Sudan Tribune's shameless political activism masquerading as hard news to whip up a storm when peoples lives are at stake ought to be challenged

This post was drafted for Sudan Watch today, Saturday, 7 February 2009, 10:11 am GMT. Here below is a copy of an article published at Paris based Sudan Tribune Saturday 7 February 2009 04:30. Note the headline they have used: ICC judges issue an arrest warrant for Sudan president.

From what I can gather on the latest news reports, the ICC's judges have not issued an arrest warrant for Sudan president. I am posting the Sudan Tribune's article here today as a mark of outrage at their political activism masquerading as hard news for pro rebel anti-government supporters. It is most irresponsible of them on such a serious issue and sneaky not to reference the source of their claims. For all we know they just make stuff up and stick the word WASHINGTON into their article to make it seem like the news was from elsewhere.

Going by the comments at the article (30 so far) nobody cares to question the veracity of the article's headline. If the headline turns out to be true, does it mean that the Sudan Tribune simply made it up in advance of the event or is information being manipulated and leaked by the ICC to such an extent that it reaches a France based pro-rebel propaganda rag ahead of mainstream media pros who have codes of conduct to abide by? More on this later when the truth emerges.

Meanwhile, if the headline of the article is untrue one would expect the ICC to immediately contact Sudan Tribune and force them to retract the headline and issue a public apology. I shall continue to nitpick at what the Sudan Tribune gets up to because sneaky propaganda can be like a free rolling snowball leading to an uncontrollable avalanche. Whatever, in my view, the Sudan Tribune is guilty of manipulating its readership by whipping up a storm of expectations, emotion and hatred in preparation for the possibility that UN Security Council members may invoke Article 16 to suspend any arrest warrant for twelve months.

ICC judges issue an arrest warrant for Sudan president
February 6, 2009 (WASHINGTON) — The Judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) will soon release a decision in which they agree to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir, Sudan Tribune has learnt.



The ruling that could be made public as early as next week will make Bashir the most senior figure to be indicted by The Hague based court.

The Pre-Trial Chamber I which is assigned the Darfur case has been reviewing an application submitted by prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo last July requesting an arrest warrant for Bashir on three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder

There was no confirmation on which counts the warrant was issued for, but one source suggested that it will include the charges of genocide, which is considered the gravest crime in international law.

Last week the ICC prosecutor sent an urgent notification to the Judges after which they met with him on Tuesday in a closed session along with the court’s Registrar Silvana Arbia along with representatives from the Victims and Witnesses Unit (VWU).

The meeting likely discussed measures taken to discuss risks associated with unsealing the warrant.

The decision, which remains under seal, will be transmitted to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon shortly according to multiple sources. The ICC prosecutor is currently present in New York.

This week Ban who was present at the African Union summit warned that Bashir must adhere to any decision made by the ICC.

“He [Bashir] should fully cooperate with the decision of the ICC” Ban told a press conference on the sidelines of the summit.

Arab, Islamic and African countries have called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to defer the indictment to so as not to jeopardize the peace process.

The warrant may make it difficult and even embarassing for world officials to meet with Al-Bashir or to receive him on their territories.

European Union (EU) laws prohibit their officials from meeting with individuals charged by the ICC.

The UN and many other Western embassies in the Sudanese capital have created security plans aimed at protecting their staff from any possible backlash following the decision.

Sudanese officials have pledged to ensure safety of Western missions and UN staff but cautioned that they may not be able to control any outlaws.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) issued resolution 1593 under chapter VII in March 2005 referring the situation in Darfur to the ICC following recommendation a UN commission of inquiry into abuses committed in the war ravaged region.

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SUDAN WATCH UPDATE
MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2009

Related reports

Sudan Watch Monday, February 09, 2009
UK's Special Representative for Sudan, Michael O'Neill, says Bashir's indictment could destroy Sudanese unity and derail peace process in Darfur

Sudan Watch Monday, February 09, 2009:
ICC Prosecutor’s keynote address at Yale's conference: “The Pursuit of International Criminal Justice: The Case of Darfur”

Sudan Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
ICC prosecutor tells audience at Yale University decision on Sudan president arrest warrant to be made ‘in a few days’?

Sudan Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
2009 could be a make or break year for the CPA and for the prospect of peace in Sudan says UN envoy Qa`i

UNSC members China, Russia, Libya, Uganda and Burkina Faso support invoking Article 16 to suspend Sudan's Bashir indictment

Diplomats warned of a renewal of civil war in southern Sudan and the region’s attempted secession from the country. A Darfur rebel group, the Justice and Equality Movement, vowed last month to invade the capital Khartoum, capture Bashir and hand him over to the court in the event he is indicted.

Source: Bloomberg
UN Ready for Attacks in Sudan After Bashir Indictment (Update1)
By Bill Varner February 5, 2009

United Nations peacekeepers in Sudan are preparing for attacks following the likely indictment this month of President Umar al-Bashir for war crimes in Darfur by the International Criminal Court, a UN envoy to the nation said.

“We have received assurances of protection and cooperation from Sudanese authorities at the highest levels,” Ashraf Qazi told the UN Security Council today. “But these assurances have been qualified by warnings about public outrage. There have also been public threats and incitements to violence.”

The UN said an ICC decision is expected this month on prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s request for an arrest warrant for Bashir on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. He said in July that Bashir masterminded a plan to wipe out three African tribes as part of a counter-insurgency against a rebellion there.

The UN estimates that as many as 300,000 people have died in Darfur since February 2003. The Security Council decided in March 2005 to refer crimes committed in Darfur to the ICC, which is based on The Hague.

“We cannot predict what the public outrage would be,” Sudanese Ambassador Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem said. “This would be a crazy move, an insult to the country. It would be like a dead rat, smelling but having no use at all. It would die a natural death.”

Renewed Civil War

Diplomats warned of a renewal of civil war in southern Sudan and the region’s attempted secession from the country. A Darfur rebel group, the Justice and Equality Movement, vowed last month to invade the capital Khartoum, capture Bashir and hand him over to the court in the event he is indicted.

“No one is interested in having things destabilized, but it is unpredictable,” Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said.

The Security Council is divided over a British proposal to condemn the Sudanese army’s recent attack on the South Darfur town of Mahajiriya, and on a possible response to Bashir’s indictment. Council members China, Russia, Libya, Uganda and Burkina Faso have expressed support for adoption of a resolution to suspend an indictment.

“We must allow the work of the ICC to go ahead,” U.K. Ambassador John Sawers said. “We do not believe there is any conflict between peace and justice. They both need to be pursued.”

U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice told reporters on Feb. 3 that she didn’t know whether the attack on Mahajiriya was linked to a possible indictment of Bashir, or what would happen if an arrest warrant is issued.

“I certainly wouldn’t want to speculate about what will transpire,” Rice said. “The use of aerial bombardments, the movement of rebel forces, clashes on the ground and deliberate targeting of civilians is not something that has transpired only in the potential anticipation of an arrest warrant; it’s something that’s characterized the conflict for many years.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Bill Varner at the United Nations atwvarner@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: February 5, 2009 15:01 EST

Sudan’s UN Ambassador urged the United Nations to set peace as a priority in Sudan and "to protect its own people"

Source: Sapa-dpa
Sudan warning over Bashir
Feb 06, 2009

Sudan warned on Thursday that it would use "all options" available if the International Criminal Court (ICC) were to issue an international arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir, who was charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity in the ethnic war in Darfur.

The ICC at The Hague was scheduled to decide this month whether to issue the arrest warrant requested by its prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo.

The African Union and Islamic leaders oppose the warrant saying it would complicate the peace process in Sudan.

In New York, the UN Security Council discussed the situation in Sudan and the possibility that the ICC would move to seek the arrest of al-Bashir.

Some council members said the UN could find itself in a dilemma between working for peace in Sudan and upholding justice at the same time.

Some members, including France, believe that a warrant to arrest al-Bashir would impede the peace process in Darfur and other UN programmes in that country, arguing that the Sudanese leader would be needed to settle the conflicts.

"We weigh all options to deal with this situation, but I am sure that this possible verdict ... would have no use at all and we are not concerned about it all," said Sudan’s UN Ambassador Abdalmahmoud Mohamad.

Mohamad warned of "ramifications" if the warrant were to be issued against al-Bashir. He urged the United Nations to set peace as a priority in Sudan and "to protect its own people."

Mohamad turned against council member Jorge Urdina, Costa Rica’s UN ambassador, for demanding that peace and justice be carried out simultaneously in Darfur and criticising other council members for saying that the issue could be a dilemma for the UN.

"It’s a false dilemma," Urdina said.

"The UN Security Council sent the case of Sudan to the ICC and it supports peace and justice," Urdina said. "We hope that the Security Council will be able to discuss the possible consequences of an indictment in Darfur."

Mohamad replied, "We need no lessons from people from Costa Rica. It’s totally unacceptable."

Mohamad called Ocampo a "crazy prosecutor" and said the possibility of the ICC issuing a warrant to arrest al-Bashir was a "crazy move."

France had suggested that the ICC should withhold the arrest warrant if al-Bashir would surrender two senior Sudanese officials charged with the killings in Darfur. The ethnic war in Darfur has killed more than 300,000 people since 2005.

Ashraf Jahangir Qazi, the UN special envoy for Sudan, told the Security Council on Thursday that implementing the peace agreement between north and south Sudan remains "fundamental" for peace in the entire country.

"It is in this context that the impact of an ICC decision on the CPA and the Darfur situation will need to be discussed," Qazi said.

"The purpose of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (the north-south peace pact) is the building and keeping of peace and security in Sudan, without which no justice for its people will be possible," Qazir said.

The UN has warned that the 2005 peace agreement could unravel because several provisions in the pact remained unimplemented, including border demarcation between north and south Sudan and issues of disarmament and a government of unity.

There are now about 13,000 international peacekeepers in Darfur and another 10,000 monitoring the peace agreement between Khartoum and southern Sudan.

British Ambassador John Sawers does not believe support for Article 16 deferment currently exists within the Security Council

Sudan has been pressing member states to call for a deferment of the case under what is known as Article 16. That would require at least nine of the 15 Security Council members voting in favor of the deferment, with none of the five veto-wielding members voting against it. The African Union and the League of Arab States have thrown their support behind that request.

Following closed-door consultations on Thursday, British Ambassador John Sawers said he does not believe the support for an Article 16 deferment currently exists within the Security Council.

"There certainly were not nine voices this morning," he said.

Source: Voice of America
Sudan Envoy: UN Peacekeepers Will Be Safe if ICC Issues Warrant Against Bashir
By Margaret Besheer
United Nations
05 February 2009

A senior Sudanese diplomat says the safety of United Nations' peacekeepers in his country will not be in jeopardy, if the International Criminal Court, or ICC, grants a request for an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. A decision from the pre-trial judges at The Hague is expected later this month.

Sudan's U.N. Ambassador, Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem, said Thursday that Khartoum would abide by its international obligations.

"The safety of the peacekeepers is not at all an issue here. The issue is the safety and security of the entire people of Sudan," he said. "So the people should not look to the issue like isolated islands or separate islands. We know, as I said before, the obligations of Sudan towards the U.N. presence in Sudan. But equally, the U.N. should demonstrate its commitment to safeguard their own personnel as well as the lives of the Sudanese."

Later this month, the International Criminal Court is expected to decide whether to grant its chief prosecutor's request for an arrest warrant for President Bashir on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for atrocities committed in Sudan's Darfur region during the past five years.

Sudan has been pressing member states to call for a deferment of the case under what is known as Article 16. That would require at least nine of the 15 Security Council members voting in favor of the deferment, with none of the five veto-wielding members voting against it. The African Union and the League of Arab States have thrown their support behind that request.

Following closed-door consultations on Thursday, British Ambassador John Sawers said he does not believe the support for an Article 16 deferment currently exists within the Security Council.

"There certainly were not nine voices this morning," he said.

The U.N. Security Council referred the case to the International Criminal Court in March 2005. Costa Rican Ambassador Jorge Urbina, whose country has been very vocal on issues of impunity on the Security Council, said there should be no dilemma between peace and justice in Sudan.

"It is our belief that since the council referred the case of Sudan to the ICC, the council took the decision that justice was part of peace in Sudan," he said. "We believe that it is the duty of the council to help and promote durable peace in Sudan. And we believe that durable peace can only be the result of the reconciliation of peace and justice."

The Costa Rican ambassador pointed to the Dayton Process in the former Yugoslavia,saying that when it began in 2005, many politicians, diplomats and analysts argued that justice would interfere with the path to peace. But, he said, they have been proven wrong.

Ambassador Urbina's words angered Sudan's Ambassador Abdalhaleem.

"It is very ironic that countries far from our region, like the country of the former ambassador who spoke to you, are now giving lectures about justice and peace," he said. "We need no lessons and lectures from ambassadors like the Costa Rican one. His statements here in front of you are totally unacceptable and they reflect in no uncertain terms his defeat because they have no logic and they have no consideration for priorities of peace in the Sudan."

The Sudanese ambassador also referred to the court's chief prosecutor as "crazy" and said that if the ICC granted the request for the arrest warrant, it would be like "giving birth to a dead rat that is smelling and of no use at all". He said Sudanese authorities are not worried about it and he predicted it would "die a natural death".

But United Nations officials are concerned about the ramifications a possible arrest warrant could have on their peacekeeping missions in Sudan, one in Darfur and the other in the south. A senior U.N. official said contingency planning has been underway at several levels within the organization.

Earlier, the Security Council had a briefing from the U.N.'s top envoy in Sudan, Ashraf Qazi, on the state of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended a long and bloody civil war between north and south Sudan.

He said the agreement has achieved much in the past four years, but that it has a great deal more to accomplish in the remaining two years before a scheduled referendum on whether the country will remain unified. The U.N. envoy warned that the agreement is vulnerable and that if it unravels, conflicts and instability in Sudan are likely to escalate dramatically.

ICC judges might issue the ruling on Sudan's President Bashir Feb. 20 - JEM won’t deal with “indicted war criminals”

Ottawa is expected to declare its support if a three-judge panel of the International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Omar al-Bashir on charges of committing genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in western Sudan’s Darfur region.

February 20th has been quietly fed to concerned governments, the UN and aid groups operating in Darfur to give them a chance to take precautions they deem necessary, say people familiar with the court.

However, ICC spokeswoman Nicola Fletcher said only the judges know when they will make their decision public, and “no date has been announced.”

JEM has said it won’t deal with “indicted war criminals,” thereby threatening behind-the-scenes efforts to create a peace-process road map.

Source: the following report.

Sudan backlash expected if leader indicted: UN
By Steven Edwards
Canwest News Service February 5, 2009

UNITED NATIONS — Canada is among western countries bracing for possible retaliation against its embassy in Sudan ahead of the likely war-crimes indictment this month of the North African country’s leader.

Ottawa is expected to declare its support if a three-judge panel of the International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Omar al-Bashir on charges of committing genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in western Sudan’s Darfur region.

But such a declaration could make Canadian officials in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, a target of backlash.

There is a wider concern that an indictment will provoke a spike in violence in Darfur, where the UN estimates as many as 300,000 people have died since unrest resumed in February 2003.

“We have received assurances of protection and co-operation from Sudanese authorities at the highest levels,” Ashraf Qazi, the UN envoy to Sudan, told the UN Security Council Thursday.

“But these assurances have been qualified by warnings about public outrage. There have also been public threats and incitements to violence.”

Potentially making the problem worse is word the judges will issue the ruling Feb. 20 — a Friday when large numbers of Khartoum’s almost exclusively Muslim population will be in the streets after attending mosques.

The date has been quietly fed to concerned governments, the UN and aid groups operating in Darfur to give them a chance to take precautions they deem necessary, say people familiar with the court.

However, ICC spokeswoman Nicola Fletcher said only the judges know when they will make their decision public, and “no date has been announced.”

ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo applied last July for the arrest warrant, accusing Bashir of being behind an alleged bid by the Arab-led government to wipe out three black-African tribes in Darfur after rebels there rose up over poor living conditions.

An arrest warrant would be the first issued by the court — established in 2002 to pursue authors of the world’s worst human rights atrocities — against a sitting head of state.

“We cannot predict what the public outrage would be,” said Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem, Sudan’s ambassador to the UN.

“This would be a crazy move, an insult to the country. It would be like a dead rat, smelling, but having no use at all. It would die a natural death.”

It emerged this week that U.S. President Barack Obama will support implementing the war crimes indictment, while Canada Thursday reinforced its advisory that Canadians should stay away from Sudan.

“It would be premature to comment on this specific case, but Canada is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court and its investigations in Sudan,” said Catherine Loubier, spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon.

Among four Canadian officials serving at the Canadian Embassy in Khartoum is a representative of the Canadian International Development Agency to help oversee Canadian aid in the country, currently budgeted at $191 million.

One thought is any backlash may be limited to asking pro-ICC Western governments to withdraw some or all of their diplomats.

There is concern, however, a response could see the Sudanese government claim it is unable to control angry mobs in the streets, leading to attacks on westerners.

Under such circumstances, it would be very difficult to evacuate officials, planners say.

The latest fighting in Darfur has taken place in and around the region’s southern town of Muhajiriya, which had been seized by the rebel group known as the Justice and Equality Movement.

A small contingent of the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force had been trying to protect some 20,000 civilians trapped in the area as Sudanese forces bombed the town in what Susan Rice, U.S. ambassador to the UN, said Tuesday was “in anticipation of an arrest warrant.”

The UN persuaded JEM to withdraw, and proceeded to try to declare the area a “no-fire” zone.

Even JEM, however, may be spoiling for more fighting. According to some internal reports, its leadership has said it won’t deal with “indicted war criminals,” thereby threatening behind-the-scenes efforts to create a peace-process road map.

Multiple job vacancies announcement: local Sudanese needed in Southern Sudan's Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity, and Warrap States

Email received a few minutes ago 13:58 GMT UK:

Hi, would you be so kind as to place this vacancy announcement. The BRIDGE Program is looking to hire a number of local Sudanese (first preference) in Southern Sudan.

Thank you very much,

Marty D. George
Executive Officer, BRIDGE Sudan
Winrock International
Cell: +256 (0) 477 252 953
mgeorge@winrockbridge.org

MULTIPLE VACANCIES ANNOUNCEMENT

Winrock International is now recruiting for the USAID-funded BRIDGE Program (Building Responsibility for the Delivery of Government Services), a 3-year program focused on 1) strengthening local government capacity, 2) community development, 3) agriculture development, 4) water and sanitation, and 5) education.  Winrock is seeking staff for the following positions in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity, and Warrap States:

Logistics Project Officer (all three states)
Junior Accountant (all three states)
Agriculture and community development specialists (all three states)
Office Manager (all three states)

To apply email a completed CV with the position you seek in the subject line (e.g., Logistics Project Officer or Junior Accountant) to:

Northern Bahr el Ghazal (Aweil)
BRIDGE_NBEG@hotmail.co.uk

Unity (Bentiu)
BRIDGE_Unity@hotmail.com

Warrap (Kuajok)
BRIDGE_Warrap@hotmail.com

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Winrock reserves the right to fill this position prior to the closing date.

UNAMID chief Rodolphe Adada in Chad talking with JEM chief Khalil Ibrahim

Good news from Sudan Tribune today:

UNAMID, JEM to establish joint mechanism to protect Darfur civilians

February 5, 2009 (NDJAMENA) – The head of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID held talks in the Chadian capital with the chairman of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) on ways to enhance joint cooperation to protect civilians in Darfur.



Photo: The head of UNAMID, Rodolphe Adada, (L) speaks during a meeting with the leader of the rebel JEM Khalil Ibrahim (R) held in the Chadian capital Ndjamena on Feb 5, 2009 (photo provided by the UNAMID)

UNAMID’s Rodolphe Adada, was in the Chadian capital in a two day visit for talks with JEM’s Khalil Ibrahim. Adada had decided to meet the rebel leader after eruption of hostilities since mid January between JEM and the Sudanese government, in southern and northern Darfur.

"The hybrid mission and JEM agreed to create a joint mechanism allowing them to cooperate together to protect the civilians and the IDPs in Darfur and to enhance the humanitarian situation there," the spokesman of the rebel movement, Ahmed Hussein Adam told Sudan Tribune.

He added that an ad hoc committee from the two sides is working out an understanding allowing them to cooperate together despite the lack of ceasefire agreement.

Adada delegation included UNAMID Deputy Force Commander General Emmanuel Karenzi Karake, UNAMID spokesperson Noureddine Mezni, and political, humanitarian and security Mission officials while Khalil Ibrahim was accompanied by Jibril Ibrahim, Economic Advisor; Ahmed Hussein Adam, JEM Spokesperson; Bushara Suleiman, Secretary of Foreign Affairs; and Ezzedin Youssif Baggi, Secretary of Financial Affairs.

"The meeting was called as part of UNAMID’s continued efforts to establish a good working relationship with all parties involved in the Darfur conflict," said Mezni in a press statement released today evening.

Adada reiterated that UNAMID is absolutely neutral in dealing with all parties involved in the conflict, as this neutrality is the only way for the Mission to achieve its mandate, he added.

Also UNAMID spokesperson confirmed that both parties agreed to the necessity of a mechanism for better coordination on the ground. Adam told Sudan Tribune that the cooperation includes combating banditry, carjacking, protection of humanitarian convoys.

Sudanese army earlier this week asked the hybrid peacekeeping mission to withdraw a 196-strong force from Muhageriya ahead of the planned assault. But the UNAMID insisted to stay in the town to protect civilians who had take shelter around its base.

During the meeting JEM praised UNAMID commitment to protect civilians as it is defined in its mandate. The rebel group cited "the Mission’s refusal to evacuate Muhageriya in order to continue providing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population."

According to the spokesperson of the peacekeeping mission, Khalil Ibrahim agreed with the necessity of avoiding situations similar to that of Muhageriya in the future.

The rebel leader further added he decided to withdraw from the flashpoint town due to UNAMID’s decision to remain there and appeals by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, AU Commission Chairperson Jean Ping and the United Sates. [...]

Arab League meetings in Doha headed by Qatar to discuss ICC arrest warrant against Sudan's Bashir & Qatari peace bid - Obama backs Bashir indictment

Sudanese Ambassador Ibrahim Abdullah Fakiri told Gulf Times on Tuesday that a solution to the Darfur crisis would include providing water and pastures for its people and launching a development process. Great. Bring it on. See report from Gulf Times by Ourouba Hussein February 4, 2009:

Doha to host conference as Darfur diplomacy gathers pace

AN ARAB League committee headed by Qatar will meet in Doha soon to discuss the aspects of a potential world court arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, Sudanese Ambassador Ibrahim Abdullah Fakiri told Gulf Times yesterday.

Fakiri said this meeting would be followed by a conference in Doha to discuss the Qatari efforts to solve the Darfur crisis, particularly the outcome of the parleys by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud and UN and African Union mediator for Darfur Djibrill Bassole.

“The Arab League committee, which had met in Doha on January 17, decided to send a delegation to New York to request the cancellation or postponement of the International Criminal Court’s proceedings against Bashir,” the envoy said, adding that Khartoum would continue its non-co-operation with the International Tribunal looking into the alleged atrocities committed against the people of Darfur.

“This move is against the provision of immunity to heads of state.” No president had been brought to justice while in power, he pointed out.

Maintaining that the Darfur conflict was the result of an international conspiracy against Sudan, the envoy stressed that the strife was not ethnic, as circulated by a section of the media.

“It did not start in 2002, but began before 1900 between shepherds and farmers. However, the Darfur tribes fused afterwards and they now have one language, religion and common interests.”

Fakiri said foreigners exploited conflicts between the Darfur tribes and with the proliferation of weapons, the dispute widened. “It was all the result of a plan hatched to create instability and divide Sudan.”

According to him, some foreigners feared that Sudan, which is rich in natural resources, would emerge as a strong nation after the implementation of the Naivasha, South, East and Abuja peace agreements and “they whipped up the Darfur crisis within one year to make it an international issue”.

Talking about his country’s natural resources, he said it comprised 200mn acres of arable land, 42mn acres of forests, water, minerals, livestock and oil.

“The conspiracy was aimed at tapping the wealth of Sudan, especially that is strategically located in Africa.”

Fakiri maintained that the international tribunal’s move against President Bashir was part of the external plot aimed at destroying all efforts to solve the Darfur crisis and a threat to the security and stability of Sudan. “It also sends the wrong message to the armed factions in Darfur.”

The ambassador said the plot was aimed at creating chaos in Sudan. “Another president could cancel the peace agreements signed by Bashir.”

Fakiri said that after the president declared a ceasefire in Darfur, the army was able to maintain peace and check the activities of the armed factions.

According to him, a solution to the Darfur crisis would include providing water and pastures for its people and launching a development process.

He said that many committees, recently formed by the people of Darfur, have been meeting to study a solution, “a solution, acceptable to the people of Darfur, and compatible with Sudan’s unity”.

Related reports

Nov. 29, 2008 Sudan Watch: Launch of joint Arab-African peace initiative for Darfur - Qatari Peace Bid: UN, EU, AU, AL, UK, US & France support the joint Arab-African peace initiative for Darfur led by Qatar & Sudan People's Forum (SPF) - Qatar have proposed to host peace talks to end the five year war in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.



Photo: Djibril Bassole arrived in El-Fasher the capital of North Darfur August 28, 2008 to take up his new post as the Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur. Mr.Bassole was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General and the African Union Chairperson in June to conduct full-time mediation between Darfur rebels and the government. The top diplomat of Burkina Faso is expected to use his wealth of experience to re-energize the stalled Darfur peace process. (UN Radio/Sudan Watch archives)
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Nov. 20, 2008 Sudan Watch: Joint chief mediator Djibril Bassolé meets Bahar Idriss Abu Garda, leader of JEM & SLM splinter group URF, in El Fasher N. Darfur, W. Sudan
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Feb. 03, 2009 Sudan Watch: UN/AU chief mediator Djibril Bassole says Darfur rebels should speak with one voice
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Feb. 4, 2009 report published at Sudan Tribune Feb. 5 - excerpt:

JEM rebels and peace mediator discuss confidence building measures

The Justice and Equality Movement and the joint peace mediator today held a meeting in the Chadian capital, Ndjamena to discuss a roadmap for the peace process particularly confidence building measures.

The meeting comes hours after the withdrawal of JEM troops from South Darfur flashpoint town while the Sudanese army celebrated the capture of Muhageriya pledging to defeat JEM troops in other battles.

A rebel delegation led by JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim discussed with Djibril Bassolé measures to create a conducive environment with the Sudanese government before to begin peace talks under the Qatari sponsorship.

Speaking from Ndjamena where the meeting was held, Ahmed Hussein Adam, the official spokesperson of the rebel movement said today’s meeting indicates JEM commitment to the political solution of Darfur crisis despite the ongoing tension in southern Darfur.

"The meeting discussed the necessary confidence building measures that Khartoum should implement before to negotiate in good faith," Adam said.

He also added that a meeting could be take place in Doha very soon with a delegation from the government of national unity to discuss these measures.

Last December, JEM handed over to the Qatari government a roadmap to the peace talks. The rebel plan included some measures to be implemented by the government of Sudan before the talks.

These confidence building measures include the release of JEM fighters detained or sentenced after a raid on Khartoum last May, the IDPs protection, the halt forced repatriation of the displaced, and cessation of air strikes on civilians.

The Arab League last September has authorized Qatar to spearhead efforts to bring Darfur warring parties to the negotiating table. Since, Qatari officials and the joint mediator held a series of talks with the main rebel groups in order to prepare for the talks.

The former rebel group of Minni Minnawi that signed a peace deal with Khartoum in May 2006 asks to join the process as independent party but Sudanese government vetoes the demand and says they can be part of government delegation.

Darfur rebel groups still show some reserve toward the Arab League and the African Union efforts to end the six year war in western Sudan. Rebels believe that the peace process should not lead to suspend the indictment of the Sudanese president by the International Criminal Court.

"Dr Khalil Ibrahim clearly underscored during the meeting that peace process should not affect the ICC jurisdiction on Darfur crimes," said JEM spokesperson. He also reiterated their condemnation to any attempt to prevent the ICC from issuing an arrest warrant for the Sudanese president.

"The leadership of the movement stressed that the ICC is part of the equitable peace process" Adam said.[...]



Photo: Khalil Ibrahim, rebel leader of the JEM, during a meeting with AU envoy to Darfur Salim Ahmed Salim in the area of Kariarii, near the Chadian border July 8, 2007.

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Feb 4. 2009 report at Sudan Tribune - excerpt:

Sudan 2nd VP holds talks with Turkish officials amid local criticisms:

Sudan's 2nd VP Taha was accompanied in his visit to Turkey by presidential adviser Ghazi Salah Al-Deen, Foreign ministry Undersecretary Mutrif Sideeq and security and intelligence Chief Salah Gosh.

The Sudanese Vice president earlier met with Turkish Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan at the parliament. Afterwards Taha told reporters that his meeting with Koksal tackled “bilateral issues and current issues of common interest to both countries…Darfur definitely on the agenda”.



Photo: TV footage showing Sudanese 2nd Vice president Ali Osman Taha upon his arrival in Turkey February 3, 2009 when he met with the Turkish Prime minister Recep Erdogan.

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Feb. 4, 2009 report from APA-Kampala (Uganda) JM/pm re Museveni-Bashir-ICC:

Sudan President accuses Europe of a re-colonization plot

APA-Kampala (Uganda) Sudanese President Omar al Bashir on Tuesday said his indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a wider plot by European countries to target African leaders and warned that if African leaders allow it to succeed they will be targeted one by one.

Bashir said this when he met Uganda President Yoweri Museveni on the sidelines of the AU summit in Addis Ababa.

According to a State House release from Kampala, Bashir briefed Museveni on the situation in Darfur, which he described as a re-colonization plot by the European countries.

“This ICC indictment is political. Europeans are targeting African leaders. If we allow it to succeed, they will target other heads of state,” he warned.

Museveni said African leaders should institute a committee to investigate the allegations leveled against Bashir by the ICC before they pronounce themselves over the matter.

A committee, headed by former South African President Thabo Mbeki along with other prominent African personalities, has been proposed to investigate the matter.

Bashir dismissed allegations by the ICC that the Sudanese government is carrying out genocide in Darfur.

Contrary to these accusations, his government has done a lot to pacify the region, he said.

He said Sudan was not a member of the ICC and therefore the Sudanese judicial system should handle cases from Darfur, not the ICC.

He said that the ICC indictment is an impediment to a peaceful solution in Darfur.

Museveni agreed with his Sudanese counterpart that the indictment be delayed until independent investigations by the AU committee.

He, however, advised Bashir to ensure that laws of war are respected, such as protection of innocent civilians and punishing leaders of militias who are accused of terrorizing and killing innocent people.

“The ICC indictment means that the government of Sudan is accused of failure to respect war rules,” he said.

He also advised Bashir to use both legal and tradition means to reconcile the Sudanese people affected by war and criticized the practice of Arabising the African tribes in the Sudan.

Photo source: Eric Reeves' blog post at The New Republic: Another Bloodbath in Darfur?
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Feb. 3, 2009 report from CNS News by Patrick Goodenough, International Editor - excerpt:

Gaddafi, Newly Elected African Union Head, Strongly Opposes Darfur Indictment

The Libyan, a former international pariah whose leadership aspirations include founding a “United States of Africa,” has strongly opposed attempts by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to indict Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges relating to the conflict in western Sudan’s Darfur region.

Shortly after prosecutors in The Hague last July accused Bashir of involvement in genocide, crimes against humanity and murder and asked judges to issue an arrest warrant, Gaddafi discussed with Sudanese leaders ways to block what he described as the “false” charges.

Apart from their A.U. connection, Libya and Sudan are both members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), which has closed ranks around Bashir while accusing the ICC of “double standards” for focusing on Sudan rather than other countries, notably Israel.

At the A.U. summit, the president of the body’s administrative Commission, Jean Ping, told the leaders that the bloc was seeking international support for a 12-month postponement in ICC judges’ consideration of the Bashir indictment request, so as “to give a greater chance to the peace process.”

At an A.U. summit in Addis Ababa on Monday, Gaddafi was elected as chairman for the next year. A group of traditional leaders accompanying his delegation hailed him as the “king of kings.”

Photo: Col Gaddafi was elected as the African Union's new head this week. (BBC Feb. 4, 2009: AU summit extended amid divisions)

Feb. 4, 2009 report from Reuters' Africa Blog by Daniel Wallis:

Gaddafi keeps African leaders talking



Despite the extremely tight security at this week’s African Union summit in Ethiopia, one brief lapse gave some journalists covering the meeting a very rare glimpse behind the scenes.

Reporters at the annual meeting in Addis Ababa are normally kept well away from the heads of state, except for the occasional carefully managed press conference, or a brief word thrown in our direction as they sweep past in the middle of a phalanx of sharp-elbowed, scowling bodyguards.

As the talks dragged well past midnight on Tuesday, long after the summit was scheduled to end, a European diplomat approached me and a colleague: “Want to see something interesting?”

Leading us down an outside staircase, we were suddenly confronted with the sight of dozens of African leaders consulting in private.

The curtains in the meeting room had been left open a little, and we had a perfect view of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi holding forth. Gaddafi, who was elected AU chairman at the summit, appeared to be particularly animated — although we couldn’t hear what he was saying.

But as the discussions neared 2 a.m., the other presidents became visibly more and more tired.

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, sitting just a couple of metres away, looked particularly dejected, often holding his head in his hands. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni stared stonily ahead. AU Commission chairman Jean Ping, sitting next to Gaddafi, stifled a few yawns.

But still Gaddafi, who is urging the leaders to agree to his long-held dream of a United States of Africa, pushed on.

I ran to tell colleagues and soon a couple of photographers were snapping away through the glass. It was bright inside, and pitch black outside, so the presidents couldn’t see us.

“Nobody use flash: security will be here in a split second if they see it,” one Kenyan cameraman warned.

And still the talks went on.

Several leaders kept checking their watches, and others began surreptitiously packing their attaché cases, perhaps in the hope of heading back to their hotels to sleep or to enjoy the last few hours of Addis Ababa nightlife.

Then an aide brought the gold-robed Gaddafi another steaming pot of tea.

Would anybody be able to leave before dawn?

Moments later, Museveni decided to act.

Leaving his seat, he walked the length of the hall and whispered something in the Libyan leader’s ear. Gaddafi looked up at him, laughed, and moments later the meeting broke up.

We quit our unprecedented vantage point on the stairs and raced with scores of other journalists, bodyguards and officials to the entrance to the hall. Maybe we would get the press conference we’d been waiting for after all.

But no such luck.

A large posse of burly bodyguards suddenly swept past, Gaddafi at its centre. He was going back to his tent, set up in the gardens of a palatial hotel.

“Go home and sleep,” he told the throngs of reporters thrusting microphones at him and hurling questions. “Come back tomorrow.”

Heh. Great style. He makes me laugh.



Photo: Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf denied Col Gaddafi had stormed out. (BBC Feb. 4, 2009: AU summit extended amid divisions)
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Feb. 5, 2009 report from the Washington Times by Jon Ward and Betsy Pisik - excerpt:

EXCLUSIVE: Obama backs indictment of Sudan leader

"We support the ICC and its pursuit of those who've perpetrated war crimes. We see no reason to support deferral [of the indictment] at this time," said Ben Chang, a spokesman for Mr. Obama's national security adviser, retired Marine Gen. James L. Jones.



Photo: Billboards bearing messages backing Sudanese President Omar Bashir line the road leading to the airport in Khartoum. Agence France-Presse/Getty Images.

UN chief: ICC action diverts attention from implementing peace accord in Sudan

The ICC actions have "a major impact on Sudanese political dynamics and have diverted much attention at a time when outstanding issues related to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) require the parties' cooperation and renewed commitment," UN chief Ban Ki-moon said in his latest report to the UN Security Council on the Sudan.

UN chief: ICC action diverts attention from implementing peace accord in Sudan
February 4, 2009 report by Xinhua editor Zhang Xiang published Feb. 5:

The International Criminal Court (ICC)'s actions against Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir have distracted attention away from implementing a major peace accord, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday.

The ICC actions have "a major impact on Sudanese political dynamics and have diverted much attention at a time when outstanding issues related to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) require the parties' cooperation and renewed commitment," Ban said in his latest report to the UN Security Council on the Sudan.

The CPA, signed in January, 2005 between the government of the Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, ended a long-running north-south civil war in Sudan.

Ban said that while he is encouraged by the assurances of continued support by the government, he is also concerned about remarks by some of its officials that the government may redefine its relationship with the UN mission in Sudan (UNMIS) should an arrest warrant be issued against al-Bashir.

UNMIS was established in March, 2005 by the UN Security Council with a mandate to support the implementation of the CPA.

The secretary-general called upon the government to fulfil its obligations to ensure the safety of United Nations staff and of nationals of the state members of the United Nations in the Sudan.

Last July, ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo filed 10 charges against al-Bashir, including three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder, called for an arrest warrant.

The world court is reviewing the case before deciding on whether to issue such a warrant, which will clear the way for the first indictment of a sitting head of state. A decision could come as early as this month.

Sudan army says captured Muhajiriya area from JEM rebels

Sudan takes control of Darfur town from rebels
February 4, 2009 report from AFP (Khartoum) - excerpt:

Sudanese troops took control of the Darfur town of Muhajaria on Wednesday, two weeks after it was seized by rebels sparking some of the region's worst fighting in years, an army spokesman said.

The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) said its fighters had pulled out of the town after being pounded by government warplanes on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.

"We are inside the town and are following the JEM troops," an army spokesman said, requesting anonymity.

JEM spokesman Suleiman Sandal said that rebels had withdrawn from the town in the western province of Sudan after renewed air strikes. "We are 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the city," he said.

Peacekeepers with the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) reported ongoing shooting and an air strike about one kilometre (less than a mile) from their base in Muhajaria.

The fighting, for which there was no immediate casualty toll, had led civilians to gather around the UNAMID camp and Sudanese soldiers were carrying out patrols within 500 metres (yards) of the camp.

JEM chairman Khalil Ibrahim vowed on Tuesday to pull his fighters out of Muhajaria on condition that rival militiamen loyal to former rebel chief Mini Minnawi did not return to the town they lost last month.

At least 30 civilians were killed and 30,000 displaced in the January clashes. "It was the most violent fighting since the signing of the Darfur peace deal" in mid-2006, an UNAMID official said.

The peacekeeping force ignored a warning from the Sudanese government to pull out its 190 personnel from the town ahead of the army offensive. [...]

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Sudan army says captured key Darfur town
February 4, 2009 report from Reuters by Andrew Heavens in Khartoum - excerpts:

Sudan's army said on Wednesday it had captured a strategic Darfur town after three weeks of clashes with rebels that U.N. officials say have killed at least 30 people and forced thousands of civilians to flee. [...]

Sudan's army spokesman told the state news agency Suna that his forces had entered Muhajiriya, 80 km (50 miles) from the south Darfur capital of Nyala, and were pursuing fighters from the insurgent Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

"The Armed Forces have ... captured Muhajiriya area from the rebel Justice and Equality Movement and is pursuing the fleeing remnants of the rebel movements," the spokesman said.

Joint U.N./African Union peacekeepers said their forces in the town heard gunfire and the sound of three bombs falling around the town during the day.

"Civilians from the market converged on the UNAMID camp and they are still coming," said UNAMID communications chief Kemal Saiki.

UNAMID had promised to stay in Muhajiriya to protect 30,000 civilians, half of whom are residents, half Darfuris displaced from earlier clashes in the near six-year conflict.

Hundreds of women and children who fled fighting in the town over the past three weeks had also started arriving at displacement camps, many of them hundreds of miles away in north Darfur, UNAMID said in a statement. [...]

Sudan's government says the rebel group is building up forces in the region to mark the expected International Criminal Court's decision with a major attack on a city or oil field.

JEM commander Suleiman Sandal denied the group had been pushed out of Muhajiriya, saying it had withdrawn voluntarily to spare the population from government air attacks.

"We felt that the government would continue to bomb the civilians while we were there. So we withdrew a long distance from the town," he told Reuters.

He denied the reports JEM was being pursued. [...]

(Additional reporting by Daniel Wallis in Addis Ababa)

UNAMID wants Sudan and JEM to sign agreement on 1 km square no-fire zone in Muhajiriya, S. Darfur

Darfur's UNAMID peacekeeping force Wednesday said it was hoping to persuade the government and fighters from the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) to sign an agreement to respect a 1 km square no-fire zone in Muhajiriya.

UN/AU representative in Darfur, Rodolphe Adada, was hoping to fly to neighbouring Chad Wednesday to discuss the plan with JEM leaders.

News is starting to emerge saying JEM has made a complete withdrawal to between 50km and 60km from the town.

UNAMID told Reuters their forces heard shooting and three loud explosions around Muhajiriya. A spokesman said it was unclear whether the shots were caused by full-blown fighting, or whether troops from one of the warring parties were firing into the air to celebrate a victory.

Source: (the following reports)

Peacekeepers plan no-fire zone in Darfur town
February 4, 2009 report from Reuters by Andrew Heavens in Khartoum - excerpt:

Peacekeepers said Wednesday they are hoping to set up a no-fire zone to protect 30,000 civilians caught in the middle of clashes between Sudan army troops and rebels in a Darfur town. [...]

Darfur's joint U.N./African Union UNAMID peacekeeping force Wednesday said it was hoping to persuade the government and fighters from the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) to sign an agreement to respect a 1 km square no-fire zone in Muhajiriya.

"Our priority is to protect civilians," said UNAMID communications chief Kemal Saiki. "The idea is to get everyone to agree that you don't bomb in the zone, you don't shell, you don't use small arms to shoot bullets into the zone."

He said UNAMID leaders had already discussed setting up the zone around their base in Muhajiriya with Sudan government and armed forces leaders in Khartoum.

He added the UN/AU representative in Darfur, Rodolphe Adada, was hoping to fly to neighbouring Chad later Wednesday to discuss the plan with JEM leaders. [...]
The U.S. envoy to the United Nations Susan Rice Tuesday said the United States was "gravely concerned" about reports of government bombardment around Muhajiriya, adding that the Security Council was working on the wording of a demand for a cease-fire. (Editing by Richard Balmforth)

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Sudan: Darfur rebels withdraw from key town - remaining civilians seek UN protection from Government attack
February 4, 2009 report from Aegis Trust, UK - excerpt:

Independent sources on the ground confirm that the Justice and Equality Movement force which was holding Muhajeriya, South Darfur, has made a complete withdrawal to between 50km and 60km from the town.

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Gunfire erupts in battled-scarred Darfur town
February 4, 2009 report from Reuters by Andrew Heavens in Khartoum - excerpt:

Gunfire erupted in a battle-scarred town in Sudan's Darfur region on Wednesday, forcing thousands of civilians to take shelter outside a peacekeeping base, officials said.

Joint U.N./African Union peacekeepers told Reuters their forces heard shooting and three loud explosions around Muhajiriya, the scene of three weeks of clashes between rebels and Sudanese government troops that have already killed at least 30.

A spokesman said it was unclear whether the shots were caused by full-blown fighting, or whether troops from one of the warring parties were firing into the air to celebrate a victory.

New head of African Union, Libyan leader Col. Gaddafi, pledges to resolve Darfur crisis

Listen up JEM et al. Immediately upon taking up his new position as chairman of the African Union, Libyan leader Col. Gaddafi wasted no time in warning Sudan and Chad not to violate the AU's rules, which forbid members or rebel groups from overthrowing other governments.

Libyan leader pledges to resolve Darfur crisis
February 04, 2009 Associated Press report by Anita Powell - excerpt:

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi said Wednesday that the crisis in Sudan's western region of Darfur is his personal responsibility now that he has been elected to head the African Union. [...]

In recent months, Darfur rebel groups believed to be supported by Chad have taken key positions in the region, prompting counterattacks by Sudanese forces. In December, Chadian rebel groups signed a unity pact in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

"It is my duty to step in and try to solve this," Gadhafi said during his first news conference as AU chairman. On Monday, he was elected to the post, which is a rotating position held by heads of state for one year. It gives the holder some influence over the continent's politics but carries no real power.

Gadhafi, who has ruled Libya since he seized power in a coup in 1969, warned the two nations not to violate the AU's rules, which forbid members or rebel groups from overthrowing other governments.

"In my capacity as chairman of the African Union, we should make sure that Sudan and Chad apply this constitutive act," he said, referring to the AU's charter. "Any country that violates the constitutive act will be penalized."

He did not elaborate on the possible penalties, but the AU usually punishes offenders first with censure and then, if there is no change, suspension from membership. The latest countries to receive such treatment are Guinea and Mauritania after their respective militaries staged coups against elected governments in recent months. Both nations remain suspended. [...]

Chinese, Sudanese presidents exchange congratulatory messages marking establishment of diplomatic ties

Chinese, Sudanese presidents exchange congratulatory messages marking establishment of diplomatic ties
February 4, 2009 report from Xinhua (Editor: Zhang Xiang):

Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Sudanese counterpart Omar Hassan Ahmed El-Bashir Wednesday exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Sudan.

Hu, in his message, said the bilateral ties have withstood various kinds of tests on the international stage and managed to see a smooth development since the two countries forged the ties half a century ago.

The two sides, depending on each other with sincerity and friendship, have engaged in full cooperation in all fields and produced significant fruits, said Hu, citing examples of their good communication and coordination on such multilateral issues as the China-Africa Cooperation Forum and the settlement of hot regional issues.

Noting both China and Sudan are developing countries, the Chinese president said enhancing the bilateral relationship, characterized by equality, mutual benefit, sincerity and friendship, plays a significant role in deepening South-South cooperation, seeking mutual development and boosting regional peace and stability.

It also benefits the efforts to develop the new type of strategic partnership between China and Africa as well as between China and the Arabic countries, said Hu.

China respects Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said, noting China also supports the African country's efforts to realize the national reconciliation, advance the peace process, develop national economy and improve the people's living standard.

The Chinese leader said China is willing to make joint efforts with Sudan to carry on their traditional friendship, boost pragmatic cooperation and push the friendly cooperation to a new high.

El-Bashir, in his message, hailed the time-honored and strong relations between Sudan and China, saying that Sudan was one of the first group of Arabic countries that established diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China shortly after its founding in 1949.

The Sudanese government is satisfied with the development and progress of the bilateral ties in all fields, he said.

Note, in this report China refers to Sudan as an African country whereas Sudan's President Bashir refers to Sudan as an Arabic country. Although Sudan is an African country it somehow manages to qualify as a member of the African Union and Arab League.

See today's BBC report - No consensus on Africa unity plan - African leaders meeting in Ethiopia fail to reach a consensus on a proposal by Libya's leader for a United States of Africa. Note the part where it says "the Libyan leader appeared to admit defeat and laid his head on the table in despair."

AU, EU sign Financing Agreement for new Africa Peace Facility

AU, EU sign Financing Agreement for new Africa Peace Facility
February 3, 2009 report from Xinhua (ADDIS ABABA):

The African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) has signed during the 12th AU summit the Financing Agreement for the new Africa Peace Facility (APF) which amounts to 384 million U.S. dollars, according to the AU's website.

The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramtane Lamamra and Director General for Development of the EU Stefano Manservisi on Monday signed the agreement, which will amount to 300 million euros (384 million dollars) and will cover the period 2008-2010.

It will include an Early Response Mechanism, which will strengthen the flexibility and rapidity of the APF response, according to the website statement.

The launch of the new APF is a major deliverable of the Partnership on Peace and Security, as provided for under the Lisbon Joint Strategy. It will provide funding for Africa-led Peace Support operations and will support the African Peace and Security Architecture as well as the EU-Africa dialogue on peace and security.

A number of Africa-led peace support operations, including the AU operations in Sudan, in Somalia and the peace support operations of the Economic Community of Central African States in Central Africa Republic, have been supported by the APF.

In addition, an ambitious capacity building program for the AU and the Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution is underway as part of the capacity building component of the APF.

UNMIS Force Commander visits Southern Kordofan state

February 2, 2009 UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) Press Information Note via APO:

“UNMIS Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Paban Thapa, visited Southern Kordofan state, yesterday, 1 February. He met with the acting Governor and Minister of State for Culture, Ali Kuku, as well as with local tribal leaders.

The Force Commander also met the JIU Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Jacot, and the 14th SAF Division Deputy Commander, Brig. Gen. Seddeq.

Maj. Gen. Thapa was briefed on the security situation, as well as on other issues related to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.”

Israeli owner of MV Faina pays $3.2m ransom - Its cargo destined for Darfur? JEM has received heavy military logistical support from Israel?

Pirates receive $3.2 m for Israeli ship
February 3, 2009 report from Press TV Iran:

The Israeli-owner of a Ukrainian-flagged arms-loaded ship held by Somali pirates pays 3.2 million dollars in return for the vessel's release.

The MV Faina and its crew-- 17 Ukrainians, three Russians and one Latvian national-were captured on September 25 in the notorious Somali waters.

The vessel was carrying with a cargo of 33 Soviet-type battle tanks, rocket launchers and ammunition, allegedly expected to reach rebels in the Sudanese violent Darfur region.

On Tuesday, a plane from South Africa carrying $ 3.2 million dropped the demanded ransom onto the Faina upon an agreement between the pirates and the ship's owner, Press TV correspondent reported.

The pirates said they will release the ship in a few hours, as soon as they count the sum and confirm there are no warships to hunt them.

The news comes after the Israeli owner of the vessel had earlier refused to hold talks with the bandits, who had repeatedly threatened the lives of the crew members unless they were paid a multi-million ransom.

The capture of the arms-laden ship four months ago triggered a controversy over the cargo's final destination.

The pirates' spokesman Sugule Ali said in October that the ship was originally destined for Sudan using the Kenyan port city of Mombasa as a stopover.

Sudan's state media also revealed the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Darfur's most powerful rebel group, has received considerably heavy military logistical support from Israel. MRS/DT

Last year, I followed this story closely and published several reports on the hijacking of MV Faina but this is the first time I've seen it said that MV Faina was Israeli owned and that its cargo was expected to reach rebels in Darfur. Rumours were that the cargo was destined for Southern Sudan. Interesting. Can it be true that JEM has received considerably heavy military logistical support from Israel? The world's media covered the MV Faina story and (unless I've missed something) nobody mentioned that the vessel was Israeli owned. After five years of the world's spotlight being put on Darfur, we still don't know what is going on in the secret world of the Darfur rebel leaders and their shadowy financiers. I wonder why.

UPDATE (5 minutes later)
I've just remembered this. See my blog Kenya Watch, October 08, 2008: A businessman from Odessa with an Israeli passport is the man behind Russian tanks shipment destined for Govt of South Sudan (GOSS) via Mombasa?

Also, see Sudan Watch - October 09, 2008: MV Faina cargo was for Ethiopia? NATO agrees to join anti-piracy operations off coast of Somalia: seven of its frigates will arrive within two weeks

Sudan Watch - October 31, 2008: Ukraine says military hardware carried by hijacked Ukrainian ship MV Faina had been officially sold to Kenya


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Somali pirates announce immediate release of Ukrainian ship
February 3, 2009 report from Xinhua (NAIROBI) Editor Yang Lina:

Somali pirates who have been holding a Ukrainian ship with military weapons on board have announced their intention to immediately release the ship along with its 20 crew members.

Andrew Mwangura, East Africa's Coordinator of Seafarers Assistance Program (SAP) said the pirates may very soon release the MV Faina which was captured in September with its 20-man crew and a cargo of Soviet-era T-72 tanks.

"We have heard that the pirates are willing to release the ship.This may be possible because the pirates are in direct contacts with the ship owners," Mwangura told Xinhua by telephone on Tuesday.

The development came after Ukraine's foreign ministry urged theowner of the Faina vessel to publicly report on progress made in the talks to free the crew.

The Ukrainian ministry said the ship owner is in talks with the pirates and is informed of the details of the negotiations.

The MV Faina is currently moored off Somalia's coast close to the town of Hobyo. There have been conflicting reports of where the Faina and its cargo were destined.

Kenya has insisted that the shipment was destined for its military. But regional diplomats said it was bound for the autonomous government of south Sudan, in possible contravention ofa peace accord.

The waters off the Somali coast are considered to be some of the world's most dangerous. Pirates have hijacked several ships last year and attacked many more.

Most attacks have been in the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and north Somalia, a major route leading to the Suez Canal linking Europe and Asia.

Click on Faina label here below to view related reports and updates.

UN/AU chief mediator Djibril Bassole says Darfur rebels should speak with one voice

UN chief mediator seeks joint peace front in Darfur
February 3, 2008 report from afriquejet.com by Kennedy Abwao, PANA Correspondent, Editor Yang Lina (Ababa, Ethiopia) - excerpt:

Darfur rebels should form a united front in their negotiations with the Sudanese government for a political agreement to end the conflict in western Sudan, chief UN mediator Djibril Bassole said here Tuesday.

In an exclusive interview with PANA, Bassole, who is also the chief mediator for the African Union, said that the rebel groups had agreed to kick-off substantive dialogue with the Sudanese government but remained disunited in their approach.

"The rebels should speak with one voice. They are fighting for the same cause to better the lives of the Darfur people. They are fighting to get good governance, economic inclusion and the inclusion of women in governance.

"They (rebel groups) are divided. My duty is to call on all of parties to be united to start the mediation process," the mediator said on the sidelines of the current African Union summit in Addis Ababa. [...]

"I agreed to be mediator because I believed there was need for better conditions for the people living in African villages. These are the issues bringing conflict and the reasons why Africans are fighting," the former Burkina Faso Foreign Minister said.

The UN/AU peace mediator, who took over his new task in August 2008 after his appointment was endorsed by African leaders at a meeting in Egypt, said that the substantive peace dialogue in Darfur was progressing despite the obvious setbacks.

He said that the division among the rebel groups in Darfur remained a stumbling block for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, and that the resumption of fighting in the volatile region threatened to tear apart steps already taken to bring peace.

Bassole said that the political process was facing imminent threats from the expected issuance of a verdict from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which could see the arrest of the Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir to face war crime charges.

Note that whilst the Darfur rebels constantly fail to get their act together, they continue to delude themselves by presuming they are fit to govern Sudan and more able to do a better job of it than the current regime in Khartoum.
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SEE UPDATE AT SUDAN WATCH 05 FEBRUARY 2009: Arab League meetings in Doha headed by Qatar to discuss ICC arrest warrant against Sudan's Bashir & Qatari peace bid - Obama backs Bashir indictment

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Muhajaria, S. Darfur: JEM have deliberately placed themselves in areas of heavily populated by civilians (Update 1)

UN rights chief alarmed by Darfur fighting
February 3, 2009 AFP report (Geneva):

The UN's top human rights official Navi Pillay said she was "alarmed" Tuesday by reports of deteriorating conditions faced by civilians amid an upsurge in violence in south Darfur.

Fighting between the Sudanese army and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebels is jeopardizing the safety of civilians, she said, calling for all sides to respect the obligation of protecting civilians.

At least 30 people, including women and children, have been reportedly killed and 30,000 people displaced in violence which broke out in the Muhajaria area of south Darfur on January 15, she said.

"I'm extremely concerned at the impact the fighting is having on the already dire humanitarian situation in Muhajaria," Pillay said, adding that aid agencies have had to evacuate their staff over safety fears.

"The fighting is reported to have involved ground offensives and indiscriminate aerial bombardment by government forces that failed to distinguish between civilian communities and military targets," she said.

"JEM forces are also reported to have deliberately placed themselves in areas heavily populated by civilians, thereby jeopardizing their safety," she added.

Air raids also struck near Muhajaria Monday, following a warning to UNAMID from the Sudanese government on Sunday to withdraw its 190 peacekeepers from the area ahead of an offensive to recapture it from JEM rebels.

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Sudan rejects Darfur rebel offer
February 3, 2009 Reuters report by Andrew Heavens in Khartoum:

Sudan's government said on Tuesday the army would take a battle-scarred Darfur town by force, rejecting a rebel offer to withdraw if peacekeepers assumed control there.

JEM rebels offered to pull out of Muhajiriya as long as peacekeepers ran it as a military-free zone, but the Sudanese government rejected this.

JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim told Reuters Tuesday he was prepared to pull his forces out of Muhajiriya following an appeal for a JEM withdrawal by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

"That is with one condition: that the army and the government and Minni Minnawi should not come there ... It should be a non-military zone for civilians and IDPs (internally displaced people) and UNAMID," he said.

"If they come back, we will come back."

ASSAULT PLANNED

Sudan foreign ministry spokesman Ali al-Sadig rejected JEM's proposal.

"This will not be acceptable to the government. There is no room for conditions from JEM. The army is determined to re-take it (Muhajiriya) by force," he told Reuters.

UNAMID spokesman Noureddine Mezni said the UN/AU representative in Darfur, Rodolphe Adada, was planning to fly to neighbouring Chad Wednesday to meet JEM commanders.

UNAMID has promised to stay in the settlement to protect 30,000 civilians, half of whom are residents, half Darfuris displaced from earlier clashes in the near six-year conflict.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said on Tuesday she was worried about the fate of civilians, adding that at least 30 people had died since January 15.

"The fighting is reported to have involved ground offensives and indiscriminate aerial bombardment by government forces that failed to distinguish between civilian communities and military targets," Pillay said.

"JEM forces are also reported to have deliberately placed themselves in areas heavily populated by civilians, therefore jeopardising their safety." (Additional reporting by Daniel Wallis in Addis Ababa and Laura MacInnis in Geneva; Editing by Charles Dick)

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Darfur rebels offer to leave battle-scarred town
February 3, 2009 Reuters report by Andrew Heavens in Khartoum:

Darfur rebels said on Tuesday they were ready to withdraw from a battle-scarred town as long as peacekeepers took control and ran it as a military-free zone.

JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim on Tuesday told Reuters he was prepared to pull his forces out of the area following an appeal for a JEM withdrawal by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

"That is with one condition: that the army and the government and Minni Minnawi should not come there ... It should be a non-military zone for civilians and IDPs (internally displaced people) and UNAMID," he said.

"If they come back, we will come back."

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UNAMID statement on the situation in Muhajeriya
February 2, 2009 UNAMID El Fasher:

The African Union – United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) received yesterday a request from the Government of Sudan to withdraw its forces from Muhajeriya, approximately 80 kilometers east of Nyala, South Darfur, due to the recent deterioration of the security situation in the area.

Highly conscious of its responsibilities in Darfur, UNAMID has initiated diplomatic and political consultations, at the highest levels, with the Government of Sudan. These discussions, which are still ongoing, aim at ensuring that the Mission’s presence in Muhajeriya is maintained, so that it can continue to carry out its mandated tasks of providing protection to the civilian population and secure the provision of humanitarian assistance to those who need it.

This is particularly crucial in view of the 30,000 civilians living in the area, including more than 1,500 persons displaced by the latest fighting and who have recently clustered around Muhajeriya UNAMID base.

UNAMID diplomatic efforts and consultations also include engaging non-governmental belligerent parties. To this effect, Mr. Rodolphe Adada, UNAMID Joint Special Representative, will travel to neighboring Chad to meet and discuss with representatives of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), which was involved in the recent fighting in the Muhajeriya area.

While UNAMID expects the Government of Sudan to fulfill its obligations to provide security for all of its citizens, it urges all parties to refrain from further fighting and acts of violence that could only jeopardize the safety and welfare of the people of Darfur and the ongoing peace efforts.

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UN Secretary-General gravely concerned by situation around Muhajeria
February 1, 2009 (UNAMID) Statement from Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Darfur:

The Secretary-General is gravely concerned by reports of a build-up of Government and rebel forces in the area around Muhajeria in South Darfur, and by the possibility of renewed fighting between the Government and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

The Secretary-General calls on the Government of Sudan and the JEM to cease all military activities in South Darfur. The Secretary-General reminds all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law and expresses his deep concern over the suffering which these military confrontations would bring to the civilian population, including the thousands of internally displaced persons who have sought refuge in camps and villages surrounding Muhajeria.

The Secretary-General reiterates that the African Union/United Nations Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) will continue to do its utmost to protect civilians in these difficult circumstances and reminds the parties of their fundamental responsibility to work with UNAMID to ensure that civilians are protected from harm.

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Security zone in Darfur town seized by Sudanese rebels
February 4, 2009 report from Xinhua (Khartoum) dated Feb. 3 (Editor: Mu Xuequan):

A security zone that was established in a town in the war-torn western Sudanese region of Darfur in order to protect UN and African Union peacekeepers as well as civilians, has fallen into the hands of rebels, a Sudanese army spokesman announced on Tuesday.

The one-square-km security zone was established around a camp of the UN-AU hybrid peacekeeping force (UNAMID) in the town of Muhajiriya, 80 km east of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State.

Muhajiriya, which had been controlled by the Sudan Liberation Movement-Miniwi faction led by Mini Arkou Miniwi who signed a peace agreement with the Sudanese government in May, 2006, was seized by militants of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in mid-January.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of the government asked the UNAMID to evacuate its staff from the town on Monday because the SAF was planning to launch an attack to re-take the disputed town, the SAF spokesman said in a statement.

However, the UNAMID turned down the demand, noting that a large number of civilians were taking shelter in the UNAMID camp since the rebel militants occupied the town and the evacuation of the UNAMID staff would leave these civilians in danger.

The UNAMID proposed the security zone which the peacekeeping force promised to prevent the JEM militants from approaching, the spokesman said, noting that the SAF agreed to the proposal.

He reiterated that the SAF would do its best to help the UNAMID to perform its tasks in Darfur.

Meanwhile, the JEM has offered to pull out its troops from Muhajiriya "taking in consideration the safety of the civilians in the town", the Paris-based Sudan Tribune reported in its website on Tuesday.

Ahmed Hussein Adam, the official spokesperson of the rebel movement said they were ready to withdraw their troops from Muhajiriya provided the town was declared a demilitarized zone under the control of the hybrid peacekeeping force.

He added that Sudanese army or former rebels led by Mini Miniwi should remain away from the town.

But the Sudanese government has immediately rejected the offer saying there is "no room for conditions from the JEM", according to the report.

On Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and the U.S. administration urged the JEM rebels to give up Muhajiriya.

"I have urged the JEM to withdraw from Muhajiriya in order to avoid an escalation of violence, and the Sudanese authorities to use maximum restraint," said the UN secretary-general in an address to an AU summit meeting in Addis Ababa.

The U.S. State Department joined in condemning the rebel capture of Muhajiriya and demanded the JEM withdraw from the town.

See Sudan Watch 1 Feb 09 for compilation of previous news reports on Muhajaria, South Darfur: Sudan asks UNAMID to leave Muhajeria, South Darfur - Sudan preparing counter-attack on Muhajiriya, after losing it to rival JEM (Update 10)

Warning: disturbing images. URGENT MESSAGE to warring factions in Sudan: STOP KILLING YOUR PEOPLE IN DARFUR - GIVE PEACE A CHANCE

In haste, here is a copy of a post I wrote for Sudan Watch, drafted last December but not published until today:

This morning I awoke early and switched on my computer to find an anonymously authored email with photos attached. Here is a copy of the email together with my (unsent) reply, some of the photos and news of the chief Darfur peace mediator's warning that a recent surge in fighting is endangering civilians and undermining hopes for a settlement.

Hello

Sudan Watch post on 4 December reminded that there is enormous evil in the world and great deception. This is a great moral struggle and you faltered. I send these images as a witness to truth, please return to.

reAd your latest post on Sudan and frankly was I appalled by statements:

I actually feel sorry for Mr Bashir because I believe he has worked tirelessly to hold Sudan together and has done a good job.

The other reason I feel so disappointed is that this latest news from the ICC is music to the rebels ears and emboldens them along with millions of their uneducated followers sitting doing nothing at the expense of millions of hardworking, law abiding tax payers around the world

Please they can go no where back to there land.

In Christ Almighty, Bear Witness to the Desperate

Here pictures [...]

(captions by author of Sudan Watch)



MESSAGE TO WARRING FACTIONS IN SUDAN: TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOUR WAR IS DOING TO YOUR PEOPLE



WAR BEGETS WAR. PEACE BEGETS PEACE.



GIVE PEACE A CHANCE



DON'T KILL YOUR PEOPLE. LOVE YOUR PEOPLE.



MESSAGE TO WARRING FACTIONS IN SUDAN: TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOUR WAR IS DOING TO YOUR PEOPLE



STOP YOUR DARFUR WAR. GIVE PEACE A CHANCE



MESSAGE TO WARRING FACTIONS IN SUDAN: TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOUR WAR IS DOING TO YOUR PEOPLE



GIVE PEACE A CHANCE



MESSAGE TO WARRING FACTIONS IN SUDAN: TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOUR WAR IS DOING TO YOUR PEOPLE



GIVE PEACE A CHANCE



MESSAGE TO WARRING FACTIONS IN SUDAN: TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOUR WAR IS DOING TO YOUR PEOPLE



WAR BEGETS WAR. PEACE BEGETS PEACE.



GIVE PEACE A CHANCE



To the anonymous emailer I would like to say this:

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to contact me with your heartfelt message and disturbing images.

Yes I agree there is enormous evil in the world and great deception by people who are fit and well and driven by self interest.

If you had followed Sudan Watch on a real time basis over the past 4.5 years, you would know how many thousands of hours I have spent deploring the plight of the defenceless people of Sudan, especially defenceless women and children and peacekeepers. I have spent thousands of hours publishing news on the shortage of water in Sudan and the urgent need for clean drinking water.

I am not a defender of the rebels or the Sudanese government. I am against people who use violence to get what they want.

My political compass is that of Mahatma Gandhi's. I believe his Salt March was much more effective than the senseless use of guns and munitions.

As your pictures show, there is nothing good to say about armed struggles. The archives of Sudan Watch hold many posts about Kalma camp. There are also reports on what happened to Haskanita. I wish I had a batch of photos of the injuries sustained by peackeepers and government personnel. War stinks. And yet the savedarfurcrowd are calling for military intervention: in other words MORE WAR!

All wars end in a political settlement. So why not get Al-Nur out his comfy armchair in Paris and get him to peace talks.

I am glad you were appalled by my statements, at least it shows that someone reads what I am publishing. Sudan Watch contains nigh on 4,000 postings. On average the majority of postings contain more than one entry, in some cases ten separate entries. There are at least 10,000 news reports and more than 2,000 photos. Bearing in mind that one post can take several hours to put together, I would guess that over 4.5 years it represents at least 40,000 hours on raising awareness of what is happening in Sudan. Had I been paid to do so, I would have earned at least £400,000 - £800,000 - for sure, over $1m. This blog is a labour of love, freely given for the children of Sudan, in the name of peace.

In all honesty, I can vouch for the fact that Mr Bashir has worked tirelessly to hold Sudan together. The truth of such a statement can be found in the entire archives of Sudan Watch. Sudan has not become a failed state and, despite over 30 armed groups freely running amok in Sudan while Al Qaeda is entrenched in Khartoum, I think the Sudanese can thank their lucky stars that their country has not become a Somalia.

The largest humanitarian operation in the world exists in Sudan. The Darfur war is costing unimagineable misery, pain, grief and suffering.

Only recently have I come to the conclusion that 90% - or maybe even 99% of people are inherently wicked. When the chips are down, there is a fine line between humans and beasts. Survival of the fittest.

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DARFUR MEDIATOR: FIGHTING UNDERMINING HOPES OF RESOLVING CONFLICT
January 29, 2009 report from Associated Press (CAIRO, Egypt) via international.jpost.com:

The chief Darfur peace mediator has warned that a recent surge in fighting in the remote region of Sudan is undermining hopes of resolving the six-year conflict.

The envoy for the UN and African Union has spent months meeting with rebel groups and government officials to try to craft a peace agreement.

New fighting, however, has gripped parts of Darfur this month. The main rebel group seized control of a town in southern Darfur and advanced on the region's government-controlled capital in the north.

Bassole said Thursday that the fighting is endangering civilians and undermining hopes for a settlement. He called on all sides to stop fighting. Up to 300,000 people have been killed since 2003 and millions have been displaced.

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Related reports

Nov. 29, 2008 - Sudan Watch: Launch of a joint Arab-African peace initiative for Darfur: Qatari Peace Bid: UN, EU, AU, AL, UK, US & France support the joint Arab-African peace initiative for Darfur led by Qatar & Sudan People's Forum (SPF) - Qatar have proposed to host peace talks to end the five year war in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.

Jan. 26, 2009 - Sudan Watch: ICC's case against Sudan's President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir is a mess riddled with flaws - UNSC must invoke Article 16

Jan. 19, 2009 - Sudan Watch: Attn: Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir & First Vice-President Salva Kiir Mayardit, A Scientifically Verified Option to Bring Lasting Peace to Sudan

Jan. 16, 2009 - Sudan Watch: South Sudan's leader Salva Kiir warns of return to civil war

PEACE PROCESSES AND AGREEMENTS

-The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)
- The Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA)
- The Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (ESPA)
- - -

Noteworthy cartoon via Boston Globe

Change the names to Ibrahim's JEM and Al-Nur's SLA - and you get the picture that:

JEM and the SLA Agree on Something



I wish someone would show this cartoon to the Darfur rebel groups so they can see themselves as others see them, and implore them please to stop killing their people and GIVE PEACE A CHANCE.