UK US Norway support Sudan civilian-led transitional govt as it investigates violence against protestors

PRESS RELEASE

Dated Thursday 22 August 2019

Troika Statement on the Appointment of Dr. Abdalla Hamdok as Prime Minister of Sudan

The appointment of a civilian-led government presents an opportunity to rebuild a stable economy and create a government that respects human rights and personal freedoms

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, August 22, 2019/APO Group/ -- The Troika countries (United Kingdom, United States and Norway) congratulate Dr. Abdalla Hamdok on his appointment as prime minister by the Sovereign Council and welcome the extensive professional experience he brings to the role. We welcome this step in creating a civilian-led government. As Prime Minister Hamdok begins the process of selecting ministers and identifying the government’s priorities, we look forward to working with Sudan’s new institutions.

At this historic moment, Sudan has a unique opportunity to establish peace within its borders, draft a constitution that enshrines human rights protections and empowers all Sudanese, including women and youth, and create the infrastructure for free and fair elections. We encourage all sides to engage in good faith to deliver these goals, in particular urging the armed movements to engage constructively with the new Government to achieve peace.

We will continue to support Sudan’s civilian-led transitional government as it conducts an investigation of the violence perpetrated against peaceful demonstrators and holds those responsible to account.

The appointment of a civilian-led government presents an opportunity to rebuild a stable economy and create a government that respects human rights and personal freedoms. Prime Minister Hamdok will have the Troika’s support in achieving these objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Regional Media Hub.

SOURCE: https://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/troika-statement-on-the-appointment-of-dr-abdalla-hamdok-as-prime-minister-of-sudan?lang=en

Sudan: Troika (UK, US, Norway) encourage constitutional agreement to form civilian-led govt

From: British Embassy Khartoum
Published 18 July 2019
Sudan: Troika statement, July 2019

The UK, US and Norway have issued a Troika statement welcoming the agreement reached by the Transitional Military Council and Forces for Freedom and Change.

Photo: UK Government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London

The Troika (Norway, the UK and US) welcome the agreement reached by the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) on a political declaration that sets out the structure and broad responsibilities for a transitional government. We hope that these institutions can gain the trust and support of the Sudanese people.

The Troika also commends the efforts of the African Union, Ethiopian and Sudanese mediators in helping the parties achieve agreement. We encourage the parties to quickly conclude the parallel constitutional agreement and form the civilian-led transitional government, which the Sudanese people have courageously and peacefully demanded since December 2018.

We welcome the commitment of the parties to support an independent investigation of June 3 and other acts of violence, to negotiate an end to Sudan’s internal conflicts and to pursue economic, legal and constitutional reforms during the 39-month transition period. The Troika looks forward to engaging a civilian-led transitional government as it works to achieve the Sudanese people’s aspirations for responsive governance, peace, justice and development.

SOURCE: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sudan-troika-statement-july-2019

Sudan: TMC transitional deal casts spotlight on role of Hemeti’s RSF militia fighters

Article from Bloomberg.com

By: Mohammed Alamin and Okech Francis

Published: 18 July 2019, 05:00 BST Updated on 18 July 2019, 15:55 BST

Devils on Horseback Leader Holds Fate of Sudan in His Hands

- Transitional deal casts spotlight on role of Hamdan’s fighters

- Notorious militia is dominant force after Bashir’s overthrow

Photo: Mohamed Hamdan on July 17. Photographer: Ebrahim Hamid/AFP via Getty Images

A one-time camel trader turned leader of a Sudanese militia known as the “devils on horseback” now holds the fate of Africa’s third-largest nation in his hands.

Known popularly as Hemeti, Mohamed Hamdan dominates the military council that overthrew President Omar al-Bashir in April. He also commands the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group accused of killing more than 100 protesters in June in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. Swaggering and unaccountable, his fighters have become the most tangible obstacle to Sudan’s escape from three decades of dictatorship.

“All roads forward in Sudan now run into the Hemeti problem,” said Alan Boswell, an analyst with the Brussels-based International Crisis Group. “Over time, his power will need to be reined in, yet any action against him at the moment risks civil war.”

The stakes go beyond Sudan, which has been rocked by coups, insurgencies and mass protests since independence in 1956. The battle for its future after the fall of Bashir -- an Islamist general and international pariah accused of war crimes -- has become another battleground for the biggest power rivalries in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been drawn in, looking to retain influence in the Red Sea nation as their tussles with Iran and Turkey for regional supremacy spread to the Horn of Africa.

The oil-rich Gulf nations in April pledged a combined $3 billion in aid to Sudan, which has been ravaged by decades of economic mismanagement that helped ignite the nationwide unrest in December. The promise of cash has given breathing space to the country’s new rulers -- mainly Bashir’s old guard -- and fueled opposition doubts there’ll be a genuine democratic transition as the elite seeks to defend its privileges.

Still, negotiations between the council and the opposition group that led the protests may have yielded a breakthrough. A deal signed Wednesday would see civilian and military representatives form an 11-seat sovereign council with executive responsibilities, and elections would be held after three years.

Photo: Tires burn during protests in Khartoum on June 3. Photographer: Ashraf Shazly/AFP via Getty Images

While the global outcry over the Khartoum massacre gave Sudan’s military rulers little choice but to reach a deal, they’ll probably seek to stall its enactment, according to Salah Aldoma, a professor of international relations at Omdurman Islamic University in Khartoum’s twin city. Hemeti’s denials of responsibility for the Khartoum attack have veered from blaming infiltrators in uniform, to vowing to hang any of his fighters who participated.

Feared Fighters

Rights groups including Amnesty International say Hemeti’s forces must withdraw from the city. On the streets, one can sense a palpable fear of his fighters, who regularly harass youths deemed sympathetic to the protests. Many residents make sure they’re home by nightfall to avoid any run-ins with the feared security services.

The militia earlier this week said in a statement it would be “gradually withdrawn from Khartoum in accordance with the security situation,” the state-run SUNA news agency reported.

Photo: Mohamed Hamdan surrounded by Rapid Support Forces in Qarri on June 15. Photographer: Ashraf Shazly/AFP via Getty Images

Hemeti’s vertiginous rise saw him deploy his fighters alongside Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The RSF, a reconstituted version of the brutal counter-insurgency group known as the janjaweed he helped organize in the western region of Darfur, is now regarded as Sudan’s most powerful military force.

While Sudan’s Gulf backers hope the nation follows the Egyptian path of military rule after the Arab Spring, they’re missing a key difference, said Boswell: “Sudan lacks a cohesive military.”

Ceding Influence

The army -- and the military council -- are officially led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, a lieutenant-general who helped coordinate Sudan’s contribution to the Yemen campaign. Burhan, though, has ceded influence in public to Hemeti, who regularly addresses rallies aired on state TV.

Hemeti’s alleged role in the violence would complicate any designs he might have on the presidency. Much of Sudan’s remaining elite are desperate to improve relations with the U.S., which lifted a two-decade-old sanctions regime in 2017.

“Hemeti is looking for some guarantees so he can make a safe exit,” said Aldoma. “His use was only as a military assistant to oust Bashir.”

The Darfuri warlord is also likely to face resistance from the elites from the Nile Valley hundreds of miles to the east who’ve traditionally led the country.

While the RSF has helped them tame the protest movement and sideline some of Bashir’s hard-line Islamist supporters, the rest of Sudan’s military council could be ready to jettison him at a later date, according to Asiel Alamin, a prominent activist.

But in the short-term, any move to check Hemeti’s power risks splitting the council, said Harry Verhoeven, author of ‘Water, Civilisation and Power in Sudan.’

“It’s a dangerous proposition and very few actors in the army, RSF or other security forces have a realistic vision of political order beyond the next couple of weeks,” he said.

(Update with statement from RSF in second paragraph under Feared Fighters subheadline.)

SOURCE: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-18/devils-on-horseback-leader-holds-fate-of-sudan-in-his-hands

US, Norway, UK Joint Statement on Sudan Crisis. Statement of AUC & IGAD meeting June 08, 2019

Press Release - June 05, 2019

US, Norway, UK Joint Statement on Developments in Sudan

The text of the following statement was issued jointly by the Governments of the United States, Norway, and the United Kingdom

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, June 5, 2019/ -- The Troika condemns the violent attacks in Sudan on June 3, which resulted in the killing and injuring of many peaceful civilian protesters. By ordering these attacks, the Transitional Military Council has put the transition process and peace in Sudan in jeopardy. We call for an agreed transfer of power to a civilian-led government as demanded by the people of Sudan. We welcome the statement of the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) and support the important role of the AU in solving the crisis in Sudan, including its demand for an immediate handover to a civilian-led government.

The Troika also expresses its serious concern over the TMC’s announcement that it will cease negotiations with the Forces for Freedom and Change, retract all previous agreements with them on formation of an interim government, and will hold elections within nine months. The people of Sudan deserve an orderly transition, led by civilians, that can establish the conditions for free and fair elections, rather than have rushed elections imposed by the TMC’s security forces.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Regional Media Hub.

SOURCE: Africa Regional Media Hub

https://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/joint-statement-on-developments-in-sudan9875?lang=en

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Statement of AUC Chairperson on the situation in Sudan

June 03, 2019

03 June 2019, Addis Abeba: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki strongly condemns the violence that erupted today which led to reported deaths and several civilian injuries. In this regard, he calls for an immediate and transparent investigation in order to hold those all responsible accountable. The Chairperson calls on the Transitional Military Council to protect the civilians from further harm. 

The Chairperson wishes to recall the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) Communique of 30 April 2019 on Sudan, which demanded all Sudanese stakeholders to return to the negotiations urgently in order to arrive at an inclusive accord, which paves the way for a civilian- led Transitional Authority. 

Furthermore, the Chairperson calls on all international partners to reinforce common efforts towards the immediate cessation of the violence and rapid resumption of negotiations for a political settlement. 

Given the tense situation in the country, the Chairperson calls on all concerned to exercise outmost restraint and to respect the rights of citizens, in the interest of the country and its people.

  

The Chairperson reiterates the African Union’s determination to continue to engage and accompany the Sudanese people to support the consolidation of a political agreement in line with the relevant AU Peace and Security Council decisions.

Ebba Kalondo

Spokesperson to the Chairperson
African Union Commission

Addis Abeba 

Mobile: +251911510512
Twitter: 

@EbbaKalondo

https://twitter.com/EbbaKalondo
@AUC_MoussaFaki

https://twitter.com/AUC_MoussaFaki

SOURCE: 

https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20190603/statement-chairperson-situation-sudan

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African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) Communique of 30 April 2019 on Sudan

To read AU PSC Communique PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCCXLVI) adopted by the Peace and Security Council at its 846th meeting held in Tunis, Tunisia on 30 April 2019, on the situation in The Sudan, click here:

http://www.peaceau.org/uploads/psc-com-sudan-30-april-2019-eng.pdf

Excerpt:

10. Reaffirms its respect for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of The Sudan; and further reaffirms its support to the democratic transformation in The Sudan, in line with the communique of its 207th meeting held, at the level of Heads of State and Government in Abuja, Nigeria, on 29 October 2009; in this context, underlines the need for external actors to refrain from any action or initiatives that could further complicate the situation in The Sudan; and calls on all AU partners and the international community at large, to support AU ongoing efforts in The Sudan, bearing in mind the longstanding multifaceted challenges facing the country, including the urgent need to address the financial and economic problems; 

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Statement of AUC Chairperson on Sudan following visit by IGAD Chair June 08, 2019

I welcome the visit to Sudan by current IGAD Chair @PMEthiopia + the constructive meetings he held with the parties. IGAD and the AU will continue to work together to support the Sudanese people find a consensual agreement to the crisis. My full statementhttps://t.co/xs98fn2MSe

— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) 8 June 2019

Excerpts from the full statement June 08, 2019:

The Chairperson further wishes to express his deep appreciation for the close collaboration between IGAD and the AU Special Envoy Prof Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt and the Special Representative for Sudan Ambassador Mohamed Belaiche for their joint efforts in bringing parties to urgently resume negotiations.

In this regard, the Chairperson notes with satisfaction that the cooperation between IGAD and the AUC is firmly in line with the AU Peace and Security Council decision of 6 June 2019, and further reinforces the AU-led facilitation process to ensure that Africa continues to speak with one voice in its efforts to support the Sudanese people resolve the crisis in Sudan.

The Chairperson further stresses the need for all foreign actors to refrain from interference, and support the African Union efforts to support a Sudanese-led and and owned process that respects the will and aspirations of the people of Sudan, the region and the Continent.

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The 68th Extraordinary Session of IGAD Council of Ministers opened in #Addisababa June 19, 2019

The 68th Extraordinary Session of IGAD Council of Ministers opened in #Addisababa . Foreign Ministers of @igadsecretariat Members Countries discussed the situation in #Sudan & the progress of the implementation of the revitalized process in South Sudan. https://t.co/4RIeMJkYt2 pic.twitter.com/RiCbnvXsyl

— MFA Ethiopia🇪🇹 (@mfaethiopia) 19 June 2019

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Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC)

Photo: H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat

Biography

H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, born on 21 June 1960, was elected as the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson on 30 January 2017 and assumed office in March 2017.

A constitutional lawyer by profession, Chairperson Faki has occupied senior governmental positions in a career that has spanned over 30 years and includes tenure as foreign minister and Prime Minister in his native country Chad.

At the continental level and during his tenure as Foreign Minister of Chad, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat chaired the United Nations Security Council for the month of December 2015. He also chaired the Peace and Security Council of the AU in September 2013 and steered the Nairobi Extraordinary Summit on the fight against Terrorism. He also served as chairman of the AU Executive Council.

Chairperson Faki has a formidable global reputation as a peace broker in Africa in a career that has placed a central focus on peace and security issues in Africa.

As Chairperson of the Commission, Chairperson Faki is the Chief Executive Officer, legal representative and Chief Accounting Officer. He is directly responsible to the Executive Council for the discharge of his duties.

Term Dates: 

January 30, 2017 to January 30, 2021

Country of Origin: 

Chad

SOURCE: https://au.int/en/cpauc5

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TEXT: US, UK, Norway joint statement on Sudan elections

The United States, Britain and Norway called on Wednesday for peaceful and credible elections in Sudan next month, voicing concern at restrictions on political freedoms there.

The three countries, guarantors of a 2005 peace accord that ended Sudan's two-decade civil war, said the elections, starting on April 11, were a major milestone in implementing the agreement.

"We urge all parties in Sudan to work urgently to ensure that elections can proceed peacefully and credibly in April," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Stoere said in a statement issued by Britain's Foreign Office.

Full story: Reuters (LONDON) 31 March 2010 - U.S., UK, Norway call for credible Sudan elections
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Joint Statement on the Upcoming Sudan National Elections
Source: U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
March 31, 2010

Following is the text of a joint statement by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Støre, and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Miliband on the upcoming national elections in Sudan.

Begin Text:

National elections in Sudan in April will represent a major milestone in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended Sudan's twenty-two year civil war, and are an important opportunity for the people of Sudan to participate in the political process.

We urge all parties in Sudan to work urgently to ensure that elections can proceed peacefully and credibly in April. We are deeply concerned by reports of continued administrative and logistical challenges, as well as restrictions on political freedoms. We call on the Government of Sudan, the National Elections Commission, and all political parties to engage in further dialogue to resolve practical obstacles, procedural impediments, and address allegations of intimidation, harassment, and safety concerns, and other legitimate concerns raised by various political parties. We continue to urge the parties to improve conditions on the ground in Darfur and create a secure environment conducive to Darfuri participation.

Irrespective of the outcome of elections, it is essential that work continues and is accelerated to meet remaining CPA deadlines. Progress is needed urgently to complete border demarcation, to establish the commissions that will supervise the referenda for the South and Abyei, to conduct popular consultations in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan, and to negotiate sustainable post-CPA arrangements in areas such as wealth-sharing, citizenship and assets, and liabilities.

We reiterate our commitment to ensure that the referenda must happen on schedule and that their outcomes need to be respected. It is time to redouble efforts to achieve these ends. We urge all parties in Sudan and all regional and international partners to work together to achieve the peaceful future that the people of Sudan deserve.

PRN: 2010/37

UK, US and Norway sign joint statement on anniversary of Sudan peace agreement

The UK, US and Norway congratulated the people of Sudan for maintaining the principles of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement five years on, despite the many challenges they have had to endure.

The joint statement was signed by Foreign Secretary David Miliband, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store.

Click here to read the statement published on 08 Jan 2010 at the website of UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

UN SRSG Qazi: DDR critical to creating conducive environment for the upcoming elections in Sudan

The Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme recently achieved the milestone of reaching 15,000 demobilized. Meanwhile, Reintegration counselling and referral has been rolled out to seven states and will be countrywide by the early 2010.

The Sudan DDR Programme under the CPA targets up to 180,000 participants from both SAF and SPLA. They will be demobilised and provided with opportunities for alternative livelihoods such as agriculture, micro-business, vocational training or formal education.

Norway announced an additional pledge of NEK29million (approximately US$5million) to support adult and child DDR.

Source: United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)
DDR partnership hails progress
Date: 04 Nov 2009 (via ReliefWeb)

Meeting in Kadugli on 3 November 2009, the DDR Roundtable Partnership acknowledged significant progress since the launch of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) in February this year, under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, but admitted that much was still left to be done.

"We have made considerable progress in the implementation of the DDR programme," the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi affirmed at the roundtable, citing among other achievements, the establishment of several assembly areas and demobilisation sites in The Three Areas and in Southern Sudan.

"The momentum built up thus far is impressive and continues to grow as new sites will become operational in the Three Areas and Southern Sudan," Ambassador Qazi declared, adding that the UN has started to work with its Sudanese partners to extend DDR operations to Al-Fula and Abyei.

Speaking on behalf of the UN family in Sudan, SRSG Qazi observed that the DDR process "has given hope to ex-combatants and their communities as they see something concrete being done to promote peace." The SRSG further noted that the DDR was "critical to creating a conducive environment for the upcoming elections."

On the demobilisation of child soldiers, he lamented the current funding shortfall being faced by UNICEF. "It is important we regain momentum on the release and reintegration of children associated with armed forces to prevent children from returning to life in the barracks," the SRSG urged.

The DDR recently achieved the milestone of reaching 15,000 demobilized. Meanwhile, Reintegration counselling and referral has been rolled out to seven states and will be countrywide by the early 2010. Especially in the Three Areas, DDR is making a significant contribution to CPA implementation by fostering trust on both sides, ameliorating security threats and giving ex-combatants, potential spoilers in the future, a solid stake in peace.

Opening the roundtable conference, H.E. Governor Ahmed Haroun hailed the achievements to date and the importance of DDR to restoring stability in Southern Kordofan in particular. The Governor nonetheless insisted that the programme "needs to be expanded."

The DDR Roundtable partnership is a forum major stakeholders of the DDR programme meet at the highest level to review policy and implementation and to ensure the DDR process is on track to meet its goals.

H.E. Ambassador Yuichi Ishii from Japan, a major donor to DDR, spoke on behalf of the donor community. "Today, we witness the collaborative work of the Sudan DDR partners through this Roundtable meeting, and also North and South cooperation here in Southern Kordofan for the future," the Japanese envoy remarked. "We strongly hope that this occasion will provide leverage for the progress of the DDR programme and show concrete steps."

H.E. General Bakri Hassan Saleh, Chairman of the National DDR Coordination Council, urged increased financial support to the programme observing, "Although the war is behind us, we still have a lot of challenges ahead, which is why we request support to give a better life to our combatants."

At the meeting, the representative from Norway announced an additional pledge of NEK29million (approximately US$5million) to support adult and child DDR.

After the meeting, a weapons destruction ceremony was held. A pile of weapons collected from the PDF were lit on fire to symbolize the role of DDR in the transition from war to peace and in reducing violence in communities.

The Sudan DDR Programme under the CPA targets up to 180,000 participants from both SAF and SPLA. They will be demobilised and provided with opportunities for alternative livelihoods such as agriculture, micro-business, vocational training or formal education. The North and South Sudan DDR Commissions implement the programme with support from the Integrated UN DDR Unit, comprised of UNMIS, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP and UNFPA.

The roundtable in Kadugli was attended, among other dignitaries, by H.E. Governor Ahmed Haroun of South Kordofan, the Chairperson of the National DDR Coordination Council, H.E. General Bakri Hassan Saleh, H.E. Minister Elias Nyamlel, General Osman Nouri, the Ambassadors of Japan, South Africa and South Korea, UNMIS SRSG Ashraf Qazi and UNICEF Representative Nils Kastberg as well as representatives of the donor community, North and Southern Sudan DDR Commissions and the UN.

For further information, contact:
Napoleon Viban, phone: +249 (0) 914 549 072, e-mail: viban@un.org
Monique Tummers, +249 (0) 914 108 772, e-mail: tummers@un.org