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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

Bashir have you seen they better than you!

S. Sudan’s rival SPLM leaders commit themselves to ending war


May 9, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir, and former vice-president turned rebel leader Riek Machar agreed on Friday to end fighting in the country and allow humanitarian access to affected civilians.

Under the deal the signatories “Agree to immediately cease all hostile activities within 24 hours of the signing of this agreement, thus rededicating ourselves to the cessation of hostilities agreement of 23 January 2014, and further agree to facilitate the full deployment of [the] IGAD Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM)”.



Text: Agreement to Resolve the Crisis in South Sudan

In line with the signed guideline document, the parties also agreed to open humanitarian corridors, and “to cooperate, unconditionally with the UN and humanitarian agencies to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches affected populations in all areas of South Sudan”.

The two leaders further agreed to form a transitional government of national unity and to include all South Sudanese stakeholders in the peace process and the negotiation of an interim government to “ensure broad ownership of the agreed outcomes”.

Peace talks being mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD were recently limited to the South Sudanese government and Machar’s SPLM/A in Opposition, however, under the new agreement other stakeholders, including former political detainees, opposition parties, civil society and faith-based groups, will be allowed to take part.

In comments following the signing ceremony, both Kiir and Machar expressed their willingness to implement the agreement and end hostilities.

The two leaders, who prayed together prior to signing the agreement, were later congratulated by the Ethiopian prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.

Machar arrived in Addis Ababa late on Thursday, while president Kiir arrived on Friday where he was received by Ethiopian foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom upon arrival at Bole international Airport.

The two parties held separate consultative meetings on Friday with the Ethiopian prime minister prior to the face to face talks brokered by IGAD.

Direct talks got underway later the same day following discussions on ways to resolve the ongoing crisis and arrangements for future transitional governance.

Ongoing peace negotiations between the two sides have failed to reach a lasting political solution to the nearly five-month-old conflict, which erupted in mid-December last year after political tensions between Kiir and his former deputy turned violent.

Kiir accused Machar, who was sacked last July, of staging a coup to overthrow his government by force – an accusation the latter denies.

Friday’s deal aims to speed up national reconciliation and to bring an immediate end to the conflict, which has killed thousands and displaced more than 1.3 million people.

The deal also ensures the inclusion of the group of SPLM leaders who were jail in connection to their involvement in the alleged coup plot, but later released without charge.

Juba initially opposed to their involvement in peace negotiations, saying talks should be restricted to the two parties directly involved in the conflict.

On Friday, Machar met with Pagan Amum, the former secretary-general of South Sudan’s ruling SPLM party, along with three other former colleagues, including Oyai Deng Ajak, Majak Agoot and Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth.

The meeting was Kiir’s first face to face contact with the group of former political detainees, who had been on trial for treason before the government dropped the case.

Government and rebel negotiators signed a shaky ceasefire agreement on 23 January but the deal was never implemented, with both sides trading accusations of violating its terms.

The fighting has divided the country’s army along ethnic lines, pitting Kiir’s Dinka tribe against Machar’s Nuer group.

The UN has accused both rival groups of committing crimes against humanity, including mass killings and gang rapes.

(ST)

A very shamefull action.

US, Canada decry Sudan’s bombing of South Kordofan hospital


May 8, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The American and Canadian embassies in Khartoum have strongly condemned a reported attack by the Sudanese air force on a hospital in South Kordofan.

“The embassies in Khartoum of Canada and the United States extend their condolences to the victims of the recently reported bombings of the Mother of Mercy Hospital in the Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan,” the statement reads.

“Reports indicate a number of bombs were dropped near the hospital on May 1 and 2 by Sudanese Armed Forces aircraft, causing injuries and terrifying patients and staff alike,” it adds.

Nuba Reports, an independent news site reporting on the restive Nuba Mountains area, said that the hospital in Gidel village was bombed last week over a two-day period.

A video uploaded to the website purportedly showed people running for cover during the air raid amid explosions and sounds of fighter jets roaming overhead.

It noted that this hospital is run by the Diocese of El Obeid – one of the few organisations operating in the Nuba Mountains where international aid agencies are banned by the Sudanese government and treats 150,000 patients annually

“[It] is the only hospital facility for the Nuban people who have been cut off from the outside world and greater Sudan by their own government. The only other option is the four to six day walk south to the Yida refugee camp in South Sudan. But with South Sudan’s civil war inching ever closer, refugees at Yida are at risk of being caught in the crossfire,” the website said.

The two embassies said that they are “appalled by this attack on those providing essential medical care or humanitarian assistance to people in need. International humanitarian law obligates all parties to a conflict to distinguish civilians from combatants”.

“This latest event only heightens our concerns about the protection of civilians in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur, where [the] Sudanese Armed Forces continue indiscriminate aerial bombardments of civilians and civilian areas,” said their press release.

“We call upon the Government of Sudan to account for the apparent targeting of a healthcare facility and its patients. We urge all parties to the conflict to take the necessary steps through the African Union-led effort to achieve a cessation of hostilities and allow for full humanitarian access,” it adds.

Last year, the Sudanese government vowed to crush rebellions in all conflict zones including the one in South Kordofan.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its latest weekly bulletin that more than 100,000 have been displaced recently in South Kordofan as a result of the fighting between the Sudanese army and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).

Peace talks sponsored by the African Union between the two warring sides were adjourned last month in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, after failing to seal a framework agreement.

(ST)

Direct talks and PLEASE STOP THE CIVIL WAR.!!!

HOME

NEWS MONDAY 5 MAY 2014

South Sudan’s rival leaders to hold direct talks on Friday

May 5, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudanese president Salva Kiir has agreed to meet face to face with former vice-president turned rebel leader Riek Machar on Friday, senior diplomats in Juba disclosed on Monday.

“The Ethiopian prime minister in his capacity as the chairperson of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has notified the government of the meeting which the president had accepted to take place between him and Riek Machar,” a senior diplomat told Sudan Tribune on Monday.

“I am told the meeting will take place [this] Friday 9 [April],” added the official who requested anonymity.

He, however, did not elaborate on the agenda the two leaders would discus, although many analysts and observers say the meeting would diffuse the tensions and raise hope for a cessation of hostilities.

Several leading rebel officials reached by Sudan Tribune also confirmed receiving similar notification from the mediation team. They equally said the two leaders would meet on 9 May for the first time since the conflict erupted in the country’s capital, Juba, in 15 December 2013.

“Yes, it is true we also received the same notification today (Monday) from the mediation team. We hope this will calm down the situation. On our side, Dr. Riek Machar has no problem to meet with Salva Kiir,” a key rebel leader said from Addis Ababa on Monday.

The current situation would have not developed to the level it is today if president Kiir had accepted to engage in dialogue with the other SPLM leaders before the start of violence in the country, he added.

US secretary of state John Kerry during a visit to Juba last week said the two antagonists will meet to reaffirm their commitment to the cessation of hostilities agreement and discuss a peaceful settlement to the conflict.

However rebel leader Riek Machar on Saturday said that any agreement on a power-sharing transitional government without a programme would be meaningless.

“I asked him (Kerry) what would be the purpose of a transitional government? It would not be workable without a programme to implement before elections come,” Machar told Sudan Tribune on Saturday.

“We need to have a peace agreement first with a new constitution. Putting [a] transitional government first is not realistic,” he added.

Speaking to reporters in Luanda, Angola, Kerry minimised the objections raised by the former vice-president and said the expects that the meeting between Kiir and Machar would takes place as scheduled.

“He left the door open,” Kerry said when he was speaking about Machar position, adding that the rebel leader “expressed some doubts, but he didn’t say he wouldn’t go”.

Machar “has a fundamental decision to make. If he decides not to and procrastinates then we have a number of different options that are available to us. We said we are serious and there will be accountability and implications if people do not join into this legitimate effort,” the American top diplomat further pointed out.

The bishop of the reformed Episcopal of South Sudan, Gabriel Roric, called on the two warring parties to observe the truce they agreed and to comment themselves to achieve a sustainable peace and development , adding that the Church had intensified prayers for reconciliation.

“We the Christians of different communions have come together in the common cause of peace, are deeply concerned about the growing hostilities and the suffering which our people continues to face,” Roric told Sudan Tribune in a separate interview on Monday.

He said the church would engage in prayers of penitence and petition with the people scarred and pained by the division of the nation and support the efforts of the National Council of Church for reconciliation, peace and reunification.

Roric further urged the two sides to engage in talks in good faith to end suffering. Also he called on the United States and all stakeholders involved to immediately resuming dialogue and negotiations to establish a peace agreement eliminating the threat of sanction and conventional war thereby establishing an enduring peace it also called the UN Security Council to support peace efforts between the two rivals.

(ST)

Africa news.

AU to Work towards Effective Implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) in Africa


This week marks the 10th anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1540 (2004) by the United Nations (UN) Security Council. The resolution aims to prevent non-State actors and terrorists from acquiring, proliferating and using nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery. It requires Member States to refrain from providing support to non-state actors; enact legislation establishing prohibitions; as well as implement domestic controls over such materials to prevent unauthorized use and trafficking.

The Chairperson of the Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, wishes to recall that, within the framework of the Common African Defense and Security Policy adopted by the 2nd Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Sirte, in February 2004, the AU has long been committed to regional and global efforts to prevent and combat terrorism as well the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. She stresses that the evolving threat of terrorism on the continent and the terrorists’ determination to inflict wanton destruction through all means possible require continued efforts by the Member States, individually and collectively, to protect the continent and its people against such threats.

In recognition of this, the 20th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held in Addis Ababa, from 27 to 28 January 2013, reiterated the relevance of resolution 1540 (2004) and requested the Commission, in collaboration with the Security Council Committee established pursuant to the resolution (1540 Committee), as well as the regional and international organizations and partners, to support Member States in their efforts to implement the resolution. Subsequently, the Commission, in collaboration with the 1540 Committee and with the support of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), organized a sensitization and capacity building workshop in December 2013 for African states on the implementation of resolution 1540. The Commission will continue to work with the relevant regional and international partners to ensure the effective implementation of the resolution on the continent.

In another positive development, the Chairperson of the Commission notes with satisfaction the entry into force, on 26 February 2014, of the AU Protocol on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism, which was adopted in July 2004. The Protocol, which supplements the 1999 Algiers Convention on the Prevention and Combatting of Terrorism, recognizes the growing linkages between terrorism and the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, trafficking, transnational organized crime and money laundering. The Protocol thus obligates States Parties to strengthen national and regional measures in conformity with relevant continental and international instruments, to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. The Protocol also calls on Member States to cooperate with the international community in the implementation of continental and international instruments relating to disarmament and non-proliferation.

Since its adoption, resolution 1540 (2004) has become an important component of the global security architecture. The Commission’s efforts in promoting its effective implementation further seek to ensure that it is also an instrument for realizing and enhancing regional and international cooperation in law enforcement and the peaceful application of nuclear, chemical and biological science and technology for the development of the continent.

The Chairperson of the Commission seizes this opportunity to call on Member States to renew their efforts to prevent and combat terrorism as well the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. She reiterates the Commission’s commitment to provide the necessary assistance and support to Member States in meeting their obligations pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004).



By Press Release, 13 hours 48 minutes ago.