Musa Hilal wins parliament seat in Sudan - Arop Madut retains MP seat for Abyei

Janjaweed leader wins parliament seat in Sudan
From Radio Dabanga, Monday, 26 April 2010:

(Khartoum) - Musa Hilal, a prominent leader of Janjaweed militia, has won a seat in the National Assembly. This was announced by the National Elections Commission.

Hilal is paramount chief of the Um Jalul clan of the Mahameed Arab tribe in North Darfur. His alleged role in atrocities committed in Darfur led to a UN Security Council resolution in 2006 that put him under a travel ban and asset freeze. Despite the allegations against him, in 2008 he was appointed by President Bashir as special advisor at the Ministry of Federal Affairs.

Veteran Sudanese journalist Arop Madut retains MP seat for Abyei
From The New Sudan Vision (NSV) by Mading Ngor, Monday, 26 April 2010:

(Victoria BC NSV) - Arop Madut, the author of Sudan’s Painful Road to Peace has been elected as MP to represent Abyei in South Sudan’s Legislative Assembly, he told New Sudan Vision Monday.

Arop, who was previously representing Abyei in SSLA said he was running unopposed until “during the last days [when] one fellow calling himself a SANU representative nominated himself, and I was forced to contest, to campaign.”

Arop said the voting went peacefully in Abyei, saying the SPLM was the favourite for the electorate in the area.

Deng Alor, Deng Athieng, Arop Deng Kuol, and one other MP will represent Abyei in southern and national assemblies.

More news from Radio Dabanga:
Scores of arrests made in case of El Fasher market scam
Darfur rebel Abdel Shafi joins LJM for Doha talks
Darfur assembly candidate rejects election outcome
Kalma camp leader says 5000 new arrivals
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FACTBOX: Sudan presidential election results
From Sudan Tribune, Tuesday 27 April 2010:

SUDAN NATIONAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
10,114,310 valid votes cast

1. Omer Hassan Al-Bashir (National Congress Party) 68.24% - 6,901,694 votes

2. Yasir Arman (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement) 21.69% - 2,193,826 votes

3. Abdullah Deng Nhial (Popular Congress Party) 3.92% - 396,139 votes

4. Hatim Al-Sir (Democratic Unionist Party) 1.93% - 195,668 votes

5. Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi (Umma Party) 0.96% - 96,868 votes

6. Kamil Idriss (Independent) 0.76% - 77,132 votes

7. Mahmood Ahmed Jeha (Independent) 0.71% - 71,708 votes

8. Mubarak al-Fadil (Umma Reform and Renewal Party) 0.49% - 49,402 votes

9. Munir Sheikh El-din Jallab (New National Democratic Party) 0.40% - 40,277 votes

10. Abdel-Aziz Khalid (Sudanese National Alliance) 0.34%- 34,592 votes

11. Fatima Abdel-Mahmood (Sudanese Socialist Democratic Union) 0.30% - 30,562 votes

12. Mohamed Ibrahim Nugud (COMMUNIST PARTY) 0.26% - 26,442 votes

SOUTH SUDAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

2,813,830 valid votes cast

1. Salva Kiir (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement) 92.99% - 2,616,613 votes

2. Lam Akol (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change) 7.01% - 197,217 votes

IDP in Zalingei urge Darfurians not to reject Doha agreement between LJM and Sudanese gov't

IDP in Zalingei urge Darfurians not to reject framework agreement
From Radio Dabanga, Saturday, 20 March 2010:

ZALINGEI (20 Mar.) – An IDP in Zalingei camp urged people of Darfur not to reject the Doha agreement between the Liberation and Justice Movement and the government. He told Radio Dabanga that the success or failure of the agreement depends on to which extend it responds to the demands of the Darfurians which is security, compensation and land tenure.
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‘Both agreements equal’
KHARTOUM (20 Mar.) – Ghaza Salah al Din, advisor to the president and responsible for the Darfur file said that the agreement with the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) is not less than the agreement with the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). He added JEM has no right to reject the new framework agreement.

JEM will not accept deal between LJM and Sudanese govt

The United Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) is composed of ten Darfur anti-government factions. The recently formed group is headed by Doctor El-Tigani El-Sissi, with Abdel Aziz Abu Namousha as vice-chairman.

Speaking to SRS from Doha, a senior official of the LJM, Taj al-Din Basher Niam, said the signing of the ceasefire deal is an indication that a permanent agreement is about to be reached.

Speaking to SRS on Thursday from Doha, the Chief JEM negotiator in Doha, Ahmed Tugud, said that JEM will not accept the deal between the LJM and government because JEM signed a similar document with the government.

GONU Signs Darfur Deal with LJM in Doha
From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Friday, 19 March 2010:

(Nairobi/Doha) – The Government of National Unity and the Liberation Justice Movement signed a three-month ceasefire deal on Thursday.

The deal was signed by the Presidential Advisor in charge of the Darfur dossier, Dr. Ghazi Salah al-Din on behalf of the government and the chairman of the LJM, Altijani Sisi in Doha. The signing ceremony was attended by the Vice-President, Ali Osman Taha, mediators and the international observers.

Speaking to SRS from Doha, a senior official of the LJM, Taj al-Din Basher Niam, said the signing of the ceasefire deal is an indication that a permanent agreement is about to be reached.

[Taj al-Din Basher Niam]: “The agreement includes a cease-fire for a period of 90 days which can also be renewed and the reason behind this agreement is to create a good environment for the peace negotiations. And as for the framework agreement, it is a political agreement and it includes guidelines on how to reach peace. It also includes general principles and other issues which are to be debated. We think we can now sit with the African mediators as well as the Qatari ones and then come up with a date to start the negotiations to talk about some of the main issues such as the power and wealth sharing and also security conditions along with the other issues which we consider to be important for solving the Darfur crisis.

Speaking to SRS on Thursday from Doha, the Chief JEM negotiator in Doha, Ahmed Tugud, said that JEM will not accept the deal between the LJM and government because JEM signed a similar document with the government.

[Ahmed Tugud]: “Because we think any attempt to divide people and to enable others who are not on the battlefield to sign a framework agreement and participate in the negotiation process will break down the negotiation process. It will endanger the unity of the Darfur people and they will lose rights that may come with any agreement that is the reason behind our stand to reject the agreement. There is no point in signing a framework agreement other than the framework agreement that was originally signed, and this agreement discusses the same issues signed by the Justice and Equality Movement, for that reason we are against that position and we express our complete rejection of it. The movement is evaluating the situation from different aspects and studying the choices and the movement’s position regarding the peace process.”

In response, Taj Al-Din Basher Niam of the LJM termed JEM’s threat to withdraw from the talks as political suicide.

[Taj Al-Din Basher Niam]: “Nobody can approve the withdrawal of JEM from the peace negotiations just because another movement signed a peace agreement with the government. If JEM did that it will be a bad political move and it will send a bad image to the Darfurians and the Sudanese. Anyway, we hope that they don’t do that but they are free and have the choice to decide, just like they in the beginning decided to go by themselves to sign an agreement and conduct negotiations alone with the government. We don’t have any problem, if they want to join us they can and if they don’t want to they can leave but our hope is that we all come together because no movement or even two movements will be able to bring peace, it will only come when everybody participates.”

Taj Al-Din Basher Niam was speaking to SRS from Doha.

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ULJM Darfur Coalition Forms Executive Body
From SRS - Sudan Radio Service 3 February 2010:

3 February 2010 - (Darfur)– The recently-formed coalition of Darfur anti-government groups, the United Liberation and Justice Movement, announced the formation of its executive body in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday.

The group is to be headed by Doctor El-Tigani El-Sissi, with Abdel Aziz Abu Namousha as vice-chairman.

Abdel Aziz Abu Namousha spoke to SRS from Doha on Tuesday.

[Abdel Aziz Abu Namousha]: “We think unity is the first step towards resolving the Darfur issue because the stance of separate movements greatly affects our people. An agreement was reached that the group should be lead by Dr. El-Tigani El-Sissi with two deputies Abdel Aziz Abu Namousha and Haider Qalokuma Atim. We formed a presidential council, now consisting of six people, but it’s open to others who might join later and increase the council’s number.”

Abdel Aziz went on to express his disappointment that JEM signed a ceasefire agreement with the Government of National Unity but refuse to include other Darfur movements in the peace deal.

[Abdel Aziz Abu Namousha]: “I think unity can’t be achieved unless some people abandon their positions. And since these brothers in LJM have committed themselves to the principles of abandoning their political quest, I think real unity that will lead to peace will be achieved. Unity that will be able to deliver all the rights to Darfurians. But the unity of the movement is not enough. To achieve the rights of Darfurians, we need all Darfurians to come together in order to recover the power from the central government.”

The United Liberation and Justice Movement is composed of ten Darfur anti-government factions and is expected to sign a framework agreement with the government before entering into negotiations.

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Photo: Sudanese policemen stand guard as thousands gather at a rally attended by President Omar al-Beshir in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, on February 2010. The United States said Friday the Sudanese government's ceasefire with another rebel movement is "a very important step" toward establishing peace in the western Darfur region. (AFP/File/Ashraf Shazly Fri Mar 19 2010)

SLA Minni Minawi welcomes new Doha framework agreement for Darfur peace

Minni Minawi welcomes new Doha framework agreement for Darfur peace
From Radio Dabanga, Friday, 19 March 2010:

KHARTOUM (19 Mar.) – The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Minni Minawi supports the new Doha Framework Agreement between the Government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) which was signed in Doha yesterday. Mini Minawi said that he supports Tijani Sissi, who signed the agreement and stands for achieving a just and comprehensive peace in Darfur. Minawi is the leader of an ex-rebel faction that signed a peace deal with the government in 2006 in Abuja, Nigeria.

Chad/Sudan: Darfur IDPs and refugees want rebel factions to join hands as one new movement with one chairman

ACCORDING to Radio Dabanga, Darfur IDPs and refugees in Chad and Sudan want Darfur rebel factions to join hands as one new movement with one chairman that can unify all the Darfurian people. This is Abuja number two, they suggested — a reference to the failed 2006 peace deal made in Nigeria.

Full story: Radio Dabanga, Thursday, 18 March 2010 via ReliefWeb -
Chad/Sudan: Reactions of IDPs and refugees negative on agreement. Copy:

AL SALAAM – CHAD (18 Mar.) – IDPs in camps such as As Salaam camp in Zalingei told Radio Dabanga they refuse the newly signed framework agreement between the government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM). They are not a part of this agreement. They refused several agreements because the Doha forum can not solve the problem of Darfur, they said. It may increase the suffering of people in Darfur. They welcome the unified factions to come in as one new movement with one chairman that can unify all the Darfurian people. This is Abuja number two, they suggested — a reference to the failed 2006 peace deal made in Nigeria.

Refugees in Chad said they also refuse the agreement because they are not part of the agreement. There were many agreements signed before and they think the movement leaders are looking for a job in the government and they, the refugees, remain suffering as victims of the war.

Waiting for water



Photo: A displaced Sudanese woman waits her turn for the water pump at a relief camp in western Darfur. Sudan's government and a Darfur rebel group -- the Liberation and Justice Movement -- have signed a framework peace accord, as talks with the larger Justice and Equality Movement appeared to falter. (AFP/File/Marco Longari Thu Mar 18, 7:36 AM ET)

Doha: Sudan's government and a collection of Darfur rebel groups have signed a three-month cease-fire deal

Sudanese vice-president Ali Osman Taha (L), Qatar's crown prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Khalifa Al Thani (C) and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim al-Thani attend a truce ceremony in Doha Thursday, March 18, 2010.

Sudan signed a three-month ceasefire deal with a second Darfur rebel group on Thursday, a diplomatic source close to the negotiations said, part of a government push to end the conflict in the western Sudanese region before elections. (Reuters/Mohammed Dabbous)



Ghazi Salah Eddin (L), adviser to Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, shakes hands with Al-Tijani Al-Sissi of the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) after signing a truce in Doha March 18, 2010. (Reuters/Mohammed Dabbous)



Sudan's government representative Ghazi Salah Eddin Atabani, left, and rebel leader Al-Tijani Al-Sissi hold the documents after signing a truce in Doha Thursday March 18, 2010. Sudan's government and a collection of Darfur rebel groups have signed a cease-fire, opening the way for political negotiations ahead of a full peace agreement. (AP Photo/Osama Faisal)



Al-Tijani Al-Sissi of the Liberation and Justice Movement (L), Youssef Ezzat, secretary of the Movement of the United Revolutionary Force (C), and Mahjoub Hussein, secretary-general of the Sudan Liberation Movement Revolutionary Forces, talk at the truce ceremony in Doha. March 18, 2010. (Reuters/Mohammed Dabbous)



Mahjoub Hussein, secretary-general of the Sudan Liberation Movement Revolutionary Forces, attends a truce ceremony in Doha March 18, 2010. (Reuters/Mohammed Dabbous)
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JEM, five rebel factions agree to coordinate toward unity

From Sudan Tribune, Thursday 18 March 2010 - extract:
JEM, five rebel factions agree to coordinate toward unity

March 17, 2010 (KHARTOUM) - Twenty four hour before the signing of a second framework agreement between the government and another rebel group in Doha, the Justice and Equality Movement with other five groups agreed to coordinate their positions and work for unity.

Besides JEM, the unity agreement is signed by the Sudan Liberation Movement Unity Command (SLM-Unity), SLM Juba-Unity, the United Revolutionary Forces Front, the Democratic Justice and Equality Movement and breakaway commanders from SLM- Abdel Wahid Al-Nur. These groups were part of Addis Ababa Roadmap group sponsored by the US envoy Gration.

The signatories reiterated the need to reunite the resistance in order to get the rights of Darfur people and extended the invitation to all the forces keen to reach that goal, stressing no just peace deal can be reached without unity.

Related report
UN News Centre, Thursday, 18 March 2010:
As another Darfur ceasefire deal is signed, UN envoy voices hope

Darfur insurgent's LJM will sign a framework agreement with Sudanese gov't next week

LJM Insists That Darfur Negotiations Are Continuing in Doha
Report from Sudan Radio Service - SRS, Thursday, 11 March 2010:

(Khartoum) - The coalition of Darfur anti-government movements, the Liberation and Justice Movement, has denied allegations that negotiations between the government and the group have stalled.

Speaking to SRS on Wednesday from Doha, the deputy chairman of the LJM, Abdulaziz Abu Namusha, said that they will sign a framework agreement with the government next week.

Abu Namusha also criticized JEM’s move to exclude other movements from the Framework Agreement signed between the government and JEM.

He said that the Darfur conflict can only be solved if all the anti-government groups are involved in the peace process.

[Abdulaziz Abu Namusha]: “If we need to solve Darfur’s problems permanently we will need only one agreement. This is what we are seeking but there is a suggestion by JEM to fellow groups and automatically the differences appeared and the people have insisted on signing the agreement. JEM has decided that the agreement be signed on 15 March. But for us we have suggested that we have to go and discuss all the issues and we are trying to get the support from the Darfur people on what we have agreed upon.”

The deputy chairman of the LJM Abdulaziz Abu Namusha spoke to SRS from Doha on Wednesday.

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ULJM Darfur Coalition Forms Executive Body
Report from Sudan Radio Service - SRS, 03 February 2010:

(Darfur)– The recently-formed coalition of Darfur anti-government groups, the United Liberation and Justice Movement, announced the formation of its executive body in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday.

The group is to be headed by Doctor El-Tigani El-Sissi, with Abdel Aziz Abu Namousha as vice-chairman.

Abdel Aziz Abu Namousha spoke to SRS from Doha on Tuesday.

[Abdel Aziz Abu Namousha]: “We think unity is the first step towards resolving the Darfur issue because the stance of separate movements greatly affects our people. An agreement was reached that the group should be lead by Dr. El-Tigani El-Sissi with two deputies Abdel Aziz Abu Namousha and Haider Qalokuma Atim. We formed a presidential council, now consisting of six people, but it’s open to others who might join later and increase the council’s number.”

Abdel Aziz went on to express his disappointment that JEM signed a ceasefire agreement with the Government of National Unity but refuse to include other Darfur movements in the peace deal.

[Abdel Aziz Abu Namousha]: “I think unity can’t be achieved unless some people abandon their positions. And since these brothers in LJM have committed themselves to the principles of abandoning their political quest, I think real unity that will lead to peace will be achieved. Unity that will be able to deliver all the rights to Darfurians. But the unity of the movement is not enough. To achieve the rights of Darfurians, we need all Darfurians to come together in order to recover the power from the central government.”

The United Liberation and Justice Movement is composed of ten Darfur anti-government factions and is expected to sign a framework agreement with the government before entering into negotiations.

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Other news from Sudan Radio Service - SRS:

11-Mar-2010

• No Doha Talks Without Agenda Says JEM
• Amum Calms Wealth-Sharing Fears
• Russians To Send Observers For Elections
• EU Observers Arrive in Sudan For Elections
• Commissioner Bans Zinc In Juba Market Constructions
• Sudan Sports Latest

10-Mar-2010

• Arman Expresses Solidarity with Darfur
• NCP Says Other Parties Should Concentrate on Their Manifestos
• SAF Claim To Control Jebel Marra After Clashes
• Salva Kiir Says Referendum Will Be Held No Matter What
• Sudan Sports Latest

09-Mar-2010

• Nairobi IGAD Summit Focuses On Sudan
• Sir Derek Plumbly Expresses Solidarity with NEC
• Juba Electorate Discuss Presidential Candidates
• GONU Minister Pledges Free Health Care For Women
• Analysts Comment Al-Bashir's Sharia Law Comments
• Tribal Clashes Erupt in Western Darfur
• Umma Party Official Attacked in Southern Darfur
• Juba Women Celebrate International Women's Day
• Sudanese Women Play Great Role in Sudanese Society Says GONU Advisor
• UMMA Calls for Equal Airtime for All
• Sudan Sports Latest
• GONU Declares Jebel Marra Open to NGOs
• JEM Spokesman Calls For Elections to be Postponed
• Moi Supports Kiir Candidacy in Southern Presidential Elections
• Lino Calls For Jobs and Backs Arman for Presidential Race in North
• Norwegian On Epic Bike Trip For Refugees Arrives in Sudan

05-Mar-2010

• Al-Bashir Condemns International Community as Enemies of Peace
• Parties Protest Against NEC in Khartoum
• SPLM Urges NCP to Attend IGAD Meeting
• World Bank Releases 125 Million USD for Development in Southern Sudan
• Arman - Sudan Is A Failed State
• Abdallah Says Elections Are Only One Part of Democratic Process
• Sudan Sports Latest

04-Mar-2010

• Coalition Leaders Withdraw from Media Agreement
• ULJM Darfur Coalition Forms Executive Body
• AU Summit Ends in Juba
• UDSF Calls For Dual Citizenship For Southerners in North
• Sudan Sports Latest

03-Mar-2010

• Akol Appeals To Southerners To Unite Before 2011
• Kiir Says SPLM Will Not Postpone Elections
• Parties Form Alliance in Red Sea State
• Cardinal Wako and Abel Alier Urge Electorate to Vote Wisely
• UNIMID Seeks Equipment to Monitor Agreement
• China Makes Donation to Election Process
• Sudan Sports Latest

02-Mar-2010

• JEM Threatens to Leave Doha Talks if GONU Signs Another Darfur Agreement
• Arman Calls on Al-Bashir to Stand Down
• Southern Kordofan Will Not Participate in Parliamentary Elections
• Security Situation Improved in 2009 Says GONU
• Lino Stands to Combat Corruption in Khartoum
• SSACC Threaten Coy Public Servants with Legal Action over Revenue Declaration
• Sudan Sports Latest