SUDAN WATCH

Monday, October 05, 2009

Sudanese President Bashir tells parliament "I invite all the parties to a dialogue"

In a report published last week, Geneva-based Small Arms Survey said that north and south Sudan have been engaged in an arms race for the past four years.

"With ongoing violence in southern Sudan and Darfur, and mounting tensions between northern and southern governments, persisting arms flows should be a cause for great concern in the international community," said Eric Berman, Small Arms Survey Managing Director.

The president confirmed this weekend that he will stand in the April elections.

"We wish to have general elections without violence. I invite all the parties to a dialogue... in order to reach a positive climate to hold elections," Bashir told parliament.

Source: Report from Khartoum by Guillaume Lavallee (AFP), 5 October 2009:
Sudan's Beshir invites opposition for dialogue

Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir on Monday invited the country's opposition for talks aimed at avoiding clashes in next year's general election, a week after they threatened to boycott it.

"We wish to have general elections without violence. I invite all the parties to a dialogue... in order to reach a positive climate to hold elections," Beshir told parliament.

Africa's largest country is to hold presidential, parliamentary and local elections in April 2010, its first general election since 1986.

After Beshir's coup in 1989, subsequent votes were slammed as a sham by the country's opposition.

Southern former rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), who now share a unity government with Beshir's National Congress Party, joined other opposition parties last week in threatening to boycott elections if the laws guaranteeing basic freedoms are not passed by November 30.

After its decades-long north-south civil war, Sudan adopted an interim constitution guaranteeing freedoms but the text clashed with old laws that remain in place.

"We will receive the laws and harmonise them with the constitution," Beshir said, adding that a new national commission for human rights will also be formed.

"This parliamentary session comes at a crucial moment," said Beshir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for suspected war crimes and crimes against humanity in the war-torn western region of Darfur.

The president confirmed this weekend that he will stand in the April elections.

Analysts say the SPLM and opposition parties are considering fielding a candidate jointly but no announcement has yet been made.

Insecurity in Darfur and increasing violence in south Sudan where 2,000 people have died in ethnic clashes since the beginning of the year, could also threaten the elections, analysts say.

Southern leaders have accused Beshir of arming ethnic militias in order to destabilise the south ahead of elections and a key referendum scheduled for 2011 on independence for the resource-rich but impoverished region.

"We want to find a solution to tensions in the south and we are prepared to help create an appropriate climate for the elections and the referendum," Beshir said.

In a report published last week, Geneva-based Small Arms Survey said that north and south Sudan have been engaged in an arms race for the past four years.

"With ongoing violence in southern Sudan and Darfur, and mounting tensions between northern and southern governments, persisting arms flows should be a cause for great concern in the international community," said Eric Berman, Small Arms Survey Managing Director.

British Ambassador visit UNAMID HQ in Al-Fasher, Darfur, western Sudan

From Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan, Washington D.C., 5 Oct. 2009:
British Ambassador Visit UNAMID Headquarters in Al-Fasher

Al-Fasher, Oct. 4, 2009 (SUNA) - The Ambassador of Britain to Sudan Sunday visited in Al-Fasher the headquarters of the joint UN and African Union Mission (UNAMID) and met with its acting chairman and the commander of UNAMID and got informed on the latest developments concerning the deployment of the mission's forces, the security situation in Darfur and the challenges facing the UNAMID and the priorities of its work.

In a press statement, the Ambassador said that Britain is giving top priority to the aspired success of the peace process in Darfur, and success of the UNAMID mission and its role in the coming elections and the voluntary return of the displaced people and refugees to their home areas.

The UNAMID commander told the British Ambassador that 70% of the UNAMID forces are now deployed, stressing that his forces will work for boosting the realization of peace in Darfur.

He said that the security situation in Darfur has improved greatly, referring to activities being done by the joint mission in the fields of capacity building and supporting the social reconciliations in Darfur.

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Her Majesty's Ambassador to Sudan, Dr Rosalind Marsden CMG

Photo: Her Majesty's Ambassador to Sudan, Dr Rosalind Marsden CMG (Consul General, Basra 2006 - 2007) attended the launch of the Southern Sudan Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration programme in Juba on 10 June 2009. (Source: fco.gov.uk)

Sudan plans to more than triple sugar production, Kenana Says

Quote of the Day
“Sudan has an important role to play, with the potentials we have in land, water, climate, to come in and fill in the world gap in sugar production” - Mohamed El Mardi, Managing Director, Kenana Sugar Co. (September 2009)

Raw-sugar prices in New York rose 98 percent this year while refined sugar advanced 77 percent in London.

Source: Bloomberg report by Maram Mazen and Alaa Shahine, Sept. 11 2009:
Sudan Plans to More Than Triple Sugar Production, Kenana Says

Sudan plans to more than triple sugar output within three years after prices for the sweetener rose to a record, according to Kenana Sugar Co., the country’s biggest producer.

Plants under construction will take output to more than 3 million metric tons from 900,000 tons now, Managing Director Mohamed El Mardi said in an interview in Khartoum on Sept. 8. Kenana will lift its refined supply by about 40 percent to more than 600,000 tons in the crop year ending April 2010, he said.

Prices have gained on speculation that India, the biggest consumer, will boost imports and as rains delay the harvest in Brazil, the biggest grower. Demand will outpace supply for a second consecutive year in 2009-10, with a likely shortfall of 9 million tons, London-based Czarnikow Group Ltd. said this month.

“Sudan has an important role to play, with the potentials we have in land, water, climate, to come in and fill in the world gap in sugar production,” El Mardi said.

Raw-sugar prices in New York rose 98 percent this year while refined sugar advanced 77 percent in London.

Kenana, established in 1982, is based about 150 miles south of Khartoum on the eastern bank of the White Nile. It is 34 percent-owned by the Sudanese government, with the Kuwait Investment Authority holding 30 percent and the Saudi Arabian government 12 percent, according to El Mardi.

Kenana and Beltone Private Equity of Egypt in August agreed to start an agricultural company investing as much as $1 billion in the Middle East and North Africa.

The new company will seek investors from next month and “we expect to start the first project in six months,” El Mardi said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Maram Mazen in Khartoum via Cairo newsroom mmazen@bloomberg.net. Alaa Shahine in Cairo atasalha@bloomberg.net

Oct. 3-5 - At least 23 people killed, 21 injured in cattle raids between Mundari and Dinka Bor in two Central Equatoria State villages near Juba

Dinka and Mundari tribesmen clashed throughout the weekend in two Central Equatoria State villages near the southern capital of Juba, Hussein Mar. At least 23 people were killed, including six civilians and four soldiers, 21 injured and more than a thousand fled their homes.

More than 2,000 people have died and 250,000 been displaced in inter-tribal violence across the south since January, according to the United Nations, with the rate of violent deaths now exceeding that of war-torn Darfur in west Sudan.

The remote and marshy Jonglei state, where French oil giant Total (TOTF.PA) holds a massive, mainly unexplored concession, has been particularly hard hit by cattle raiding and related killings that have fractured communities along ethnic lines.

Source: Report from Cairo, Egypt (AFP) ‎Oct 3, 2009
South Sudan tribal clashes leave 23 dead

At least 23 people were killed and more than a thousand fled their homes in ethnic clashes in volatile south Sudan over the weekend, a Sudanese official said on Monday.

Dinka and Mundari tribesmen clashed throughout the weekend in two Central Equatoria State villages near the southern capital of Juba, Hussein Mar, deputy governor of neighbouring Jonglei state, told AFP.

"The violence killed at least 23 people, including six civilians and four soldiers," he said, adding that 1,700 had been displaced in the fighting.

Parts of the Christian and animist south have been rocked by ethnic violence over the past year.

More than 2,000 people have died and 250,000 been displaced in inter-tribal violence across the south since January, according to the United Nations, with the rate of violent deaths now exceeding that of war-torn Darfur in west Sudan.

Clashes between rival ethnic groups in southern Sudan erupt frequently -- often sparked by cattle rustling and disputes over natural resources, while others are in retaliation for previous attacks.

However, a wave of recent raids has shocked many, with an apparent sharp rise in attacks on women and children and the targeting of homesteads.

Sixteen people were killed on Saturday in clashes between forces loyal to an ex-warlord and the governor's guards in oil-rich Unity State.

Last month, more than 100 people were killed in several days of clashes in the troubled Jonglei state.

Southern officials have accused Khartoum of arming some ethnic groups, an accusation Sudan's government denies.

North-south tensions remain high, with the country still divided by the religious, ethnic and ideological differences that fuelled a 22-year civil war which ended in a 2005 peace deal.

Under that deal, the south has a six-year transitional period of regional autonomy and takes part in a unity government until a 2011 referendum on self-determination.

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TIMELINE-Violence spirals in south Sudan

Oct 5, 2009 (Reuters) - South Sudan's president has blamed the military in the north for an escalation in violence in his semi-autonomous region emerging from decades of civil war, a southern official said on Monday.

More than 1,200 people have been killed by ethnic fighting this year, fuelled by a huge supply of weapons left over from over two decades of north-south war that ended with a 2005 peace deal, now faltering. Khartoum denies any involvement in the escalation in violence.

The north armed proxy militias in south Sudan during the war to intensify divisions.

The remote and marshy Jonglei state, where French oil giant Total (TOTF.PA) holds a massive, mainly unexplored concession, has been particularly hard hit by cattle raiding and related killings that have fractured communities along ethnic lines.

Here are details of some of the worst fighting:

MARCH 5-13 - At least 453 people, mainly women and children, are killed in attacks by the Lou Nuer tribe on at least 17 villages of the rival Murle ethnic group in Jonglei. The Lou Nuer say the incidents were retaliation for large-scale cattle raiding and attacks on Lou Nuer villages in January.

APRIL 18-19 - At least 177 people are killed in attacks on 16 villages of the Lou Nuer tribe by Murle fighters. Women and children are targeted in what are widely seen as revenge attacks for the March violence.

JUNE 12 - Jikany Nuer, like the Lou a sub-group of the large Nuer tribe, attack barges carrying U.N. food aid on the Sobat River to Lou Nuer areas in Jonglei. At least 40 southern soldiers and boat crew are killed.

AUG. 2 - Murle attack a Lou Nuer fishing settlement near Akobo town in Jonglei State, killing 185 people. Southern soldiers guarding the camp are also killed.

AUG. 28 - Around 800 Lou Nuer attack Wernyol, a Dinka Bor village in Jonglei State, killing 38 and wounding 76. The south's army said this was the work of a Lou Nuer militia, adding that a Murle militia also exists.

SEPT. 20 - A large group of fighters from the Lou Nuer ethnic group attack Duk Padiet village, inhabited by the Dinka Hol tribe, in Jonglei. More than 100 people are killed.

OCT. 3-5 - At least 23 people are killed and 21 injured in tit-for-tat cattle raids between the Mundari and Dinka Bor tribes, the deputy governor of Jonglei state says.

Mundari – Bor clashes kill scores, enter third day

Sudan Tribune - ‎5 October 2009:

October 4, 2009 (MAGALA, Central Equatoria) — Initial casualties of Mundari and Dinka Bor fierce clashes left scores of people dead on both sides and ...

Sudanese president pardons children involved in JEM raid on Omdurman

President Omar Al-Bashir issued a decree yesterday granting amnesty to the ten minors still being held by authorities in connection to the JEM raid on Omdurman, Al-Rai Al-Aam reports. Sources say that the President has ordered their immediate release. Source: [find link and date]

Related report
July 16, 2009 Sudan Watch - S.O.S. to Sudanese President Al-Bashir, Red Cross & Save the Children: 12 unpardoned Sudanese child soldiers being held in appalling conditions

Sunday, October 04, 2009

South Sudan to build its first oil refinery in Akon in north-western Gogrial area of Warrap state

Most of Sudan’s oil is produced from the oil fields located in southern Sudan while the current country’s refineries are all located in northern Sudan.

98% of southern Sudan’s overall revenues that constitute the annual budgets for the region come from the 50% share of the oil produced in its Upper Nile and Unity states.

In a meeting on Friday chaired by Vice President Riek Machar Teny, South Sudan's Council of Ministers passed a resolution on a project for building an oil refinery in southern Sudan that will be located in a place called Akon in North-western Gogrial area of Warrap state. Reportedly, the crude oil that is targeted for refinery will be extracted from Block 5A oilfield in Unity state.

The Council of Ministers also directed the Minister of Energy and Mining to discuss the possibility of building refineries at the sites of the oilfields in Upper Nile and Unity states with any major oil companies that may be interested.

Source: Sudan Tribune, Sunday, 4 October 2009, by James Gatdet Dak. Copy:
South Sudan to build its first oil refinery in Warrap state

October 2, 2009 (JUBA) – The semi-autonomous region of Southern Sudan has embarked on building its first ever oil refinery in Warrap state for its huge oil reserves as the clock ticks towards referendum on secession in January 2011.

Sudan currently produces more than 600,000 barrels of crude oil per day which bring tens of millions of US dollars on daily basis from the international market.

Most of the Sudan’s oil is produced from the oilfields located in Southern Sudan while the current country’s refineries are all located in Northern Sudan.

98% of Southern Sudan’s overall revenues that constitute the annual budgets for the region come from the 50% share of the oil produced in Upper Nile and Unity states in accordance with the 2005’s peace deal between North and South.

In its Friday meeting chaired by the Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the Council of Ministers passed a resolution on the project for building the oil refinery in Southern Sudan that will be located in a place called Akon in North-western Gogrial area of Warrap state.

The project was initiated and presented to the cabinet meeting by the Minister of Energy and Mining, John Luk Jok.

The huge refinery project which is expected to take about three years to complete from the date it kicks off at the construction site will begin by establishing a Joint Venture Company (JVC) with any oil companies interested to partner with the government, finding financiers to fund the project and then JVC finally signing a contract with a national or international company that will implement the project on the ground.

According to a press statement by the official spokesperson and Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Paul Mayom Akech, the crude oil that is targeted for refinery will be extracted from Block 5A oilfield in Unity state.

To transport the crude oil to Akon refinery site, Minister Mayom explained that the Company will also construct a pipeline of some hundreds of kilometers long from the Unity state oilfield.

Mayom said the Government of Southern Sudan will have the biggest share in the $10 million worth JVC ownership body and the share will be represented by the Southern Sudan indigenous Nilepet oil company.

After formation of the JVC and securing of funds, the Company would then advertise the project to any interested national and international companies that would be subjected to competitive bidding process and out of which a winner will sign a contract with the JVC to technically implement the project on the ground.

Tens of thousands of indigenous people of Southern Sudan are expected to benefit from the project as they will be employed to do most of the labor work at the construction sites.

The cost for implementing such an expensive single project is not yet known, but may run into billions of dollars.

The Council of Ministers also directed the Minister of Energy and Mining to discuss the possibility of building refineries at the sites of the oilfields in Upper Nile and Unity states with any major oil companies that may be interested.

The semi-autonomous region earlier resolved to also embark on a separate project to build an alternative pipeline from Southern Sudan to Port Mombassa in Kenya for transporting the crude oil to the international markets.

Currently the crude oil from Southern Sudan is being transported to the international market via Port Sudan in the far North-eastern part of the country through the thousands of kilometers long Chinese-constructed pipeline.

Mayom said the Government stressed the importance of indigenizing the operations of the oil sector so that “Southern Sudan is not caught up” in case it chooses secession in 2011.

Click into the original article to view 40+ comments.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Message to South Sudan's Director General of Education Peter Dak Galuak: All of the East African teachers want to go home but must be paid first

Copy of two emails received today in response to yesterday's report at Sudan Watch entitled South Sudan: State Director for Education denies that 200 unpaid East African teachers in Bentiu want to go home

Dear Jones,

We have read your article from sudanwatch website and the reporting. Now I want to tell you the full story of East African teachers. Since the beginning of this year, paying our salaries has been a problem. We have been paid only four months this year and every time we are paid it is after a serious demonstration. Actually, now it is worse and we are tired of the job because of non payment and intimidation every time we request to be paid. And now all of us want to go home but we have to be paid first.

We are suprised by the statements of the Director General of Education that few people want to go home. They want to politicise an issue that is obvious. In fact, they have never told teachers who want to go home to write down their names and they refused.

The issue is let the government of Unity State pay East African Teachers and let them go home. It's like we are held hostage here. We cannot move without money because we cannot move to Uganda or Kenya on foot.

Please help us to highlight this issue and if you want any more information please email us on eastafricanteachers@yahoo.com

Thanks.

Yours

East African Teachers Representative.
- - -

I also agree with the east africans because on recieving money in August they first demonstrate and when it came to september there are demonstrating again for their five months pay and when i talked to one of them he said that if the government can no longer afford them, then let it lay them off as they suggest. On being paid 2 months they say that its now two weeks ever since the speaker of parliament gave them this promise and the education Minister no longer wants to see them neither does he talk/communicate to them on what is going on. And now there more scared of the security cause some say better they pay them two months with an Air ticket back to their countries.

Bentiu, Unity State, S. Sudan: 16 killed in fighting between SPLA troops guarding governor's building and Paulino Matip's offices

According to the following AFP report, sixteen people have been killed and several injured in a misunderstanding between the guards of ex-warlord Paulino Matip and the guards of the governor's building in oil-rich Bentiu, Unity State, south Sudan. Currently, Mr Matip is deputy commander-in-chief of southern Sudanese forces and has a loyal following of troops. Unity State provides an estimated 80 percent of all the oil currently drilled in south Sudan.

Source: AFP, Saturday, 3 October 2009. Copy in full:
Clashes in south Sudan oil region kills 16: army

JUBA, Sudan — Sixteen people were killed and several wounded in clashes in south Sudan between forces loyal to an ex-warlord and an oil-rich state governor's guards, military sources said on Saturday.

Friday's fighting in Unity State resulted from a "misunderstanding between Paulino Matip's guards and the guards of the governor" in the state capital of Bentiu, south Sudan information minister Paul Mayom told reporters.

Unity State, which provides an estimated 80 percent of all the oil currently drilled in the south, was the scene of persistent attacks in early 2008 between the Sudanese military and the Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA), the former southern rebel force that is now the southern Sudanese army.

Matip, a notoriously effective northern commander during the 1983-2005 civil war that claimed some two million lives, was integrated into the new southern Sudanese armed forces after the fighting ended.

He is now deputy commander-in-chief of southern Sudanese forces and has a loyal following of troops.

A military official said Friday's fighting involved SPLA troops guarding Matip's offices and those protecting the governor's building.

A senior SPLA source, speaking on Saturday on condition of anonymity, said 12 Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) members were killed and 17 wounded, and that four civilians died and four more were wounded.

Officials in Unity State earlier put the total number of dead at 12.

The military official said Bentiu was now calm, and that the SPLA had begun an investigation into the firefight.

Click on Bentiu label here below for previous report re unpaid East African teachers wanting to go home. Also, see Sudan Tribune, 3 October 2009: Fresh clashes erupt in Sudan’s Unity state: sources

Ireland backs EU Lisbon Treaty

The Irish people have given a resounding 'yes' vote to the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, says Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen.

For more details: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news

NY court rules in favour of Canada's Talisman Energy in Sudan genocide lawsuit

A federal appeals court in New York has ruled that a lawsuit alleging that a Canadian energy company aided genocide in its pursuit of oil in Sudan was properly thrown out.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan agreed Friday with a 2006 judge's ruling that found there was no credible evidence to support the claims against Calgary-based Talisman Energy Inc.

The company is Canada's biggest independent oil and gas exploration and production company.

A 2001 lawsuit seeking unspecified damages was brought by the Presbyterian Church of Sudan on behalf of current and former residents of southern Sudan who suffered injuries during six years of a decades-long conflict in the region.

Both the Canadian and U.S. governments had opposed the lawsuit.

Source: Associated Press, 02 October 2009, NEW YORK

NY court rules in favor of Canada's biggest independent oil company in genocide lawsuit

Friday, October 02, 2009

Kenya to import 500,000 barrels of Sudanese crude oil each month

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct. 2, 2009 (UPI)
Kenya to buy Sudanese oil

Kenya Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi has visited Sudan "to fine tune oil deal."

The Daily Nation reported Friday that Murungi had led a delegation to Khartoum to finalize an initial Kenyan-Sudanese agreement for Kenya to import Sudanese oil.

In August 2008 Kenyan Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula and Sudan's Foreign Affairs Minister Deng Alor Kuol signed a memorandum of understanding providing for Kenya to import 500,000 barrels of Sudanese crude oil each month. The pact stipulated that Kenya's National Oil Corp. and Sudan Petroleum Corp. conclude a second agreement implementing the arrangement. NOCK Managing Director Mwendia Nyaga and Patrick Nyoike are accompanying Wetangula.

Nyoike told journalists that while the importation deal with Sudan was to be implemented, Mombasa's oil refineries were unable to process the Sudanese oil, noting, "It is true that Sudan's oil cannot be processed at our local refinery, but arrangements can be made for swapping it in the international markets."

Sudan Govt: ready to cooperate with Uganda over oil production - LRA's Kony not in Darfur

Sudan is ready to resolve outstanding border disputes with Uganda. Uganda has discovered huge oil reserves in the Albertine rift. The Albertine rift stretches from southern Sudan through the lake Albert valley to southwest Uganda. The northern part of Albertine rift has been unstable for many years due to the rebel insurgency of Lord’s Resistance Army. The Sudanese government has denied reports that Joseph Kony, the LRA’s leader, had sought refuge in Darfur.

Excerpt from Sudan Watch, September 28, 2009: Would it make sense for the oil wells in Southern Sudan to be connected to Uganda?

It might make sense if you had a central hub for distribution in Uganda and have other countries linked to that central hub. That would be a cost-effective way of doing it. It would be great to have the cooperation between all the countries in the region through a central hub. That is one option. That would require the various governments talking to each other and putting together a central hub. If that is the way the governments want to go, we will work with that.

Report from Dow Jones Newswires, October 1, 2009:
Sudan Govt: Ready To Cooperate With Uganda Over Oil Production

KAMPALA, Uganda (Dow Jones) – The Sudanese government is ready to offer maximum cooperation to Uganda as the latter moves closer to start oil production in the Albertine rift, a diplomatic official said late Wednesday.

Ali Hussein Award, Sudan’s ambassador to Uganda, said in remarks broadcasted live on the national television that Sudan was ready to share its expertise in oil production with Uganda, which has discovered huge oil reserves in the Albertine rift.

“The Sudanese government is ready to cooperate with Uganda in developing its oil sector, including establishing a refinery,” he said.

Hussein said Sudan is also ready to resolve outstanding border disputes with Uganda along the common border to ensure peace and stability.

The Albertine rift stretches from southern Sudan through the lake Albert valley to southwest Uganda.

The northern part of Albertine rift has been unstable for many years due to the rebel insurgency of Lord’s Resistance Army.

The Sudanese government has also denied reports that Joseph Kony, the LRA’s leader, had sought refugee in Darfur, seeking protection from the Sudanese army.

France-based Total SA (TOT), which operates in Sudan, has expressed interest in investing in Uganda’s downstream oil sector, according to sources.

Total’s potential production in southern Sudan could be tied to the Ugandan oil pipeline project, which is expected to connect the Albertine rift to the Kenyan port of Mombasa about 1,300 kilometers away.

Total officials declined to confirm the company's interest in Ugandan
Oil exploration companies already operating in Uganda include U.K.-based Tullow Oil PLC (TLW.LN), Heritage Oil PLC (HOIL.LN), Tower Resources PLC (TRP.LN) and Dominium Ltd

-By Nicholas Bariyo, contributing to Dow Jones Newswires ; +256 75 262 4615; bariyonic@yahoo.co.uk

Cross-posted to Uganda Watch.

South Sudan: State Director for Education denies that 200 unpaid East African teachers in Bentiu want to go home

Over two hundred secondary teachers from Kenya and Uganda working in Bentiu, southern Sudan are demanding to be paid salary arrears and are requesting to be taken back to their countries.

According to the below copied report from Sudan Radio Service, the teachers have stayed five months without getting salaries. The state government has agreed to pay them two months salary and the rest before the end of the year.

Today, Friday, October 2, someone posted the following comment on Sudan Watch post "UN Jobs - International Job Vacancies in Sudan"

Anonymous said...
How i wish you could intervine the east African teachers' issue /cry who were employed to serve the government in Unity state Bentiu, currently under alot of intimidation cause of fighting for their rights under a theme pay us our five months arears and take us back to our home countries.

Here is a report from Sudan Radio Service - Teachers in Bentiu Want to Go Home - 25 September 2009:

(Bentiu) – Over two hundred secondary teachers from East Africa working in Bentiu are demanding to be paid salary arrears and are requesting to be taken back to their countries.

Ann Kosgei is one of the teachers. She spoke to Sudan Radio Service by telephone from Bentiu on Friday.

[Ann Kosgei]: “Yesterday, we went to the Ministry of Education and we told them that the teachers wanted to go home. The reason was that the situation of the teachers now. We stayed five months without getting salaries. As you know, we are East Africans, we are coming from Kenya and Uganda. Here we don’t have anything to eat, we are not given money, we are not given food, we have nothing to eat, so we went to the ministry to take us back to our countries.”

The state Director for Education, Peter Dak Galuak, confirmed that the teachers were demanding their salaries but denied claims that they wanted to return home.

[Peter Dak-Nuer]: “Not all of the teachers want to go back to their countries, it’s just about 30 of them who came yesterday and said that they wanted to go back. But we told them that those who want to go back should write their names, and they refused. I think it’s just a way to threaten us so that they get their way. I talked to them and told them that they should go back to their places and the government is working hard to pay their money, even the state Minister of Local Government, Samuel Lony, talked to them and they listened to him. That is why nobody is coming to the ministry today.”

Dak said that the state government has agreed to pay them two months salary and the rest would be paid to the teachers before the end of the year.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Darfur peacekeeper killed in attack on UNAMID by armed men in El Geneina

UNAMID is appealing to the Sudanese authorities to speedily investigate this wanton incident to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Source: EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, September 29, 2009/APO:

DARFUR / UNAMID condemns attack on convoy causing death of peacekeeper

The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) strongly condemns the attack on a convoy carrying UNAMID civilian and military personnel by six to eight armed men in El Geneina on the evening of Monday 28 September at around 1845 hours that caused the death of one peacekeeper. The incident took place on the road from UNAMID super camp in El Geneina and the city.

According to initial reports, the men opened fire without warning on the convoy, which comprised 3 vehicles, and stole one of the vehicles.

Three military personnel were injured and taken to the El Genenia hospital, and subsequently evacuated by helicopter to the UNAMID hospital in Nyala, more than 300 kilometres from El Geneina. One of the peacekeepers succumbed to his injuries shortly afterwards.

A total of 5 UNAMID national and international civilian staff members, 2 non-UNAMID personnel, 13 military troops and 4 military police were involved in the incident.

The Mission is appealing to the Sudanese authorities to speedily investigate this wanton incident to bring the perpetrators to justice.

UNAMID emphasizes that peacekeepers are in Darfur to assist in restoring peace and stability to the region. Any attack on peacekeepers is an attack on peace itself. Targetting UN personnel can potentially have negative consequences for the peace process.

Since the inception of UNAMID in January 2008, fourteen military personnel and three civilian police have been killed as a result of hostile attacks.

SOURCE: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)

Sudanese Presidential Advisor, Mustafa Osman Ismail, says there are Zionist trends behind aggravation of Darfur crisis

The AU Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolutions held a meeting in Khartoum Monday, September 28, with the participation of representatives from 25 African countries.

Sudanese Presidential Advisor, Mustafa Osman Ismail, briefed the members of the AU committee of the root-causes of the Darfur crisis, saying that "it was a simple clash between the farmers and herdsmen before transforming to a political conflict due to other factors."

Ismail also accused Israel of being behind aggravation and continuation of the Darfur crisis, saying "a group of Darfurians have recently admitted that they have provided the International Criminal Court (ICC) with false evidences, which support our assurances that there are Zionist trends behind aggravation of the Darfur crisis and undermining of the stability in the region."

Source: (Xinhua) KHARTOUM, Sudan, Sept. 29, 2009. Copy in full:

Sudan accuses some neighbors of intervention in Darfur crisis

The Sudanese government on Tuesday said interventions by some neighboring countries of Sudan aggravated the crisis in its western region of Darfur, which has been witnessing a civil war since 2003.

"The negative role of some neighboring countries which support the Darfur armed movements has negatively affected the peace process in the region," said Sudanese Presidential Advisor, Mustafa Osman Ismail, when meeting members of the African Union (AU) Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolutions.

"The support provided by Chad to the Darfur armed movements has aggravated the Darfur crisis while the overlapping between the tribes in Darfur and Chad had its negative effect as to the movement of the armed movement," Ismail said.

He also criticized France for its stances towards the Darfur issue, saying that "the French stances towards Sudan are usually negative and one obvious is its hosting of the movements' leaders on its soil."

Ismail also accused Israel of being behind aggravation and continuation of the Darfur crisis, saying "a group of Darfurians have recently admitted that they have provided the International Criminal Court (ICC) with false evidences, which support our assurances that there are Zionist trends behind aggravation of the Darfur crisis and undermining of the stability in the region."

He said, "the report presented by the Joint Representative of the United Nations and African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Rudolph Adada, confirms the great security improvement in the humanitarian and security situations in the region."

Ismail briefed the members of the AU committee of the root-causes of the crisis, saying that "it was a simple clash between the farmers and herdsmen before transforming to a political conflict due to other factors."

The AU Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolutions held a meeting in Khartoum Monday with the participation of representatives from 25 African countries.

The meeting discussed the Darfur crisis, including developments on the ground and the size of humanitarian assistance needed for the internally displaced persons. Editor: Fang Yang

IBM Sponsors Africa Virtual Job Fair 2009

Web-based Job Fair Supports IBM’s Expanding Operations across Africa:

Job seekers worldwide, from experienced professionals to recent graduates, will have access to employment opportunities available from U.S. and other foreign corporations doing business in Africa, development organizations, multinational, and international organizations.

The Web-based job fair will enable prospective employees to search the job listings online, submit CVs/resumes, attend networking events, obtain career advisory services, and participate in interviews, all at no cost, from their home or office.

Source: SILVER SPRING, Maryland, September 28 /PRNewswire. Copy:

IBM Sponsors Africa Virtual Job Fair 2009
Zebrajobs announced today that IBM, a global leader in information technology, is the lead sponsor of the first Africa Virtual Job Fair (AVJF) organized by Zebrajobs.com and the Corporate Council on Africa. The Africa Virtual Job Fair is the leading online platform connecting employers with professionals to interact on wide-ranging career and employment opportunities within the African continent.

As a title sponsor, IBM will be at the forefront of this innovative recruitment method. The Africa Virtual Job Fair, scheduled to open on September 30, 2009, will provide corporations and organizations with tremendous advantages over traditional recruitment efforts. The AVJF will allow employers to tap into the global talent pool to support their operations in Africa.

“Our vision behind the launch of this first-ever virtual job fair is focused on meeting multiple goals,” explained Yusuf Reja, Chief Executive Officer of Zebrajobs.com. “We are committed to maintaining a climate that encourages U.S. and other foreign corporations and organizations to do business in Africa. Critical to this effort is having a talent base from which they can staff their operations.”

IBM has been operating in Africa for nearly six decades investing more than US$120 million in the last two years, as part of its strategy of focusing in the world’s growth markets. IBM spearheaded the Virtual Job Fair as a continuation of its commitment to capacity building in Africa. Through investment in human resources development, IBM is well positioned to help create a smarter African economy to compete in the global market place.

Job seekers worldwide, from experienced professionals to recent graduates, will have access to employment opportunities available from U.S. and other foreign corporations doing business in Africa, development organizations, multinational, and international organizations. The Web-based job fair will enable prospective employees to search the job listings online, submit CVs/resumes, attend networking events, obtain career advisory services, and participate in interviews, all at no cost, from their home or office.

The AVJF has been officially inaugurated on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at a kickoff reception held at Washington Club, Washington DC in the presence of representatives from U.S. corporations, international organizations, the donor community, and African diplomatic mission. Co-hosting the event were Jendayi Frazer, Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and Her Excellency Amina Salum Ali, the African Union Ambassador to the United States.

About IBM

IBM is a leader in the creation, development and manufacture of the industry’s most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics. The worldwide network of IBM solutions and services translates advanced technologies into business value for our customers. IBM is dedicated to every client’s success by creating innovation that matters for the world, valuing trust and personal responsibility in all relationships.

About Zebrajobs.com

Zebrajobs.com is the leading online job site for Africa officially launched on December 10, 2007. Zebrajobs.com offers a dynamic opportunity for employers in the public and private sectors, organizations, and other hiring entities as well as job seekers ranging in experience from seasoned professionals to graduating students to use Internet-based recruitment and career advisory services for their employment needs.

Zebrajobs.com is a joint venture initiative between a U.S.-based company – Danya International, Inc. – and Africa-based company – Info Mind Solutions.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Security situation in Darfur - Sep 28, 2009

Security situation in Darfur

The security situation in Darfur continues to be unpredictable
In the last 24 hours, UNAMID military forces conducted 93 patrols including routine, short and long range, night, humanitarian escort, and logistics and administration patrols in 53 villages and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. UNAMID police advisors conducted 83 patrols in the villages and IDP camps.

UNAMID continues to appeal for release of abducted staff members
Today marks the thirty-first day of the abduction of two international civilian staff members of the AU-UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) who were taken at gunpoint by four or five armed men from their home in Zalingei, West Darfur, about 400 kilometres from El Fasher, to an unknown location. The incident occurred at about 4.30 in the morning on Saturday 29 August 2009.

While the Sudanese authorities continue to work for the release of the two staff members, UNAMID renews its appeal to their abductors for their immediate, safe and unconditional release.

Police Advisors conduct community policing workshop in Nyala
UNAMID Police Advisors over the weekend conducted a workshop for community policing volunteers in the Duma internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Nyala, South Darfur. More than 97 volunteers participated, including the Sheikh of sheikhs and 27 women.

The workshop was held to broaden participants’ knowledge of community policing procedures and practices, particularly those relevant to issues of safety and security. They focused on topics associated with gender, rule of law and human rights, among others, while their awareness was raised on the work of state security agencies, including the Government of Sudan Police. The participants were reminded that as community policing volunteers, they would be mentors and role models for the camp’s residents, who would also look to them for guidance.

SOURCE: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, September 28, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/Darfur/UNAMID Daily Media Brief

AU vows to find political solution to Darfur conflict

From www.chinaview.cn, Monday, 28 September 2009:
AU vows to find political solution to Darfur conflict

KHARTOUM, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) affirmed on Monday that it would press on with its endeavors to settle the Darfur conflict, which has been waging in the Sudanese western region since 2003, and end the suffering of the Darfur people.

"Today we are reviewing one of the most important issues in Africa, which is the Darfur conflict, and we hope we come out with a practical vision to reach a political settlement," said Chairperson of the AU Committee on Cooperation, International Relations, and Conflict Resolutions Juliana Sotti at the opening session of the Conference the Pan-African Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution.

He said "the committee seeks to discuss the Darfur issue, its causes and how to solve them prior to submission of recommendations to the coming African summit."

For his part, Chairperson of the Communication Office of the AU Office in Sudan Mahmud Kan praised the recent improvement in the security situation in Darfur, saying "the Darfur conflict should be resolved politically and not militarily."

He said the meetings would avail a good opportunity to reach understandings on the best possible means to end the Darfur conflict and that the AU would carry on its endeavors to narrow the differences between the parties.

The African official accused the Darfur armed movements of being obstinate and insistent in boycotting peaceful negotiations with the Sudanese government, saying "we, at the AU, believe that some movements were very persistent in refusing to sit to cooperate with the Sudanese government to end the suffering of the Darfur people."

He called on the Darfur armed movements to negotiate with the Sudanese government to reach a solution to the conflict.

"We want all African issues to be resolved within the African framework. This does not mean we reject initiatives by other countries. We should look on how to end the conflict. The Sudanese people must work together to resolve their issues," he said.

African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ramtane Lamamra, and Sudanese Parliament Speaker Ahmed Ibrahim al-Taher, along with representatives from 25 African countries are attending the two-day conference.

Participants will discuss the latest development of the Darfur conflict and size of the humanitarian assistance needed for the internally displaced persons.

Editor: Fang Yang

Would it make sense for the oil wells in Southern Sudan to be connected to Uganda?

SO far 800 million barrels of oil have been confirmed in Uganda, with an estimated total value of $50b. Ibrahim Kasita and Els De Temmerman interviewed Aidan Heavey, founder and chief executive officer of Tullow Oil, about the challenges and opportunities of the oil find for Uganda and East Africa. Full story at Uganda Watch. Excerpt:

Would it make sense for the oil wells in Southern Sudan to be connected to Uganda?

It might make sense if you had a central hub for distribution in Uganda and have other countries linked to that central hub. That would be a cost-effective way of doing it. It would be great to have the cooperation between all the countries in the region through a central hub. That is one option. That would require the various governments talking to each other and putting together a central hub. If that is the way the governments want to go, we will work with that.

See Wikipedia info on Lake Albert and map of rivers and lakes of Uganda.

Lou Nuer say armed civilians, not militia, attacked Dinka Duk in Jonglei, South Sudan

Report by Sudan Tribune, Saturday 26 September 2009:
Lou Nuer say no organized militia behind Jonglei’s attack

September 25, 2009 (JUBA) — The Lou Nuer Youth today denied that recent attack on Dinka Duk in Jonglei state had been carried out by organized militia saying armed civilians were behind it. They also accused the southern Sudan army of taking Dink’s side

Armed men from the Lou Nuer attacked the positions of southern Sudan army and police in the locality killing a significant number of regular troops in addition to the civilians. The attack has left over 160 people dead and more than 80 wounded according to the latest figure released by authorities in Juba on Friday.

Southern Sudan officials were alarmed by the escalation of violence in Jonglei. Following a visit to the affected area on Monday, the southern Sudan interior minister, Jonglei governor and UN coordinator for the semi-autonomous region agreed they attack had been directed to the government forces and institutions. They all also spoke about a structured and heavily armed militia.

In a strong statement released in Juba on Friday the Lou Nuer Youth Association (LNYA) which advocates the cause of the tribe, said the attack on Duk Padiet last Sunday had been carried by "ordinary civilians" in retaliation to previous attacks they suffered.

The tribal group condemned statements by southern Sudan officials who described the attackers as militia saying "the Greater Akobo is in full control of the SPLA forces and if there are militias in the area we believe their first attack would have been on the SPLA forces at Renk the way to Malakal."

They also said they had been preaching for southern Sudan unity and peaceful coexistence but warned they would now take the side of their tribe accusing the southern Sudan officials of favoring the Dinka ethnic group.

"This time we are going to write differently because the Jonglei State Government (JSG) and the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) have taken side with the Dinka Bor, and we also have right to take side with our community in whatever cost. "

The Lou Nuer association also said opposed to a probable decision to disarm them first in a disarmament campaign that the government plans to implement in the restive state of Jonglei.

"The LNYA would like to make it clear to the JSG and the GoSS under the 1st Lt. General Salva Kiir Mayardiit that if the Lou-Nuer is going to be disarmed first as we have heard then please expect a full resistance from our civilians."

The Lou Nuer had been attacked in the past by their neighbors in the past following after their disarmament in 2006. They accused Juba of retrieving their arms while Dinka and Murle tribes kept their weapons at hand.

The two latest attacks by Lou Nuer on Dinka ethnic group in Twic East and Duk Padiet pushed some southern Sudan officials to point blaming finger to their peace partner, National Congress Party and also speak about the emergence of organized militias supported by Khartoum.

On the other hand, there are people, particularly from Nuer ethnic group who say the causes of the surge of violence are local and can be explained by the control of land, water and pasturages as well as cattle. They also stress that the Lou Nuer attacks on Twic and Duk are retaliatory.

On Sunday’s attack on Duk County they say it was to revenge an attack on Lou Nuer around Poktap in January 2009 that had been carried out by armed men hailing from Holl and Nyarweng. They accuse the local authorities of mistreating them and speak about looting and killing of their people by the regular forces in the area.

To explain their attack on Twic East, another Dinka locality in Jonglei, where over 40 people were killed on August 28, they accuse the Twic of looting their cows after their disarmament in January 2006.

Lou Nuer Counties of Ayod, Uror and Nyirol signed a peace accord with Dinka of Greater Bor Counties of Duk and Twic East on May 14, 2009 at John Garang Institute of Science and Technology in Bor Town.

Village chiefs who attended the peace conference are also accused of catalyzing violence. Paramount chiefs complained during peace negotiation that Government failed to arrest chiefs who encourage conflicts.

May’s deal is the fourth signed between Lou Nuer and Jieng Bor (Dinka Bor) since the 1991 split which set Jonglei’s major tribes against each other. The other three dishonoured agreements already were made in 1994, 2004 and 2007 in Poktap, Duk County Headquarters.

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