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News Tuesday 24 June 2014

Sudan frees Christian woman sentenced to death for apostasy

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June 23, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – A court of appeal in Khartoum cancelled a death sentence issued last month against Meriam Ibrahim for apostasy, the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported on Monday.





An image taken from an undated video provided on 5 June 2014 by Al Fajer, a Sudanese NGO, shows Meriam Ibrahim breastfeeding her newborn baby girl that she gave birth to in jail in May (Photo: AP/Al Fajer)“The Court of Appeal in Khartoum North overturned a judgment of the trial court of Haj Youssef and issued a decision to release the prisoner Abrar Hadi Mohammed Abdullah (alias Meriam Ibrahim), after the pleadings submitted by her defence,” SUNA said.



Her lawyer later said that authorities released her from jail.



Ibrahim was convicted of apostasy on May 15th and sentenced her to death by hanging after refusing to revert to Islam. The court also sentenced her to 100 lashes for adultery as her marriage to a Christian man is considered invalid under Sudan’s Islamic Shar’ia law.



Ibrahim, who was reportedly born to a largely absent Sudanese Muslim father, was raised according to her Ethiopian mother’s Christian faith.



She has been imprisoned with her 20-month-old son, Martin, since her arrest in December of last year and gave birth to a baby girl in prison on 27 May.



The head of the women’s committee at Sudan’s National Commission for Human Rights (SNCHR), Meriam Takas, told Sudan Tribune following the court’s decision that the Omdurman Women’s Prison authority received a judicial order to release Ibrahim if she was not convicted in other crimes, stressing that the order referred both the death and flogging sentences.



Ibrahim’s sentence drew widespread international condemnation, with Amnesty International calling it "abhorrent." The US state department said it was "deeply disturbed" by the sentence and called on the Sudanese government to respect religious freedoms.



UK prime minister David Cameron told The Times that he was “absolutely appalled” when he learnt of the death sentence against Ibrahim and called for lifting the "barbaric" verdict.



However, earlier this month Sudan’s foreign minister, Ali Karti, said at a joint press conference with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Bonn that handling the case is governed by a legal appeal process to achieve justice to the satisfaction of all parties, stressing that the government does not interfere in judicial decisions.



Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday that the court’s decision came within the framework of the independence of judiciary and in fulfillment of the provisions of the law, constitution, and the bill of fundamental rights.



The statement pointed that Sudan faced unprecedented pressure campaign from governments, organisations, international figures, and the media, saying this campaign sought to push the government to interrupt the judicial process and ignore independence of the judiciary and the principle of the separation of powers.



It underscored that the government refused to intervene in the judicial process, noting they continued to remind the international community of the necessity to respect the judiciary and its rulings.



The foreign ministry considered the court decision an opportunity to remind the international community of the continued injustices against 35 million Sudanese people due to unilateral sanctions imposed on Sudan by the United States government since 1997.



It said those sanctions adversely impact importation of live-saving drugs, production inputs, and the development efforts in the country as a fundamental human right, adding that the sanctions also allows confiscation of assets belonging to Sudanese companies and individuals unlawfully which represents a gross violation for human rights and international law.



The statement called on the same governments, organisations, and individuals who expressed concern and demanded release of Ibrahim to express solidarity with the Sudanese people against the unjust unilateral sanctions.



Amnesty international in a statement on Monday described the court’s decision to release Ibrahim as “a step towards undoing the horrific injustice visited on her”.



“Today’s ruling is a small step to redressing the injustice done to Meriam,” said Sarah Jackson, deputy director at Amnesty International.



“However, she should never have been prosecuted. Meriam was sentenced to death when eight months pregnant for something which should not be a crime. Furthermore, her abhorrent treatment, including being shackled, violated international human rights law against ill-treatment.”



The rights group also said it will continue to urge the Sudanese authorities to repeal provisions that criminalise acts of apostasy and adultery so that nobody else in Sudan has to endure the same ordeal as Ibrahim.



The US state department said today it welcomes the release of Ibrahim and called on Sudan to "repeal its laws that are inconsistent with its 2005 interim constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights".



"These actions would help demonstrate to the Sudanese people that their government intends to respect their fundamental freedoms and universal human rights. And as you know, this is a case we raised quite frequently with the government there and welcome today’s news," deputy spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters.



The Popular Congress Party (PCP), led by Islamist figure Hassan Al-Turabi, previously described the death penalty against Ibrahim as "a scandal, extremism, and intellectual backwardness”, saying there is no punishment for apostasy in Islam.



Kamal Omar, PCP’s political secretary said at a press conference last week that freedom of belief is an asset of Islam, noting the death sentence against Ibrahim is a violation of the basic principles of Islam.



He emphasised that PCP leader and members are against the conviction of Ibrahim, describing the judge who issued the apostasy sentence as “ignorant”.



(ST)

Agree to build a new nation.

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NEWS WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE 2014

South Sudan’s rival leaders agree on 60 day ultimatum

June 10, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese president Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar on Tuesday agreed to end the ongoing war and fully engage in the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-led peace process to resolve the six-month old conflict.

Both leaders, IGAD said in a communiqué, committed themselves to the formation of a transitional government of national unity within 60 days as well as ensure unhindered humanitarian support to affected people with immediate effect.

An extraordinary summit, chaired by Ethiopia’s prime minister Hailemariam Dessalegn, was specifically convened by the IGAD heads of states in Addis Ababa to discuss the South Sudan situation.

President Kiir and Machar met on the sidelines of the regional leaders’ summit seeking an end to South Sudan’s crisis.

The extraordinary summit “Applauds the two leaders on their signing of the 9 May 2011 landmark agreement in Addis Ababa, which provided the basis for negotiating a transitional government of national unity; and committed them to ensure the inclusion of a broader range of South Sudanese stakeholders in the negotiations, namely: the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, the SPLM/A In Opposition, SPLM leaders (Former Detainees), political parties, civil society, and faith-based leaders in the peace process”, partly reads IGAD’s communiqué.

The IGAD regional leaders also commended the initiation of the inclusive, multi-stakeholder phase of negotiations, through the 6-7 June symposium, saying it provided a platform for constructive dialogue on key issues towards political transition and peaceful resolution of the crisis.

Over 200 South Sudanese participants drawn from a broad range of sectors and regions, including government, opposition, civil society and religious leaders attended the Addis Ababa conference.

Earlier on, however, the IGAD mediators had expressed concern over failure by the two warring parties to adhere to provisions of the signed ceasefire agreements, warning of tougher consequences.

IGAD member states also warned “punitive” measures should any of the parties in the South Sudanese conflict fail to honour its commitments to the resolutions of the issued communiqué.

The verbal event was the second face-to-face meeting between Kiir and Machar since 9 May when they signed a roadmap agreement that would guide further negotiations.

MACHAR REACTS

Opposition leader Riek Machar told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday after the meeting that they recommitted themselves to respect the previous roadmap agreement and further negotiate on a peace agreement.

"We agreed to respect the roadmap agreement we signed on 9 May, recommitting ourselves to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. We also agreed on free and unhindered humanitarian access to the needy populations,” Machar told Sudan Tribune from the Ethiopian capital on Tuesday.

He said in the direct roundtable face-to-face talks with Salva Kiir in the presence of the Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni and a number of regional leaders, they also agreed to pull out from South Sudan the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) which is fighting alongside the government forces against the opposition forces.

“We agreed on withdrawal of Ugandan troops,” he added.

Uganda is seen a key ally of president Kiir and analysts say the withdrawal of the Uganda troops would place a complete responsibility of the regional troops to provide protection to key economic zones and the country’s vital installments.

The former vice-president turned rebel leader explained that the meeting also recommitted the two leaders to inclusivity in the negotiations in which civil society organisations, political parties and faith-based groups will take part.

He further explained that the two parties and other South Sudanese stakeholders will negotiate future governance in South Sudan and reach a peace agreement in which a transitional government will be the product.

The rebels have been demanding restructuring of the state based on a peace agreement and a federal constitution, a call the government has resisted.

DEAL WELCOMED

The US special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Donald Booth earlier stated that the ongoing IGAD-led mediation process offered the last best chance for peace in the world’s youngest nation.

"It is now time for true leaders to lead and for sustainable peace to take root and the rebirth of South Sudan", he stressed.

Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO), a South Sudanese entity, said it welcomes the outcome of the 10 June meeting between president Kiir and rebel leader Machar.

"The commitment they did for 60 days is good and this demonstrates that they want to give peace a chance. Besides this move, CEPO is urging both leaders to ensure that the military fighting taking place in some parts of Upper Nile and Unity states is ended as it demonstrates bad practices and was making civilians feel that seriousness for giving peace a chance was low and doubtful", CEPO’s executive director, Edmund Yakani told Sudan Tribune from Botswana.

"[As such] CEPO is urging you as leaders to dedicate yourselves to the principle of signed agreement and ensure it is honored and respected", he added.

COSTLY NEGOTIATIONS

Meanwhile, IGAD’s executive secretary, mahboub maalim said South Sudan’s peace process, which is supported by European Union, the Troika countries and other partners so far cost $17m.

The violence, which broke out in South Sudan late last year, has displaced more than a million people and killed thousands in the worst-ever conflict since its independence.

(ST)



COMMUNIQUE ON THE 26TH EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT OF IGAD 10 JUNE 2014

No talk for Gazi Salah with Bashir party.

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NEWS THURSDAY 5 JUNE 2014

RNP to pull out from Sudan’s national dialogue

June 4, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Reform Now Party (RNP), which is led by a ruling party dissident, has announced its intention to suspend its participation in the ongoing national dialogue process in response to what it described as a series of setbacks to political freedoms in the country.

The decision came in a meeting of the RNP politburo on Wednesday and disclosed its intention to lobby other dialogue participants to adopt same measure as the "correct position" which would force the government to commit to the deliverables of dialogue.

The party led by former presidential adviser Ghazi Salah al-Din al-Attabani also cited the arrest of the National Umma Party (NUP) chief al-Sadiq al-Mahdi last month as a reason for its decision. The NUP also made a similar move in wake of its leader’s detention by authorities.

The opposition leader has been in jail since the May 17th as he is accused by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) of defaming the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Al-Mahdi accused the government militia of committing war crimes and atrocities against civilians in Darfur.

In its statement, the RNP noted the decline in political freedoms and actions taken against t newspapers and the announcement by the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of its intention to introduce amendments to the election law without consulting opposition forces.

This was described by the RNP as a "negative indicator" which reflects ill-intentions towards dialogue and brings to question the level of commitment to its outcome.

Last January, Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir announced a 4-point plan for reform "to stop the war and bring peace, free political society, fight against poverty and revitalise national identity", calling for political forces to engage in dialogue to agree on the implementation items though he did not specify practical steps to do so.

He announced a series of resolutions at the onset of a political roundtable held later in Khartoum with the participation of 83 political parties.

He instructed authorities in the states and localities across Sudan to enable political parties to carry out their activities inside and outside their headquarters without restrictions except those dictated by the law.

The Sudanese president also pledged to enhance press freedom so that it can play its role in the success of the national dialogue unconditionally as long they abide by the norms of the profession.

Political detainees who have not been found to be involved in criminal acts will be released, Bashir added.

He also stressed the government’s commitment and willingness to allow rebels to participate in the national dialogue and vowed to give them adequate and appropriate safeguards to attend and depart safely afterwards.

The RNP said it would seek to create a national consensus across all political movements and NGO’s while also contacting rebel groups to convince them on the usefulness of political activity.

The Popular Congress Party (PCP) led by Hassan al-Turabi has previously rejected calls to boycott the dialogue despite acknowledging recent crackdown by the government.

Al-Attabani lost his position last year as head of the NCP parliamentary caucus after publicly declaring that Bashir is constitutionally barred from running again for the presidency.

He was also expelled from the NCP in late 2013 in the wake of a memo he drafted, along with more than two dozen party figures calling for the reversal of a decision to lift fuel subsidies and an end to the violent measures taken against demonstrators who took to the streets to protest.

In a related issue, the former 1st VP Ali Osman Taha called for addressing challenges that stand in the way of dialogue, especially the imprisonment of al-Mahdi and stressed the need to balance freedom of the press and infringement on the rights of others .

He told an NCP conference in East Khartoum on Tuesday night that his party opposes the suppression of freedoms and concealment of facts, but at the same time does not support chaos and falsely accusing others.

Taha stressed that no one is above the law and that anyone implicated in wrongdoing should be held accountable.

He called for refraining from delving into the issue of the Christian woman sentenced to death over apostasy charge until the judiciary gives its final word.

"Our judiciary will take into account the right thing] and will not take into account an order by a ruler or bow to external or internal pressure," Taha said.

On May 19th, the Sudanese presidency delivered a firm warning to media outlets on its coverage of certain items that poses a danger to national security and the country as a whole. A day later it suspended al-Saiha newspaper indefinitely.

The decision appeared to come against the background of publishing several stories on corruption cases within government institutions. The famous amongst which was the corruption accusation against the current undersecretary of the justice ministry, Esam al-Din abdel-Gadir.

The Sudanese minister of information Ahmed Bilal Osman said that week the NISS has the legal right to suspend al-Saiha and any media raising confusion and dissension in the country.

Federalism .....

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News Monday 26 May 2014

Equatorian politicians discuss federalism as VP Igga lashes at rebel leader

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May 25, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan’s politicians and intellectuals from the three states of the greater Equatoria region held a metting in the national capital, Juba, on Saturday during which they discussed the idea of federal system of governance.





James Wani Igga addressing the border dispute conference, Tombura, Western Equatoria, South Sudan in 2012 (file/ST)In a one-day consultative conference held at Nyakuron Culture Center, Equatorian leaders from the executive and legislative branches of the Western, Central and Eastern Equatoria states were in attendant.



The idea to embrace federalism, which has been pushed by the rebel faction of the SPLM led by the former vice-president Riek Machar, was however opposed by the vice-president, James Wani Igga, who cautioned Equatorians during the conference not to buy it.



The framers of South Sudan’s 2011 transitional constitution avoided mention of federalism, opting instead for a nominally ‘decentralized system’. However, observers said most of the Equatorian politicians and intellectuals seem to be in favour of federalism given their last year’s resolutions in this regard.



Central Equatoria state governor, Clement Wani Kongo, though not part of the rebels, was last month the first to publicly declare his position in favor of federalism, saying, “the people of Equatoria have come open that this [federalism] is what should be included in the constitution.”



Many leaders from the greater Upper Nile region have as well in the past expressed their support towards federalism unlike their counter-parts in greater Bahr el Ghazal region who have reservations on federal system of governance seeing it as a “disadvantage” to their region given its meagre resources.



The rebels under Machar’s leadership have demanded restructuring of the state on the basis of a new peace agreement and a federal constitution in order to end the current 5-month old crisis in the new country.



VICE-PRESIDENT IGGA CALLS MACHAR A LIAR



In a speech on Saturday, however, the highest-ranking Equatorian politician in the country, vice-president James Wani Igga, urged Equatorians not to join the rebel leader Riek Machar or buy the idea of a federal system of governance.



“Many Equatorians saw that this idea of Riek on federation will rescue them. Equatorians, no, Riek is a liar. So please the few of us who think they must join Riek in order to get federation, please you are on the wrong road”, Igga told the conference.



Igga accused the rebel leader of stealing from the Equatorians the idea of federalism last year during a similar conference in Juba.



“This federation here is not the creation of Riek, we all know that Riek actually stole this renewed call for federalism in this hall here – Nyakuron – during a Equatorian consultative conference like this, because he knew the resolutions of it then he said yes, I am also for federation,” he further added.



Soon after Igga’s remarks, a high-ranking state government official warned journalists present at the conference not to report on the speech of the vice president, saying it ‘did not constitute part of the conference”.



REBELS WELCOME DEBATE ON FEDERALISM



Meanwhile, officials of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) have welcomed the discussions on federalism, describing it as a “courageous step” toward chartering the future governance of the country.



“Our leadership welcomes this courageous step taken by the Equatorian leaders and intellectuals in discussing the importance of constituting and implementing a federal system of governance in South Sudan,” Machar’s spokesperson James Gatdet Dak said when reached by Sudan Tribune on Sunday.



He further pointed that it was not significant to fight over who initiated the idea but rather how to implement it.



“The question would be who is ready to champion this overdue popular demand of the people and implement it? I think it is important to say that those leaders who embrace the idea of federalism should instead lead their people towards achieving it despite who initiated the idea,” he further emphasised.



In an interview last week an Equatorian member of SPLM/A-in-Opposition, Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, who was former head of political science department in the University of Juba, said a federal system of governance could address the issue of diversity and accelerate development in South Sudan.



Critics of the idea of federalism however argue that federalism is a path toward fragmentation of the country into tribal regions. Some pointed to the recent series of Equatorian regional conferences as a resurgence of kokora – a term referring to Equatorian particularism.



Oyet further said the problems which led to the current crisis in South Sudan were lack of separation of powers, checks and balances and development of independent legal and judicial branches.



(ST)

News of Sudan.

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NEWS SATURDAY 24 MAY 2014

Weak turnout at Umma party protest against al-Mahdi’s detention

May 23, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s riot police used tear gas on Friday to disperse a peaceful demonstration organised by the National Umma Party (NUP) in the capital twin city of Omdurman to demand the release of its leader al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi.

Regular troops were deployed at several mosques in Khartoum in anticipation of any protests following Friday prayers.

Police forces surrounded the Imam Abdel Rahman Mosque in Wad Nubawi where more than 1,000 people from the Ansar sect – the religious wing of the NUP – gathered to protest al-Mahdi’s arrest.

It also surrounded the NUP’s headquarters in Omdurman where more than 500 of the party members gathered to protest the detention of their leader.

Al-Mahdi was arrested last week, days after he was called for questioning by state prosecutors over statements he made accusing the Sudan’s paramilitary unit known as the Rapid Support Force (RSF) of committing abuses against civilians in Darfur and Kordofan regions.

He was charged on several counts, including undermining the constitutional order and opposing the regime through force. Those charges are punishable by death, life imprisonment and sentences ranging from a few months to several years and confiscation of money.

The demonstration, which was led by the NUP leaders, held banners calling for the immediate release of al-Mahdi and suspension of the dialogue with regime. The protestors shouted “no dialogue with the villains”, “the voice of Al-Mahdi is the voice of the people”, and “we won’t endorse anyone but Al-Mahdi”.

The NUP leaders delivered speeches at their party’s headquarters denouncing the arrest of Al-Mahdi and calling for his release, underscoring the need to suspend participation of the party in the government-led dialogue.

Meanwhile, the opposition alliance of the National Consensus Forces (NCF) has agreed with the NUP to dismantle the regime through all means of civil struggle and establish an alternative regime which could achieve comprehensive peace and full democratic transformation.

The NCF and the NUP, in a meeting held on Thursday, announced support for al-Mahdi’s remarks that the Sudanese security apparatus violates the constitution by establishing militias even though its mandate is limited to gathering and analysing intelligence, demanding investigation on the violations attributed to SRF in Darfur and Kordofan.

The two sides agreed to form a committee of solidarity with al-Mahdi allowing all components of the society and regional and international organisations to join it in order to pressure the government for the release of al-Mahdi.

The RSF militia, which is widely known as the Janjaweed militias, were originally mobilised by the Sudanese government to quell the insurgency that broke out in Sudan’s western region of Darfur in 2003.

The militia was activated and restructured again in August last year under the command of NISS to fight rebel groups in Darfur region, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states following joint attacks by Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) rebels in North and South Kordofan in April 2013.

Sudanese officials say the RSF is part of the NISS but operationally follow the army.

The NCF disclosed in a press release that they submitted a request to meet al-Mahdi at his prison.

AL-MAHDI’S TRIAL

Meanwhile, Sudan’s information minister and government spokesperson, Ahmed Bilal Osman, announced on Friday that Al-Mahdi will be presented before a court, underscoring that the latter sought to circumvent the national dialogue.

He said on a talk show broadcasted by the state-run Radio Omdurman on Friday that al-Mahdi’s criticism for the RSF was intended to cover internal problems within the NUP.

“Al-Mahdi went out of context when he spoke about the RSF which necessitated filing criminal complaint against him by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS)”, he added

Osman emphasised the RSF is a disciplined regular force which operates under the command of the Sudanese army, saying it achieved many victories and successes.

He pointed out that the role of the RSF is to secure the society and the state.

The information minister further said they wouldn’t suspend the application of the law in order to secure success of the national dialogue.

(ST)

Bashir is disturbing all THE WORLD!!!

US “deeply disturbed” over Sudanese woman’s apostasy death sentence


May 15, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The US government said it is “deeply disturbed” by the sentencing on Thursday of a pregnant Christian Sudanese woman to death by hanging for apostasy after she refused to recant her faith.

A Khartoum court convicted 27-year-old Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, who is in custody with her 20-month-old son and eight months pregnant with her second child, of the charges on 11 May and gave her three days to return to Islam.

The judge in her trial also sentenced Ibrahim to 100 lashes after convicting her of adultery as under Sudan’s Islamic Shari’a law her marriage to a non-Muslim is considered invalid and therefore an adulterous relationship.

In a brief statement issued from Washington on Thursday, deputy department spokesperson Marie Harf said it understood the court sentence can be appealed and urged Sudanese authorities to show compassion.

“We continue to call upon the Government of Sudan to respect the right to freedom of religion, a right which is enshrined in Sudan’s own 2005 Interim Constitution, as well as international human rights law,” said Harf.

“We call on the Sudanese legal authorities to approach this case with the compassion that is in keeping with the values of the Sudanese people,” she added.

Sudan Tribune understands that Ibrahim’s husband, Dr Daniel Wani, is a South Sudanese-born US citizen.

Amnesty International said Ibrahim was arrested and charged with adultery in August 2013 after a family member reported her to authorities for committing adultery. The charge of apostasy was later added when Ibrahim, who was raised an Orthodox Christian, told the court that she was not a Muslim.

Human rights groups have condemned the ruling, saying it was in breach of international law, while Amnesty described the sentence as “truly abhorrent”.

It issued a statement saying apostasy and adultery should not be considered criminal acts and calling for Ibrahim’s immediate release.

Her lawyers say they plan to lodge an appeal to a higher court in an attempt to have her sentence overturned.

There have been no known executions for apostasy since the 1991 Sudanese Criminal Code was enacted, although many have had their charges dropped or convictions overturned after recanting their faith.

(ST)

SPLA???

SPLA says ceasefire deal used as pretext to launch attacks on troops


May 14, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudan has alleged that a recently signed ceasefire deal is being used as a pretext by rebels to organise attacks on government troop positions, warning there will be consequences.

South Sudanese army (SPLA) spokesperson Col. Philip Aguer says the army has lodged a complaint with monitors from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the East African regional bloc mediating the peace process, following multiple attacks on government positions in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In an address to the heads of foreign missions, Aguer, who was flanked by the minister for foreign affairs, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said the matter had been brought to the attention of mediators.

“We believe the monitors will be able to monitor the areas where the violations are taking place, he said.

“We will not allow this ceasefire to be used by rebels to continue moving [and] continue attacking our positions,” he added.

On 9 May, South Sudan president Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar recommitted themselves to a January ceasefire deal that has so far failed to halt violence on the ground, signing a fresh peace pact in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, in the presence of mediators.

The signing followed a meeting between the rival leaders brokered by IGAD – their first since political tensions erupted in violence in mid-December last year.

The signing of the agreement had raised hopes for a peaceful resolution to the almost five-month-old conflict, which erupted after political tensions turned violent.

However, despite the renewed agreement violence has continued, with both sides accusing each other of violating its terms.

Earlier this week, Machar’s rebel group also lodged a formal complaint with IGAD over the government’s alleged violations of the newly signed deal.

Following his return from Ethiopia, Kiir said he had instructed soldiers under his command to remain in their current positions and not engage militarily with pro-Machar forces.

However, rebels claim the government retook Unity state capital Bentiu on Monday in violation of the ceasefire deal.

CALLS FOR DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE

Meanwhile, Marial said the attacks on government positions in Unity state and Jonglei’s Ayod county, a military outpost 30km south of Renk in Upper Nile represents lack of commitment to by rebel forces.

“If rebels attacked a town which is not supposed to be under them, it is the right of the government to protect that town, protect its citizens, which is the constitutional authority,” said Marial, referring to towns under government control when the ceasefire came into effect on Saturday.

“This is interpreted as if the two sides are violating and that is why I think it is very important to recognise what the mandate of any government is with regards to running a country,” he said in a briefing to diplomats opened to the press.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to abide by the peace agreement, calling on the UN and the wider international community to pressure rebels to respect the truce.

(ST)

Release of 192 Inmates from Wad-Medani Prison

Khartoum - Chief Justice, Maulana Haider Ahmed decreed release of 192 inmates from Wad-Medani Prison and 10 others from Hassahiesa Prison.

Chief Justice called, during his visit to Wad-Medani Prison, to form a legal department to look at inmates requests in prison. He announced a number of projects that will contribute to the development of services in prison in line with international conventions and human rights organizations.



By Staff Writer, 1 day 13 hours ago