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Monday, 30 December 2013
Friday, 27 December 2013
END THE WAR!!!
Defected general says Unity state oil production has stopped
December 26, 2013 (BENTIU) - The commander of the South Sudanese army in Unity state who defected over the weekend claimed on Thursday that oil-production from fields in his state had to be halted due to lack of staff remaining at the oil fields.
Commander of the SPLA’s fourth division, Maj. Gen. James Koang Chuol, in Unity state 25 February, 2013 (ST)
James Koang Chuol, who took control of the army’s fourth division in Unity state on Saturday, told Sudan Tribune that he had not ordered the shutdown. The decision, he said, was taken by oil technicians who were evacuated from the area on 25 December.
The UN says that over 1,000 are believed to have been killed in the fighting. Last week 16 oil workers were killed by their colleagues in a revenge attack for the alleged ethnic targetting of people in the capital Juba.
"We are not the one to stop the oil”, said Koang, adding that the oil belonged to the South Sudanese people.
South Sudan’s former vice-president, Riek Machar, who is leading the rebellions in Unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile states, said on 23 December that forces under his command will divert oil revenues accrued from the country’s oil wells.
Machar denies plotting to overthrow president Kiir but says he was forced to flee Juba in the aftermath of fighting between members of the presidential guards. He told Sudan Tribune that he intended to stop oil revenue remittances reaching the government in Juba.
"There is no administration in the country so the oil money cannot be taken by one side, we are not longer in the side of Kiir we have already decide break away from his administration so it is right that and good enough for Machar to say that the oil money to go to International community until we sought our problem”, commander Koang said.
Koang, who declared himself Unity state’s new governor on Saturday said the conflict in South Sudan was not about money. The reason for the defection of the army in Unity state, where most of the population is from the Nuer ethnic group, was anger at reports of mass killings of civilians from their community in Juba.
Since the reports of Nuer being targetted in the capital revenge attacks have taken place against Dinka civilians in other parts of South Sudan. Two peacekeepers were killed with around 20 Dinka civilians in an attack on the UN base in Akobo, in the far east of Jonglei state last week.
Another Nuer General, Peter Gadet Yaak, defected on 18 December, taking control of Jonglei’s capital Bor for several days until it was reclaimed by government forces 24 December
Machar has also claimed to be in control of Upper Nile state, South Sudan’s second largest oil-producer. Fierce fighting has been reported in Malakal with both sides claiming to be in control of the state capital.
(ST)
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
Dr. Machar speaks like a leader .
Ex-VP Machar says forces will divert oil revenues from Juba
December 23, 2013 (LONDON) - South Sudan’s former vice-president, Riek Machar, says forces under his command will divert oil revenues accrued from the country’s oil wells, days after his troops seized control of much of the new nation’s oilfields.
In an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune on Monday, Machar revealed a plan to halt oil revenue remittances to Juba.
He said no money would go to the government in Juba, explaining that his group plans to divert oil revenues and deal directly with Sudan in implementing the September 2012 cooperation agreements, as they are in control of the concerned states.
“We will establish an extra account to which the oil revenues will be remitted for the economic interest of the people of South Sudan”, said Machar, adding that Juba will be isolated until his group takes over power from president Salva Kiir.
On 15 December, serious clashes erupted in the capital, Juba, after “misunderstandings” between the presidential guards, mainly from the Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups.
Kiir accused Machar and his supporters of orchestrating a coup attempt, accusations his former deputy denies, saying the president was simply using the incident as a ploy to get rid of his political opponents.
Rival factions within South Sudan’s army (SPLA) have been fighting since Sunday, with the conflict increasingly divided along tribal lines.
While Machar has left the capital, Juba, his forces have made significant gains in the past six days, and are now in control of Jonglei and oil-rich Unity state.
The government has vowed to retake Jonglei capital Bor, the capital of Jonglei, although Machar claims a sizeable force of government troops was defeated between Juba and Mangala, forcing a retreat back to the capital.
KIIR ADMITS LOSSES
While addressing the country’s national legislative assembly, the president conceded his government had lost control over two of the country’s 10 states.
“Machar now has control over Jonglei state and he has control over Unity state. These are the two states that he has control over. How many states do we have? We have 10 states. And if you control two states you will still be the minority”, Kiir told lawmakers on Monday.
He advised people not to listen to what he described as “rumours” being circulated by forces loyal to Machar.
“They are advising people to flee and run away from Juba. I will tell the people don’t listen to these rumours”, Kiir said.
Machar claimed on Monday that his forces had captured most parts of Upper Nile state; another oil-rich state north of the country, as more army divisions reportedly pledged their loyalty to him.
“Division seven under Major General Lual Chol has today (Monday) declared its loyalty”, Machar told Sudan Tribune, as fighting erupted early Monday morning between anti-government forces and those loyal to president Kiir, across most Upper Nile counties.
Meanwhile, further violence is expected in some remaining areas still under government control, including the capital, Malakal.
MACHAR DISMISSES “PROPAGANDA”
However, Machar said the whole of Upper Nile will “soon” fall under his control, dismissing what he described as government “propaganda” on the radio, which he said “misleads” citizens that the president remains in control.
He said his forces will protect oil companies and workers in the two oil-producing states of Upper Nile and Unity.
Machar has also criticised Kiir’s government for allegedly backing the shutdown of oil companies, after rebels took control of the oil fields, saying the move would affect people’s livelihoods.
Machar called on oil companies in the area to continue their operations under the protection of his forces.
Analysts, however, say the capture of the oil-producing states is a major blow to the Juba government, which depends on oil revenues for 98% of its budget revenues.
(ST)
Read all Sudan Tribune’s coverage of the crisis in South Sudan here:
Monday, 23 December 2013
It is not a tribal conflict!!!!
Ex-rebels issue three-day ultimatum for surrender of dissident Unity state commander
December 22, 2013 (JUBA) – A former South Sudan rebel faction has issued an ultimatum to defected Unity state commander Maj. Gen. James Koang, warning him to return to the fold of the government within three days or its troops would storm the capital, Bentiu.The South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA) said a 5,000-strong force of former SSLA fighters, under the command of Maj. Gen. Mathew Pul Jang, were on standby to launch the military offensive, with civilians and UN staff urged to leave the town.
“In three days, the former SSLA fighters will be in Bentiu town. Civilians and UN staff are advised to leave the town because the former SSLA forces will use heavy artillery to dislodge Maj. Gen. James Koang if he doesn’t change his mind before the deadline given to him”, the SSLA said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday.
The fourth division commander of the South Sudanese army (SPLA) in Unity state (SPLA) declared himself military governor of Unity state on Saturday after chasing out legitimate governor Joseph Nguen Monytuil.
Monytuil, who fled the fighting on Friday night to Wangkai, west of Bentiu, reported himself on Sunday to Western Bahr el Ghazal state capital Wau, officially confirming that the area had fallen under rebel control.
According to the statement, which bears the name of spokesperson Gordon Buay, Koang is in command of 600 forces stationed in Bentiu town, while the rest of the SPLA’s forces in Mayom, Parieng and other counties remain loyal to the government.
The SSLA categorically denied that Unity state was under the control of forces loyal to former vice-president Riek Machar.
“We want to inform the media that Riek Machar was lying that Unity State is under his control. Only the town Bentiu is under Maj. Gen. James Koang who commanded only 600 forces. The rest of SPLA forces outside the town are not with him”, the statement said.
Meanwhile, Koang has announced a new interim administration comprising of six state supervisors and seven county commissioners, a day after he defected to the opposition forces and assumed governorship of the oil-rich region.
An estimated 500 people have died after clashes erupted in Juba on 15 December between rival factions of the presidential guards, in what the government claimed was an attempted coup instigated by Machar and his supporters – accusations he denied.
The fighting followed deepening political tensions within the ruling SPLM after president Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, sacked his entire cabinet in July, including Machar, who hails from the Nuer tribe.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other sources have reported that some of the fighting in Juba targeted citizens on the basis of their tribe, with the conflict spilling over to other regions, including Jonglei and Unity states.
The SSLA claims that many officers who had defected from the SPLA ranks were acting out of emotion after learning that members of their tribe were killed in the Juba unrest and not necessarily because they supported Machar.
The group also claims that Machar has failed to win the support of the Nuer political and military elite.
(ST)
· Police and Law Sciences Colleges Graduates New Batch
· Khartoum – President of the Republic, Commander in Chief of Police Forces, Field Marshal Omer Al Bashir attended yesterday at Al-Hilal Stadium, the graduation of Batch No. 64 of Police and Law Sciences students in the presence of Minister of Interior, Police Forces Chief, Police senior officers, and security leaders.
The batch represents a new added value to support the police course in achieving peace and stability in the country, besides the widespread of police forces all over the country.
The batch represents a new added value to support the police course in achieving peace and stability in the country, besides the widespread of police forces all over the country.
·
By Staff Writer, 14 hours 26 minutes ago
By Staff Writer, 14 hours 26 minutes ago
Sudan Events a Military Coup, Not a Tribal Conflict: Diplomat
Khartoum – South Sudan State Ambassador to Khartoum, Mayan Dut Waal denied the involvement of US or Ugandan forces as part of the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, affirming that those forces intervened only to evacuate their communities.
In a brief conference held in South Sudan Embassy, Wall affirmed that what happened in Juba last week was a complete coup attempt, pointing out that the last meeting of the Liberation Council was attended by all members except Pagan and Alor who were planning for the coup, adding that the pull out of other leaders from the meeting was a completion to a previously planned scenario. He said that what happened should be condemned with the strongest words because it directly threatens the safety of the people.
"It is a political dispute and not tribal as some are promoting that the dispute is a tribal one between Nuer and Dinka Tribes. This doesn’t exist. Out of 10 arrested elements 5 are Dinkas." Waal said.
He disclosed that the situation is under control in Juba and all the regions except two States (Jonglei and Unity) where there are still tensions. In Unity the tensions are limited in the capital (Bentiu). Other provinces are under the government control. Even the oil is flowing and there is no problem in pumping the 250 thousand barrels per day.
"This morning I talked to South Sudan Oil Minister and he affirmed that the oil fields are not affected especially the production fields (Sarjas and Unity fields.)" he added.
He stated that the liberation of Jonglei will be announced soon.
Waal said that the former Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar has forwarded new conditions to the mediators to resolve the crisis once and for all including relieving of President Salva Kiir.
In a brief conference held in South Sudan Embassy, Wall affirmed that what happened in Juba last week was a complete coup attempt, pointing out that the last meeting of the Liberation Council was attended by all members except Pagan and Alor who were planning for the coup, adding that the pull out of other leaders from the meeting was a completion to a previously planned scenario. He said that what happened should be condemned with the strongest words because it directly threatens the safety of the people.
"It is a political dispute and not tribal as some are promoting that the dispute is a tribal one between Nuer and Dinka Tribes. This doesn’t exist. Out of 10 arrested elements 5 are Dinkas." Waal said.
He disclosed that the situation is under control in Juba and all the regions except two States (Jonglei and Unity) where there are still tensions. In Unity the tensions are limited in the capital (Bentiu). Other provinces are under the government control. Even the oil is flowing and there is no problem in pumping the 250 thousand barrels per day.
"This morning I talked to South Sudan Oil Minister and he affirmed that the oil fields are not affected especially the production fields (Sarjas and Unity fields.)" he added.
He stated that the liberation of Jonglei will be announced soon.
Waal said that the former Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar has forwarded new conditions to the mediators to resolve the crisis once and for all including relieving of President Salva Kiir.
By Hana Abdul Hai, 14 hours 42 minutes ago
A defected Unity commander follows Machar.
Defected Unity state army commander forms new interim administration
December 22, 2013 (BENTIU) – The fourth division commander of the South Sudan army (SPLA) in Unity state has announced a new interim administration, a day after he defected to the opposition forces and assumed governorship of the oil-rich region.
In a military decree read on-air Bentiu FM, Maj. Gen James Koang Chuol put in place an interim administration, comprising of six state supervisors and seven county commissioners.
He appointed James Nguany Chakuoth as the new speaker of Unity state legislative assembly, which is to be deputised by Petro Juoi Machar.
According to the decree, those nominated shall work under the supervision of the new state governor.
On Saturday, Koang declared that he had deposed the caretaker governor and that his forces were no longer loyal to president Salva Kiir. He also accused former governor Joseph Nguen Monytuel of an alleged attempt to kill him, in what he said was a coordinated plan.
Speaking on state and private radio stations on Saturday, Koang ordered state ministers to remain in their homes, but called on civil servants to continue working as normal.
He said president Kiir, his vice-president and Unity state’s acting governor had fuelled the fighting which began in the capital, Juba, on 15 December and has since spread throughout the country.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other sources have reported that some of the fighting in Juba targeted citizens on the basis of their tribe, after clashes between Dinka and Nuer members of the presidential guard.
The violence comes months after severe tensions emerged between senior members of South Sudan’s ruling party (SPLM) following the dismissal of the country’s entire cabinet, vice-president Riek Machar and the suspension of the SPLM’s secretary-general, Pagan Amum, in July.
Kiir has accused his opponents within the SPLM of staging a coup and has arrested at least 11 senior figures. Machar, whom Kiir accuses of masterminding the alleged plot, is now on the run, but has called on the latter to step down.
But Machar, who initially denied any involvement in the alleged coup, has now confirmed the existence of a rebellion against the current regime, describing Kiir as an “illegal” president.
FULL LIST OF APPOINTEES
NEW LIST OF STATE COMMISSIONERS
(ST)
Saturday, 21 December 2013
STOP THE CIVIL WAR.
S. Sudan’s Kiir, rivals agree on “unconditional” dialogue
December 20, (JUBA) – The South Sudanese leader, Salva Kiir, rivals Riek Machar and Rebecca Garang have agreed on an “unconditional” dialogue seeking to resolve the country’s political turmoil, a United Nations envoy said Friday.
The latest offer for dialogue, according to the UN Security Council president, came as a ministerial delegation from the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) countries prepare to meet over 10 political detainees held in connection with an alleged coup plot in the new nation.
“We hope the IGAD ministerial delegation will succeed in opening a political channel between Kiir and Machar,” Gérard Araud told reporters at a briefing on Friday.
A high-level delegation from Kenya, Djibouti, Somalia and Uganda, are in South Sudan, a week after an outbreak of violence in the capital Juba, left about 500 dead,
At least 35, 000 people, the UN said, are currently displaced within its premises in Juba and Jonglei state, with fears of possible rise in numbers as the violence spreads to other parts of the country.
Describing the situation as a “political crisis” within the country’s ruling party (SPLM), Araud, said dialogue is the only solution to the worst-ever violence in the country since its independence.
“We have heard reports of gross human rights violations”, he said, adding, “The situation is tense”.
Members of the Security Council, on Friday, expressed grave alarm and concern over the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian crisis in the two-year country.
The current political situation, it said, threatens serious implications for the country’s long-term security and stability not only South Sudan, but its neighboring countries.
The Council, in a statement, strongly condemned the fighting and targeted violence against civilians and specific ethnic and other communities occurring across the country, resulting in hundreds of deaths as well displacement of tens of thousands.
Re-affirming their strong commitment to the country’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, the Security Council urged Kiir and his former vice president to demonstrate leadership in bringing a swift and peaceful resolution to this crisis by calling for a cessation of hostilities and immediately commence dialogue.
All the country’s political detainees, it said, should be protected and encouraged the country’s political and military leaders to engage in a political process of national reconciliation and constitutional reform through peaceful and inclusive means.
(ST).
Sudan devided and redevided by Islamist government ..... now Sout Sudan have civil war if not factions agree!!!!
- Blue Nile
- Al Jazirah (9)
- Blue Nile (An Nil al Azraq) (5)
- Sennar (*) (14)
- White Nile (An Nil al Abyad) (10)
- Darfur (A Darfur Regional Authority also exists)
- Central Darfur (Zalingei) (*) (16)
- East Darfur (Sharq Darfur) (*) (17)
- North Darfur (Shamal Darfur) (6)
- South Darfur (Janub Darfur) (7)
- West Darfur (Gharb Darfur) (15)
- Kassala (an Eastern Sudan States Coordinating Council also exists)
- Kassala (Ash Sharqiyah) (4)
- Al Qadarif (13)
- Red Sea (Al Bahr al Ahmar) (12)
- Khartoum
- Khartoum (Al Khartum) (1)
- Kurdufan
- North Kurdufan (Shamal Kurdufan) (2)
- South Kurdufan (Janub Kurdufan) (8)
- West Kurdufan (18) (reestablished in 2013)[1][2]
- Northern
- Northern (Ash Shamaliyah) (3)
- River Nile (Nahr an Nil) (11)
Friday, 20 December 2013
CIVIL WAR IN SOUTH SUDAN!!!
Karti up the south and Gadet creeping toward Juba
Radio Juba following the official statement for the presidency through which leaders accused the « 14 » detaining involvement in events
12-20-2013 09:59 AM
Widened the circle of fighting the state of the south in several regions , where the forces took control of anti- government Salva Kiir on Jonglei state , and a number of oil areas in Unity State , while the official said in the Unity State oil , that « 16 » people were killed yesterday in clashes between workers in the fields oil in the country , and stressed that the government's control of the situation now and that oil production has not been affected .
He called on Vice-President of the State of South Sudan, the former d . Riek Machar to overthrow President Salva Kiir force. The student indicated in an interview with « e . Q . B » to work on projection Kerr of judgment , and confirmed that he would not discuss anything except go Salva Kiir of ruling his country and said : « I will not discuss anything except go Kerr » , He added: « I have nothing to discuss it is so » . While Foreign Minister Ali Karti Juba within a ministerial delegation comprises the foreign ministers of IGAD and some of the neighboring countries of South Sudan represented in Kenya , Uganda, Djibouti and Sudan, in addition to the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security in the mission to check on the safety of the situation , and urged the parties in the south to pursue peaceful means and dialogue to resolve their differences The quest for calm to give the opportunity for dialogue . Conversely crumbled cities and counties consecutive strikes in the hands of groups of insurrectionists , as news broke about the fall of the garrison Tourette's military yesterday in addition to the areas of mind and Iong and Nqk homes of Upper Nile , in the time it hit the forces of the coup blockade Mshiddaaly County Malakal amid barricaded SPLA within the city. In the meantime, nominated news of the escape of deputy defense minister, former team Mjack Oqot the main defendant in the coup attempt , while the simplified forces team Vetter Gadet full control on the Jonglei state and declared a liberated area and began crawling on the capital, Juba , which lies « 150 » kilometers from the Port . In the context forces attacked a subsidiary of Yao Yao yearning area , forces launched a pro- coup violent attacks on the province of Bentiu , which may fall with the continued fighting . In Rumbek area Walk Walk attacked the rebel group SPLA concentrated , causing deaths and injuries. On the other hand , said a spokesman for the United Nations in South Sudan Joe Contreras for « Reuters » by telephone : « expect to have their presence in the complex temporarily because the company they work for will arrange far as we know the procedures for transfer of Unity State . » He did not mention the name of the company . In a related development , a group of African foreign ministers Balaiviad , President Salva Kiir yesterday and discussed with him how to extend the peace in the country.
Radio Juba and followed a formal statement for the presidency through which leaders accused the « 14 » detaining involvement , planning and lead a military coup against the regime , the statement called on citizens who refuse to return to their homes . The reports revealed for shelter «24 » government official formerly at the Mission Alaunmas , led by Joseph Dior IOC and Irrigation Minister earlier, the governor of Jonglei former Michael Miriam , and Charlie Mann , former minister Khartoum government , while killing « 8 » people of the family and to the Current Unit Joseph Mntwell in Juba, in addition to two of his bodyguards and his driver private .
In the meantime, the United Nations revealed for transmission to the war in northern Unity State, southern state . Announced yesterday abruptly without any details that received based workers fleeing from the oil fields for fear of the fighting there . For his part, called the Peace and Security Council of the African , the leaders of South Sudan and all other stakeholders to act with the utmost restraint , and to refrain from acts that lead to the worsening of the volatile situation and the search for solutions to the current problems through dialogue and reconciliation . The Council held an emergency meeting yesterday at its headquarters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa during which he briefed on the latest developments nascent state , and supported the mediation of the Organization of the government's development of East Africa « Ignition » to defuse the crisis by sending a delegation of foreign ministers of the Organization. Furthermore, a UN official predicted yesterday that the oil companies evacuated some « 200 » of its workers have taken refuge in the compound of the International Organization Unity State in South Sudan , an oil-producing area on the borders of Sudan .
Newspaper Alintibaha
Haitham Othman
P . St.
Radio Juba following the official statement for the presidency through which leaders accused the « 14 » detaining involvement in events
12-20-2013 09:59 AM
Widened the circle of fighting the state of the south in several regions , where the forces took control of anti- government Salva Kiir on Jonglei state , and a number of oil areas in Unity State , while the official said in the Unity State oil , that « 16 » people were killed yesterday in clashes between workers in the fields oil in the country , and stressed that the government's control of the situation now and that oil production has not been affected .
He called on Vice-President of the State of South Sudan, the former d . Riek Machar to overthrow President Salva Kiir force. The student indicated in an interview with « e . Q . B » to work on projection Kerr of judgment , and confirmed that he would not discuss anything except go Salva Kiir of ruling his country and said : « I will not discuss anything except go Kerr » , He added: « I have nothing to discuss it is so » . While Foreign Minister Ali Karti Juba within a ministerial delegation comprises the foreign ministers of IGAD and some of the neighboring countries of South Sudan represented in Kenya , Uganda, Djibouti and Sudan, in addition to the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security in the mission to check on the safety of the situation , and urged the parties in the south to pursue peaceful means and dialogue to resolve their differences The quest for calm to give the opportunity for dialogue . Conversely crumbled cities and counties consecutive strikes in the hands of groups of insurrectionists , as news broke about the fall of the garrison Tourette's military yesterday in addition to the areas of mind and Iong and Nqk homes of Upper Nile , in the time it hit the forces of the coup blockade Mshiddaaly County Malakal amid barricaded SPLA within the city. In the meantime, nominated news of the escape of deputy defense minister, former team Mjack Oqot the main defendant in the coup attempt , while the simplified forces team Vetter Gadet full control on the Jonglei state and declared a liberated area and began crawling on the capital, Juba , which lies « 150 » kilometers from the Port . In the context forces attacked a subsidiary of Yao Yao yearning area , forces launched a pro- coup violent attacks on the province of Bentiu , which may fall with the continued fighting . In Rumbek area Walk Walk attacked the rebel group SPLA concentrated , causing deaths and injuries. On the other hand , said a spokesman for the United Nations in South Sudan Joe Contreras for « Reuters » by telephone : « expect to have their presence in the complex temporarily because the company they work for will arrange far as we know the procedures for transfer of Unity State . » He did not mention the name of the company . In a related development , a group of African foreign ministers Balaiviad , President Salva Kiir yesterday and discussed with him how to extend the peace in the country.
Radio Juba and followed a formal statement for the presidency through which leaders accused the « 14 » detaining involvement , planning and lead a military coup against the regime , the statement called on citizens who refuse to return to their homes . The reports revealed for shelter «24 » government official formerly at the Mission Alaunmas , led by Joseph Dior IOC and Irrigation Minister earlier, the governor of Jonglei former Michael Miriam , and Charlie Mann , former minister Khartoum government , while killing « 8 » people of the family and to the Current Unit Joseph Mntwell in Juba, in addition to two of his bodyguards and his driver private .
In the meantime, the United Nations revealed for transmission to the war in northern Unity State, southern state . Announced yesterday abruptly without any details that received based workers fleeing from the oil fields for fear of the fighting there . For his part, called the Peace and Security Council of the African , the leaders of South Sudan and all other stakeholders to act with the utmost restraint , and to refrain from acts that lead to the worsening of the volatile situation and the search for solutions to the current problems through dialogue and reconciliation . The Council held an emergency meeting yesterday at its headquarters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa during which he briefed on the latest developments nascent state , and supported the mediation of the Organization of the government's development of East Africa « Ignition » to defuse the crisis by sending a delegation of foreign ministers of the Organization. Furthermore, a UN official predicted yesterday that the oil companies evacuated some « 200 » of its workers have taken refuge in the compound of the International Organization Unity State in South Sudan , an oil-producing area on the borders of Sudan .
Newspaper Alintibaha
Haitham Othman
P . St.
Saturday, 14 December 2013
Some new ideas are comming out.
Drafting new constitution is the top priority for Sudan’s parliament: speaker
December 13, 2013 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan’s newly appointed parliament speaker, Al-Fatih Izz Al-Deen, has declared that the top priority of the legislative body in the next stage is to draft a constitution based on national consensus
Izz Al-Deen, who assumed his duties as speaker last week, said in a statement before the parliament on Thursday that they look forward having a constitution that emerges through national consensus, pointing that the law of the land is an issue of interest to all Sudanese forces.
He added that the parliament would also amend the elections law, asserting that the move is intended to enhance the state’s efforts to secure fair and transparent polls and set the stage for the participation of all political forces in the upcoming 2015 elections.
The speaker said that the Sudanese nation did not only produce the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) but also delivered Al-Mahdi, Ismail Al-Azhari, and Ali Al-Mirghani [national and religious leaders], affirming that Sudan’s history did not start with the current regime and will not end with its demise.
The opposition forces believe that an all-party conference including the rebel groups should take place before discussing the new constitution.
They also propose the formation of a national unity government to run the country during an interim period followed by elections after settlement of regional conflicts and agreement on constitutional principles.
The Sudanese government refuses opposition’s demand for the formation of an interim government and parliament, calling on them instead to prepare themselves to compete freely in 2015 general elections.
(ST)
Friday, 13 December 2013
Sudan have serious problems !
Sudan: Dozens Held Without Charge
African Commission Should Investigate Alleged Torture and Ill-Treatment
(Nairobi, November 28, 2013) – Sudan is still detaining dozens of people without charge in connection with September 2013 protests, and some released detainees have said they were beaten in detention, Human Rights Watch said today. The Sudanese authorities should charge or release them, investigate allegations of ill-treatment and torture by detained protesters, and hold any officials responsible to account.
Of 11 former detainees Human Rights Watch interviewed, six men said they were beaten while in detention. Others said they saw security officials beating detainees, or injuries on detainees that they believed were the result of beatings.
“Sudanese authorities are holding dozens of people just because of their political views,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “Sudan should immediately put an end to any ill-treatment of detainees, and either charge or free them.”
In the lead up to, during, and after the protests, security forces arrested known political activists, opposition party members, and protesters – more than 800 people, according to Sudanese rights groups. Although most were released within days, the National Security and Intelligence Service (NISS) detained many for weeks, either in NISS detention centers or in regular prisons.
Despite the release of many detainees during and after Eid holidays in October, dozens remain in detention, without charge or access to lawyers or family visits, because of their presumed political views. Detainees held by NISS are at risk of ill-treatment and torture.
Popular protests broke out in Khartoum and other towns on September 23 following an announcement by President Omar al-Bashir that the government would lift fuel and other subsidies. Some demonstrations turned violent as protesters vandalized and set fire to gas stations and police stations, and threw stones at police and security forces. The Sudanese government responded with excessive force, firing live ammunition and teargas into demonstrations, killing and injuring dozens.
Human Rights Watch and other human rights groups on November 1 asked the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to investigate the killings of more than 170 protesters, including children, in Sudan, most of them shot dead when government security forces fired live ammunition into the demonstrations. Any African Commission investigation should include allegations of ill-treatment and torture of detainees, Human Rights Watch said.
Sudan’s leaders have denied involvement of security forces in killing protestors, but on November 4 the justice minister announced that the Justice Ministry is investigating 84 deaths. Human rights groups say many more people were killed; a Sudanese doctors’ union put the number of deaths at 210. The investigation should also cover allegations of ill-treatment and torture of detainees, Human Rights Watch said.
Under article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Commission has the authority to conduct research into human rights practices and to give its views and recommendations to governments. The commission has not responded to the letter.
People who remain in detention in connection with the September protests include Mohammed Ali Mohammado, a 40-year-old Darfuri journalist with al-Akhbar newspaper, detained since September 25, and Mohammed Farouk Suliman, a senior member of the Sudanese Alliance Party, detained since November 11, following more than a week of NISS summonses and interrogations. His whereabouts are unknown.
At least six Darfuri university students, presumed to have links to the pro-rebel student group United Popular Front, were arrested in September and October and are still detained at NISS offices in Bahri, Khartoum. Seven men of South Sudanese origin, arrested in late September because they took part in the protests, are also in NISS detention at Kober prison. The circumstances and grounds for these arrests are unclear, but one released detainee told Human Rights Watch that some of the other detainees he saw in Kober prison appeared to have been beaten.
People detained in connection with the protests and released at various times in October told Human Rights Watch that they were questioned about their role in organizing protests and their affiliations with various groups, particularly Sudan Change Now, a largely youth-driven movement calling for an end to the current government, or opposition parties or rebel movements.
A 22-year-old Darfuri student arrested in Sennar and then transported to Khartoum told Human Rights Watch that national security officers detained him in Bahri, Khartoum, beat him, and accused him of being linked to the United Popular Front: “I was badly beaten and insulted. They asked why I am agreeing with [the rebels] to change the regime.” He was released after four days.
A 20-year-old student from Khartoum was arrested on September 27 at the Kalakla market and detained at an NISS office, where security officials interrogated him about his involvement in the protests and links to Darfuri protesters. They beat him for about two hours, he told Human Rights Watch. He was released after two days.
A Darfuri member of the opposition Democratic Unionist Party said he was arrested on September 22 and held for more than a month in Kober prison. He was also beaten while being interrogated about his links with rebel groups, he said. “They beat me with sticks and plastic pipes for four consecutive days and I had to seek medical treatment for my head,” he told Human Rights Watch.
A 30-year-old Communist Party member from Gedarif said NISS officials arrested him on September 28, transported him to Khartoum, and interrogated him about an opposition party statement denouncing the government. The officers beat him with sticks and plastic pipes and questioned him about who organized demonstrations in Gedarif, he told Human Rights Watch.
The NISS has a history of ill-treatment and torture of political detainees, including youth protesters. Sudan’s National Security Act authorizes detentions of up to four-and-a-half months without charge or judicial review, in contravention of international human rights standards. Human Rights Watch and other groups have long called on Sudan to reform the law in line with international standards.
“The abuses reported to us by former detainees raise serious concerns about the welfare of the protesters still in detention,” Bekele said. “By investigating these allegations and holding abusive officials to account, Sudan’s leaders can send a clear message that the abuse of prisoners will not be tolerated.”
For more Human Rights Watch reporting on Sudan, please visit:
www.hrw.org/africa/sudan
www.hrw.org/africa/sudan
For more information, please contact:
In New York, Jehanne Henry (English, French): +1-917-443-2724; or henryj@hrw.org. Follow on Twitter @jehannehenry
In Amsterdam, Leslie Lefkow (English): +31-621-597-356 (mobile); or lefkowl@hrw.org. Follow on Twitter @LefkowHRW
In Johannesburg, Tiseke Kasambala (English): +27-110-622-852; or +27-792-205-254; or kasambt@hrw.org
In New York, Jehanne Henry (English, French): +1-917-443-2724; or henryj@hrw.org. Follow on Twitter @jehannehenry
In Amsterdam, Leslie Lefkow (English): +31-621-597-356 (mobile); or lefkowl@hrw.org. Follow on Twitter @LefkowHRW
In Johannesburg, Tiseke Kasambala (English): +27-110-622-852; or +27-792-205-254; or kasambt@hrw.org
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