IGAD picks Kenya to spearhead peace, democratic transition in Sudan

NOTE, This means that Nairobi, Kenya (where UN SRSG Volker Perthes has set up an office :) will begin hosting delegations of politicians, civil society, community-based organisations and opinion leaders to deliberate on returning Sudan to the democratic process. Friendly Kenyans are popular.

Interestingly, Kenya-South Sudan relations are bilateral relations between South Sudan and Kenya. South Sudan is a strategic partner of Kenya in many areas. Both countries have cultural similarities as many people from South Sudan lived in Kenya before independence. 

Read more in the report here below.

Photo: When Kenya President William Ruto  shook hands with South Sudan President Salva Kiir after he was inaugurated as the 5th president of Kenya at Kasarani Stadium. [PCS]

Source: The Standard 1mo ago ’Sudan violence: Ruto, Kiir and Guelleh to broker peace deal in Khartoum’  

_____________________________

Report at The Standard standardmedia.co.ke

By Jacob Ng’etich 

Dated Tuesday 13 June 2023 - full copy:

Igad picks Kenya to spearhead peace, democratic transition in Sudan

Photo: When Malik Agar, deputy leader Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council signs visitors book after he arrived at JKIA on May 28, 2023. [Mwangi Maina, Standard]

Kenya has been picked to spearhead the dialogue between warring factions in Sudan and take the conflict-ridden country towards a democratic political dispensation at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) summit in Djibouti.

This means that Nairobi will begin hosting delegations of politicians, civil society, community-based organistions and opinion leaders to deliberate on returning Sudan to the democratic process.

During consultations with members of the Igad High-Level Delegation on the ongoing political situation in Sudan, they agreed that Kenya should commence a two-track conflict resolution process in the interim to resolve the current crisis and bring the voice and aspirations of the people of Sudan for a democratic transition in line with the Political Framework Agreement.

"Revitalizing the dialogue towards a democratic political dispensation. As I have indicated from the start Kenya will be honored to facilitate this track. I am confident that the successful implementation of these two tracks will lead to the resumption of the final phase of the political process," said President William Ruto while making his Trilateral proposal on Sudan.

An armed conflict between rival factions of the military government of Sudan began on April 15, when clashes broke out in cities, with the fighting concentrated around the capital city of Khartoum and the Darfur region.

Thousands of people have been killed and many more injured following attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on government sites. Airstrikes, artillery, and gunfire were reported across Sudan including in Khartoum.

RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" and Sudan's de facto leader and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan have disputed control of government sites, including the general military headquarters, the Presidential Palace, and Khartoum International Airport.

All the proposals by Kenya were adopted including the declaration of an unconditional ceasefire where Ruto noted that the step was crucial to facilitate a negotiated settlement of the dispute, preventing further loss of life, destruction of property, and damage to critical infrastructure.

The proposal he said will also ensure that the people of Sudan have access to essential public services that are necessary for their well-being.  

Other proposals adopted by the Igad special summit include the establishment of a humanitarian demilitarized green zone spanning a radius of thirty 30 to 50 kilometers in Khartoum, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the victims of the conflict and establish an IGAD-Led mechanism to monitor and provide security for the green zone. 

Ruto asked the international community to support this green/demilitarized zone and urged the UN to scale up humanitarian assistance and engage with the people committees on the ground to ensure that aid is effectively targeted and delivered to those who are in dire need of support.

The Kenyan government's proposal that was adopted was to have Southern Sudan President Salva Kiir lead a mediation between the leadership of the SAF and RSF.

"I would propose that President Kiir makes arrangements for the 3 of us to meet with the two Generals, or their representatives, at a convenient place or even virtually, to secure their commitment to peace. In order to secure the entire country, this line of action should build on the Juba process and continue engaging with all armed groups in Sudan to prevent them from becoming spoilers to the process," said Ruto.

Ruto said that the conflict continued unabated with disproportionate humanitarian crises and unprecedented negative spillover effects in our region.

"Until now, the efforts made to halt the war have been unsuccessful. Six ceasefires in total have failed to remain intact. Regrettably, the conflicting parties have not fully embraced and adhered to the ceasefire. 

Unfortunately, despite a recent announcement of a 24-hour ceasefire on Friday evening, all indications point to an escalation of the conflict since Saturday, rather than de-escalation," said the President.

Presently, Ruto said, Khartoum was experiencing extensive destruction, as strategic installations are being destroyed and residential properties are being converted into command centres and the civilian population was being forcibly engaged in the war effort.

He noted that it was disturbing that the civilians are also enduring incidents of robbery, rape, physical violation, and even murder which must be condemned, as they go against the laws of war that mandate combatants to safeguard civilians, facilitate humanitarian assistance, and protect strategic and service installations. 

"Our region is beginning to feel the effects of the war, which include the displacement of Sudanese citizens and the strain on trade relations and other forms of cooperation. As a result, it is incumbent upon us to take the lead in resolving this crisis. We must stand in solidarity with Sudan and work towards the restoration of peace and the advancement of development for its people," said Ruto.

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View original: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/africa/article/2001475049/igad-picks-kenya-to-spearhead-peace-democratic-transition-in-sudan

[Ends]

South Sudan: Kiir urges Sudan to protect oil pipeline

Report from SudanTribune.com

Dated 20 April 2023 - excerpt:

Kiir urges Sudanese rivals to protect oil pipeline

President Kiir emphasized to the two [Sudan] leaders the need to protect the pipeline that exports oil from South Sudan to the international markets through Sudan.

South Sudan relies on Sudan to export its crude oil, which travels through a pipeline to the Red Sea via Khartoum where fighting erupted on Saturday.

For his part, Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol has urged the warring parties in Sudan to fulfil their moral responsibility and obligation of providing protection of critical infrastructure in their country under international law.

A man examines a leaking oil pipe line at a pumping station built next to his village on land that was once used for agriculture Paloch, Sudan 20 Jan 2010 

Full story at Sudan Tribune here.

[Ends]

S.Sudan gets unity govt to end war after 400,000 killed - Pope kissed leaders' feet to encourage peace

• South Sudan opened a new chapter in its fragile emergence from civil war Saturday as rival leaders formed a coalition government that many observers prayed would last this time around.
• A day after President Salva Kiir dissolved the previous government, opposition leader Riek Machar was sworn in as his deputy, an arrangement that twice collapsed in fighting during the conflict that killed nearly 400,000 people.
• In a likely sign of caution, no heads of state aside from Sudan’s leader, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, attended the swearing-in. 
• As some analysts said the threat of further sanctions pushed Kiir and Machar to make peace once more, envoys from neighboring Sudan, Kenya and Uganda in remarks after the swearing-in called for the lifting of existing sanctions, to applause. Read more by Associated Press here below.

Photo: South Sudanese President Salva Kiir (right) shakes hands with First Vice President Riek Machar at his swearing-in ceremony at the State House in Juba on Saturday. | AFP-JIJI

South Sudan gets unity government that could end war

News report from Japan Times

By Associated Press (AP) 

23 Feb 2020 (JUBA) – South Sudan opened a new chapter in its fragile emergence from civil war Saturday as rival leaders formed a coalition government that many observers prayed would last this time around.

A day after President Salva Kiir dissolved the previous government, opposition leader Riek Machar was sworn in as his deputy, an arrangement that twice collapsed in fighting during the conflict that killed nearly 400,000 people.

Kiir declared “the official end of the war, and we can now proclaim a new dawn.” Peace is “never to be shaken ever again,” the president said, adding that he had forgiven Machar and asking for Machar’s forgiveness, to applause. He called on their respective Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups to do the same.

The world’s youngest nation slid into civil war in 2013, two years after winning a long-fought independence from Sudan, as supporters of Kiir and Machar clashed. Numerous attempts at peace failed, including a deal that saw Machar return as vice president in 2016 — only to flee the country on foot months later amid fresh gunfire.

Intense international pressure followed the most recent peace deal in 2018. Pope Francis in a dramatic gesture kissed the feet of Kiir and Machar last year to coax them into putting differences aside. Saturday’s ceremony began with a presentation to them of that photo as a reminder.

Exasperation by the United States, South Sudan’s largest aid donor, and others grew as Kiir and Machar in the past year pushed back two deadlines to take the crucial step of forming the coalition government. But with less than a week before the latest deadline Saturday, each made a key concession.

Kiir announced a “painful” decision on the politically sensitive issue of the number of states, and Machar agreed to have Kiir take responsibility for his security. On Thursday, they announced they had agreed to form a government meant to lead to elections in three years’ time — the first vote since independence.

“Finally, peace is at our doorstep,” a reporter with the U.N.-backed Radio Miraya declared from Bor in long-suffering Jonglei state. In Yambio, youth with flags were reported in the streets. “I rejoice with the South Sudanese, especially the displaced, hungry and grieving who waited so long,” the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, tweeted.

Hugs and applause followed Machar’s swearing-in. He vowed to South Sudanese to work together “to end your suffering.”

And both he and Kiir thanked the pope for his gesture. “We are proud to report to him that we have also reconciled,” Kiir said. “We were greatly humbled and challenged” by him, Machar said.

Even as citizens breathed a careful sigh of relief, aid groups, analysts and diplomats warned of major challenges ahead. In a likely sign of caution, no heads of state aside from Sudan’s leader, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, attended the swearing-in.

“While much work remains to be done, this is an important milestone in the path to peace,” the U.S. Embassy said in a message of congratulations. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it a “significant achievement.”

Tens of thousands of rival forces still must be knitted together into a single army, a process that the U.N. and others have called behind schedule and poorly provisioned.

And observers have stressed that this new government must be inclusive in a country where fighting has often occurred along ethnic lines and where several armed groups operate. Not all have signed on to the peace deal.

Kiir and Machar have said outstanding issues will be negotiated under the new government.

Other vice presidents named by Kiir on Friday include Taban Deng Gai, a former ally of Machar who switched to the government side and last month was sanctioned by the U.S. over involvement in serious human rights abuses. Another is Rebecca Garang, the widow of John Garang, who led a long fight for independence from Sudan.

The humanitarian community, which has seen more than 100 workers killed since the civil war began, hopes the new government will lead to far easier delivery of food and other badly needed support as roughly half of South Sudan’s population of 12 million remain hungry. Some 40,000 are in famine conditions, a new report said Thursday, and now a major locust outbreak in East Africa has arrived.

Another more than 2 million people fled South Sudan during the civil war, and Kiir has urged them to come home.

The U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warns that serious abuses continue. “Civilians are deliberately starved, systematically surveilled and silenced, arbitrarily arrested and detained and denied meaningful access to justice,” its latest report said Thursday. It said scattered deadly violence, the use of child soldiers and sexual violence imperil the fragile peace.

The Sentry, an investigative team that has alleged corruption among some South Sudanese officials, urged the international community to keep up pressure.

“Years of conflict have bred deep distrust among South Sudan’s politicians, heightening the potential for a return to civil war,” it said Friday. “The ability to hold South Sudan’s politicians accountable throughout the process, rather than waiting until it is too late, is essential to the survival of the peace agreement.”

As some analysts said the threat of further sanctions pushed Kiir and Machar to make peace once more, envoys from neighboring Sudan, Kenya and Uganda in remarks after the swearing-in called for the lifting of existing sanctions, to applause.

View Original: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/02/23/world/politics-diplomacy-world/south-sudan-unity-government/#.XlJT2S2caDd

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Pope kisses feet of South Sudan's leaders to encourage peace

Report from Associated Press (AP) by GIADA ZAMPANO

AP writer SAM MEDNICK in Juba, South Sudan contributed

Dated 11 April 2019

Photo: Pope Francis kneels to kiss the feet of South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit, at the Vatican, Thursday, April 11, 2019. Pope Francis has closed a two-day retreat with South Sudan authorities at the Vatican with an unprecedented act of respect, kneeling down and kissing the feet of the African leaders. (Vatican Media via AP)

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis knelt and kissed the feet of South Sudan's rival leaders Thursday, in an unprecedented act of humbleness to encourage them to strengthen the African country's faltering peace process.

Photo credit: Vatican Media via AP

At the close a two-day retreat in the Vatican for the African leaders, the pope asked South Sudan's president and opposition leader to proceed with the peace agreement despite growing difficulties. Then he got down on his knees and kissed the leaders' feet one by one.

The pope usually holds a ritual washing of the feet with prisoners on Holy Thursday, but has never performed such a show of deference to political leaders.

"I express my heartfelt hope that hostilities will finally cease, that the armistice will be respected, that political and ethnic divisions will be surmounted, and that there will be a lasting peace for the common good of all those citizens who dream of beginning to build the nation," the pope said of South Sudan in his closing statement.

Photo credit: Vatican Media via AP

The spiritual retreat brought together President Salva Kiir and opposition head Riek Machar. Also present were Kiir's three vice presidents. The pope kissed the feet of all of them.

Photo credit: Vatican Media via AP

South Sudanese Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng Garang said Francis' actions moved her profoundly.

"I had never seen anything like that. Tears were flowing from my eyes," she said.

South Sudan, gained independence from Sudan in 2011 and in 2013, the country plunged into a bloody civil war, which left at least 400,000 people dead.

The two-day Vatican meeting was held a month before the end of the shaky peace deal's pre-transitional period. On May 12th, opposition leader Machar is expected to return to South Sudan and once again serve as Kiir's deputy.

However, the agreement, which was signed in September in Khartoum, the capital of neighboring Sudan, has been met with delays, missed deadlines and continued fighting with key aspects still not implemented.

A military coup in Sudan on Thursday fueled worries in South Sudan that the toppling of longtime President Omar al-Bashir could derail the already fragile peace deal.

"Sudan has helped us with the peace deal. We hope that the new system will also focus on the agreement, ensuring that it will be implemented," said opposition leader Machar, who attended an evening prayer vigil for peace, held at Rome's church of Santa Maria in Trastevere.

Photo credit: Vatican Media via AP

Vice president Rebecca Nyandeng Garang said she was very touched by Francis' show of respect for her country. "I had never seen anything like that. Tears were flowing from my eyes," she said.

View Original: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/south-sudan-leaders-retreat-vatican-enters-second-day-135151384.html

S. Sudan citizens 'deliberately starved' by warring parties: UN - Hunger is being used as a weapon - Fighting left 380,000 dead and forced 4 million to flee

Hunger is being used as a weapon in South Sudan's six-year-old conflict, the [UN] report says

S.Sudan citizens 'deliberately starved' by warring parties: UN

Report by AFP by FRAN BLANDY

Dated 20 February 2020

South Sudan's government forces and other armed groups have "deliberately starved" civilians by denying aid access and displacing communities, a United Nations rights probe said Thursday.

In a report issued two days before a deadline to form a unity government, the three-member commission looked into abuses from the signing of a peace deal in September 2018 to December 2019.

The panel delivered a damning indictment of "predatory and unaccountable elites" and the suffering of civilians after six years of conflict.

"Today in South Sudan, civilians are deliberately starved, systematically surveilled and silenced, arbitrarily arrested and detained and denied meaningful access to justice," it said.

As President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar met in Juba to discuss outstanding obstacles to the power-sharing government, the report slammed the process as beset with delays and bickering, and "lack of political will".

"Political elites remained oblivious to the intense suffering of millions of civilians for whom they were ostensibly fighting," it said.

Ongoing recruitment of child soldiers by both government forces and rebel groups, bloody localised conflicts which left hundreds dead, sexual violence and theft of public funds continued unhindered by the latest peace process, the commissioners found.

"The Commission notes with grave concern that beyond climate-induced factors, both government forces and armed groups have pursued policies responsible for the starvation of the population in Wau and Unity State" in the north of the country.

"The denial of humanitarian access and displacement brought about by unlawful tactics have significantly exacerbated famine in different parts of the country, depriving hundreds of thousands of civilins of vital needs, including access to food."

During the period reviewed by the commission, some 6.35 million people -- 54 percent of the population -- were facing severe hunger.

- Major challenges -

South Sudan's conflict broke out in December 2013 after a dispute between Kiir and his former deputy and longtime rival Machar.

The fighting has left some 380,000 dead and forced four million to flee their homes.

The September 2018 peace deal is the latest effort to end the conflict and push the two men to govern together -- an experiment which has twice previously ended in disaster.

Sticky issues of state borders and security arrangements remain with just two days to the deadline, which has already been pushed back twice.

However even if the unity government is formed, the UN report highlights the massive challenges facing the country -- which only achieved independence in 2011 -- going forward.

Across the country, local ethnic conflicts far removed from the national peace process left 531 dead between February and May 2019 alone, and fighting continues today against holdout rebel groups in the Equatoria region, the report said.

Meanwhile, graft has robbed the state of precious resources.

"Corruption has made several officials extremely wealthy at the expense of millions of starving civilians," said the report, which found millions of dollars in tax collections had been diverted and disappeared.

Both the government and armed groups continued to recruit children during the period reviewed, with 19,000 children believed to be enlisted.

Additionally, some 2.2 million children did not attend school and 30 percent of schools remain closed.

View Original: https://news.yahoo.com/sudan-citizens-deliberately-starved-warring-parties-un-104700741.html