IGAD gives Sudan’s warring factions 2 weeks to meet

SEEMS the following demands made at today's (Saturday) IGAD meeting in Kampala, Uganda occurred after Sudan suspended its membership of IGAD:

"In a communique, read by Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the heads of states, including Presidents William Ruto of Kenya and Salva Kiir of South Sudan, along with representatives of the European Union, African Union and the United Nations, outlined their demands to the warring factions.

According to the communique, the conflict must be resolved by the Sudanese without any external interference. The IGAD leaders condemned the ongoing conflict that has caused suffering, with people losing hope and the state about to collapse". Read more.

From Observer Uganda

Written by VOA (Voice of America)

Dated Saturday, 20 January 2024 - here is a copy in full:

IGAD gives Sudan’s warring factions two weeks to meet

South Sudan President Salva Kiir at IGAD meeting

East Africa’s Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has given Sudan’s warring factions two weeks to meet face-to-face to de-escalate the situation.

The meeting, which also discussed the tension between Ethiopia and Somalia, made it clear that Somalia’s integrity must be respected. The IGAD meeting in Kampala described the conflict and political tension in the Horn of Africa and Sudan as a disturbing, senseless and devastating development.

Djibouti President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, also the IGAD chairperson, said the group’s heads of state met with a sense of urgency as the region grapples with challenging times. The conflict in Sudan broke out in April between the national army, led by Gen Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and Gen Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo of the Rapid Support Forces. Since then, 7 million people have been displaced and 12,000 have been killed.

Sudan suspended its participation in the Kampala IGAD summit, accusing the regional body of violating its sovereignty and setting a dangerous precedent.

In a communique, read by Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the heads of states, including Presidents William Ruto of Kenya and Salva Kiir of South Sudan, along with representatives of the European Union, African Union and the United Nations, outlined their demands to the warring factions.

According to the communique, the conflict must be resolved by the Sudanese without any external interference. The IGAD leaders condemned the ongoing conflict that has caused suffering, with people losing hope and the state about to collapse.

The Rapid Support Forces has specifically been accused of mass killings and use of rape as a weapon of war, especially in Darfur. Both parties have been accused of war crimes. Meanwhile, IGAD expressed concern about relations between Ethiopia and Somalia.

Early this month, Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, giving Ethiopia access to the sea. In return, Ethiopia would consider recognizing Somaliland as an independent country. IGAD reaffirmed that any such agreement should be with Somalia.

Mike Hammer, the US special envoy for the Horn of Africa, said the US is particularly concerned that the agreement could disrupt the fight that Somalis, Africa and regional partners are waging against the terrorist group al-Shabaab.

"We have already seen troubling indications that al-Shabab is using the MOU to generate new recruits," he said. "We urge both sides to avoid precipitous actions including related to existing Ethiopian force deployment to Somalia that could create opportunities for al-Shabab to expand its reach within Somalia and into Ethiopia."

The African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat urged both Somalia and Ethiopia to engage without delay, saying the tension compounds an already difficult time for the region.

View original: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/80338-igad-gives-sudan-s-warring-factions-two-weeks-to-meet

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South Sudan President Kiir orders strict border control with Sudan

From Sudan Tribune JUBA, South Sudan
Dated Friday, January 12, 2024 - here is a copy in full:

South Sudan president orders strict border control with Sudan

President Salva Kiir

JUBA, January 12, 2024 – South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has ordered a crackdown on illicit movement and activities along the country’s border with Sudan, citing concerns that these activities could undermine national security.

The directive was issued during a high-level meeting held on Thursday to address the recent escalation of communal tensions in the greater Bahr El Ghazal region. The president expressed particular concern about the possibility of illicit firearms entering the country from Sudan and being used in the ongoing conflicts between communities in Abyei, Warrap, and Western Bahr El Ghazal States.

“You must work together to control your borders, especially with Sudan,” Kiir said. “Some people may take advantage of our gesture of allowing brothers and sisters from Sudan to flee the current conflict and use it as an opportunity to deal in arms. This will undermine the security of our borders. So, coordinate your efforts with relevant institutions at all government levels.”

The president also condemned the violence and directed the Chief Administrator of Abyei and the governors of Warrap and Western Bahr El Ghazal States to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions and engage with relevant stakeholders to restore peace between the affected communities.

Presidential Affairs Minister Joseph Bangasi Bakasoro told SSBC TV that all four governors of Bahr El Ghazal, as well as the governor of Unity State and the chief administrators of Abyei and Ruweng, unanimously agreed to an immediate end to hostilities and the deployment of security forces to facilitate the free movement of people, goods, and services in the affected areas.

Bakasoro also revealed that a comprehensive document outlining the full resolutions of the meeting will soon be released to the relevant institutions for implementation. He added that the high-level meeting demonstrated a strong commitment to consolidating peace and security nationwide.

The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Tong Akeen Ngor; Governor of Warrap, Kuol Muor Muor; governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal, Sarah Cleto Hassan Rial; Governor of Unity State, Joseph Nguen Monytuil; governor of Lakes, State, Riny Tueny Mabior; Abyei Chief Administrator Chol Deng Alaak; and Ruweng Chief Administrator, Stefano Wieu.

In addition, the meeting was attended by several presidential aides and ministers, including the minister of presidential affairs, Joseph Bangasi Bakasoro; Minister of information, Michael Makuei Lueth; deputy minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Ramadan Abdallah Goch; presidential special envoy Benjamin Bol Mel; presidential advisor on national security affairs Tut Gatluak; the chief of defence forces of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces General Santino Deng Wol; Director General of the Internal Bureau of National Security Services, Akol Koor Kuc; and Inspector General of Police, Atem Marol Biar. (ST)

View original: https://sudantribune.com/article281222/

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Sudan: Janjaweed RSF militia chief Hemeti met with South Sudanese officials from Abyei in Nairobi Jan 3

ACCORDING to this article, the primary purpose of the meeting cited was to follow up on previous discussions held in Khartoum regarding the final status of Abyei and the repatriation of Abyei citizens who had sought refuge in Sudan prior to the Sudanese crisis. Who is giving Hemeti such confidence and authority to attend to such matters? Who is in charge of Sudan? Let's not forget, in 2020 Russia signed a deal with Sudan for a naval base in the Red Sea, in return Russia will provide arms and training for Sudan's military.

Read more from Sudan Tribune
Dated Sunday, 07 January 2024 - here is a copy in full:

Sudanese RSF leader pledges safe passage for Abyei and South Sudan returnees

Hemetti met with several South Sudanese officials from Abyei area in Nairobi on January 3, 2023 [2024?]

January 7, 2024 (JUBA) – General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemetti”, the head of the Sudanese paramilitary group Rapid Support Force (RSF), has reaffirmed his commitment to facilitate the safe return of Abyei natives and South Sudanese nationals who have fled the conflict in Sudan.

The pledge was made during a meeting with Abyei leaders Francis Mading Deng and Luka Biong Deng in Nairobi, Kenya on January 3, 2024. The meeting, which lasted for an hour, was characterized as amicable, open, and forward-looking by Francis Kuol, a former Sudan cabinet affairs minister.

The primary purpose of the meeting was to follow up on previous discussions held in Khartoum regarding the final status of Abyei and the repatriation of Abyei citizens who had sought refuge in Sudan prior to the Sudanese crisis. Francis Deng, who has also engaged in similar discussions with General Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, in New York, USA during his participation to the United Nations General Assembly in September 2022, added that he had also held similar dialogues with General Malik Agar, the Deputy Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, during his visits to Juba.

The Abyei leaders expressed their appreciation to Daglo for his endeavours to bring an end to the brutal civil war in Sudan and his historic diplomatic initiatives to neighbouring African countries in pursuit of peace.

The meeting touched upon three critical issues: peace in Sudan, the potential role of South Sudan under the leadership of President Salva Kiir in facilitating Sudanese peace, and the repatriation of Abyei natives displaced and stranded in RSF-controlled areas.

Deng highlighted the pivotal role that South Sudan, under the leadership of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, could play in mediating Sudanese peace. He emphasized the urgent need to establish secure conditions to enable the return of Abyei citizens displaced by the conflict in Sudan and the crucial role of the RSF in securing transit routes for the return of South Sudanese citizens.

The authorization of the meeting by President Salva Kiir and members of his administration remains unclear. The South Sudanese ambassador in Kenya declined to comment when asked if he had been informed of the arrangement.

Hemetti, heads the paramilitary Rapid Support Force, which has been engaged in a war against the Sudan Armed Forces under the command of its chief and Chairman of the Transitional Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, since April 2023.

The RSF has been out of the public eye for several months. He utilized this period to embark on diplomatic missions to neighbouring countries and participate in global events and functions.

In late December 2023, the head of the Sudanese paramilitary group made his first wartime diplomatic trip to Uganda, where he met with President Yoweri Museveni. He also met with leaders from Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, South Africa, and Rwanda. (ST)

View original: https://sudantribune.com/article281083/

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Further Reading

The Maritime Executive - 13 December 2017

Russia Moves Forward with Syrian Naval Base - excerpt:

"For Russia, a naval base in Syria . . . is always a place where Russian navy men can take a short rest and hold quick repairs, if necessary. Taking into account that the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions are of strategic importance for world security, Russian forces should stay here indefinitely," said Mikhail Nenashev, chairman of the All-Russian Fleet Support Movement, speaking to Pravda.

The base at Tartus has been under Russian control since 1971, and Russia finalized a 74-year renewal agreement with Syria in January with a 49-year lease followed by a 25-year automatic extension. The enlarged facility will operate outside of Damascus' legal jurisdiction, and Syria will not interfere with any military activities related to its operation. Separately, Russia has also renewed its lease on a military airbase in Western Syria for a period of 50 years. 

Full story: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/russia-moves-forward-with-syrian-naval-base

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The Maritime Executive - 09 December 2020

Russia Signs Deal With Sudan for Naval Base on the Red Sea - excerpt:

The agreement provides the Russian Navy with access to Port Sudan for a period of 25 years, with automatic renewal every decade thereafter. It may keep up to four naval vessels at a time at the port, including nuclear-powered vessels - an important consideration for Russia's submarine fleet. For logistics, Russian forces have permission to use Sudanese ports and airports to deliver any needed "weapons and equipment" to keep the port running. On-base manning is limited to 300 Russian personnel. 

In return, Russia will provide arms and training for Sudan's military, extending a role it already plays in the country. Last year, Russia and Sudan signed a seven-year agreement that provides the Sudanese government with military support, and Russian military advisors have participated in Sudanese public security operations. 

Full story: https://maritime-executive.com/article/russia-signs-deal-with-sudan-for-naval-base-on-the-red-sea

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South Sudan called on UN Security Council to lift arms embargo, after it deployed soldiers without firearms

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: I watched on TV South Sudan’s President Kiir giving a speech in English at the UN General Assembly 2023. He shuffled to the podium without lifting his feet and spoke each word slowly while not appearing to convey comprehension. He seemed to be tired and in poor health and may not be fit enough for an election in December 2024. 

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Report by Xinhua 

Reprinted by The Independent 

Dated Saturday, 18 November 2023 - here is a copy in full:

South Sudan calls for lifting arms embargo after deploys forces without firearms

Silva Kiir, South Sudan president

Juba, South Sudan | Xinhua | South Sudan on Friday called on the United Nations Security Council to lift the existing arms embargo, after it deployed the first battalion of 750 soldiers to Malakal town of Upper Nile state without firearms.

Michael Makuei Lueth, minister of Information and Communication, Technology and Postal Services, said that the first phase of the unified forces on Wednesday was deployed without forearms to Upper Nile state located north of Juba, the capital of South Sudan, due to the existing arms embargo which has made it difficult for them to procure arms.

“We are deploying them without arms because we have no arms, the UN Security Council decided to pass a resolution on the arms embargo on South Sudan, so we are unable to acquire arms for our forces,” Makuei told journalists after the weekly cabinet meeting. “It is the international community that insisted and said that you must deploy these forces; we have been saying we cannot deploy them without arms.”

Makuei said that the forces that were trained in the Upper Nile would be brought to Juba for integration with other forces from Bahr el-Ghazal. He called on the international community and the UN Security Council to lift the arms embargo to enable them to arm the unified forces.

South Sudan’s transitional unity government graduated the first batch of 53,000 unified forces in August last year. In total 83,000 unified forces are supposed to be graduated and deployed under the 2018 revitalized peace agreement signed to end years of conflict since the outbreak in December 2013.

On May 30, 2023, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution to renew for a year arms embargo measures against South Sudan as well as targeted sanctions of travel ban and asset freeze against individuals and entities. The arms embargo and sanctions were imposed in 2018 following the outbreak of conflict in December 2013. 

View original: https://www.independent.co.ug/south-sudan-calls-for-lifting-arms-embargo-as-it-deploys-forces-without-firearms/

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S. Sudan deploys first unified forces after peace deal

Report from Asharq Al Awsat
Dated Thursday, 16 November 2023 - here is a copy in full:

S.Sudan Deploys First Unified Forces After Peace Deal

President Salva Kiir of South Sudan. (Reuters)

Hundreds of former rebels and government troops in South Sudan's unified forces were deployed at a long-overdue ceremony on Wednesday, marking progress for the country's lumbering peace process.

The world's newest nation has struggled to find its footing since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, battling violence, endemic poverty and natural disasters.

The unification of forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his rival, Vice President Riek Machar, was a key condition of the 2018 peace deal that ended a five-year conflict in which nearly 400,000 people died, according to AFP.

Tens of thousands of former fighters were integrated into the country's army in August last year but none have been deployed until now, with the delays fuelling frustration in the international community.

The first battalion comprising nearly 1,000 soldiers will be deployed to Malakal in northern Upper Nile State, which has received huge numbers of South Sudanese refugees fleeing the conflict in neighbouring Sudan.

At the ceremony on the outskirts of the capital Juba, Santino Wol, the country's chief of defence forces, urged the battalion to remain united, saying: "Be a soldier and don't get involved in politics."

The unity government led by Kiir and Machar has largely failed to meet key provisions of the peace agreement, including drafting a constitution and electoral legislation ahead of polls now set for next year.

Kiir has vowed to hold the country's first ever presidential ballot by December 2024, but UN envoy Nicholas Haysom warned in August that the authorities needed to create a conducive environment to ensure "peaceful, inclusive and credible elections".

"We are going for elections and you are to make sure that peace prevails so that elections can proceed peacefully," Information Minister Michael Makuei told the soldiers on Wednesday.

One of the poorest countries on the planet despite large oil reserves, South Sudan has spent almost half of its life as a nation at war and continues to be roiled by outbreaks of politically motivated ethnic violence.

View original:  https://english.aawsat.com/world/4671621-ssudan-deploys-first-unified-forces-after-peace-deal

 

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South Sudan voices alarm over US warning to businesses about the risks of business dealings

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: No matter what the UN, US et al want to impose on South Sudan and pressure it into doing in the coming year, Messrs Kiir and Machar are the best and most experienced leaders to steer South Sudan through global recession and peace. Everyone's time could be best spent on working to hold South Sudan together and stop civil war in Sudan.

The last thing South Sudan needs is Americans breathing down its neck and twisting arms for a democracy that doesn't work in Africa. I say, African solutions to African problems! Libya's Col Gaddafi strongly supported a United States of Africa and championed African land for African people!

All African states are members of the African Union.  

Map of the African continent as in 2011-07. -Wikipedia

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From AFP News via The Barron’s Daily

By AFP - Agence France Presse
Dated Tuesday 15 August 2023 - here is a full copy:

S.Sudan Voices Alarm Over US Warning To Businesses

South Sudan voiced alarm on Tuesday over a US warning about the risks of business dealings in the troubled country, which is facing a myriad of problems more than a decade after independence.

The United States and South Sudan's other international partners have been piling pressure on its leaders over their failure to meet a raft of deadlines in the country's transition process.

The government in Juba said it was "seriously alarmed" by the advisory issued on Monday to US businesses in South Sudan.

The US Departments of State, Commerce and Labor warned of "the growing reputational, financial and legal risks" to transactions linked to the government or companies controlled by officials' families.

The advisory called on US businesses to do "due diligence on corruption and human rights issues" and to avoid any dealings that involve South Sudanese officials who are under sanctions.

And it faulted the transitional government for its "failure to adhere to its own laws" including on transparency over oil revenue.

Business dealings could "adversely impact US businesses, individuals, other persons and their operations in South Sudan and the region," it said.

Two-way trade totalled $88 million in 2019 according to US data.

South Sudan's foreign ministry said it respected the right of the US to issue such advisories and acknowledged challenges in the government's efforts to implement a 2018 peace agreement, particularly in economic reforms and public financial management.

But it added: "The government believes that cooperation and partnership are more effective than confrontation and isolation in achieving mutual interests and objectives."

Since becoming the world's youngest nation in 2011 when it achieved independence from Sudan, South Sudan has been bedevilled by crises including a five-year civil war that cost nearly 400,000 lives before a 2018 peace deal was signed.

But the fragile unity government led by President Salva Kiir and his rival and deputy Riek Machar has largely failed to deliver on its promises.

Kiir has vowed to hold South Sudan's first ever presidential poll by the end of 2024 after the government a year ago controversially extended the transition period outlined in the peace deal.

But Western powers accuse him and Machar of dragging their heels in order to cling on to power in one of the poorest and most corrupt countries on the planet.

"There has been neither any meaningful progress since (the extension) nor evidence of political will," the so-called Troika of the United States, Britain and Norway said last week.

"Deadline after deadline has been missed, laws remain unpassed, commissions unformed and implementation bodies unfunded."

The Barron's news department was not involved in the creation of the content above. This story was produced by AFP. For more information go to AFP.com.

View original: https://www.barrons.com/news/s-sudan-voices-alarm-over-us-warning-to-businesses-9e66d19f

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Further reading

Press Release at US Department of Commerce

By Office of Public Affairs

Dated Mon 14 Aug 2023 

US Government Issues a Business Advisory for South Sudan

For more information, see the complete advisory.

View original: https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2023/08/us-government-issues-business-advisory-south-sudan

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Report at VOA (Voice of America News)

By Henry Wilkins

Dated Thur 17 Aug 2023 2:05 PM - excerpt:

Northern South Sudan's Economy 'Decimated' by Sudan Conflict

Sudan's conflict has caused prices in the border region of neighboring South Sudan to rise sharply, according to local market traders. Meanwhile, the production and export of South Sudanese oil through Sudan, which the World Bank says makes up 90% of the country’s revenue, is being strangled by the conflict too. Henry Wilkins reports from Renk, South Sudan.

See video report: https://www.voanews.com/a/northern-south-sudan-s-economy-decimated-by-sudan-conflict-/7229419.html

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Report at DW (Deutsche Welle)

Why fewer Africans are able to own land

By Martina Schwikowski

Dated 19 Jan 2021 - excerpt:

Research has shown that inequality in access to land is increasing across the African continent. Experts are calling for more rules and controls on the sale of land to counteract poverty.

https://www.dw.com/en/dwindling-number-of-africans-own-land/a-56273543

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Report at land coalition.org

NEW REPORT REVEALS LAND INEQUALITY IS WORSE THAN WE THOUGHT AND IS FUELING OTHER INEQUALITIES

Dated 24 Nov 2020 - excerpt:

The International Land Coalition is a global network of over 250 organisations around the globe working together to put people at the centre of land governance, responding to the needs and protecting the rights of women, men and communities who live on and from the land. For more information, visit: www.landcoatition.org and www.unevenground.org - and  Uneven Ground: land inequality at the heart of unequal societies

https://www.landcoalition.org/en/newsroom/new-report-reveals-land-inequality-worse-we-thought-and-fueling-other-inequalities/

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