AU adopts African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. Nearly a billion people are going to bed hungry -– one in seven people on Earth

I note that the Africa Union has made it clear that it will not accept unconstitutional changes of power such as recently took place in Guinea and Mauritania. It has further taken the lead in demanding a quick return to constitutional legality. I welcome and encourage this strong, principled and consistent approach and commend the African Union for the adoption of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon

Development of Africa's infrastructure key to economic growth, social progress, says Secretary-General in Addis Ababa address

Source: United Nations Secretary-General
Date: 02 Feb 2009

SG/SM/12084
AFR/1805

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's address to the Summit Meeting of the African Union in Addis Ababa, 2 February:

It gives me a great pleasure to join you for this important session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. I thank Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and the Government and people of Ethiopia for their warm hospitality. I also thank President Kikwete and Chairperson Ping for their dynamic leadership at this challenging time for the African Union.

Before I begin my substantial remarks, I would like to express sympathy and condolences to President Kibaki of Kenya for the recent tragic accident where over 100 people have been killed.

I extend my deep admiration and respect to all the leaders of the African Union.

The African Union meets at a critical period in Africa's search for development in greater peace and security. I welcome African countries' ongoing efforts to perfect their union. I can assure you that I and my staff at the United Nations are committed to doing everything within our capacity to support you.

As you know, I recently travelled through the Middle East seeking a durable and sustainable ceasefire to the conflict in Gaza. The casualties were unacceptable by any standards. We have a fragile ceasefire at this point, but it must be sustained and the crossings opened. Steps must be taken towards Palestinian unity taken to ensure that Gaza is rebuilt and that conditions are in place for the conclusion of a comprehensive peace in the region. In my capacity as Secretary-General, I am committed to making this fragile ceasefire a durable and sustainable ceasefire, working together with the leaders of the region and the international community.

What the recent conflict in Gaza teaches us is that prevention is better than cure. It also underscores the importance of working towards sustainable political solutions. The United Nations, therefore, particularly welcomes the various regional initiatives in Africa that are potentially much more effective than preventive diplomacy launched from New York. Of course, regional initiatives carry not only the privilege of priority, but also greater ownership and the responsibility of effective delivery.

All of us can take pleasure in the progress to a political settlement in Somalia, and I particularly want to congratulate President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, who is with us here today. We have all worked hard to get to where we are, but there is much that remains to be done to alleviate the suffering of the Somalians. The people of Somalia must build on their excellent start in Djibouti to achieve a truly national political and social compact. The United Nations will take the lead in building up the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) and strengthening Somali national forces with the international community doing its part to provide equipment and support. We should also plan, if considered appropriate, for the incorporation of AMISOM into a United Nations peacekeeping force in the months ahead. We appreciate the determination of the international community to fight against piracy activities along the coasts of Somalia.

In Darfur, insecurity and intense suffering prevail despite the commendable support of the international community and the courageous humanitarian, peacekeeping and mediation efforts of our colleagues on the ground. I urge the Government of the Sudan and the rebel groups to stop immediately all kinds of violent activity, which jeopardize the peace process and threaten the lives of civilians. I have urged the JEM to withdraw from Muhajeria in order to avoid an escalation of violence, and the Sudanese authorities to use maximum restraint. It is important to ensure that the situation in Darfur does not impact negatively on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. As you know, elections within this framework were planned to take place by July, but delays in setting up the requisite infrastructure for elections may make this deadline hard to meet.

The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) was fully able to deploy more than 60 per cent of its troops by the end of December. We shall continue to accelerate the deployment. I urge the countries that have pledged troops to deploy them as soon as possible. UNAMID still lacks several critical assets, such as 18 utility helicopters.

I am grateful to the Government of Ethiopia for its pledge of tactical helicopters. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, recent setbacks in the eastern part of the country have now taken a dramatic turn for the better. But the situation on the ground is still fragile. We will strengthen the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) to better protect civilian populations and provide humanitarian assistance. We should also acknowledge the significant achievements made in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the successful holding of presidential elections, the functioning of its legislative bodies and marked improvement in the security situation. The spirit behind the new cooperation in the east should be the basis for building lasting peace in this long-troubled area. The United Nations remains deeply invested in the search for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I urge an immediate end to the senseless violence against innocent civilians. Perpetrators of such crimes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere should know that they will not go unpunished wherever they happen; they will have to be accountable.

On Zimbabwe, I welcome the National Unity Government as the first step towards full democracy. But there is still a long way to go. The United Nations has supported the mediation efforts of the South African Development Community (SADC), and I am pleased that the two sides have now agreed to work together. I urge all sides to build on the hard-won breakthrough which has taken place so that the international community can partner with Zimbabwe in meeting the desperate humanitarian needs of its people. I will immediately send a high-level humanitarian mission to Zimbabwe. The United Nations remains ready to help this Government as it moves forward. We must all remain watchful to ensure that the human rights and democratic freedoms of all Zimbabweans are protected.

In West Africa, we have witnessed a reduction in the number of destructive and internecine conflicts, as well as several peaceful, democratic transfers of power.

I commend Ghana for its recent smooth democratic transition of power and my congratulations to the people of Ghana. To keep this momentum going in the region, it is essential that a date be set for the presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire. However, drug trafficking is becoming a major challenge to security and governance in West Africa, as traffickers are taking advantage of porous borders, inadequate security and limited national capacity. We are working closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to roll back this dangerous phenomenon. But these efforts have only just begun.

I note that the Africa Union has made it clear that it will not accept unconstitutional changes of power such as recently took place in Guinea and Mauritania. It has further taken the lead in demanding a quick return to constitutional legality. I welcome and encourage this strong, principled and consistent approach and commend the African Union for the adoption of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. I am particularly concerned about recent developments in Madagascar and urge all parties to address their differences peacefully and through existing constitutional mechanisms.

Our world continues to face urgent and complex challenges. A grave international economic and financial crisis. Climate change. High food prices. Energy insecurity. The global economic crisis is unprecedented in scale and scope. It is erasing jobs and undermining with alarming speed the hard-won gains of recent years. For a majority of people, particularly those in developing countries, the most painful and terrifying phase of the crisis has only just begun.

In Africa, its negative effects will reach not only growth, trade and financial flows but also the fight against poverty and the likelihood of reduced official development assistance (ODA). In responding to the crisis, the international community must take account of the needs of the poorest countries and stimulus packages should take this appropriately into consideration. I have made my consistent and strong message to the developed world while I welcome the national stimulus packages to address this financial crisis, they should never lose sight of the challenges of the most vulnerable people. They should keep their commitment on ODA; they should keep their commitment of fighting against climate change, fighting against this food crisis. And I'm sure that they have taken note of my strong message and this is going to be my message when I attend the G20 {Group of 20] Summit Meeting in London in April. Emerging and developing countries should have greater voice and representation in the new international financial system and all around cooperation will be needed to protect the gains made towards achieving the MDGs.

It is healthy, well-nourished and educated people who will drive development and prosperity on this continent. However, last year's dramatic rises in world food prices were especially hard on the poor. Nearly a billion people are going to bed hungry -– one in seven people on Earth.

We are encouraging a two-track approach at the global level to help those at immediate risk while tackling the underlying causes of the crisis. The High-Level Task Force I formed last May has proposed a Comprehensive Framework for Action that links improved nutrition, food security, agriculture, social protection, functioning markets and fair trade. In addition, I recently joined the Prime Minister of Spain in hosting a high-level meeting on food security last Monday which agreed on a number of steps to achieve this goal.

Africa should not have food shortages. I commend the African Union for establishing the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). I would be delighted if this process could be driven by African agriculture, and involve African Governments, farmers' organizations and businesses. Our Task Force will do all it can to help achieve this goal.

One of the immediate priorities must be to help smallholder farmers before the next planting season starts.

Climate change remains on the front burner of global concerns. Various studies have shown that Africa will be one of the regions most affected even though it has not contributed much to the problem. Our objective, however, should be seamless cooperation to tackle this problem by showing political will, providing resources and seeking an international treaty by the end of this year through the United Nations Framework Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Time is short to achieve these goals. This is why I regard 2009 as the year of climate change. I trust that recent steps taken by African countries to adopt a coherent approach on climate change will enable them to participate actively in the forthcoming negotiations.

I welcome your choice of infrastructure as the focus of this Summit, as infrastructural development is key to economic growth and social progress. Africa needs good roads, schools and hospitals; as well as reliable and efficient water services, electricity grids and telecom networks; while information and communication technologies must also be a bigger part of Africa's future. These remain the building blocks for job creation and the ability to compete in global markets.

Infrastructure development is an opportunity to go green. Greater use of renewable energy would increase access and protect against climate change. Geothermal energy in the Great Rift Valley; solar energy in the Sahara; hydropower and rainwater harvesting; these all have great potential to create jobs and lay the groundwork for tomorrow's low-carbon economy.

Given the large number of small and landlocked countries, and shared resource belts, regional approaches to providing infrastructure are essential. The various African river basin initiatives are a good first step in this regard. There is a great benefit to be derived from the economies of scale that cross-border cooperation brings. This should be complemented by public-private partnerships, building of indigenous scientific and technological capacities and tangible investments in education.

The MDG Africa Steering Group, which I established after attending the African Union Summit here in Addis Ababa two years ago, has estimated that $52 billion in public and private investment would be needed annually to address Africa's critical infrastructure needs. All of us should support the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa's efforts to mobilize these resources. Investing in Africa's infrastructure is a cornerstone of Africa's development. We must rededicate ourselves to this vital objective.

Africa's strong commitment to improving governance including through the African Peer Review Mechanism has contributed to the consolidation of peace and security and improved economic management. I strongly urge you to forge ahead in this constructive path. As Secretary-General of the United Nations, I shall continue to call on Africa's development partners to fulfil their commitments to the continent, even in this time of crisis.

With your strong leadership, matched by strong partnership from the international community, Africa will be transformed for the better in the future.

I thank you for your kind attention and I count on your leadership and vision.

Draft Doha Agreement on Darfur could lead to a final peace agreement in 3 months

February 8, 2009 KUNA report from Borglobe.com by Hussein Ibrahim, Khartoum:

Sudanese cautiously awaiting Doha agreement on Darfur

Sudanese circles are cautiously awaiting the initialing of an agreement between the Khartoum government and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) over peace in Darfur, due in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Monday.

The draft agreement, distributed here on parties concerned, of which KUNA obtained a copy, calls for cessation of military operations and hostile actions, improving security situation in Darfur and forming a committee, in which Qatar is represented, to prepare for negotiations.

It also called on Sudanese parties to promote political dialogue and create suitable atmosphere for final negotiations' round, due to be held in Doha and will lead to a final peace agreement.

The final peace agreement should be signed three months after the initialing of the deal maximum.

A Sudanese politician said all indications showed that progress was possible this time specially that the Arab League-sponsored Qatari mediation was backed by the international community. "We think peace is reachable because all parties have shown readiness and seriousness this time," Hassan Abu Sabib, an official in the Democratic Union Party, told KUNA.

The Sudanese government and JEM are under pressure and are inclined to reach a peace agreement swiftly, observers said.

The Sudanese government is under pressure by the International Criminal Court (ICC) where an arrest warrant was considered against President Omar Al-Bashir on genocide charges in Darfur.

The JEM, however, is also suffering a setback following its defeat by government forces in Muhajirya area.

Other rebel groups in Darfur are not present in Doha.

JEM, the most powerful militarily among the groups, is insisting that it represents all groups but the UN hopes that other factions would participate.

Secretary General of the ruling party Mandor Al-Mahdi said in a statement Sunday a government delegation would head to Doha "with an open heart and mind to reach a framework agreement over issues like power sharing, resources and security arrangement for upcoming negotiations." the Arab League and African Union (AU) assigned Qatar to sponsor the negotiations in yet another bid to end six years of conflicts that killed and displaced over two million people.

Officials from Sudan and JEM have begun to arrive in Doha, Qatar for talks attended by joint UN/AU mediator Djibril Bassolé

February 9, 2009 Voice of America report by Derek Kilner (Nairobi) - excerpt:

Sudan and Rebels Set to Start Talks in Qatar

Representatives of Sudan's Justice and Equality rebel movement are set to begin discussions with the Sudanese government this week in Qatar, in a bid to revive a peace process for the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region. Rebel representatives have been meeting with Egyptian officials in Cairo before the Qatar talks.

Officials from the Sudanese government and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement, known as JEM, have begun to arrive in the Qatari capital, Doha.

JEM's head of training and strategic planning, Abdullahi Osman El-Tom told VOA from Ireland that rebel representatives were still meeting with Egyptian officials in Cairo, and that discussions in Qatar were to begin Tuesday.

The negotiations, which will be attended by the joint U.N.-A.U. mediator, Djibril Bassolé, represent the latest attempt to revive the stalled peace process for the Darfur conflict. JEM, along with most other rebel factions, rejected a 2006 peace agreement, and the group boycotted negotiations held in 2007 in Libya.

The Justice and Equality Movement will be represented in Qatar by Djibril Ibrahim, an advisor to the group's leader, Khalil Ibrahim, and the government side by Nafi'e al Nafi'e, an advisor to President Omar al-Bashir. El-Tom said the discussions are simply a first step to re-establish contact between the two sides.

"We want to meet the other side, that is the government party, just an ice breaker. And then we will try to schedule ways of how to move forward, but the agenda is more or less open," he said. "But the most important thing is to focus on putting an end to the violence in Darfur and improving the situation of the IDPs and refugees."

None of Darfur's numerous other rebel groups will be represented, including factions of the Sudan Liberation Movement.

JEM, which has recently been the most active group militarily, has criticized previous efforts at negotiations for involving too many marginal players. But some observers worry that a process that does not involve at least some of the other more prominent factions will have limited effectiveness. [...]

In Cairo, JEM representatives met with Egyptian officials about a possible role for Egypt, which borders Sudan to the north, in future negotiations. Egypt is also sending its foreign minister and intelligence chief to Sudan this week. [...]

Egypt’s intelligence chief Umar Suleiman and Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit are visiting Sudan this week

February 09, 2009 report from The Media Line: - excerpt:

Egypt Top Brass Head for Sudan

Egypt’s intelligence chief ‘Umar Suleiman and Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit are visiting Sudan this week, the Egyptian government announced. [...]

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Husam Zaki said the two senior officials would be traveling to the neighboring Sudan to discuss developments in the Arab world, and specifically in Sudan.

Relations between Sudan and Egypt were recently strained after the Sudanese president attended a meeting in Qatar, which was boycotted by Egypt.

The meeting, which discussed the Palestinian plight during Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip, was viewed by Egypt as a gathering of the more extremist voices, including Syria and Iran. Cairo was concerned it was undermining its efforts to mediate a cease-fire.

The meeting pitted Arab powers against each other, with Syria, Iran, Qatar and Hamas on the one side and Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Authority on the other.

Egypt is opposed to an ICC indictment against Al-Bashir, expressing concern that this could fuel more violence in the region. [...]

UNAMID helicopter shot at by unidentified gunmen near its HQ in El-Fasher, Darfur

Darfur gunmen hit peacekeeping helicopter
February 9, 2009 Reuters report by Andrew Heavens in Khartoum - excerpt:

Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a peacekeeping helicopter on Monday as it flew over Sudan's Darfur region, smashing its windscreen, officials said. [...]

The joint U.N./African Union UNAMID peacekeeping mission said its Mi-8 helicopter was hit as it ferried food supplies 70 km (43 miles) southwest of El Fasher, the force's headquarters.

"We are lucky no one was injured," said UNAMID spokesman Noureddine Mezni. "This is a very serious incident -- unacceptable. We are here to keep peace. We are not part of the conflict."

UNAMID helicopters came under fire several times last year. The force has said it fears rebel groups are targeting their aircraft, mistaking them for government helicopters which, despite regular protests, often use the same white livery.

Sudan government officials are due to meet members of Darfur's rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in Qatar late on Monday for their first official talks since 2007. JEM officials said the discussions would begin in earnest on Tuesday.

Both sides said they were planning to discuss possible confidence building measures, including a ceasefire, which could pave the way to full peace negotiations.

Sudan's government last year said it wanted to invite all Darfur rebel groups to peace talks in Doha, as part of a new peace push. [...] (editing by Mark Trevelyan)

JEM delegation in Cairo before Doha talks is led by JEM's Economic Adviser Gibril Ibrahim and not his brother Khalil Ibrahim

According to the following article at Sudan Tribune, JEM delegation is in Cairo, Egypt and meeting scheduled for today in Doha between Sudanese government will be rescheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday.

JEM official said that their delegation is led by the Economic Adviser Gibril Ibrahim and not his brother Khalil Ibrahim the leader of the rebel movement, as it was reported yesterday.

Assistant of the President of the Republic and Chairman of the government negotiating delegation with Darfur movements Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie pointed out in a press statement Sunday that the government delegation leaving for Doha is of technical nature, who include representatives of the security and regular organs and a legal expert.

Source: following reports

Sudan Tribune Monday 9 February 2009
Peace talks between Sudan and Darfur JEM in Doha slightly delayed.:

February 8, 2009 (CAIRO) – A meeting scheduled for Monday between the Sudanese government and Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has been postponed due to talks rebels will hold with Egyptian officials in Cairo.



Photo: Qatari state minister for foreign affairs meet with the sudanese presidential assistant in Khartoum on Oct 9, 2008
The meeting will be rescheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday.

Qatar, the host country and the joint mediator called the Sudanese government and JEM to discuss confidence building measures in Doha on Monday. Envoys from different regional and Western countries have already arrived to take part in the meeting.

“We have informed the joint mediator Djibril Bassole of our delay in Cairo. By no means, this postponement will affect our commitment to Doha peace process,” Ahmed Hussein Adam, JEM spokesperson told Sudan Tribune from Cairo.

Hussein stressed that the delay comes as result of schedule conflicts with the Egyptian officials they will meet.

The JEM official said that their delegation is led by the Economic Adviser Gibril Ibrahim and not his brother Khalil Ibrahim the leader of the rebel movement, as it was reported yesterday.

The Doha meeting is the first meeting between the Sudanese government and JEM rebels since the end of Abuja peace talks in May 2006 where the rebel movement rejected the agreement.

JEM spokesperson said they will discuss with the government delegation the confidence building measures and if the two stakeholders agree on these measures then they will discuss a declaration on the principles of the peace process.

According to JEM these measures deal with the release of JEM fighters detained or sentenced after a raid on Khartoum last May, stop IDP’s harassment, halt forced repatriation of the displaced, and the cessation of air strikes on civilians.

However Nafi Ali Nafi, the head of the Sudanese delegation to Doha meeting said they would discuss a draft of framework agreement proposed by the mediators, focusing on the ceasefire, the official SUNA reported.

He pointed out that the framework agreement would be negotiated with the rebel movements separately.

The rebel official dismissed reports saying they would sign a framework agreement with the government. He also stressed JEM support to the indictment of the Sudanese President by the International Criminal Court which is “legal process that should not to be mixed with the political process”.

Hussein also said the purpose of the meeting in Doha is not “to negotiate for jobs in Khartoum but for the rights of the Darfur people”. He stressed that despite JEM military capabilities to fight government as they do on daily basis, JEM political leadership believes that the conflict only will be settled politically.

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Negotiations between Government and armed movements in Darfur start in Doha Monday on proposed framework agreement

From SUNA Mon, 09 Feb 2009:

Negotiations between the Government and the armed movements in Darfur start in Doha, Qatar, Monday on framework agreement proposed by the sponsors of the Arab-African Initiative.

Assistant of the President of the Republic and Chairman of the government negotiating delegation with Darfur movements Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie pointed out in a press statement Sunday that the government delegation leaving for Doha is of technical nature, who include representatives of the security and regular organs and a legal expert.

Dr. Nafie pointed out that the framework agreement which will be negotiated with the armed movements separately, starting with the Justice and Equality Movement, focuses on cease-fire to pave the way for dialogue to reach a peace agreement.

Bashir possessed such control over his subordinates, that their will was irrelevant?

"...That Bashir possessed such control over his subordinates, that their will was irrelevant. I find it hard to believe that this was the case, and especially not during the period since the end of major hostilities four years ago", writes Alex de Waal in his latest analysis at Making Sense of Darfur, 9 February 2009: The ICC vs. Bashir: Debating the Mode of Liability

Sudan expels Canadian-Egyptian reporter Heba Aly

February 9, 2009 Reuters report by Andrew Heavens in Khartoum:

SUDAN-MEDIA

Sudan has expelled a foreign journalist for reporting on the country's Darfur crisis and arms industry, U.S. diplomats said on Monday.

Canadian-Egyptian reporter Heba Aly, who wrote for U.S. news agency Bloomberg, the Boston-based Christian Science Monitor newspaper and the United Nations news service IRIN, left the country last week.

She told colleagues that officers from Sudan's security service contacted her and ordered her to leave days after she made enquiries about a Khartoum-based arms manufacturer.

"The U.S. embassy in Khartoum condemns this expulsion and continues to deplore infringements by the Government of Sudan upon freedom of the press and expression," the embassy said in a statement.

No one was immediately available for comment from Sudan's government or security service.

Aly reported on a series of clashes between government forces and rebel fighters in Sudan's Darfur region. Foreign journalists receive permits to visit the remote western region, but have faced restrictions on their movements once they arrive.

Freedom of the press is guaranteed in Sudan's constitution. But local journalists regularly complain about censorship, the detention of reporters and the seizure of newspaper print-runs.

Media rights groups Reporters Without Borders said it was investigating Aly's case.



Photo from Reuters (Editing by Louise Ireland)

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UPDATE FROM SUDAN RADIO SERVICE 9 February 2009 - (Cairo):

The US embassy in Khartoum has condemned the recent expulsion of a foreign journalist from Sudan.

The embassy issued a statement deploring what it says are “infringements by the Government of National Unity upon the freedom of the press.”

Heba Aly, a freelance journalist, was expelled on 2nd February, for reporting on the crisis in Darfur and for attempting to investigate Sudan’s arms industry.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service on the phone from Cairo, Heba describes her experience:

[Heba Aly]: “I have been working in Sudan since June 2008 and I have had a couple of incidents with national security. They stopped me once in Darfur and once in Khartoum and both times they went through all my things, laptop, everything. I got phone calls from national security quite often. So it was a period of harassment, a sort of intimidation, until I was asked to leave.”

Heba says that, as the election nears, the National Security Bill and the Press Bill have to be passed to allow for free and fair elections.

[Heba Aly]: “There will be elections as part of the peace agreement. Part of what many people in Sudan have been pushing for in the lead up to the election is the new press and national security laws so that these elections can proceed freely and fairly. Neither of those new laws has been passed and I think my case is an example of just why they are needed.”

The international press freedom watchdog, Reporters Without Borders and the Canadian government are both to investigate her case.

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Thanks to Eric for posting a link to Heba Aly's blog - Heba's adventures in Senegal ... and beyond! - here in the comments.

From AFP 5 Feb. 2009 - Canada condemns journalist's expulsion from Sudan - excerpt:

Aly told colleagues that she had been questioned by Sudanese authorities in December when she left Khartoum to spend Christmas with her family in Canada.

She returned to the East African nation in January but did not obtain a new press identification card from Sudanese authorities and her application for a work permit was not approved.

Aly worked in the war-battered country throughout January but was given an ultimatum last week to leave.

From Christian Science Monitor 6 Feb. 2009 - Sudan expels a Canadian contributor to the Monitor - excerpt:

In the case of Heba Aly, a Canadian journalist with Egyptian nationality as well, Sudan says it expelled her because of immigration issues, not because of her reporting.

Yet Ms. Aly says it was her investigating of Sudan's arms manufacturing industry that prompted agents from Sudan's national security agency to call her in for a hastily convened meeting this past weekend at a restaurant in Sudan's capital.

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

Listen up America. The following article from Yale on its Darfur conference last Friday, quotes Michael O’Neill, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Sudan as saying that al-Bashir’s indictment could destroy Sudanese unity and derail the peace process in Darfur.

Take heed I say, the UK has far more experience of Sudan than any American.
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From Yale Daily News
Darfur conference divides
Anna Sophie Creager Contributing Reporter
Published Monday, February 9, 2009

The chief attorney of the International Criminal Court on Friday called for the indictment of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir at a Yale Law School conference on Darfur, sparking heated debate within panels stocked with international law heavyweights.

ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s keynote address at the all-day conference titled “The Pursuit of International Criminal Justice: The Case of Darfur” was followed by panel discussions on peace, justice and progress moderated by Yale Law School Dean Harold Hongju Koh. Over 300 policymakers, students and other guests — including an estimated 60 Darfuris — attended the conference, which conference organizers hoped would bridge the gap between the judicial and peacemaking processes in Darfur.

“The timing could not be better,” Moreno-Ocampo said of the conference. “The time to do something in Darfur is now.”

International officials involved in the Darfur peace process have skirmished over what role — if any — international criminal prosecution should play in curbing Darfur violence since Moreno-Ocampo charged al-Bashir with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in July 2008.

Moreno-Ocampo, elected in April 2003 to a nine-year term as ICC prosecutor, focused his address on the question of whether al-Bashir’s indictment would expedite the peace-making process in Darfur. Moren0-Ocampo argued that an ICC indictment would clearly show all parties in Darfur the repercussions of violating the law.

“Peace and justice have to work hand in hand,” he said. “Mr. Al-Bashir will face justice.”

Akec Achiew Khoc, the Sudanese Ambassador to the U.S., disagreed with Moreno-Ocampo’s assertion that al-Bashir’s indictment would lead to peace. Addressing the conference as a guest after the first panel discussion, Khoc argued the move would exacerbate conflict.

Michael O’Neill, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Sudan, agreed. He said al-Bashir’s indictment could destroy Sudanese unity and derail the peace process in Darfur.

Audience members were split over whether to indict al-Bashir. Darfuri refugee Abdelbagy Abushanab, a founding member of the Darfur Rehabilitation Project, said the prospect of al-Bashir’s indictment lends hope for justice to millions of Darfuris.

“Without justice, there can be no peace,” Abushanab said in response to Khoc. “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Panels following Moreno-Ocampo’s Friday keynote featured Jean-Marie Guéhenno, former Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations; Jerry Fowler, President of the Save Darfur Coalition; John Bellinger, former Legal Adviser for the U.S. Department of State; and Richard Dicker, the director of International Justice Program of Human Rights Watch.

The roster of panelists for the conference did not include any refugees from Darfur, noted Adeeb Yousif, a human rights advocate for Sudan Social Development Organization.

“It is very important to include a Darfuri on the panel,” he said. “Because they have important information about the problems that exist and the solutions that could be possible.”

The audience also included a handful of Yale students, including 26 members of Students Taking Action Now: Darfur.

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Related reports

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

Sudan Watch Saturday, February 07, 2009:
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

Congo Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
ICC trial of Lubanga off to an ‘inauspicious’ start

ICC Prosecutor’s keynote address at Yale's conference: “The Pursuit of International Criminal Justice: The Case of Darfur”

Sometime this month, maybe any day between the next few days and 20th Feb, the ICC judges are expected to announce their ruling on Sudan president. I hope the judges rule that there is not enough evidence for the case to hold up in court. Going by the archives of Sudan, I believe Darfur to be counter-insurgency not genocide. If the judges issue an arrest warrant I will feel an injustice will have been done. I think that most of what went on was out of Mr Bashir's control and that he didn't know half of what was going on inside Sudan's forces. I've tracked his movements closely over five years and it's amazing to see what goes on behind his back whenever he is out of the country.

In a Sudan Tribune article today (copied here below in a previous post) ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, in his keynote address on Friday at Yale's conference entitled “The Pursuit of International Criminal Justice: The Case of Darfur” is quoted as saying:

“This is not about regime change, it is about the criminal responsibility of individuals. It is about stopping the crimes."

Well if that is the case, and the statement is true and the ICC judges issue an arrest warrant for Sudan's president, then one would expect arrest warrants to be issued simultaneously against the Darfur rebel leaders, first and foremost JEM.

Note that in the following article from Yale, re its conference on Darfur, Michael O’Neill, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Sudan, is quoted as saying that al-Bashir’s indictment could destroy Sudanese unity and derail the peace process in Darfur. I agree and cannot understand why Mr Ocampo does not see this whilst feeling free to act like a political activist from the savedarfurcrowd. All I can think is maybe he is so clever, he knows his case won't hold up on court and is squeezing as much mileage out of his case to help the warring factions in Sudan to focus and come to the peace talks table. I hope so. After all, there are 51 names of suspected Darfur war criminals in a sealed envelope at the ICC, Mr Bashir is only one name.
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Photo: Luis Moreno-Ocampo, International Criminal Court prosecutor, delivers the keynote address at a conference at the Yale Law School Feb. 6, 2009. (Philip Hu/Staff Photographer)

From Yale Daily News
Darfur conference divides
Anna Sophie Creager Contributing Reporter
Published Monday, February 9, 2009

The chief attorney of the International Criminal Court on Friday called for the indictment of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir at a Yale Law School conference on Darfur, sparking heated debate within panels stocked with international law heavyweights.

ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s keynote address at the all-day conference titled “The Pursuit of International Criminal Justice: The Case of Darfur” was followed by panel discussions on peace, justice and progress moderated by Yale Law School Dean Harold Hongju Koh. Over 300 policymakers, students and other guests — including an estimated 60 Darfuris — attended the conference, which conference organizers hoped would bridge the gap between the judicial and peacemaking processes in Darfur.

“The timing could not be better,” Moreno-Ocampo said of the conference. “The time to do something in Darfur is now.”

International officials involved in the Darfur peace process have skirmished over what role — if any — international criminal prosecution should play in curbing Darfur violence since Moreno-Ocampo charged al-Bashir with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in July 2008.

Moreno-Ocampo, elected in April 2003 to a nine-year term as ICC prosecutor, focused his address on the question of whether al-Bashir’s indictment would expedite the peace-making process in Darfur. Moren0-Ocampo argued that an ICC indictment would clearly show all parties in Darfur the repercussions of violating the law.

“Peace and justice have to work hand in hand,” he said. “Mr. Al-Bashir will face justice.”

Akec Achiew Khoc, the Sudanese Ambassador to the U.S., disagreed with Moreno-Ocampo’s assertion that al-Bashir’s indictment would lead to peace. Addressing the conference as a guest after the first panel discussion, Khoc argued the move would exacerbate conflict.

Michael O’Neill, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Sudan, agreed. He said al-Bashir’s indictment could destroy Sudanese unity and derail the peace process in Darfur.

Audience members were split over whether to indict al-Bashir. Darfuri refugee Abdelbagy Abushanab, a founding member of the Darfur Rehabilitation Project, said the prospect of al-Bashir’s indictment lends hope for justice to millions of Darfuris.

“Without justice, there can be no peace,” Abushanab said in response to Khoc. “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Panels following Moreno-Ocampo’s Friday keynote featured Jean-Marie Guéhenno, former Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations; Jerry Fowler, President of the Save Darfur Coalition; John Bellinger, former Legal Adviser for the U.S. Department of State; and Richard Dicker, the director of International Justice Program of Human Rights Watch.

The roster of panelists for the conference did not include any refugees from Darfur, noted Adeeb Yousif, a human rights advocate for Sudan Social Development Organization.

“It is very important to include a Darfuri on the panel,” he said. “Because they have important information about the problems that exist and the solutions that could be possible.”

The audience also included a handful of Yale students, including 26 members of Students Taking Action Now: Darfur.

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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 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

Sudan Watch Saturday, February 07, 2009:
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

Congo Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
ICC trial of Lubanga off to an ‘inauspicious’ start

2009 could be a make or break year for the CPA and for the prospect of peace in Sudan says UN envoy Qazi

Xinhua News Service reports from the African continent

'IT IS CLEAR THAT A POSSIBLE I.C.C. INDICTMENT WILL HAVE FAR-REACHING IMPLICATIONS NOT ONLY ON SOUTH SUDAN, OR DARFUR, BUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY' - SUDANESE AMBASSADOR

Sudan’s major peace accord reaches 'critical juncture': UN representative

UNITED NATIONS, (Xinhua) -- The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which ended a long and bitter war in Sudan in 2005, has reached a “critical juncture” marked by daunting challenges including political uncertainty and lack of mutual trust, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-general for Sudan Ashraf Jehangir Qazi said on Thursday.

“The CPA has reached a critical juncture with little over two years of the interim period remaining,” Qazi told the Security Council in an open meeting.

“The environment for these final two years is likely to be difficult and complex.”

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

The UN envoy said that the current situation in Sudan was marked by “deepening political uncertainty and insufficient mutual trust among the parties to the CPA,” and that the implementation of outstanding CPA issues will test the parties.

Despite the commitment of relevant parties, the ongoing conflict in Darfur and the awaited decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) have “exacerbated” the situation and left the peace agreement in a “vulnerable” position, he noted.

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, and 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.

“Should, as a result, the CPA unravel, conflicts and instability in Sudan are likely to escalate dramatically,” the envoy warned.

“The humanitarian implications of a relapse into conflict and chaos throughout Sudan are, to put it mildly, sobering.

“Without any exaggeration, 2009 could be a make or break year for the CPA and for the prospect of peace in Sudan,” he said.
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U.N. Security Council divided over possible International Criminal Court move on Sudan

UNITED NATIONS, (Xinhua) -- UN officials and diplomats on Thursday raised alarms about the “daunting” challenges in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended a long and bitter war in Sudan in 2005, while the Security Council was split over the prospect of an indictment of the Sudanese leader by the world court.

The Security Council first held a public meeting on Thursday morning to hear a briefing by UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan Ashraf Jehangir Qazi on the latest developments in the war-torn country, before heading into informal consultations.

PEACE ACCORD FACES CHALLENGES

Despite progress in the last four years, the CPA has reached “a critical juncture where any action or inaction on its provisions will have a profound impact on the future of the Sudan,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his latest report to the Security Council.

Since its independence in 1956, the Sudanese people have suffered two civil wars between the north and the south, a civil war in the east and an ongoing and possibly intensifying conflict in the west.

The CPA was signed in January, 2005 between the government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, putting an end to the long-running north-south civil war.

The overall security situation remains fragile and unpredictable as a 2011 referendum looms on whether the South should secede or remain united with the rest of the country, according to the report.

“The parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement are yet to present a convincing case for unity to the people of Southern Sudan.

“I call upon the parties to use the remaining two years to explore all options available to make unity attractive,” Ban said.

The secretary-general stressed that key benchmarks, such as census results, border demarcation, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and referendum preparations now need to be achieved “within a tight time frame with very little flexibility for further delays.”

The UN chief’s view was echoed by Qazi, who told the council that the current situation in Sudan was marked by “deepening political uncertainty and insufficient mutual trust among the parties to the CPA,” and that the implementation of outstanding CPA issues will test the parties.

Emerging from the council meeting, British UN ambassador John Sawers told reporters that the CPA plays “a central role” in building peace in the Sudan.

“It is making good progress over the last four years, but there is a great deal more to do,” Sawers said.

In particular, he urged relevant Sudanese parties to take steps to prepare for the referendum in 2011 on the country’s future.

The council president, Japanese UN Ambassador Yukio Takasu, said council members agreed that the CPA is “a crucial part of stability and peace in entire Sudan.”

They also noted that the successful implementation of the CPA will be hinged upon the situation in many parts of the country, including Darfur, he said.

“Therefore, it is extremely important that CPA is going to be implemented with full commitment from all parties concerned.”

CONCERN OVER POSSIBLE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT MOVE

The United Nations has expressed concern about the ramifications of a possible arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against President Omar al-Bashir, including the impact on the CPA and safety and security of peacekeepers on the ground.

An ICC pre-trial chamber is currently reviewing evidence concerning the case and a decision could come as early as this month.

The ICC’s 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 require the parties’ cooperation and renewed commitment,” Ban said.

“While I am encouraged by the assurances of continued support by the government, I am also concerned about remarks by some of its officials that the government may redefine its relationship with UNMIS should an arrest warrant be issued against President al- Bashir,” the secretary-general said.

In the briefing to the council, Qazi also expressed similar concern and urged the 15-member body to discuss the “impact of an ICC decision on the CPA and the Darfur situation.

“The purpose of the CPA is the building and keeping of peace and security in Sudan, without which no justice for its people will be possible,” Qazi said.

“Towards that end, it is incumbent upon the Sudanese parties and leadership, as well as the international community, to remain focused on ensuring the full implementation of the CPA.”

The awaited ICC decision has contributed to exacerbating the situation and leaving the peace agreement in a “vulnerable” position, Qazi noted.

UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IS STILL DIVIDED

Diplomats said that members of the Security Council were divided over whether to take action to reverse a possible ICC indictment.

Takasu said that during close-door consultations, some members, African countries in particular, mentioned about Article 16 of the ICC statute, which gives the Security Council the right to defer an ICC investigation or prosecution for a period of 12 months.

But many others spoke of the importance of pursuing peace and justice at the same time and the “prevailing view was that ‘let’s wait and see,’” Takasu said, adding that it is premature to predict what will be the council’s response to the ICC decision.

Sudan’s ambassador to the UN, Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad, said the council has “a special responsibility” to put the ICC move on hold.

“It is clear that a possible indictment will have far-reaching implications not only on south Sudan, or Darfur, but the entire country,” he said.

On this issue, Mohamad said, Khartoum has the support of the “ overwhelming majority of the international community,” including the Africa Union, the Arab League and the Organization of The Islamic Conference.

Mohamad urged the council to demonstrate its commitment to the safety and security of UN peacekeepers and the Sudanese people by invoking Article 16 in order to arrest the ICCI move.
- - -


Related reports

Sudan Watch Saturday, February 07, 2009:
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

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 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

Congo Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
ICC trial of Lubanga off to an ‘inauspicious’ start

ICC prosecutor tells audience at Yale University decision on Sudan president arrest warrant to be made ‘in a few days’?

Today, the Sudan Tribune has this one line notice on its home page

Decision on Sudan president arrest warrant to be made ‘in a few days’, ICC prosecutor tells audience at Yale University
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SUDAN WATCH UPDATE
MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2009 07:42 GMT UK

The above one line notice at Sudan Tribune's home page has disappeared. Instead, at the top of their news section today is this article:

ICC prosecutor says ruling on Bashir case coming ‘in a few days’

Monday 9 February 2009 07:00.

February 8, 2009 (WASHINGTON) – Three judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) will rule “in a few days” on whether to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir, the ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said on Friday in New Haven, Connecticut.



The International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo

Sudan Tribune learnt last week that the judges have already come to a decision, still under seal, requiring that an arrest warrant be issued for Al-Bashir, who is charged on ten counts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

During his address at Yale, the prosecutor reiterated his allegations against Sudan’s leader: “For the past 5 years massive crimes have been committed in Darfur. For the past 5 years no amount of negotiation has allowed the violence to abate. As of today, 5,000 people are dying each month in Darfur,” he said, referring to alleged mortality figures due to extreme violence and worsened livelihoods.

While the ICC prosecutor omitted to say how the judges will rule, he spoke at length on what will happen if the warrant is issued.

“Should the Judges rule in favor of the request, they will issue an arrest warrant and transmit it to the Government of the Sudan for enforcement. Are the Sudanese willing to arrest the President, now or in a few months?” posed Moreno-Ocampo.

“If not, how will the UN Security Council authority be affected? Do the States parties to the Rome Statute have a particular duty? What will be the reaction of the NGO and academic community? What can students do?”

In March 2005 the ICC was tasked by the UN Security Council, acting under Chapter VII with investigating crimes in Darfur.

Ocampo alleges that since April 2003 the Sudanese Armed Forces and Popular Defense Forces (PDF) systematically conducted joint military operations directed against civilians in towns and villages inhabited mainly by three ethnic groups, the Fur, Zaghawa and Masalit, directly killing 35,000 people while almost 300,000 of those who fled the attacks died of starvation and disease.

Two arrest warrants were already issued in April 2007 for a Sudanese junior minister and a militia leader. They were never enforced.

“Let me be frank: The crimes have continued in Darfur because the international community has diverse interests and was never able to unite to ensure compliance with UN Security Council resolutions. If the world is united, the atrocities and genocide will stop in a day,” said Ocampo.

“The decision of the Court, if confirming the existence of the crimes, should create a momentum to close ranks around one objective, stop the crimes. It will be a unique opportunity for the international community to come together, to establish a new framework to protect the Darfuris.”

Later he added, “This is not about regime change, it is about the criminal responsibility of individuals. It is about stopping the crimes. The Court is not asking for international forces to intervene. No war, no invasions, but also no inaction, no denial. Something between bombing and nothing.”

Sudan has threatened unforeseen consequences for aid workers, diplomats and peacekeepers if a warrant is served. Critics of the ICC move include the ruling party, state-sponsored Sudanese news outlets, the Democratic Unionist Party and the leader of the National Umma Party, while internationally the critics include major regional blocs like the Arab League and African Union, as well certain vocal proponents of deferring the ICC move who make thorough use of Western news outlets.
(ST)

- - -

Related reports

Sudan Watch Saturday, February 07, 2009:
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

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

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 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

Congo Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
ICC trial of Lubanga off to an ‘inauspicious’ start
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From Sudan Vision Daily, Khartoum
Monday, February 09 @ 00:15:00 GMT by Staff Writer

Sudan Envoy to UN: UNSC has Nothing Good

Presidential Advisor, Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail stated that the government has no information about the timing of ICC resolution over President Al-Bashir. He added, after a tripartite meeting including Dr. Ismail, DUP Leader Mohammed Osman Al-Mirghani and Baath Party Leader Abdallah Al-Ahmar, that the government is prepared for the decision and all measures were taken to confront it, affirming that all what is said about the issuance of the decision is just guesswork.

On the support of the US Administration to the ICC decision, Dr. Mustafa pointed out that US banned the UNSC to issue a decision to suspend the arrest warrant in previous stages, but he hinted to the AU stance supporting Sudan.

Meanwhile, Sudan Envoy to UN, Abdul Mahmoud Abdul Halim revealed about moves by the mission round the clock with UNSC permanent members to discuss the Darfur issue and the ICC decision. He said that there is uncertainty in some members' stances.

Abdul Mahmoud said that the UNSC is useless and if the arrest warrant is issued or not it will not affect the government as it considers the decision as born dead and represents a political plot against Sudan from Western community.

For its part, OIC announced its support to the AU resolutions in the recent summit calling for deferring the arrest warrant.

OIC Secretary-General, Akmal Addeen Ihsan affirmed that AU resolution coincides with OIC stance endorsed in its emergency meeting last August.

Framework Agreement between Darfur rebels JEM, Sudanese Gov't to be signed tomorrow in Doha

The Sudanese government and the Darfurian Justice and Equality Movement will sign a framework agreement for further talks between them. The agreement expresses commitment to improving the security situation in Darfur, and stipulates the cessation of all military actions, as well as the formation of a three-member committee (representing Sudan, the rebels and Qatar), which will advance the negotiations towards a permanent peace settlement.

Source: Al-Hayat, London, February 8, 2009 (via memri blog)

Job seekers in Jonglei State are accusing local government and NGOs of nepotism and corruption

From Sudan Radio Service (Bor) 6 February 2009:

Job Seekers Accuse Local Authorities of Discrimination
Job seekers in Jonglei state are accusing local government and non-government organizations of nepotism and corruption.

Our correspondent in Jonglei spoke with unemployed youths in Bor, who complained that only relatives of employers are being hired.

Several reported that even when they responded to a position advertised in the media or on a public display, they found that the positions were already filled.

With many employers seeking qualified staff — often asking that applicants have 5 to 10 years of working experience — young people looking for jobs say that because Sudan has emerged from war, almost no one can meet such requirements.

Our correspondent spoke with a director in the state ministry of public works about state government hiring practices.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, this official cited budget constraints and an already-bloated civil service for the lack of hiring.

The director said there would be no new recruitment in most state government offices until at least half of current employees retire or are promoted to new positions.

Southern Eye journalist Peter Kuot was beaten and arrested by Jonglei State police for investigating mass detention of youths by police last month

From Bor (Bor Globe) Jonglei State News by Peter Kuot Ngong 7 February 2009:

Stop harassing journalists – Governor

The Deputy Governor of Jonglei State H.E Hussein Mar Nyot has strongly warned the public against ill treatment of journalists in the State.

“Stop abusing journalists. Stop harassing them. Allow them to get the information that they need.” Mr. Mar told the public in a rally that was conducted here in Bor Town.

Mr. Mar whom also doubles, as Jonglei State Minister for Local Government deserves all the responsibilities to order for execution of any new law that the State devises to improve on her affairs. His (Mar) warning was mainly directed towards the security forces of the Jonglei State especially the Police who on several cases have been caught red-handed in journalists’ abuse.

While speaking to the public in the rally, Mr. Hussein Mar described journalists’ harassment as behaviors of the National Congress Party (NCP) and should not be copied and pasted to the Jonglei State. “Harassing journalists is a behavior of the National Congress Party. Don’t bring here.” He said while adding that “…give journalists the information that they need, but only be careful of what you say. If journalist reports wrong information about you then take him to the court of law and not to beat him. That is unlawful.” Mr. Governor stressed much telling the rally.

The Deputy Governor strong warning came after the Southern Eye Journalist (Peter Kuot) was beaten and arrested by Police while trying to investigate the reason that led to the mass detention of youth by Police last month in the Jonglei Capital. The police aggression on youth attracted attention of the Human Right activists from the Government of Southern Sudan to investigate the matter. However, the Jonglei State Government wasn’t aware of the police operation that day seriously condemned it and ordered the State Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Riak Akon to investigate and arrest those who were involved in the operation.

As the first to release such a strong speech in favor of media, Mr. Mar’s statements have seriously impacted Jonglei communities and Government Stakeholders from that moment of the rally and now the journalists are experiencing better treatment in the State.

In his speech published on the Sudan Tribune, Mr. Mar Nyuot also gave “a go-head” to the police to handle misdeeds responsibly, but not the way it was carried out last month.

Jonglei State: 35 people killed, 9 wounded - Attackers in Uror were well-armed, organised and dressed in military uniforms

Government of South Sudan presidential advisor on peace and reconciliation, Ismael Konyi, says disarming civilians in southern Sudan must be speeded up. Uror county commissioner Gatluak Reath Dual is calling for the disarmament process in southern Sudan to be stepped up. From Sudan Radio Service 6 February 2009 - (Nairobi):

Cattle Raiders Kill 35 in Jonglei State

35 people were killed and nine wounded in a series of cattle raids across Jonglei state last Friday.

William Kuol Chuol is the commissioner of Nyirol county, one of 3 counties affected by the raids. Speaking to Sudan Radio Service, he said the raiders were armed, organized, and appear to have come from Pibor county. He alleges the raiders managed to steal over 6000 head of cattle.

Chuol blames the attacks on what he calls ”false assurances” from the GOSS presidential advisor on peace and reconciliation, Ismael Konyi. Kuol charges Konyi and other Murle leaders with promising the Lou-Nuer community that there would be peace and an end to cattle raiding, which led to a false sense of security.

[William Kuol]: “People move to those areas because of the directives from Ismael Konyi, who is the advisor to the presidency for peace in the GOSS. He came to Akobo, Waat and Uror telling people there is peace, and now his word is turning to death. It’s because they were told by Murlei leaders.”

Konyi, who is a Murlei chief, told Sudan Radio Service on Thursday from Khartoum that he is appealing to all Murle to return any stolen cattle.

He said the families of those who have been killed in the raids will be compensated and the raiders will be prosecuted.

[Ismael Konyi]: “I am not happy with Murlei for taking cattle from Lou-Nuer. Those cows should be returned to the Nuer and the people who died should be compensated for. The culprits should face the law. But I have to go to Pibor to solve this problem. Chiefs and the commission of Pibor are working hard to bring back those cattle.”

Konyi also said that the process of disarming civilians in southern Sudan must be speeded up. He was responding to a statement from Uror county commissioner Gatluak Reath Dual, who said the attackers in Uror were well-armed and dressed in military uniforms.

[Gatluak Reath Dual]: “The problem is because disarmament was not done in the whole state here. In 2006, it was done here in Lou [Nuer] areas only. That is why the casualties are more in our side because they don’t have guns to defend themselves. So we cannot blame anybody. The only thing I can say to the government of southern Sudan is to continue with the disarmament program. If they don’t continue, the killing will be worse than before.”

That was Uror county commissioner Gatluak Reath Dual, calling for the disarmament process in southern Sudan to be stepped up.

UN/AU mediator in Darfur Djibril Bassole and JEM preparing for talks with Sudan's government in Qatar on Monday

A U.N. official, who asked not to be named, confirmed a meeting had been organized in Doha on Monday that would be attended by the joint U.N./African Union mediator in Darfur Djibril Bassole.

"(The mediator) is going to Qatar. The government and JEM are also supposed to come," the official told Reuters.

Source: Good news report from Reuters today by Andrew Heavens in Khartoum Sat Feb 7, 2009 10:15am EST:

Sudan government to meet Darfur rebels next week: rebels

Darfur rebels on Saturday said they were preparing for talks with Sudan's government in Qatar on Monday, the first time both sides will have met officially since 2007, possibly paving the way for full peace negotiations.

If the discussions go ahead, they will be seen as a step forward after almost six years of fighting in Darfur that, international experts say, has killed 200,000 and driven 2.7 million from their homes.

But talks between insurgent Justice and Equality Movement group (JEM) and government officials have fallen apart before, and the meeting will not involve other influential rebels who are refusing to talk to Khartoum.

The meeting, which JEM said was scheduled for Monday, would come days after JEM fighters clashed with government troops in south Darfur, and eight months after the organization mounted an unprecedented attack on Khartoum.

"It will be a preliminary consultation. The first aim is to break the ice, to get the two parties sitting together," London-based JEM official Al-Tahir al-Feki told Reuters.

He added the two sides would also discuss possible confidence-building measures, including the release of prisoners and a cessation of hostilities for a set period of time.

"We hope these measures could be part of a framework agreement. That would be a very good first step which could start the next step -- actual negotiations in the presence of international observers," said al-Feki.

A U.N. official, who asked not to be named, confirmed a meeting had been organized in Doha on Monday that would be attended by the joint U.N./African Union mediator in Darfur Djibril Bassole.

"(The mediator) is going to Qatar. The government and JEM are also supposed to come," the official told Reuters.

No one was immediately available for comment from Sudan's government on Saturday, a public holiday in Khartoum.

Sudan's government launched its own Darfur peace initiative in November, offering, among other measures, a ceasefire, compensation for Darfuris and peace talks in Qatar with all rebel movements.

Many observers said the government's initiative was a bid to deflect pressure from the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, who has asked judges to issue an arrest warrant for Sudan's president Omar Hassan al-Bashir, accusing him of orchestrating genocide in Darfur. The global court's judges are expected to rule on his request within weeks.

JEM commanders have threatened to mark the release of an ICC arrest warrant with a military offensive. But Al-Feki said JEM's ultimate aim was a negotiated peace. "We don't want war. No one wants war," he said.

Al-Feki said JEM had expressed an interest in holding consultations with Khartoum weeks before the start of its recent clashes with government forces over the south Darfur town of Muhajiriya.

JEM walked out of negotiations with Sudan's government over the troubled 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement and boycotted efforts to restart negotiations in Libya in 2007.

Abdel Wahed Mohamed Ahmed al-Nur, founder of Darfur's rebel Sudan Liberation Army, this week reiterated his refusal to take part in negotiations with Khartoum ahead of an end to violence on the ground in Darfur.

Mostly non-Arab rebels from Darfur took up arms against the government in 2003, accusing Khartoum of neglecting the region. Khartoum says the western media has exaggerated the conflict and puts the death count at 10,000.

(Editing by Louise Ireland)

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.

- - -
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. [...]