Get those Sudanese BCK HOME!!!

Sudanese in Libya plead to be evacuated




August 8, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – A committee calling itself representative of Sudanese stranded in Libya issued a statement today calling on the government to evacuate its citizens from areas witnessing clashes between armed groups.

The statement stressed that all diplomatic missions have evacuated their citizens from Libya thanks to quick action from their governments except the Sudanese one because of its refusal to assume responsibility towards its citizens.

But Secretary-General of the commission for Sudanese working abroad Haj Majid Siwar denied that Sudanese in Libya are asking to be airlifted back home.

Last Tuesday the Sudanese cabinet declared following an extraordinary session, that the government is willing to evacuate citizens living in Libya when requested to do so.

The Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti said in a statement last week that the situation in Libya has not yet reached the stage requiring the evacuation of its citizens.

Last Friday, about 200 Sudanese gathered at the Meetiga airport demanding that they be evacuated back home.

The government also confirmed the demise of 18 Sudanese in Libya after a rocket was fired on a residence at al-Kareemiya suburb of the capital Tripoli.

The committee spokesman al-Tayeb Ahmed Ishaq disclosed that there are dozens of injured Sudanese needing medical attention.

He also noted the presence of tens of thousands of Sudanese trapped in areas of clashes in both Benghazi and Tripoli among other regions in the country that are now deserted due to the displacement of people as a result of the interruption of electricity, water services and telecommunications and closure of shops.

Ishaq warned of dire humanitarian crisis without the intervention of the United Nations and other organizations soon.

Since the fall of Gaddafi in 2011, Libya’s fragile government is unable to impose authority on groups of former rebels who refuse to disband and are allied with competing political factions battling for post-war dominance.

(ST)

asking for the arrest of Bashir.

If that will help it is let it be.

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NEWS MONDAY 4 AUGUST 2014

Khartoum says Machar’s visit in the interests of peace in South Sudan



August 3, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s foreign minister, Ali Karti, has announced that South Sudan’s former vice-president turned rebel leader, Riek Machar, will arrive in Khartoum soon, adding that his visit comes in the framework of regional efforts to restore peace in the neighbouring country.



South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir (L), and rebel leader Riek Machar (R) shake hands and pray before signing a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending conflict in the country in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on 9 May 2014 (Photo: AP/Elias Asmare)

Machar resides currently in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, the venue of the peace talks since several months. He was received in Nairobi, Djibouti, and Pretoria, respectively, where he held talks with the leaders of those countries in which dismissed accusations that he attempted to overthrow president Salva Kiir in December last year.

The former vice-president also called on the regional leaders to support his plan for democratic political reforms.

The government in Juba which signed a cessation of hostilities agreement since 23 January observes with scepticism the moves of the rebel leader. Officials at different times openly or implicitly accused Khartoum of harbouring or supporting the rebels.

Speaking to the press after his return from Mauritania on Sunday, Karti told reporters that Machar will meet president Omer al-Bashir and government officials to discuss the peace process.

The Sudanese foreign minister denied accusations that his government supported either side in the conflict.

"Sudan has no interest in the continuation of the war in the South (Sudan) and it does not support one party against the other," Karti said adding, "our interest that both sides sign a peace agreement, and we hope it would be soon."

Karti did not give the date of the visit but unconfirmed reports say he may arrive in Khartoum on Tuesday.

Machar’s spokesperson James Gatdet Dak when contacted by phone on Sunday said his boss would visit Khartoum in the next few days.

“Yes, Dr. Machar will visit Khartoum in the next few days. We are making final touches on the arrangements for his visit,” Dak told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

IGAD STATES TO RECEIVE MACHAR

Karti further explained that IGAD countries agreed to receive Machar in their respective countries to listen to his positions and to encourage him to reach a peaceful settlement to the almost eight-month-long conflict.

He added that Machar’s regional tour has been approved by IGAD leaders, including president Salva Kiir.

Karti further pointed out that the deadly conflict in the new southern neighbour, which broke away from Sudan in July 2011, has affected Sudanese common interests.

"The common interests between Sudan and South Sudan in the economic areas and others are affected by this conflict," he further said.

Since last May, Machar had to visit Khartoum but the visit was delayed as president Bashir undergone a knee surgery.

In a radio talk show during the last week of July, Karti said his government preferred to keep a low profile in the ongoing efforts to end the South Sudanese crisis to avoid any accusations that Khartoum tries to take advantage of the situation and impose a solution serving its interests.

(ST)