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Sudan is looking forward to sanctions relief: Ghandour

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August 31, 2017 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan is awaiting the permanent revocation of U.S. economic embargo imposed on the east African nations 20 years ago, Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said on Thursday.

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Ibrahim Ghandour (Photo Suna)

Ghadour made his remarks during a meeting with a Congressional delegation visiting Sudan to assess the implementation of a five-track agreement signed by the two countries last year for the lift of economic sanctions and discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations.

"The Minister affirmed that the Sudan has demonstrated its commitment to what has been agreed and will continue its cooperation in this regard, pending the fulfilment by the American side for the lifting of economic sanctions on Sudan in October," said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Garib Allah Khidir on Thursday.

Several American delegations visited during the month of August, as Washington prepares to take a decision on the permanent cancellation of sanctions on Sudan.

In the past, the lawmakers resisted the lift, saying it will give Khartoum a carte blanche to continue human rights violations and war crimes in the country. But, they seem now disposed to accept it as the State Department reassured them it would it not remove Sudan from the list of states sponsors of terrorism and will use the debt relief programme to bring it to achieve the desired goals.

Khidir didn't disclose the names of the visiting delegation, but he said the visiting congressmen praised the role that Sudan plays in the region and stressed their desire to work together on the issues related to bilateral relations, and the five-track plan.

He further said they vowed to support the lift of sanctions on the Sudan based on the facts they assessed during this visit.

"At the end of the meeting, the two sides agreed on the need to explore new horizons for joint cooperation in all fields following the lifting of sanctions," he said.

(ST)


South Sudan president says will leave power after war

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September 1, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir said Friday he will step down from power after ending the ongoing war in the country.

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South Sudan's President Salva Kiir arrives in Khartoum on September 3, 2013 (AFP Ashraf Shazly)

“This situation will change. The war will stop and when there is peace, there is stability and the leadership is united and they make a decision, I will leave. What I don't want is to leave when the country is divided, when people are killing themselves," Kiir said.

He added that they didn't fight for the liberation of the South Sudan to start another war and to kill each other for power.

"No, the people doing this, or are inciting people should be identified and told what they are doing is not good,” said President Kiir.

The South Sudanese leader made the remarks during a meeting with elders who visited him at his residence in Juba on Friday to extend him a congratulatory message on the occasion of a Muslim festival, Eid al-Adha.

Sheik Juma Ali described president Kiir as the man of peace, tolerance and forgiveness.

“I went to the President on Wednesday to invite him to join us in the celebration of the Eid al-Adha and also on the replacement of Secretary General of South Sudan Islamic Council which will soon take place," Ali to explain the purpose of the meeting.

"The response he gave was positive. He donated one hundred rams. But as you know, the president is always occupied. So he will be represented by someone he would delegate,” the religious leader further said.

Eid al-Adha takes place between first September and the 5th September this year. The Islamic festival is also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice or the Major Festival. It is a very important religious holiday for Muslims worldwide.

(ST)

UK provides $3,8 million for S. Sudanese refugees in Sudan

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South Sudanese arrivals in Sudan's White Nile State wait in a shaded area for registration and assistance at Al Waral site on 12 April 2017 (UNHCR Photo)
September 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The United Kingdom on Thursday announced it would provide $3,8 million to the South Sudanese refugees and their host communities in Sudan.

In a statement on Thursday, the UK embassy in Khartoum said the contribution would provide the basic services to 130,000 refugees and 15,000 needy persons from the host communities.

It pointed out that the contribution, which is provided by the Department for International Development (DFID), will support vital work in the areas of education, water and sanitation, registration and shelter in the White Nile, South Kordofan and East Darfur states.

According to the statement, the head of DFID Sudan, Christopher Pycroft, expressed his country's concern over the needs of children in the refugee camps, saying they are in dire need for education to acquire the necessary skills to build strong economies and communities.

According to the UN, more than 410,000 South Sudanese — nearly 90% of them women and children — have fled to Sudan since the outbreak of civil war in 2013.

The U.N lacks the resources needed to respond adequately to this mass exodus. A plea for $167 million to care for South Sudan refugees in Sudan is less than 10% funded.

The Sudanese government has been cooperating with efforts to assist refugees from the territory it formerly ruled.

Sudanese authorities have also opened four “humanitarian corridors” into South Sudan to enable food and other aid to reach vulnerable civilians more quickly.

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.

(ST)

Two Sudanese college students killed in campus clashes

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Omdurman Islamic University

September 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Two college students have been killed and at least ten others injured in a new wave of clashes between students belonging to opposition parties and those supporting the ruling National Congress Party (NCP).

Clashes erupted on Thursday morning at the student campus at Omdurman Islamic University as NCP affiliates armed with knives and machetes attacked rooms of Darfur students belonging to the United Peoples Front (UPF).

During the clashes, UPF student, Ga'afar Mohamed (aka Guevara), was stabbed to death as his colleague Ashraf al-Hadi died Friday of injuries sustained from stab wounds.

Also, unconfirmed social media reports said that a third UPF student Mohamed Ali Abdallah has been pronounced clinically dead at Aliaa Hospital where he was rushed to perform a surgery for stab wounds to the chest.

The reasons for the deadly clashes were not immediately clear. However, the press office of the Sudan Police on its Facebook page said: “violent clashes occurred on Thursday among students belonging to Darfur armed groups at Al-Fatih Hamza Hostel, Omdurman Islamic University”.

The police said the clashes caused serious injuries among the students, pointing “the police intervened and the wounded have been transferred to the hospital while the perpetrators were captured and the hostel was evacuated”.

“Large quantities of machetes, knives, modified Molotov cocktail, military badges and boots were seized during the search of the hostel,” said the police.

According to the police, “it turned out that the hostel was used as an operating room to arm the students and the sleeper cells to launch acts of sabotage”.

Meanwhile, the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) has mourned the death of the two students.

In a statement seen by Sudan Tribune, the spokesperson of the SLM-AW chairman's office Mohamed Abdel-Rahman al-Nair described the attack as “brutal aggression”, saying it was carried out by the NCP students.

He vowed revenge against the “killers and criminals”.

However, a statement from the Omdurman Islamic University students unions which belongs to the NCP students said the clashes erupted among affiliates of the Darfur armed groups.

Sudanese universities have been witnessing a rise in the acts of bloody violence.
Two students, Mohamed al-Sadiq of Omdurman Ahlia University and Abu Bakr Siddiq of Kordofan University were killed during violent clashes between government and opposition supporters respectively on 27 and 19 April 2016.

(ST)

Regional and international bodies need to speak with one voice on S. Sudan: envoy

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Ambassador Tekeda Alemu speaking in a press conference at the UN headquarters on 1 September 2017(ST Photo)

September 1, 2017 (NEW YORK) – There is a need for the regional and international community to speak with one voice on South Sudan, said the Ethiopian ambassador to the United Nations on Friday.

Ambassador Tekeda Alemu who chairs the Security Council for September made the remark during a press conference held at the UN headquarters to present the Council programme of work for this month.

Asked about the most important issues that he wants to see progress during his chairmanship of the Security Council this month, Alemu said.

“South Sudan is our major preoccupation” adding that progress is achievable if there is enough good will and commitment.

"If the countries in the region speak with one voice, if the Security Council speaks with one voice, it will be possible to make tremendous progress in South Sudan. This is not happening. Hopefully, this will change," he further stressed.

The Ethiopian diplomat will lead a Security Council delegation to Addis Ababa this month for an annual consultative meeting between members of the UN Security Council and members of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC).

South Sudan and Somalia are expected to top the agenda of the joint meeting.

Alemu showed optimism saying the situation in the South Sudan is not very difficult and progress can be achieved.

"If we could make some progress with respect to South Sudan, it would really be fantastic, it would really be extremely beneficial, not only for the people of South Sudan but for the region as a whole," he said.

The 15-member body this month will be briefed by the Secretary General on the implementation of the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Also, it will be briefed on the deployment of the Regional Protection Force (RPF).

The four-year armed conflict in South Sudan displaced some 1.89 million people inside the country and forced other 1.97 million people to flee to neighbouring countries. Also, nearly the half of the country population are severely food-insecure.

(ST)

UN release $21m to cover Sudan's urgent humanitarian needs

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South Sudanese refugees in White Nile State receive humanitarian assistance on 27 February 2017 (SUNA photo)
September 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations Friday released $21 million to provide life-saving food support, nutrition, water and sanitation, health and other assistance to Sudanese in the war affected areas in the country.

The funding will enable aid groups to support vulnerable people in the areas where access was previously limited in Darfur region, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states

“Our response will address both the immediate needs through emergency, life-saving assistance and strengthen (the) resilience of the most vulnerable and their communities to future and recurring shocks," said Marta Ruedas, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan.

Acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) cases and the continuing influx of refugees from South Sudan have been straining available resources and increasing pressure on the limited basic services in the targeted areas where funding is now headed.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as of 18 August 2017, 30,762 cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD)—including 657 related deaths—have been reported in the 18 states in the country since August 2016.

The FMoH and WHO expect additional 36,000 to 40,000 cases over the next six to nine months, as the AWD outbreak which many describe as cholera, is affecting all demographics, with females constituting 54 per cent of the cases.

(ST)

Response to Ateny Wek 30th August's fool's day

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By Mabior Riiny Lual

Had it not been fresh lies intertwined in Today Ateny's post, one would not have bothered to respond to Ateny's Facebook post. In his usual quick response to Facebook allegations, Ateny claimed that

“It is not true that the President is leaving power in favour of Dr Castelo Garang anytime, and for whatever reason. Dr Castelo is not an SPLM member, nor did he ever been part of the SPLM political hierarchy”. This is the view of someone who is himself new to the SPLM. Dr Costello Garang is not on Facebook and only became aware of the rumour doing round in Facebook through others about President Kiir alleged desire to relinquish power to Dr Costello Garang.

He, Costello did not take rumour seriously as he knows relinquishing power takes certain procedures, he was as well surprised how J1 takes every Facebook post at face value. But what should keep Ateny and his cohorts awake at night are the current public unfavourable view of the government? The way rumour did rounds is a litmus test of how people are fed up with the current government and their desire for a change of guards. Such views are not the making of Costello, but south Sudanese sovereign desire for freedom.

In his quick rejoinder to make his defence known for the government, Ajal Bol Gai quipped “Well articulated I guess SPLM-IO especially Mabior Riiny is paying those media to mislead the public it can never happen as said by molana Ateny Wek Ateny thanks for clarification”. This is one of the pathetic sycophants always on guard to sell south Sudanese for a job with government thanks to the failures of the system to employ educated South Sudanese based on merits.

Unbeknown to Ateny Wek Ateny, Costello is an old member of SPLM since its inception in 1983. I wonder where Ateny Wek Ateny was by then. Ateny should consult his boss about the past members of SPLM. What Ateny has forgotten is the fact that current SPLM government is dominated by outsiders foreign to SPLM, and it is laughable that NCP bigwigs during the struggle are the one advising President Salva Kiir on the daily business of SPLM, is Ateny not ashamed of this? Ateny Wek is not a spokesperson for SPLM and he is green of who was who in the old SPLM. For the sake of record and for Ateny Wek's benefit, below is brief summary of Dr Costello's contribution during his days in SPLM.

1. In September 1983 Costello Garang was appointed by Dr John Garang representative of the SPLM/A in Germany. The appointment letter was sent to him by Hon. Joseph Oduho, as member of the politico- military high command and chairman of the political and foreign affairs committee. the appointment was later on renewed by Dr.John personally with the letter of appointment handed over to Dr Costello by commander Martin Manyiel Ayuel, who was director of Dr John Garang's office as chairman of the SPLM/A.

Costello Garang organised the first visit of the SPLM/A DELEGATION to Germany and introduced it members to Central Europe. These were Hon. Joseph Oduho, Judge Martin Magier and current General Alfred Akuoc. The German Authorities first denied the delegation entrance to Germany. Joseph Oduho and his group have to wait for 6 hours at the Airport in Frankfurt until Costello came back from Vienna to facilitate their entrance. General Alfred Akuoc, the former Undersecretary of Wild Life is alive and could witness what happened in Frankfurt.

2. In May 1989 Dr Costello Garang organised the first visit of Dr JOHN to the West after the inauguration of the SPLM. Dr John started with Bonn, where Dr John and Dr. Costello spoke in the German Parliament. Dr.John was accompanied by Dr Mansour Khaled, Commander Edward Lino and Commander Uyai Deng Ajack among others. The extremely successful visit of Dr John was nearly overshadowed by a diplomatic row resulting from the fact that Dr John himself and his Security guards entered Germany and the German Parliament armed. The Germans were not amused about the fact that the arms were not declared. Dr Costello had to iron out the Crisis with the German authorities and security organs.

3. Until the signing of the CPA, Dr Costello Garang was a Minister in the SPLM/A. He was a Member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Commissioner for International Cooperation And Development. It was in this capacity that he:

a) Formed together with Dr Riek Machar the current National Oil Company, NilePet. Dr COSTELLO brought the late German lawyer, Prof. Karlheinz Jung, to help form NilePet and flew to Yei to register it there.

b) Brought the Chinese company HUAWEI to South Sudan to put up GEMTEL.

c) Brought the German Railway Company, Thyssen Krupp Gleistechnik, to make the railway feasibility study Juba-Gulu, Juba-Nakuru and Juba-Lamu.

This was in coordination with Dr John Garang, who in this connection sent him to President Kibaki, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and President Museveni.Dr. Costello Garang was appointed by the SPLM after the CPA was signed to become Member of National Parliament in Khartoum and proposed to be Minister of Investment. He turned down both seats. His seat in the Parliament went therefore to Hon. Aguer Alic and the Ministry went to Malik Agar.

d) 2008 Costello Garang became Presidential Advisor on Special Programmes and Special Functions and Member Of the NLC of the SPLM

Dr Costello Garang is capable of leading and if need be, he will form his party to contest elections.

Juba, Khartoum to hold oil discussions next week: minister

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September 2, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investment Mubarak al-Fadil Saturday said Sudan and South Sudan would hold bilateral talks next week to discuss ways to develop oil production.

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A worker at the power plant of an oil processing facility in South Sudan's Unity state on 22 April 2012 (Photo: Reuters)

Al-Fadil told the official news agency SUNA, that “joint talks will be held next week with ministers from South Sudan to develop oil production and discuss ways to benefit from this production”.

Juba and Khartoum have recently signed a framework agreement to promote the economic cooperation and particularly on trade and oil between the two countries.
According to the agreement, Sudan would provide the personnel, electricity and technical assistance to restart the oil fields in South Sudan.

Sudan lost 75% of its oil reserves after the secession of South Sudan in July 2011. Oil revenue constituted more than half of the Sudan's revenue and 90% of its exports.

KIIR TO VISIT KHARTOUM

Meanwhile, Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour told SUNA that he expects South Sudan's President Silva Kiir Mayardit to arrive in Khartoum at any time.

He said President Omer al-Bashir and Mayardit have earlier agreed on the visit, hoping it would open a new chapter in relations between the two countries.

(ST)


South Sudanese army vows to protect rape trial witnesses

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The rank of Lt general is pinned on Lt Gen. James Ajong by President Salva Kir, and Vice President James Wani, during the swearing-in ceremony as SPLA general chief of staff on Wednesday 10 May 2017 (ST Photo)

September 2, 2017 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese army has vowed to protect witnesses willing to testify before the military court against soldiers accused of raping foreigners at a hotel in the capital, Juba.

“We have no problem with anyone coming out to testify before the court. The issue of the safety of the witnesses was discussed at the command council and it was agreed that the witnesses would be accorded all protection they want. If they do not want to come to the country, they can testify through video link,” the army chief of staff, Gen. James Ajonga told Sudan Tribune Saturday.

He added, “So let no one feel they will be targeted. The command has granted protection”.

The army chief said recent decisions of the command council to restructure the army are parts of the general efforts to overhaul and reshape the institution so that it moves towards a professional army in which the ground, riverine and air force are equally represented.

“Just give us time and our people will appreciate the result of their patience. They stood with their sons during the war of liberations when they were the source of their strength. We want them to not be disappointed by the actions of individuals on which we are working to improve so that there is a discipline in the army”, he said.

The top military officer revealed that the command council, in which he currently sits, recently unveiled strategic plans to reorganizing the military headquarters, re-zoning the military commands, setting up new strategic zones and joint operation command systems.

Other areas, according to Ajonga, include strengthening the country's central military leadership command structure, imposing strict discipline on the army, pushing for more innovation, reforming personnel management system and pushing for integration between the building of national defence and economic development.

The army chief of staff general urged the civil population to work together so that the military institution can be professionalised.

“Instead of continuing to blame the soldiers, we need to work together because the people we are blaming [are] our brothers, our sons, husbands and above all our fellow citizens. And more importantly, what I always emphasize is that these soldiers are there for you, for me and the whole country,” further stressed Ajonga.

“We don't work together with them to correct and make an adjustment, then we have failed in our roles as the citizens and we shall always allow ourselves to be consumed by accusations and justifications”, he added.

The senior army official was reacting to queries on what military leadership was doing to protect the image of the army by identifying elements accused of gang raping foreign nationals and vandalizing Terrain hotel when fighting erupted in July 2016 between government forces and fighters loyal to the rebel leader, Riek Machar.

The trail of the accused soldiers, observers say, would be a key test of accountability in a country where impunity is pervasive. Those accused of atrocities never appeared in public before the court.

In the July incident, 12 South Sudan soldiers were accused of gang-raping five foreigners, killing a local journalist while forcing survivors to watch and looting the Terrain hotel compound in the capital, Juba.

The trial of the accused South Sudanese soldiers almost collapsed when judges at the military court threatened to dismiss the charges of rape and murder unless the foreign victims and witnesses testified. The same judges initially rejected the possibility of remote testimony via online video interviews, but have now accepted after directives from the command council permitted testifying through a video link.

(ST)

Sudan Call meets SPLMN al-Hilu in Addis Ababa

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Mariam al-Mahdi and Mohamed Faroug with SPLM-N al-Hilu delegation in Addis Ababa on 1 September 2017 ST

September 2, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - A delegation from the internal groups of the opposition umbrella Sudan Call inside the country Friday met with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North faction led by Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu (SPLM-N al-Hilu) in Addis Ababa.

The opposition groups inside Sudan were represented by the Deputy President of the National Umma Party (NUP) Mariam al-Mahdi and Mohamed Farouq, the spokesperson of the Sudan Call groups inside and the deputy chairman of the Sudanese National Alliance (SNA).

The SPLM-N is now divided into two factions: one led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu and the other led by Malik Agar. The rift emerged several months ago over the right of self-determination and other issues.

In a joint statement released on Saturday, the SPLM-N al-Hilu and the Sudan Call said the meeting was held “in an atmosphere of cordiality and mutual respect”, pointing they “discussed the current issues of the country transparently”.

The two sides stressed the need to push forward the unity of the opposition forces, pointing to the importance to support, develop and broaden the Sudan Call to achieve the desired change.

The meeting also underscored the need to continue contacts, consultations and coordination among the Sudan Call groups, calling to hold a meeting for the umbrella to discuss the national crisis.

The SPLM-N al-Hilu underlined the commitment to the Movement's leading role as founding and active member of the Sudan Call.

The Sudan Call, which was established in Addis Ababa on 3 December 2014, includes the National Umma Party (NUP) and rebel umbrella of Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), and the Civil Society Initiative (CSI).

Sudan Call internal groups include the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP), Sudanese Baath Party (SBP), Center Alliance Party (CAP), Sudanese National Party (SNP) and Sudanese National Alliance (SNA).

SPLM-N AGAR DISSATISFIED

Meanwhile, the SPLM-N Agar has expressed discontent over the meeting between the Sudan Call and al-Hilu's faction, saying it would only aggravate divisions within the Movement.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Saturday, SPLM-N Agar spokesperson Mubarak Ardol described the joint statement as “public relations” statement, saying Mariam al-Mahdi and Mohamed Farouq haven't been delegated to speak on behalf of the umbrella organization.

The joint statement was signed by the deputy chairman of the NUP Mariam al-Mahdi and the deputy chairman of the SNA Mohamed Farouq for the Sudan Call alliance while Amar Amun Daldoom signed on behalf of the SPLM-N al-Hilu.

Ardol pointed out that they don't object to Mariam's meeting with al-Hilu's faction but their criticism stems from the fact that the joint statement portrayed the latter as the “only legitimate faction”.

He added there are “two SPLM-N factions”, saying it is necessary to meet with the two factions to “clear the air” within the Sudan Call and the SRF.

“Siding with one [SPLM-N] faction would aggravate the differences within the Sudan Call,” said Ardol.

Ardol further expressed his faction's commitment to the unity of the Sudan Call and the opposition, urging the SPLM-N members from the two factions to stop the bickering on the social media and direct their efforts to the true battle against the regime.

He further pointed to meetings they held with the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minnawi and the Justice and Equality Movement leader Gibril Ibrahim to strengthen the unity of the opposition.

In a related development, Ardol regretted that NUP leader Sadiq al-Mahdi recently described the SPLM founder the late John Garang as Islamophobe and anit-Arabist.

Following the split of the SPLM-N, the Sudan Call groups inside the country decided to mediate between the two factions of the SPLM-N and to narrow the gaps between the two factions.

(ST)

240 South Sudanese get scholarships to Chinese universities

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September 2, 2017 (JUBA) – At least 240 South Sudanese students have been awarded scholarships to study in various Chinese universities.

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South Sudan vice-president James Wani Igga during his visit to China June 28, 2014 (Larco Lomayat)

The charge d'affaires at the Chinese embassy in Juba, Li Xiangfeng, said the scholarships cover economics, agriculture, international relations and medicine fields.

“I would like to appeal to our scholars to come back to South Sudan for a stronger state building of their nation and a better livelihood of the people,” Xiangfeng told Xinhua.

“Furthermore, you are also ambassadors of South Sudan to China. We hope you would come back with not only knowledge and expertise, but also sincere friendship between our two nations and people,” he added.

The program, the envoy said, is part of China's contribution to the development of South Sudan by supporting economic and human resource development.

The human resource development programs in China, he noted, will boost the knowledge the people of South Sudan, a country that has been at war since 2013.

China, according to its envoy, has offered 4,100 scholarships and short-term training programs for South Sudanese since the young nation gained independence in July 2011.

Meanwhile, South Sudan's minister for higher education, Yien Oral Lam lauded the contribution from the Chinese government and vowed to cooperate with its people.

“I appreciate our level of interaction with the people of China not only in the field of education, politics and economic development, but we want to continue with our social and cultural interaction with the Chinese people,” said Lam.

China was one of the nations that recognized South Sudan's independence from Sudan in 2011.

(ST)

Danish minister pledges humanitarian assistance to S. Sudan

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September 2, 2013 (JUBA) - The Danish Minister of Development Cooperation, Ulla Tørnæs has pledged to continue providing humanitarian aid to South Sudan as millions struggle to survive because of a lack of food, water, healthcare and basic shelter.

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People in conflict-affected areas of South Sudan collect food from WFP (WFP/eter Testuzza Photo)

Tørnæs was in war-torn South Sudan where he met the head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), David Shearer.

Shearer briefed the Danish minister on the political, security and the humanitarian situation in the war-torn East African country.

The two officials reportedly discussed the challenges of protecting civilians and building durable peace in a country where millions of people have fled their homes because of the civil war that erupted in 2013 following a political dispute within South Sudan's ruling party.

“We are very worried about the humanitarian situation with two million refugees in the neighbouring countries and two million internally displaced people as well as learning about the humanitarian workers having difficulty in access and doing their work,” said the Danish minister.

“We are contributing right now, about $30 million US dollars to the humanitarian assistance and I look forward to continue very strong Danish support to the humanitarian situation in South Sudan,” she added.

The Danish official also held meetings with the South Sudanese minister of foreign affairs and his humanitarian affairs counterpart, with discussions reportedly focused on implementation of the August 2015 peace agreement.

“I really urge the politicians of South Sudan to make sure that peace will come. Peace and security are necessary to create prosperity so that the streets of Malakal can once again boom with life and business,” stressed Tørnæs.

Over the last three years, the Danish government has reportedly provided US$12 million in development assistance to South Sudan.

(ST)

South Sudan's Kiir, USAID's Green disagree over humanitarian access

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September 2, 2017 (JUBA) - The visiting head of USAID Mark Green disclosed that his meeting with President Salva Kiir disagreed with him on the need to address the humanitarian situation and to stop the war, warning that Washington is reviewing its policy towards Juba.

On Saturday, Green wrapped a two-day visit to South Sudan where he visited Juba and Wau to assess the situation in the war-ravaged country and inspect the humanitarian activities of the USAID, the largest donor to the people of South Sudan.

In statements to Reuters, the USAID head said that President Kiir denied that the army and allied forces impede the humanitarian access the civilians in the war affected areas.

“He disagreed with our assessment that there are problems with humanitarian access,” Green said. The USAID chief added he told the South Sudanese president that Washington is seriously reconsidering its policy towards his government.

“While it is true that we support the people of South Sudan, it is just as true that the situation has deteriorated to the point where a serious re-examination of U.S. policy is appropriate,” he added.

“I told him that in the next few weeks we are undertaking a complete review of our policy toward South Sudan,” he said, pointing that his discussions with Kiir were “cleared at the highest levels” in Washington.

During his visit, Green met with the UN agencies and humanitarian groups. Also, he met with the UNMISS leadership which struggle to protect aid groups on the ground.

In a separate statement released after his departure, the USAID said Green strongly urged Kiir to stop military operations and to end obstructing humanitarian access as well as to work for a viable peace in the troubled country.

"He urged the President to help end the suffering of his people by taking a number of specific steps on an urgent basis: restoring a permanent ceasefire by ceasing ongoing military offensives; ending obstruction of humanitarian access; eliminating exorbitant fees levied on aid organizations; and engaging in a meaningful, inclusive peace process," reads the statement.

The newly appointed USAID administrator further described South Sudan as the most dangerous country in the world for aid workers, and he called on the President to ensure the security of aid workers and end impediments that block or delay the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

The USAID provided some $2.7 billion of humanitarian aid to the South Sudan since the start of the four-year conflict.

(ST)

South Sudan rebels warn oil workers to vacate oilfields

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September 2, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudanese rebels have warned oil workers operating in the oil-producing regions of Unity state to leave the area.

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A worker at the power plant of an oil processing facility in South Sudan's Unity state on 22 April 2012 (Photo: Reuters)

The rebel spokesperson, Brig. Gen William Gatjiath said their forces were heading to the oil fields, claims Sudan Tribune could not verity.

“We would, therefore, like to once again remind all oil workers to evacuate the oil fields in Unity State without any delay,” he said.

The rebel official urged oil workers not to ignore their warnings and that failure to comply could mean placing their lives at risk.

The rebels, Gatjiath said in statement, are in control of Guit county.

He claimed rebels under the command of Maj. General Tito Biel Wieh of north division in Unity state, captured the two areas.

Gatjiath further said 20 pro-government were killed while five were captured, claimed which Sudan Tribune could not independently verify.

Since its independence, South Sudan has relied on oil for all income, a situation that has significantly compounded the ongoing political and economic instability due to the fall in crude oil prices globally.

South Sudan, however, got the lion's share of the oil when it split from Sudan in 2011, but it's only export route is through Sudan, giving Khartoum leverage and leading to the ongoing disputes in pricing.

A civil war broke out in South Sudan in mid-December 2013 after President Salva Kiir sacked his former deputy Riek Machar. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and more than two million displaced on the country's worst ever-violence since its secession from Sudan in 2011.

(ST)

Rights body calls for new mechanisms to South Sudan peace process

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September 3, 2017 (KAMPALA) - The Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) has called for an inclusive revitalization process in South Sudan's peace process, saying isolating the country's rebel groups from the peace process could mean prolonging the war in the East African nation.

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Ethiopian FM and Chairperson of the IGAD Council Workneh Gebeyehu shakes hands with President Salva Kiir in Juba following a meeting with the IGAD foreign ministers on 24 July 2017 (IGAD photo)

CPJ's coordinator Tito Anthony says the plan to exclude the armed opposition leader, Riek Machar from the peace revitalization forum or resuscitation of South Sudan peace deal could delay the process.

The official called for a new approach, involving both war parties with full participation of political leaders in and outside the country.

"We need both President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar for fully present in South Sudan, to allow the transitional justice processes take place especially the accountability and reconciliation part because they have direct responsibility for the four years conflict in the country and must be personally involved in reconciliation and accountability processes,” Tito told Sudan Tribune.

The CPJ director further warned that the recent IGAD revitalized peace process lacks a ground base, saying it focuses on one side of the conflict and was likely to fuel the ongoing conflict in the country.

"Peace cannot be achieved in South Sudan when the armed opposition allied to the SPLM (IO) Machar faction is out of the revitalization of the 2015 peace agreement,” stressed the official.

“I urge the regional leaders to be serious to achieve peace in the new country or collaborate with international actors to initiate a new political process that will bring peace in South Sudan,” he added.

In June, East African leaders at an extraordinary summit meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia called for the revitalization of the 2015 South Sudan peace accord, saying the agreement was the only solution to end the conflict.

The South Sudanese government, however, said the revitalization forum by the regional, which mediated the 2015 peace deal should not be another platform for negotiation of the new peace agreement between the two factions to the conflict.

IGAD is an eight-member economic bloc that brings together Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, South Sudan, Kenya and Uganda.

Over a million people have fled South Sudan since conflict erupted in December 2013 when President Salva Kiir sacked Riek Machar from the vice-presidency. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and nearly two million displaced in South Sudan's worst ever violence since it seceded from Sudan in 2011.

(ST)


Prominent Darfur rebel commander joins SLM-MM

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September 3, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) Sunday said the field commander Abbas Ahmed Aseel (aka Jebel Moon) has joined the Movement.

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A fighter belonging to Sudan's Liberation Movement

In a statement seen by Sudan Tribune Sunday, the SLM-MM described Moon's accession to the Movement as “important step towards unifying the armed forces which seek to topple the regime of the genocide and ethnic cleansing”.

It added the SLM-MM is exerting every possible effort to unify the armed resistance to confront the dictatorial regime, accusing the government of throwing the country into deep crises.

The statement called on the armed groups and the political forces to join efforts to overthrow the regime and lift the country out of the miserable reality.

A leader of a former Darfur armed group told Sudan Tribune on the condition of anonymity that Moon is a prominent field commander, saying he led several battles against the government forces and used to control a number of areas in Darfur.

He added that Moon had defected from the SLM-MM and joined the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) before he split and established his own movement.

The Sudanese army has been fighting a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

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

(ST)

Al-Bashir receives phone call from Emir of Qatar

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President Omer al-Bashir received by the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Doha on 16 June 2016 (QNA Photo)
September 3, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir Sunday has received a phone call from the Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at his place of residence in Saudi Arabia greeting him on the advent of Eid Al-Adha.

Al-Bashir is currently on pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

According to the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC), Tamim congratulated al-Bashir for performing the pilgrimage, wishing Sudan and its people progress and development.

For his part, al-Bashir thanked Tamim for his phone call, expressing his good wishes for the prosperity of the Qatari people.

Last June, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE and Egypt severed ties with Qatar accusing it of supporting Islamist terrorist groups and arch-foe Iran. But Doha vehemently denies the charges.

Sudan is among the Arab states that refused to take part in the ongoing diplomatic crisis and declared its support for the Kuwaiti efforts to settle the rift.

(ST)

South Sudan's SPLM re-unification group deadlocked over working venue

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September 3, 2017 (JUBA)- The working group comprising members of the three factions of South Sudan's ruling party (SPLM) has been unable to come together and work from one location since the committee was formed, grounding the efforts of the reunification initiative being sponsored by the Ugandan leader, Yoweri Museveni.

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South Sudanese opposition leader, Dr. Riek Machar meets Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni in Khartoum, Sept. 16, 2015 (ST Photo)

The acting Secretary General of the SPLM faction loyal to President Salva Kiir, Jemma Nunu Kumba said the group had not made any progress because of the differences within its members over the venue for their work.

“You know the parties nominated three members each to the working group. From our part we nominated three comrades. The other comrades also nominated three members each. The SPLM-IO [the armed opposition faction] nominated three and the former detainees also nominated three members, but two of the former detainees who are part of the working group did not come to Juba where the committee was to start its work,” Nunu told Sudan Tribune Sunday.

She added, “So the team in Juba worked on the draft and sent for their contribution. But they did not do it. Instead they wanted the team in Juba to go to Entebbe and work from there”.

The senior party official, however, stated that the leadership was consulting about whether to allow the team work from Entebbe in Uganda or persuade the two members of the former political detainees to come Juba where they will be working together with other members from other factions involved in reunification.

A senior member of the SPLM-IO faction under the faction of the first vice president Taban Deng Gai also confirmed separately, saying two members of the former detainees refused to come to Juba.

“You know well that Majak D' Agoot, Kosti Manibe and John Luk Jok were nominated by the former detainees to the committee. John Luk is in Juba and he has already started working with the team in Juba, but the two colleagues did not come. They insisted that the committee must work from Entebbe,” further explained the official.

He added, “I don't why they do not want to come and the work place of the committee is in Juba”.

The SPLM-IO member also said there were discussions ongoing between the parties to either permit the working group to develop the concept and implementation matrix outside South Sudan or allow three members of the former detainees who are already in Juba to represent their group in consultations and working in Juba.

In July, the various factions of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) signed the Entebbe Declaration to operationalize the Arusha Agreement on the reunification of the ruling party.

The declaration was signed under the auspices of President Museveni.

However, in furtherance of the objectives of the SPLM reconciliation and unity, the faction groups reportedly resolved to establish a working group to revitalize and operationalize the implementation of the Arusha SPLM Reunification Agreement. The working group was also tasked to develop a matrix for the implementation of the Arusha Agreement with specific timelines and report to President Museveni.

The group also reiterated calls for the armed opposition leader, Riek Machar to join the process of reconciliation and unity of the SPLM. They also resolved that groups and cadres, who are not part of the Arusha Agreement, should join the reconciliation and reunification process and the SPLM cadres and the grassroots countrywide and in the diaspora to embrace the new spirit of reconciliation and unity for the interest of the South Sudanese and their country.

In June, South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar declined an invitation for the SPLM reunification meeting brokered by the Ugandan president, arguing that his forced confinement in South Africa made it difficult for him to participate in this gathering.

Machar, in a letter addressed to Uganda's technical adviser facilitating the talks for three factions of South Sudan's ruling party, said his faction received the letter at short notice, resulting in failure to make necessary preparations to attend the talks.

The ruling party split leading to an outbreak of a civil war in mid-December 2013.

(ST)

South Sudan rejects peace imposed from outside, says Kiir

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President Salva Kiir addresses delegates during the swearing-in ceremony of FVP Taban Deng Gai at the Presidential Palace in Juba, July 26, 2016. (Reuters/Jok Solomun)

September 3, 2017 (JUBA)- South Sudan President Salva Kiir said Sunday he was more concerned about the situation in the country but voiced his rejection of any peace agreement imposed from outside the country.

“There are people who come with conditions instead of coming to listen to us, to what we have done and how we intend to overcome the challenges and forward,” said President Kiir in a speech to religious leaders at his residence.

The South Sudanese leader said he was personally committed to ending the war in the country, stressing that one side alone would not stop the situation if there is no reciprocation of the same.

“I know that in order for any agreement to endure, peace cannot be imposed from the outside. It must be negotiated directly by the leaders who are required to make the hard choices and compromises that take on history," said Kiir.

"We are determined to stop this war, even without being threatened because these are our people and the country is ours," he emphasised.

The remarks come 24 hours after a meeting with the head of USAID, Mark Green who asked the South Sudanese president to stop the war and allow unfettered humanitarian access. The visiting American official said Kiir has denied that his forces are impeding the activities of aid groups.

“I told (Kiir) that in the next few weeks we are undertaking a complete review of our policy toward South Sudan,” said further Green in statements to Reuters, pointing that his discussions with Kiir were “cleared at the highest levels” in Washington.

However, in his meeting with the religious leaders, Kiir seemed unmoved by Green's statements.

"We came out from a similar situation before and so I have a confidence we will also come out of this situation,” said Kiir.

Addressing his call to the opposition groups that refuse to join the national dialogue he initiated last year saying they have to stop war and join the internal political process

"And you in the church, you an important to play for peace to be realized," he added in his speech to the religious chiefs.

The head of state further urged the religious leaders to help his administration in preaching and disseminating the message of peace, reconciliation, forgiveness.

The Eastern Africa's Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which leads regional efforts to end the four-year conflict, last June called to revitalizes South Sudan peace process.

The initiative is an attempt to revive a dead peace agreement signed in August 2015. Juba says it is committed to the implementation of the deal but Machar and his opposition faction should not take part in this transitional phase and wait to participate in the elections.

(ST)

South Sudan signs MoU with Trade and Development Bank

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September 3, 2017 (KIGALI) – The Republic of South Sudan has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Southern and Eastern African Trade and Development Bank in Seychelles.

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South Sudan minister Stephen Dhieu Dau (Getty photo)

South Sudan's finance minister Stephen Dhieu Dau signed the MoU, witnessed by the President of Seychelles, Danny Faure, ex-Zambian president, Rupiah Banda and a number of finance ministers from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

The MoU was signed during the annual meeting for the vote of governors of the Trade Development Bank to be negotiated among the three parties for the Republic of South Sudan and Republic of Sudan to finance trade, particularly in the oil sector.

“The Trade and Development Bank is supporting the member states in the areas of providing the funding for the infrastructure, trade finance and social services projects”, said Dau in a statement.

The main objective of the bank is to support the member states in areas of economic and trade and integration in general, it added.

South Sudan will, in accordance to the MoU, enjoy benefits of being a member of the COMESA as well as Trade and Development Bank.

The war-torn nation joined the Southern and Eastern African Trade and Development Bank by signing the charter of the bank in December 2016 and was eventually endorsed by the Board of Directors in March 2017, becoming the 21st member of the Trade and Development Bank, formerly known as PTA Bank.

Founded in 1985 with its headquarters in Bujumbura, Burundi, the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank reportedly provides project and infrastructure finance, trade finance products as well as services in Eastern and Southern African countries.

(ST)

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