would lie down too,” Dak mockingly explained.

He said they will soon release pictures of the current condition of Machar after the health improvement.

He said the excitement with which pictures of Machar's condition were circulated by President Kiir's officials was an indication of the level of “savagery in their desire to kill Machar.”

“One thing is clear, that those in Juba are savages. Their comments and the excitement with which they circulated his pictures with pleasure is an act of savagery, an evil mindset. They have proved to the whole world that they are barbarians only longing to kill,” Dak said.

Dak however said Machar is back, adding that there is need to bring to an end “once and for all” the current “devilish” leadership in Juba in order “to stop the vicious cycle of violence, endless killings, corruption, wars and lack of development in the nation.”

Machar reportedly survived attempted assassinations twice in December 2013 and July 2016 during which his residents in Juba were bombed in the two incidents and was chased into the bushes to hunt him down.

(ST)

August 26, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - South Sudan's ambassador to Khartoum Mayan Dot Waal on Friday said the joint border technical committee between the countries would resume its work in mid-September in Khartoum.

In September 2012, both Sudan and South Sudan signed a series of cooperation agreements, which covered oil, citizenship rights, security issues, banking, border trade among others.

In March 2013, the two countries signed an implementation matrix for these cooperation agreements. However, the execution of the agreements didn't go according to the plan.

Last June, the Joint Political and Security Committee (JPSC) between the two countries signed a series of security agreements, including immediate re-deployment of joint military forces along the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ), and approved a plan to stop supporting and harbouring rebels as well as opening the crossings points.

The South Sudanese envoy told the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) the two sides have agreed on the timetable to begin the implementation of the nine cooperation agreements.

He added the joint committees would also hold similar meetings in Juba during the coming period to determine its missions and implement tasks entrusted to them.

Waal further pointed his government has embarked on taking practical and serious moves to pull back its troops at a distance of 10 kilometers inside its territory in coordination with the United Nations.

During the abovementioned JSPC meeting the two sides agreed to immediately start enforcing the agreed decision on the buffer zone and submit a report to the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) within 21 days.

On 11 May, the UN Security Council has mentioned the agreement between Sudan and South Sudan to activate the mechanisms pertaining to the JSPC and urged both sides to draw the coordinates of the demilitarized zone or reach an agreement to make it a weapon-free zone including the 14 Mile area.

The SDBZ would be established along 2,100 km on the 1956 border line and at a distance of 10 kilometers on each side of the borders.

Last June, Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) said it has completed the re-deployment of its troops along the SDBZ with South Sudan.

Waal added the recent JSPC meeting has developed a timetable to begin the works of the technical committees on September 15th, saying the strengthening of social, political and economic ties between Khartoum and Juba would stop spoilers and prevent imposition of international trusteeship.

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 voters chose independence.

Observers say that strained relations between the two countries and the internal crises they are currently facing are direct consequence of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which failed to adequately address several post-cessation issues.

(ST)

August 26, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's President Omer al-Bashir did not travel to to Nairobi, Kenya to participate in the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) and instead dispatched First Vice-President Bakri Hassan Salih.

President Omer Hassan al-Bashir (AFP photo)

TICAD was launched in 1993 by the Japanese government to promote Africa's development, peace and security, through the strengthening of relations in multilateral cooperation and partnership, particularly with the country.

The official news agency (SUNA) said that Salih has arrived in Nairobi on Friday evening to take part in the meeting without indicating reasons that prevented al-Bashir's participation in the summit.

Kenya is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which in 2009 and 2010 issued two arrest warrants for al-Bashir on ten counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide he allegedly committed in Sudan's western region of Darfur.

Despite the country's legal obligation under the ICC's statute, it chose to receive al-Bashir in August 2010 without arresting him, prompting the ICJ to move the issue to the High Court.

According to SUNA, Salih was accompanied by the Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour, Minister of International Cooperation Kamal Hassan Ali, Health Minister Bahar Idris Abu Garda and State Minister of Finance Abdel-Rahman Dirar.

TICAD meeting, which will be held from 27 to 28 August in Nairobi, would be attended by Japan's Prime Minister Shinz? Abe.

The summit will focus on the theme: “Advancing Africa's Sustainable Development Agenda – TICAD Partnership for Prosperity.

Over 6,000 participants are expected to participate in the summit, including a number of African Heads of State and Government, as well as representatives of international and regional organizations, the private sector and civil society, among others.

(ST)

August 26, 2016 (JUBA)- South Sudan said it is seeking assurance of support from the countries in the region that armed opposition leader and the former first vice president, Riek Machar, would not use their respective territories as a haven for hostile activities.

Riek Machar gestures as he speaks to rebel General Peter Gatdet Yaka (not seen) in a rebel controlled territory in Jonglei on February 1, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Goran Tomasevic)

The South Sudanese presidential advisor for security affairs, Tut Kew Gatluak, said Friday that the government commends the region for responding to concerns it raised ij regard to the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council's authorisatio of the deployment of 4000 protection forces to the world's youngest nation.

“As the government we appreciate the way the countries in the region have responded to our views on the resolution of the united nation security council. There are countries which are seeing the logic in our reservations and have indicated readiness to support engagement with the United Nations, the region and the international community", Gatluak exclusively told Sudan Tribune.

He added, "We also want these countries in the region to go beyond understanding our position on the resolution of the Security Council to include commitment to denying those who would not be ready to cooperate in the implementation of the agreement any support. Such people should not be given safe haven”.

The top presidential aide said they would approach the region to persuade armed opposition leader to denounce violence and try to play a positive role in the implementation of peace agreement in the interest of peace and stability of the people and to avoid returning the country to war once more.

“The region should persuade Riek Machar and his group to denounce violence and encourage them to play a positive role in the implementation of peace agreement", said the aide.

"The region should not accept to allow him use any country as launching pad to derail implementation of the peace agreement. He and his group should be denied any safe haven if they refuse to denounce violence”, he further stressed.

(ST)

August 24, 2016 (BOR) - Jonglei state authorities said they expect low harvest this year, as many villages have been affected by floods in the current three counties of Bor, Twic East and Duk.

A photo taken on 4 September in Jonglei state capital Bor showing people affected by recent floods there (ST)

In a bid to increase food production in Jonglei state to curb hunger, the state government encouraged the people to cultivate since the year began.

The government owned farm, of more than 1,000 feddan by size, has reportedly been destroyed by floods.

“In agriculture, we think that the economy of South Sudan would be boosted through agriculture. And we in Jonglei state, since I took over, our concentration is on agriculture as a means of increasing livelihood, particularly food production," said Jonglei state governor, Phillip Aguer.

He added, "This year, many people cultivated, and myself, I led by example with more than 1,000 feddan".

According to the state government, efforts put in by the state farmers had been marred by the floods that began in July. Little would be harvested this year as a result.

“Unfortunately, agriculture this year, will not be successful, not because people have not tried their efforts, but because the forces of nature which are not under control came in, and most of the farms in Jonglei state, starting from Makuach payam up to Duk, are affected by floods, which have negatively affected the area negatively,” the governor continued.

Only two payams: Kolnyang and Anyidi in Bor, which were not affected by the floods, will probably have good harvest this year, if all goes well.

The state population would still be food insecure, and many of them will still be in need of humanitarian support in terms of food aid for survival.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had been one of the leading agencies, through its partners, that provided food and none food supplies to the residents of Jonglei before and after December crisis.

In the recent visit, US secretary of state, John Kerry, announced $138 million as part of the US' plans to support South Sudan on humanitarian ground.

(ST)

August 26, 2016 (NYALA) - Hundreds of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kalma, one of largest South Darfur camps, gathered on Thursday to mark the 9th anniversary of killing of dozens of the camp residents at the hands of government forces.

Burial ceremony at Kalma IDP camp after the August 25 2008 raid (Photo UNAMID)

Kalma camp for IDPs is located near Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, and is home to thousands of people. Government forces targeted the camp in an August 25, 2008 raid that killed 36 residents and injured 13 others.

Most of the camp residents sympathise with the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW) led by Abel-Wahid al-Nur which rejects the African Union led process for peace and to bring the armed groups to take part in a comprehensive constitutional conference.

According to Sudan Tribune correspondent, the IDPs handed over a memo to the United Nations, African Union and civil society organizations in the area, rejecting government intentions to plan the camp.

The memo also demanded distribution of food rations, protection of IDPs and refugees and eviction of the “new settlers” who resided in Darfur's villages and towns during the 13-year conflict.

The IDPs further rejected the Roadmap Agreement signed by the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Gibril Ibrahim and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-MM) led by Minni Minnawi.

Earlier this month, JEM and SLM-MM among other forces from the opposition umbrella Sudan Call signed the Roadmap Agreement for peace and dialogue brokered by the African Union.

The peace plan provides that the Sudanese governments and the rebel groups should engage in talks to reach agreement on a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access before the Sudan Call forces join the government-led national dialogue.

However, the SLM-AW, which refuses to join the African Union brokered peace talks, says not concerned by this process and the Roadmap Agreement.

The rebel group proposes that Khartoum unilaterally implements a number of measures aiming to restore security and ensure the return of villagers to their homeland. After what, the warring parties can engage in a process aiming to address the root causes of the conflict and not its consequences.

UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in Darfur conflict since 2003, and over 2.5 million were displaced.

(ST)

August 26, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan has participated in the 9th meeting of the International Contact Group on the Central African Republic (ICG-CAR) in Bangui.

Map of the Central African Republic (The Economist)

The CAR suffered the worst crisis in its history since late 2012 when mainly Muslim Seleka rebels toppled the government of François Bozizé. Christian militias so-called anti-Balaka groups responded by attacking the Muslim minority.

Muslims have been forced to flee the capital city and most of the west of the country, in what rights groups described as ethnic cleansing.

Both sides have been accused of war crimes such as torture and unlawful killing.

The ICG-CAR has been meeting since May 2013 to discuss coordinated regional, continental and international action to enable CAR to find a lasting solution to the political, security and humanitarian situation of the country.

In a press release extended to Sudan Tribune on Friday, Sudan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Gharib Allah Khidir said the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Ismail has led his country's delegation to ICG-CAR's meeting in Bangui.

According to the press release, CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who addressed the opening session of the meeting, pointed to efforts made by his government and the international community to end the conflict and restore security and stability in the country.

For his part, the head of Sudan's delegation briefed the meeting on his country's efforts to restore security and peace in the CAR.

The press release added that President Touadéra had received Ismail at the presidential palace and discussed with him ways to support and enhance bilateral ties in the various fields.

Last March, Touadéra visited Khartoum and demanded the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir to support his effort to bring peace and stability in his country.

Also, Sudan's Vice-President Hassabo Mohamed Abdel-Rahman participated in the inauguration ceremony of Touadéra in the same month and said that his country plays a major role to bring stability in the neighboring CAR.

(ST)

August 26, 2016 (BOR) - Prison authorities in South Sudan's Jonglei state have hinted on the possible collapse of one of the inmates' building where female prisoners are currently being kept, urging government quickly renovate it to avoid more damages.

Prisoners in Bor police station, Jonglei, South Sudan (ST)

The building, with capacity of 20 beds for female inmates, is now completely evacuated, as its collapse became imminent to the prison management.

According to Brig. Gen. Manyok Jok, a former prison director in Bor, the crack forced them to move inmates into another building as they waited for response the government for renovation.

“This building is totally cracking, we are fearing that it may fail anytime. We evacuated convicted inmates to another room. This is what we have reported to the government so that government come and make renovation but until now there is no positive response from the authority”, Jok said.

The construction of the state the prison funded by UNDP, was completed in 2010 in Bor. Since then, the prison had been homes to hundreds of inmates convicted for various charges including murder, rapes, theft and adultery, among others.

Last week, feeding of inmates of in the prison was reportedly said to be one of the pressing issues that faced its administration since the crisis subsided in 2014.

(ST)