UFR threatens war to overthow Chad's government - UN mission in Chad needs boosting

RFC/UFR's Chadian leader Timan Erdimi sits in Darfur, W. Sudan plotting war against his Uncle, Chadian President Idriss Deby.

Chadian rebels are using El Geneina in Darfur as their back-base, as they await an opportune moment to launch another strike on Ndjamena, about 1,000 kilometres away.

"Almost 95%" of Chadian rebels are in Sudan, says General Balla Keita who heads the joint UN-African peacekeeping force Unamid in West Darfur.

Chadian rebel chief of Rally of Forces for Change (RFC), Timan Erdim, was elected in January to head the Union of Forces of the Resistance (UFR) - an alliance of Chad's main eight rebel groups who merged into one movement with a single political and military command. Timan Erdimi is a nephew of Chadian President Idriss Deby and his former chief of staff until 1996.

"When everything is ready we will launch the war," Erdimi says, near El Geneina in Darfur, W. Sudan.

Erdimi's plans, once he topples Deby's regime, "is not democracy," he says. His priority is to develop government institutions.

Erdimi insists that his men have no links to the Sudanese army and do not need Khartoum's blessings to attack Ndjamena.

"We are not back-up troops for the Sudanese army," he says.

On Tuesday Chadian rebels claimed they had killed about 15 soldiers in a battle near Birak in east Chad over the weekend, but a government official denied there had been any such clash.

The UN mission in Chad and the Central African Republic needs urgent reinforcement because it lacks staff and equipment as it seeks to protect civilians, a senior UN official said today (Friday, 24 April 2009).

Source: see the following reports.



Photo: Timan Erdimi leader de l’UFR: lire son interview accordée en arabe (Source: www.tribunecoum.com février 19, 2009 and Slide Show)

AFP report April 24, 2009 via news24.com (SA):
Rebels ready to overthrow Deby

Sudan - Chadian rebel chief Timan Erdimi sits in the shade of a mango tree near a dried-up wadi in western Sudan, charting out a strategy to topple the government in neighbouring Chad.

"When everything is ready we will launch the war," Erdimi says, near El Geneina, a wild and lawless territory in Darfur close to the border with Chad populated by UN peacekeepers, Sudanese army troops and local militias.

Sitting cross-legged, coiffed in a turban and sporting a salt-and-pepper goatee, Erdimi would look like a Chinese wise man were it not for the military fatigues he dons and the armed fighters who surround him.

He was elected in January to head the Union of Forces of the Resistance (UFR) - an alliance of Chad's main eight rebel groups who merged into one movement with a single political and military command.

The alliance came into being months after rebel groups launched an offensive on the Chadian capital Ndjamena in February 2008 that almost toppled the regime of President Idriss Deby.

But the rebellion was repulsed as it neared the gates of the presidential palace with the help of France, as cracks appeared in the ranks of the rebels.

"There never has been a spirit of unity like today," says Erdimi, a nephew of Deby and his former chief of staff until 1996.

Reached an agreement

"Things are ready on the political and military fronts," he adds, dismissing rumours that divisions are already threatening the very existence of his movement.

Around 100 fighters, machine guns slung across their shoulders, surround Erdimi, who is in his mid-50s. Some are slouched in four-wheel-drive vehicles which bristle with weapons, including rockets.

The Chadian rebels are using El Geneina in the strife-riddled border region of Darfur as their back-base, as they await an opportune moment to launch another strike on Ndjamena, about 1 000 kilometres away.

"Almost 95%" of Chadian rebels are in Sudan, says General Balla Keita who heads the joint UN-African peacekeeping force Unamid in West Darfur.

Erdimi acknowledges that political divisions among the rebellion last year forced his fighters to leave Ndjamena although they had "won the war" but he stresses that the tide has now turned and the time for attack is nearing.

The fighters, he says, were "very unhappy to have left Ndjamena last year. They had won the war but the politicians (within the rebellion) were divided.

"Now the politicians have reached an agreement and they are in a hurry," to launch an offensive, he said.

But the rainy season that spreads from mid-May to the end of September means military operations could be slowed as the dried-up wadis turn into rivers.

Develop government institutions

Western observers believe that the Chadian army has mobilised on the other side of the border and is ready to confront the rebels.

"The Chadian army has been reinforced over the past year," one said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

But Erdimi is confident in the strength of his men.

The rebellion "has more (fighters) than Deby and they are much more motivated that Deby's men," he says.

Erdimi's plans, once he topples Deby's regime, "is not democracy," he says. His priority is to develop government institutions.

On Tuesday Chadian rebels claimed they had killed about 15 soldiers in a battle near Birak in east Chad over the weekend, but a government official denied there had been any such clash.

UFR spokesperson Abderaman Koulamallah said in Ndjamena that they had killed about 15 government soldiers in the clashes and destroyed two vehicles with rocket-propelled grenades.

Troubled neighbours Chad and Sudan restored full diplomatic relations in November after a six month hiatus caused by mutual accusations of supporting armed rebels groups operating in and around Sudan's border region of Darfur.

But Erdimi insists that his men have no links to the Sudanese army and do not need Khartoum's blessings to attack Ndjamena.

"We are not back-up troops for the Sudanese army," he says.

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BBC News report 06 February, 2008:
France watches Chad-Sudan border

French military aircraft have been patrolling the Chad-Sudan border to ensure there has been no interference in the fighting around N'Djamena.

France's defence minister said it wanted to monitor "any self-styled foreign intervention" in the fighting between Chad's government and rebels.

The government has accused Sudan of giving the rebel groups rear bases in Darfur, a charge which Khartoum denies.

Thousands have fled N'Djamena since the rebels launched an assault on Saturday.

Up to 20,000 people have crossed the river border with Cameroon in the past four days and arrived in the town of Kousseri, placing heavy strain on essential supplies and accommodation, the UN refugee agency has said.

More than 3,000 other refugees have fled to Nigeria.

Earlier, the leader of the main UFDD rebel group said it was prepared to have a ceasefire in return for the promise of negotiations with the government, but the government dismissed the offer, saying it had already beaten the rebels.

A mediation mission from Libya and Congo-Brazzaville, appointed by the African Union with a brief to meet both sides, is due to arrive soon in the Chadian capital.

Reconnaissance

Speaking about the role of his country's 1,400 troops based in Chad, French Defence Minister Herve Morin stressed that the UN declaration on Monday calling on all countries to support the government had not changed the terms of engagement.

"What it does do is give international community support to the actions of France," he told Radio France Internationale. "It is also support for [President] Idriss Deby."

French diplomatic tight-rope

"It is international community support for the integrity of Chad and support for the actions of France, actions that we've been carrying out for several days."

Mr Morin said that France did have a military agreement with Chad which provides for logistical, medical and training support, but "in no way is it a defence agreement... that would oblige France to intervene to protect the sovereignty of the country involved".

The French military could intervene if it was authorised to do so by a UN resolution, he added.

However, Mr Morin admitted that French fighter jets and reconnaissance planes had been flying over the border with Sudan over the past 36 hours in line with a request from President Nicolas Sarkozy to ensure there are no foreign incursions.

"It enables us to monitor and verify any self-styled foreign interventions and to date we've seen nothing," he said.

"What is certain is that these rebel forces were over by the Sudanese border," he added. "What we might well find out in the days ahead is just what the involvement of the Sudanese actually is."

The violence in the western Sudanese region of Darfur and the cross-border fighting between Chad and Sudan has in recent years sent at least 400,000 people fleeing to refugee camps in eastern Chad.

A French-dominated European Union peacekeeping force had been due to start deploying to eastern Chad last week to give the refugees and aid workers there a measure of protection, but the latest rebel offensive began at the same time.

BBC world affairs correspondent Mark Doyle says one theory is that Sudan encouraged the rebels to attack in order to stop the EU opening a window on Khartoum's activities in Darfur, where it has been accused of genocide.

Ceasefire 'offer'

Mr Morin's comments came as the leader of the largest rebel group, the United Force for Democracy and Development, told the BBC that it was prepared to agree to a ceasefire in return for the promise of talks with the government.

Mahamat Nouri said the ceasefire offer had been made by the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, and the government of Burkina Faso.

But the Chadian Prime Minister, Nouradine Delwa Kassire Coumakoye, was dismissive of the offer.

"Why a ceasefire?" he told French TV station France 24.

"They don't exist any more. With whom would we sign a ceasefire?... We've got them under control."

The lull in the fighting around N'Djamena following the tripartite rebel alliance's recent withdrawal has prompted tens of thousands of Chadians to flee the country.

THE REBEL COALITION
Unified Military Command includes:
Union of Forces for Democracy (UFDD) led by Mahamat Nouri
Rally of Forces for Change (RFC) led by Timane Erdimi
UFDD-Fundamental led by Abdelwahid Aboud Mackaye

On Tuesday, "frightened people were still crossing in a continuous flow" from Chad into neighbouring Cameroon, said the UN's refugee agency in a news release.

Thousands have deluged Kousseri in Cameroon, the UNHCR said. While some have found refuge with relatives, in schools or hotels, it said, between 6,000 and 7,000 were staying out in the open at a transit centre near the bridge.

The UNHCR said it planned to move these people to an old campsite some 30km away which could hold up to 100,000 people and was equipped with wells.

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BBC News report 02 December 2007:
RFC rebels 'in new Chad clash'

Photo: The Rally of Forces for Change (RFC) is led by Timan Erdimi (AFP/BBC)

Government troops in Chad have clashed with rebels from the Rally of Forces for Change (RFC), reports say.

The RFC said its positions had been bombed by Chadian helicopters on Saturday, raising fears that a major ground battle could soon take place.

The RFC signed a peace deal with the government in October, as had another rebel group, the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD).

The UFDD has already clashed with government troops further south.

Speaking to foreign diplomats on Saturday, Chadian Foreign Minister Ahmat Allami said RFC rebel forces led by Timan Erdimi had clashed with government forces around Kalait, some 210km (130 miles) north of Abeche.

A spokesman for the RFC, Id Moura Maide, told the AFP news agency that the fighting had begun when Chadian military helicopters attacked one of the group's bases in the area.

President Idriss Deby, who the rebels are trying to overthrow, is on the ground in eastern Chad commanding his troops.

The clashes follow days of fierce fighting east of Abeche between Chad's army and the UFDD, during which the government said several hundred rebels had died.

The UFDD said it had broken the ceasefire because the government failed to honour the peace agreement brokered by Libya in March.

Under the deal, the government and four Chadian rebel groups agreed to an immediate ceasefire, an amnesty for civil and military personnel and the release of all prisoners. The rebels were also granted the right to form political parties and to join the military and security forces.

But the BBC's Stephanie Hancock in Ndjamena says that after some of the heaviest fighting seen in the country in several years, the ceasefire is now effectively dead in the water.

On Friday, the UFDD also said it had declared war against the French-led 3,500-strong European Union peacekeeping force which is due to be deployed in Chad in January to protect refugees from Sudan's Darfur region.

The rebels accused French military planes of flying over their positions and passing intelligence to the government during last week's fighting. French President Nicolas Sarkozy has insisted the declaration would not jeopardise the EU mission.

The latest fighting began as President Deby sacked his defence minister, Mahamat Nour.

A former leader of the United Front for Change (Fuc) rebel coalition, Mr Nour was appointed defence minister in March after agreeing to disarm his fighters and arrange for them to be assimilated into the Chadian army.

However, correspondents say this never really happened and last week the authorities said they suspected the fighters had instead taken up arms against the government again.

Officials say Mr Nour has taken refuge in the Libyan embassy in the Chad's capital, Ndjamena.

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AFP report 24 April 2009:
UN mission in Chad needs boosting

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — The UN mission in Chad and the Central African Republic needs urgent reinforcement because it lacks staff and equipment as it seeks to protect civilians, a senior UN official said Friday.

The mission, known as MINURCAT, took over from a European force in mid-March amid regional tensions marked by deteriorating ties between neighboring Sudan and the international community.

So far some 2,425 soldiers have arrived out of a total force of 5,200, assistant head for UN peacekeeping operations Edmond Mulet told the UN Security Council.

"There is now an urgent need to strengthen MINURCAT up to its authorized strength and to equip it so that it is in a position to meet the challenges facing it," said Mulet.

"We will only reach the ceiling of 5,200 troops if member states provide the mission with military helicopters and their logistic support."

Mulet said that moves to reinforce the mission were being hampered by a delay in the arrivals of contingents promised by Ghana and Nepal.

And he voiced concerns that by the start of the rainy season in June probably only about 3,000 troops would be in place, and some 4,700 by the end of the year.

Total strength would probably only be reached if member states supplied helicopters to support the deployments, Mulet added.

"I cannot sufficiently stress the risk posed by the lack of military helicopters as far as the operational effectiveness of the force is concerned," he said.

MINURCAT's main mission is to protect and aid some 450,000 refugees from the conflict in Darfur, western Sudan, who have flowed over the border into Chad and the Central African Republic.

Final judgement on Abyei boundary issue within 90 days

A five-member panel at the Arbitration tribunal is expected to make a final judgement on the Abyei boundary issue within 90 days.

From Sudan Radio Service 24 April 2009 (Hague):

Hearings at the arbitration tribunal in The Hague over the disputed oil-rich Abyei region ended on Thursday after heated exchanges in which lawyers from the NCP and SPLM presented different interpretations of the evidence and treaty at issue.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service from The Hague on Thursday, a senior member of the UMMA National Party, Mariam Sadik al Mahdi, said that Abyei arbitration at The Hague is not the solution to the Abyei problem.

[Mariam Sadik]: “We, as the UMMA party, think that the court is not the solution for Abyei because the problem of Abyei cannot be solved in a court of law. It’s a problem for the people living in the area. They have lived there for hundreds of years and this will not be solved outside Sudan and again the solution cannot be found in a court of law. People should sit down and divide the wealth in the area for people to live in peace and to solve the problem.”

Mariam explains the main problems in Abyei.

[Mariam Sadik]: “The problem in Abyei is divided into three levels, first, there is the problem regarding the people occupying the area, the nomads and farmers. These people should involve the neighboring communities to find a solution to their problem. Second, is at the national level and this is the problem of the whole Sudan because it’s the border issue between north and south, and we need to know what is going on because hopefully the referendum will take place in the next two years. Third, is the wealth problem. There is competition for the wealth between America and China. That’s why the Abyei problem was discussed at the international level.”

She urged the National Congress Party and the SPLM to work together with other parties in Sudan to implement the Abyei protocol.

A five-member panel at the Arbitration tribunal is expected to make a final judgement on the boundary issue within 90 days.

Sudanese artist Rashid Diab

From The Korea Times April 17, 2009
Sudanese Painter Holds Exhibition in Korea
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter

Many people only think of Sudan when its political problems hit the headlines. Koreans will have a chance to know more of Sudan's art and culture through the exhibition of accomplished Sudanese painter Rashid Diab.

Diab's exhibition "Time Lapse via Color, Shape and Form'' opens Monday at the Nuri Gallery, in the Korea Foundation Cultural Center, downtown Seoul. The Sudanese embassy said this is the first time a painter from Sudan is staging a solo exhibition in Seoul.

On display at the exhibition are 21 of Diab's works that offer a glimpse of Sudanese culture. His work is said to be a reflection of "a synthesis of his Sudanese heritage and an awareness of contemporary artistic developments in Europe.''

Made with rich colors, the art works are filled with traditional folk themes, Arabic calligraphy, animals, human figures and African motifs.

"The color and form may illustrate moments of sorrow, happiness, hope and despair, but the most important element is that of nostalgia for this universal world which is truly a reflection of my career. Thus, through my art I am most concerned with universality. Art for me is ultimately the connection between human beings. Art is what sustains cultures and indicates the material aspects of civilizations and as human beings we are responsible for this task,'' Diab said, in a statement.

Born in 1957, Diab was raised in Wad Medani, on the banks of the Blue Nile in Sudan. He graduated with honors from the Khartoum College of Fine Art. He moved to Madrid where he studied art at the Complutensa University, under a scholarship. Diab received his doctorate degree in painting from the university in 1991, and joined the faculty as an art teacher until 1999.

"Since I was a small child, I have loved to travel. I always wanted to be somewhere discovering new places, different types of life and other people. I constantly thought of how I could create a real and intimate relationship with distance and space. Why do things have specific dimensions and a certain shape at a certain time? These questions became an obsession with the only solution being to paint and continue paint," he said.

For the 52-year-old artist, painting is a necessity. "I know that the desire to paint is something within me part of my inner self, part of my subconscious. As time passed, this need to paint and draw transformed itself into something like a biological instinct, which has strengthened my relationship with the world around me,'' he said.

It was in Spain, when he started to appreciate his Sudanese heritage. He developed his own artistic style and philosophy, which he says deals with the "relationship of space and time.''

"Art for me is knowledge; in the sense that I think an artist must first be an avid reader and conscious of his contributions to the world of art. Every stroke, every line, whatever may be in the artist's mind, whether or not apparent in his work, transferred or not from his mind to his art, is a part of life," Diab said.

Diab, who has held solo exhibitions in Norway, India, Bahrain, Libya, Jordan, Lebanon, U.S. and Spain, has made an effort to give something back to his home country. In 2006, he established the Rashid Diab Arts Center in Khartoum, with the aim of developing and promoting Sudanese visual arts.

Diab's exhibition opens April 20 with a ceremony at 5 p.m. It runs through April 25. Visit www.kfcenter.or.kr

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

A painting by Rashid Diab at the ongoing exhibition “Time Lapse via Color, Shape and Form.” Provided by the Sudanese Embassy. (Source: Joong Ang Daily 21 April 2009 by Park Sun-young: spark0320@joongang.co.kr)



Photo: Rashid Diab

US John Kerry: Sudan to allow some restoration of international aid

It was not immediately clear if any of the expelled aid groups would be allowed to return. The Sudanese government has ruled out that possibility in recent weeks.

Some Darfur aid to resume, but rebels must talk peace: Kerry
April 16, 2009 KHARTOUM (AFP) - excerpt:

US Senator John Kerry Thursday urged rebels in Darfur to engage in peace talks with Khartoum and announced the partial resumption of aid, frozen after Sudan's decision to expel foreign aid groups.

"What encouraged me today was the fact that every member of the government told me that they are ready to come to the table now with respect to peace discussions and achieving peace in Darfur," Kerry said.

"But we all recognized that the rebels must also do the same," he added after talks with Sudan's second vice president Ali Osman Mohammed Taha. [...]

"Darfur, as we all know all have been at the center of events that have been defining Sudan for the world," he said.

"It is also been the scene of the world largest humanitarian efforts supported by the United States and carried out by many dedicated Sudanese and international humanitarian organizations."

Kerry said that, following Khartoum's decision to "engage in a new dialogue with us, some of that capacity for the humanitarian assistance will be restored."

But he stressed: "A partial restoration of capacity is not sufficient. A humanitarian crisis is a humanitarian crisis." [...]

Relations between the US and Beshir have been strained. The United States imposed sanctions against in 1997 against Sudan for harbouring Al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden.

It bombed a pharmaceutical plant in Sudan a year later, saying the site was used to make chemical weapons. [...]

Photo: U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator John Kerry arrives in Sudan's capital Khartoum, April 15, 2009. (REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

Sudan to allow some restoration of international aid
Apr 16, 2009 KHARTOUM (Reuters):

Sudan has told the United States it will allow some aid back into its Darfur region, U.S. Senator John Kerry said on Thursday.

"Thanks to the leadership of the president's special envoy General Scott Gration and thanks to the willingness of the government here to engage in a new dialogue with us, some of that capacity for humanitarian assistance will be restored," Kerry told reporters after meeting senior members of the Sudanese government.

But Kerry, who heads the U.S. Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, said more would need to be done.

"Today I emphasized, to all the leaders I met with, that a partial restoration of capacity is not sufficient," Kerry said.

"Time is of the essence to avert a humanitarian catastrophe."

Sudan expelled 13 international aid groups after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in March on war crimes charges.

It was not immediately clear if any of the expelled aid groups would be allowed to return. The Sudanese government has ruled out that possibility in recent weeks.

The senator will travel to Darfur on Friday to see first-hand a camp and meet local leaders and United Nations officials.

Kerry also said envoy Scott Gration will return to Sudan in early May to assess progress and continue discussions.

(Reporting by Alastair Sharp; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

Ex Wall St banker Philippe Heilberg - US Jarch mulling more land leases in S. Sudan

Further here below is a copy of an Open Letter to the people of South Sudan from Philippe Heilberg, Chairman of Jarch Capital in New York, March 06, 2006 that says, though it is heartbreaking to see the people of South Sudan continue to suffer, Jarch's damages could exceed 10 billion dollars.

From Sudan Tribune, 16 April 2009:
New York investment firm mulling more land leases in S. Sudan

April 15, 2009 (WASHINGTON) – Jarch Management Group, Ltd., a US investment firm, disclosed that it is considering additional opportunities to lease large tracts of farmland in Southern Sudan.

This report follows the announcement in January of a massive lease agreement that prompted some tension within governing circles in Southern Sudan.

In an apparent change of course from oil investing to agriculture, Jarch Management took a 70% interest in the Sudanese company Leac for Agriculture and Investment and leased approximately 400,000 hectares of land claimed by General Paulino Matip, a figure now straddling a deep fissure within the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.

In a statement emailed to Sudan Tribune today the company disclosed that it aims to lease another 400,000 hectares of land by the end of the year.

“Since its January 2009 announcement that it had leased about 400,000 hectares, the Company has had a multitude of offers to buy and lease farmland from around the world,” said a statement from the management of the company.

“However, the Company is focused on frontier African countries and continues to look for opportunities in farmland and other natural resources in these countries. As such, the Company hopes to conclude more deals for more leased farmland. The Company is hopeful that it can lease at least another 400,000 hectares of land by the end of the year.”

South Sudanese law requires that large leases of land be approved by two local government bodies. Accordingly, a January statement from Leac Company noted that the acquisition would include dealings with local land authorities and stressed that “the state and local governments shall have budgets for development because of the cash flows from the agricultural schemes the two companies will operate.”

While U.S. companies are banned from doing business in Sudan, agriculture in Southern Sudan is exempted from sanctions provided that the national government does not have any stake in the business and provided that no imports or exports pass through non-exempt areas.

Jarch Management Group, Ltd, which is registered in the Virgin Islands, is managed by New York investor Philippe Heilberg, commodities traders and former State Department and Central Intelligence Agency officials, among others. (ST)

Photo: Philippe Heilberg, Jarch Capital (Source: nazret.com 01/09/09: US investor believes Ethiopia likely to break apart - see 94 comments)
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Further reading

Jan. 10, 2009 - Sudan Watch: Former Wall Street banker Philippe Heilberg gambles on a warlord's continuing control of 400,000 hectares of land in South Sudan (Update 1)

May 30, 2008 - Sudan Tribune:
Jarch oil group congratulates new governor of Unity State

JARCH MANAGEMENT GROUP, LTD.

JARCH CONGRATULATES DR. JOSEPH WEJANG ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS THE NEW GOVERNOR OF UNITY STATE

May 28th, 2008 — Jarch Management Group, Ltd. congratulates His Excellency, Dr. Joseph Wejang, former Minister of Health of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) on his appointment as the new governor of Unity State. Dr. Joseph is well liked by his constituency and with the backing of local politicians and military, we expect him to accomplish great things for the state.

Unity State is an important part of South Sudan given its abundance of natural resources. It is one of the main production areas for the high quality oil sold as Nile blend. The state also has other important minerals including uranium. As part of the 2004 agreements signed with Jarch, Unity State would fall into the permit area. As such, we expect to lift the light, sweet crude from areas in the state once South Sudan secedes from Khartoum. In addition, we expect to mine the minerals in the region as well including the uranium deposits located in Bentiu and elsewhere. Dr. Joseph is a member of the Advisory Board of Jarch Management Group and we are honoured to have him as part of the team.

Jarch Management Group, Ltd. is a private company engaged in natural resources with a primary focus on hydrocarbons and other specific minerals in Africa.

JARCH MANAGEMENT GROUP, LTD.

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Apr. 01, 2008 - zcommunications.org
Natural Resources in Sudan and Africa: What Nobody is Talking About
By David Barouski

For the United States (US), oil is a major part of their interest in Sudan, but it is not about Darfur's oil so much as it is South Sudan's oil. There is indeed oil in Darfur, don't get me wrong. The Chinese state oil company (CNOOC) already owns a concession on Block 6 that extends deep into Southern Darfur near the Central African Republic border. Rolls Royce Marine, a subsidiary of Rolls Royce UK, was even shipping diesel motors and pumps to Sudan for developing the field as the Chinese are interested in beginning test well drilling in Darfur. However, they are unable to do so because the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) have been attacking the workers and preventing access to the site.

Sudan is China's largest overseas oil suppliers and China is also partnered with Iran in a major oil deal. In addition, they may partner with Pakistan and Iran if India backs out of their part in the deal. As China continues its exponential increase in oil-consumption, US foreign policy toward China has taken on a dimension that includes both slowing down development on China's foreign acquisitions and securing the rest of the major oil concessions before they do.

Sudan was declared a terrorist state by the US for harboring Osama bin Laden, who was accused of approving and financing the World Trade Center bombing in 1993 and an assassination attempt on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in 1995. Bin Laden collaborated closely with Dr. Hassan al-Turabi, a Muslim cleric who supported Omar al-Bashir's coup as a fellow member of the National Islamic Front (NIF). Upon being designated a terrorist state, a whole host of sanctions are instituted. For the US, it meant that US businesses could not operate within Sudanese borders under penalty of law. The US also could not import anything from Sudan, including oil. The only exception, thanks to lobbying from Coca-Cola, others in the food industry, and the pharmaceutical lobby, was gum arabic, of which Sudan has the largest supply in the world. The majority is currently harvested in areas under the Khartoum Government's control.

When South Sudan was given semi-autonomous status following the 2005 peace agreement, some grey legal area was created. Could a US business legally work only with the parallel administration in South Sudan, and still get away with it legally by being in sovereign Sudanese territory? Well, Marathon Oil decided to push the proverbial envelop, and signed up for Block B along with TotalElfFina and the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Company. However, legal wrangling between Total and the UK-firm White Nile left the political situation in Block B unstable. Additionally, the divestment movement in the United States brought a lot of unwanted publicity to the oil companies operating in Sudan. Marathon turned over its shares to White Nile while Total still currently holds the majority shares over most of Block B. This is, in part, why the pro-American administration of President Sarkozy is supporting US efforts to get a UN and/or EU force into Darfur because the French desire a regional balance of power. The French currently maintains a quiet presence in Chad and Darfur. French soldiers are operating from the French military base in Bangui, Central African Republic.

Sudanese oil has increased interest for the French as their relations with Russia, the chief oil and (especially) gas supplier to Central Europe, have recently soured over Iran policy disagreements and France's pro-US relations. Europe still has the North Sea for some oil supply if need be, but it will not sustain Western Europe for too long and they need an outside source of supply. Sudan offers one such source. In addition, through their concession on Block B, the French will also expand sphere of influence and increase French access in the region. Total's operations in Africa have a longstanding history of acting as a front for the DGSE that goes back to the days of Jacques Foccart.

Additionally, the French are interested in the unexploited Uranium deposits in Darfur near the Central African Republic border. The French, as a result of not having any inherent petroleum supply of their own, depleting fossil fuel deposits in Europe, and stricter environmental laws through the European Union, have turned toward nuclear power plants as their primary alternative energy source and the uranium deposits would supply ample amounts of raw materials for the reactors in the future. However, some of the uranium deposits are located at the tail end of oil concession Block 6, which the Chinese own and wants to develop, as mentioned earlier.

In 2004, 79% of France's national energy production came from nuclear power, and in 2006, France commissioned the creation of a new high-tech reactor. France produces so much electricity from nuclear power that they export 18% of it to Britain, Germany, and Italy, which has kept electricity prices very low. Therefore, France's acquisition of uranium is not only important for them, but for other EU nations who import the France's extraneous nuclear energy as well. The German Government owns 34% of Areva NP through Siemans. Areva NP, a subsidiary of industry giant Areva, has the contract to build France's new nuclear reactor.

Officially, US businesses are out of Sudan. However, a company called Jarch Capital, based in New York City (on the 9th floor at 445 Park Avenue), bought a Block B concession back in 2003 from the SPLM/A before the 2005 peace agreement was signed. Jarch Capital is owned and chaired by an American named Phil Heilberg, also owner of Heilberg Management Group. He is also the manager of AIG's Hong Kong office. AIG, an insurance giant, has an African Infrastructure Fund. Don't be surprised if South Sudan will be a large recipient in the future after independence.

Back in 2003, before the North-South peace deal was signed, the legality could be debated because South Sudan did not have semi-autonomous status and any sovereignty they had was de facto. So due to sanctions, Mr. Heilberg could not do business in Sudan. However, he had a novel solution. He helped create Jarch Management Group LLC, of which he became Chairman. Jarch Management (JMG) was registered in the Virgin Islands:

Akara Building
24 De Castro Street
Wickhams Cay I
Road Town, Tortola
British Virgin Islands

As a result, since it was technically not an American company even though an American owned and ran it because it is not registered as a corporation on American soil. It is a time-honored trick, and as result, there are no problems doing business in Sudan, even with the de facto SPLM government, because such restrictions do not exist for British Virgin Island businesses. JMG would eventually buy the Block B concession from Jarch Capital. According to Jarch's management team the following individuals were aware of the original deal made in 2003: Dr John Garang (late leader of SPLM), Rebecca Garang (Minister of Transport and Roads for GOSS), Dr. Riek Machar (Vice President of GOSS), Kuol Mangyang Juuk (Minister of Transport GONU and board member of White Nile, Ltd.), Arthur Akuien Chol (Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of GOSS), Dr. Lual A. Deng (State Minister of State for Finance of GONU and non-executive board member of White Nile, Ltd.), Steven Wondu (North American representative).

As of 2006 JMG's Advisory Board included:

1. Mr. Saville Lau- Chairman of the Board of Advisers for Jarch Management Group and President of Jarch Management Group. Mr Lau is located in Hong Kong

2. Dr. David de Chand- Chairman of the South Sudan United Democratic Alliance (SSUDA) and Professor at the University of Nebraska. Dr. Chand is located in Omaha and is an expert on Sudan.

3. Dr. Amir Idris- Professor at Fordham University. Dr. Idris is located in New York and is an expert on the African region.

4. Commander Thowath Pal Chay- Chairman of Ethiopian Unity Patriots' Front (EUPF) and Commander in Chief of Ethiopian Unity Patriots' Army (EUPA). He is located in East Africa. This individual, who has called for an overthrow of the Tigray government in Ethiopia, cannot sit well with the US, a staunch ally of Ethiopia.

5. Mr. Peter Kueth Kor- Secretary for External Relations for the South Sudan Defence Forces (SSDF). He is located in Nairobi, Kenya.

One will notice the preponderance of members of the Sudanese Diaspora residing in the United States.

Note that Mr. De Chand was sacked in October 2006.

The SPLM, who has been backed by the US since their creation, gave Block B to White Nile, disregarding the previous deal with Jarch made back in 2003. Jarch threatened to sue the SPLM. They also forged ties with the South Sudan Defense Force (SSDF), who are primarily Nuer but are comprised of several groups that split off from the SPLM/A during the north-south war. The SSDF and the SPLA fought in the late 1990s until 2006. The SSDF has also allied with the Government of Sudan in the past. The SSDF and its political wing issued an exploration license to JMG in late February 2006. They said they would consider declaring their own independence and split South Sudan in two if JMG was not respected as the sole authority. However, on 27 February 2006, just 2 days after this announcement, the US said it wanted to build a military base in South Sudan to protect the oil. The SSDF's Brig Mohamed Chol al-Ahmar warned the Government of South Sudan (GOSS) not to approve it. In December 2006, JMG threw its support behind General Matip, angering some southern factions and causing tensions.

JMG sought to use the existing pipeline going to Port Sudan as a means of transport, but the Ministry of Energy in Khartoum refused to strike a deal. JMG and the SSDF were left to look for an alternative. While this situation has not been resolved yet, I postulate that they may be planning to persuade for an extension of the planned Uganda-Kenya-Rwanda pipeline into South Sudan. The pipeline is set to begin construction in May, but this is contingent on the Kenyan power-sharing agreement holding and peace returning to Kenya of course. Transport for the oil is taken care of. The Germans are financing a new railway line that will up Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan, allowing for shipping to and from the port city of Mombasa. In addition, both Uganda and Kenya would profit handsomely from the transport fees (customs) and taxes during the shipping process. It would also help develop Uganda's budding petroleum sector, currently being exploited by Heritage Gas and Oil, Tullow Oil, Neptune (Tower) Resources, and Dominion Petroleum.

The reader should realize just how much of a stake the US has in the Kenyan pipeline project. The contract to build, operate, and transfer the oil was awarded to the Uganda-based Tamoil East Africa Ltd. This firm is a subsidiary of Tamoil Africa Holding, based in Libya. In June 2007, US private equity firm Colony Capital LLC bought out the majority shares in Oilinvest and Tamoil Africa Holding (TAC) for 5.4 Billion dollars (US). Colony was founded and is currently run by Mr. Thomas Barrack Jr., the Deputy Undersecretary of the Department of the Interior for President Ronald Reagan. Therefore, the US has the contract to build, operate, and maintain the new pipeline. This is, in part, why the US pushed so hard for the power-sharing deal in Kenya to stop the violence, but at the same time ensuring President Kibaki, whose administration approved the contact, remains in a prominent position of power. In fact, Nexant, a subsidiary of Bechtel, completed the cost-benefit analysis of the pipeline project. It was, in large part, their recommendations that allowed the pipeline extension project to be approved. But there is more. Only months after their acquisition, TAC acquired an exploration licenses in Chad for the Irdiss 1, Idriss 2 and Wadjadou 1 blocks near the Libyan border, the same relative area the US has quietly built a military base in Libyan territory under the guise of the Pan-Sahel Initiative.

At the same time, TAC reportedly received exploration permits from the Moroccan Government to explore in Western Sahara, a disputed territory that is not recognized as a state, making any such exploration highly illegal under international law. Colony Capital spokesman have vigorously denied that they received any such deal in W. Sahara. TAC also has oil concessions in Mail and Niger, where battles with the Tuareg militias have been raging. The US has been training and supplying the Mali and Niger Governments' armies under the Pan-Sahel Initiative. They have even dropped supplies under fire to government troops on the battlefield. The President of Mali visited President Bush in Washington D.C. shortly before he left on his recent official state visit to Africa recently. The natural resources in the area cannot be developed while the Tuareg conflict rages on. The French are interested in the uranium stores in the region as well. Areva, a firm mentioned earlier, owns vast concessions in Niger to mine for Uranium and the EU's planned Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline from Algeria to Nigeria will go right through Niger.

Uganda needs to procure the land to build the pipeline on, which may be a part of the reason for the ongoing Buganda land ownership debates. They also need peace in North Uganda and South Sudan. Consider this: Why is it now that there is such a political push to get a lasting agreement with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)? They are currently in South Sudan around Juba and in the Central African Republic and are destabilizing the area and slowing the development of infrastructure in Northern Uganda, including the border with South Sudan. The US in particular, including President Bush himself, has pushed for a final peace agreement. Why such an aggressive and concerted effort to get this particular armed group to end its insurrection? Why not make put this high-level of pressure on the earlier? After all, the LRA was armed by the Khartoum Government as a way to get back at Uganda for arming the SPLA. All parties with a stake in the project want lasting peace and stability in Uganda so they can develop the land in the northwest and LRA was supported by the Khartoum Government for a long time as a way to get back at Uganda for arming the SPLA.

JMG has not sat idle in the meantime. In January 2007, Jarch Capital named Mr. Joseph Wilson as the Vice Chairman of Jarch Capital. Yes, this is the same Ambassador Joseph Wilson, who has a wife, Mrs. Valerie Plame, that was exposed as a covert Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agent by Mr. Karl Rove and certain members of the Bush Administration following Ambassador Wilson's revelation that the Niger 'yellowcake' claims make in Pres. Bush's State of the Union address in 2003 were utterly false and the administration knew this when they included the information in the speech. Ambassador Wilson served as the Senior African Affairs Advisor at the National Security Council (NSC) under President Clinton's NSC Advisor Anthony Lake in 1997 during the time period the Khartoum Agreement was signed. Mr. Lake was originally nominated to be the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI), but was rejected by the Republican-controlled Congress. Mr. Wilson rotated into the NSC as Ms. Susan Rice was rotating out of the NSC's African Desk and into the State Department's Bureau of African Affairs. Working under him at the NSC's East African Desk was John Prendergast. Ambassador Wilson was also the chief planner for President Clinton's trip to Africa in 1998.

Ambassador Wilson dealt with the SPLM/A in his capacity as an NSC advisor. In 1997, the north-south civil war was in full swing and was a major issue at the NSC African Desk. He was also a seasoned diplomat who had served in several African countries, including as the Ambassador to Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe. His negotiating skills and knowledge of the region were incredibly valuable to Jarch and it did not take long for them to pay off. White Nile's legal claim to Block B was rejected by a decision adopted by the Sudanese National Petroleum Commission on 17 June 2007. In August 2007, President Salva Kiir and General Matip confirmed JMG's 2003 agreement claims in exchange for 10% following months of meetings. In order to gain full political support for their claims, JMG began appointing members of the SPLM/A to its advisory board. In November 2007, General Matip was appointed as an Advisor and Vice President. At the same time, in an official company release, JMG urged GOSS to declare South Sudan's independence. In late February 2008, Joseph Wejang, the Minister of Health of the Government of Southern Sudan also joined JMG's advisory team as did Ambassador Emmanuel Touaboy, the Ambassador of the Central African Republic to the US. With support from both the Dinka and Nuer sides through their diversified advisory board, JMG has strengthened its political position and tempered potential SPLA-SSDF skirmishes over the oil fields. Since JMG is essentially acting as a holding company, it follows to ask: just who are they holding it for? Perhaps they are waiting for South Sudan's independence referendum in 2011 so they can sell it legally to a U.S.-registered oil company. Only time will tell.

Sep. 14, 2006 - Sudan Tribune:
Jarch Management Group announces its Board of Advisers

Jarch Management Group, Ltd
Press Release

September 13, 2006 — Jarch Management Group, Ltd. announces its Board of Advisers. We expect this board to grow over the next year.

Below are the members of the Board of Advisers for Jarch Management Group:

1. Mr. Saville Lau- Chairman of the Board of Advisers for Jarch Management Group and President of Jarch Management Group. Mr Lau is located in Hong Kong

2. Dr. David de Chand- Chairman of the South Sudan United Democratic Alliance (SSUDA) and Professor at the University of Nebraska. Dr. Chand is located in Omaha and is an expert on Sudan.

3. Dr. Amir Idris- Professor at Fordham University. Dr. Idris is located in New York and is an expert on the African region.

4. Commander Thowath Pal Chay- Chairman of Ethiopian Unity Patriots’ Front (EUPF) and Commander in Chief of Ethiopian Unity Patriots’ Army (EUPA). He is located in East Africa.

5. Mr. Peter Kueth Kor- Secretary for External Relations for the South Sudan Defence Forces (SSDF). He is located in Nairobi, Kenya.

Mar 07, 2006 - Sudan Tribune:
US Jarch Capital accuses SPLM of violating oil deal on Block B

JARCH CAPITAL, LLC
445 Park Avenue
9th Floor
New York, NY 10022

March 6, 2006
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH SUDAN

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

In February 2003, the SPLM signed a contract with Jarch Capital, LLC and its partners to explore and exploit oil in an area called Block B. In addition, this contract gave Jarch Capital, exclusive rights to all commodity contracts until 2009. Furthermore, the SPLM was required to contact Jarch Capital prior to any commodity deals.

Eighteen months after the signing of our agreement, the SPLM signed a contract with a public company called White Nile, Ltd. Jarch Capital considers the signing of this new deal a violation of the representations and warranties given by the SPLM and a violation of the agreement as a whole.

The following people were directly involved in the Jarch deal or were made aware of this deal prior to an agreement with White Nile, Ltd.- Dr John Garang (late leader of SPLM), Rebecca Garang (current Minister of Transport and Roads of GOSS), Dr. Riek Machar (Vice- President of the Government of South Sudan), Kuol Mangyang Juuk (current Minister of Transport GONU and board member of White Nile, Ltd.), Arthur Akuien Chol (current Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of GOSS), Dr. Lual A. Deng (State Minister of State for Finance of GONU and non-executive board member of White Nile, Ltd.), Steven Wondu (North-American representative).

This contract was approved and we have supporting documents including pictures and emails to prove this. Since the SPLM and now the GOSS have violated our agreement, Jarch is exploring legal options.

It is our belief that the damages could exceed US$ 10 billion. Though it is heartbreaking to see the people of South Sudan continue to suffer, the leadership cannot be allowed to operate outside international law. Jarch will donate 10% of its proceeds of any legal action back to the people of South Sudan.

Sincerely,
Phil Heilberg, Chairman
Email: pheilberg@jarchcapital.com

- - -



Image source: International Land Coalition, 09, January, 2009:
US investor buys Sudanese warlord’s land

SUDO appeals against HAC decision

Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting
Activists Mount Legal Challenge to NGO Closures
9 April 2009 via UNHCR Refworld 16 April 2009

Civil society groups attempt to resist government crackdown in wake of ICC's indictment of Bashir.

By Amy Stillman in London

It was late in the afternoon when the letter arrived at the Sudan Social Development Organization, SUDO, headquarters in Khartoum.

Signed by the Sudanese government's Humanitarian Assistance Commission, HAC, it sounded the death knell for the largest Sudanese humanitarian organisation operating in Darfur.

Claiming that SUDO had been working outside its humanitarian mandate, the letter called for its immediate closure. It wasn't long before security forces arrived to ensure that all of SUDO's ten offices, computers, documents and furniture were handed over to the government. Its bank accounts were instantly frozen.

"We have no access to our funds, so we can't even pay our employees," said SUDO's head, Mudawi Ibrahim Adam.

"The government shut us down because we are an independent organisation. They want their own organisations, organisations that are following the line of the government."

SUDO is among many NGOs that have fallen victim to a recent government crackdown, which led to the expulsion of 13 foreign aid agencies and the closure of two other local human rights organisations.

An NGO representative close to SUDO said "the human rights scene in Sudan has been wiped off the map" since the International Criminal Court, ICC, indicted Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir for war crimes on March 4. Bashir said the NGOs were targeted because they "threatened the security of Sudan", accusing them of collaboration with the ICC.

Only two hours after the warrant was issued, security forces shut down the Khartoum-based Amel Centre for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture. The centre works to inform people of their rights and provide psychological and medical assistance to victims of human rights violations. According to the Amel Centre director Najib Najm El Din, the organisation had been seeing up to 30 new torture victims a month.

"We don't know what is going on with our clients, because we can't reach them," said Najib. "For those that went to court, now nobody is following their cases. We are trying to do something through other organisations, but we don't have enough money to offer care and pay for victim's treatment."

The Khartoum Centre for Human Rights and Environmental Development, KCHRED, was targeted on the same day, with security forces raiding the offices and confiscating a safe, computers and classified documents. KCHRED provides legal aid to victims of torture and human rights training to lawyers.

The organisation's staff has since fled Sudan, including legal aid coordinator, Ali M Agab who is in the United Kingdom. He told IWPR that files containing the names and details of thousands of victims are now in the hands of HAC, which works closely with the security forces. "Those people's lives are in danger now," he said.

SUDO, which had 300 members of staff, has provided clean drinking water, health services and sanitation to 700,000 internally displaced persons.

A major project was the construction of a much-needed health clinic at the Zam Zam refugee camp in north Darfur. Several international aid agencies IWPR spoke to said they don't know how the clinic will survive.

Selena Brewer from Human Rights Watch said the closure of SUDO and the other NGOs is having a massive impact. "It's basically closing down that sector of Sudanese civil society. For anybody that works on human rights in Darfur or anywhere else in the country, the situation is really terrifying," she said.

But the NGOs are determined to challenge the government over the closures. On March 10, the activists appealed the HAC decision. Their case will be heard on April 13 at the Administrative Court of Justice in Khartoum. And, they say, if that is unsuccessful, they will take their case to a higher court.

"We are not going to give up on our supporters. We have to go to the courts," said Najib.

While outwardly bullish, some are concerned about their prospects, as there are doubts about whether Adam will be able to turn up for the appeal. He is due to appear in court on corruption charges the day before, accused of embezzling 40,000 US dollars of SUDO funds in 2004.

"They have found this out now? I don't think they have any case, and I'm not at all scared about what they are saying," he told IWPR.

The closure of the Sudanese NGOs follows years of state pressure on civil society activists. "The pattern of repression has been getting worse and worse, and it's becoming impossible for people to speak out," said Brewer.

Both SUDO and Adam have previously been subject to government intimidation. In March 2003, officials closed two of the organisation's offices and froze its bank accounts. Adam was arrested the same year for alleged anti-state crimes. After no evidence could be produced, he was released. He was arrested again without charge in 2005, and released on bail.

Though the outcome of their appeal is uncertain, Brewer is cautiously hopeful that the NGOs will be allowed to resume their work. "I don't think the government wants to take on providing food and water for a million people, and they certainly don't have the capacity to do it," she said. "So I'm hoping that the appeals process will give them a way to back down without losing face."

Amy Stillman is an IWPR contributor in London.

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the announcement of elections in Sudan

The European Union, together with the United Nations and other international partners, stands ready to support the preparations and the conduct of elections in Sudan, as appropriate, including by providing election observers, in accordance with requests from the National Electoral Commission.

Source: European Union (EU)
Date: 15 Apr 2009 via ReliefWeb
8712/09 (Presse 88) P 41/09

The European Union welcomes the announcement by the National Electoral Commission of Sudan that nationwide elections are to be held in February 2010.

Holding of free and fair elections is an important element in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and holds the perspective of a peaceful national, political and democratic transformation of Sudan, as set out in the Interim National Constitution.

A conducive electoral environment should be created to ensure the participation of all Sudanese citizens, including necessary amendments of legislation regarding media and security, as well as appropriate voter information and education.

Outstanding issues such as the declaration of the results of the National Census and the demarcation of the borders need to be concluded as soon as possible.

All efforts must be made to create conditions which allow all citizens of Darfur to exercise their rights to participate in elections in a secure environment.

The European Union, together with the United Nations and other international partners, stands ready to support the preparations and the conduct of elections in Sudan, as appropriate, including by providing election observers, in accordance with requests from the National Electoral Commission.

The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and (orway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

BBC video: Microchip aids in kidnap fight - WFP and Italian army's course to avoid sniper and land mines

BBC Technology reporter Jason Palmer goes on training exercises with aid organisation technicians and the Italian army.

Engineers are among the most vulnerable aid workers because they often go to disasters to set up communication systems before rescuers arrive.

They learn to avoid sniper fire, kidnapping and mines on the programme, set up by the World Food Programme, UN Foundation and Vodafone Foundation.

See BBC video report 16 April 2009: Techies learn to dodge bullets. Also, Duncan Kennedy's video report Microchip aids in kidnap fight - excerpt:

A Mexican security firm has developed a microchip that allows satellites to help locate kidnap victims.

Sales of the chip which is implanted under the skin have increased by 13% in the past year, as kidnap rates soar in Mexico.

UNAMID: Security situation in Darfur April 15, 2009

From UNAMID EL FASHER (DARFUR) Sudan - via APO
April 15, 2009 Daily Media Brief

Security Situation in Darfur

The security situation in Darfur has been reported to be relatively calm.

UNAMID military conducted 22 Confidence building patrols, 17 escort patrols and seven night patrol covering 44 villages/IDP Camps. UNAMID Police conducted a total of 92 patrols in and around the villages and IDPs.

Human Rights Forum

Members of the Human Rights Forum yesterday gathered in El Geneina, West Darfur, to participate in the second meeting of the Forum since it was launched last year.

It was attended by the Speaker of the West Darfur Legislative Council, the General-Prosecutor for Darfur, Government of Sudan officials, diplomatic missions in Sudan and the Head of the West Darfur State Judiciary. UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative for Operations and Management, Mr. Hocine Medili led the UNAMID team.

The purpose of the forum is to provide a venue for transparent and constructive dialogue on human rights issues between the GoS and UNAMID. It is also intended to form part of the ongoing efforts by UNAMID to support the GoS in the discharge of its responsibilities in the promotion and protection of human rights in Darfur. The National Human Rights Forum was established as a place where members of the International Community, the UN and the GoS can openly discuss human rights issues and actions taken by the GoS to improve the human rights situation in Darfur.

Following the meeting, the participants visited the new premises of UNAMID headquarters located about 20 kilometers north-east of town of El Geneina.

Rotation of UNAMID troops

The Nigerian Battalion stationed in South Darfur began the rotation of its troops in Darfur yesterday, with a total of 200 personnel arriving, while another 200 left the Mission for their home country. This is part of the ongoing troop rotation within the Sector which is expected to conclude on 21 April.

The South African Contingents deployed with in North Darfur has completed their tour of duty and new contingents will soon arrive to replace them. The rotation of troops will take place between 22 April and 28 April.

US Senator John Kerry arrives in Khartoum

From Miraya FM Wednesday, 15 April 2009:
Khartoum highlights importance of Kerry's visit

The Sudanese Government has welcomed the visit of John Kerry, US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which starts today.

The US relations officer in the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign affairs, Nasr el Din wali, told the press that the visit is a positive step towards developing the US-Sudanese relations.

John Kerry arrives in Khartoum today heading a delegation from the US Congress.

He is expected to meet a number of Sudanese Officials among them is the first Vice President, Ali Osman Mohammed Taha.

The US Charge D'Affaires, Alberto Fernandez, said that the visit will include south Sudan and Darfur.

Speaking to Miraya FM, Fernandez said that the visit will concentrate on solving the Darfur crisis, specially the humanitarian situation after the government's decision of expelling aid organizations from Darfur, in addition to following up the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

U.S. senator arrives in Khartoum for talks on Sudan-U.S. ties

KHARTOUM, April 15, 2009 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. congressional delegation led by Senator John Kerry arrived in Khartoum on Wednesday for talks with Sudanese officials on ties between Khartoum and Washington.

Kerry, chairman of U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and his delegation are expected to meet Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha, Presidential Assistant Nafie Ali Nafie, Presidential Adviser Ghazi Salah al-Din and Foreign Minister Deng Alor.

He will then head for Al-Fisher, the capital city of North Darfur State, where he will meet local officials and representatives of the hybrid peacekeeping mission of the United Nations and the African Union in Darfur (UNAMID), and visit some refugee camps.

The U.S. senator's visit to Sudan came only one week following a tour in the eastern African country by Scott Gration, the special envoy of the U.S. president to Sudan.

Abdul Basit Badawi Snoussi, director-general of bilateral relations in the Sudanese Foreign Ministry, reiterated on the eve of Kerry's arrival Sudan's firm position in dealing with the United States.

He said at the Sudanese Media Center that any problems between Khartoum and Washington, no matter how complicated they are, should be ironed out through dialogue rather than pressures and threats.

Expressing his government's satisfaction with the new approach of the U.S. administration in dealing with various issues in Africa, the Sudanese official said that Sudan had received the U.S. special envoy with an open heart and heard from him "good words" that sent optimistic signals.

"This is not the end but the beginning of the road for solutions through dialogue and understanding as a first step, which should be followed by others," he said.

Editor: Mu Xuequan

Photo source: Sudan Watch Tuesday, April 07, 2009 - US Senator John Kerry to visit Darfur and Khartoum, Sudan

10 JEM rebels sentenced to death for Khartoum attack

From Reuters Wed Apr 15, 2009 by Khalid Abdel Aziz:
Darfur rebels sentenced to death for Khartoum attack

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - A Sudanese court on Wednesday sentenced to death 10 members of the Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) for an unprecedented 2008 attack on the Sudanese capital.

The men were found guilty of involvement in the attack on the Khartoum suburb of Omdurman in May 2008. Three others were acquitted and will be freed, the court said.

After the sentence was announced, the men raised their shackled hands and shouted in unison "Allah Akbar" (God is great) and "Revolution until victory".

The men were found guilty of 12 charges, including treason, violence against the state and illegal possession of weapons. The group has seven days to appeal the decision.

The sitting judge rejected requests for leniency from their lawyers.

More than 200 people were killed and hundreds injured when JEM launched the shock attack.

The rebels drove across hundreds of miles of desert and scrubland to reach the capital and were only repelled at a bridge a few kilometres away from the presidential palace.

Some 50 JEM members have previously been sentenced to death for the attacks. None have yet been executed.

The court was specially created to try JEM members involved in the attack.

From AFP Wed Apr 15 2009:
Sudan condemns Darfur rebels to death

KHARTOUM (AFP) — A Sudanese court on Wednesday condemned 10 rebels from the Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement to death for an unprecedented attack on Khartoum in 2008 which killed more than 220 people.

"I condemn you to death by hanging," Judge Mutasim Tajisir said in delivering the verdict.

The men were found guilty of terrorist activities, overthrowing the regime, destruction of public property and possession of illegal arms, he said.

"God is Great! JEM is strong! Revolution, revolution until victory!" cried the defendants, dressed in traditional long robes, after hearing the verdict.

Tajisir, who ordered the release of three others accused in the case, gave the defendants one week to appeal the verdict -- which was swiftly branded illegal by JEM.

Fifty members of JEM -- the most active Darfur rebel group -- have already been condemned to hang over the attack on the capital's twin city of Omdurman in May 2008.

More than 222 people were killed when rebels thrust more than 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) across the sandy expanse from conflict-torn Darfur in western Sudan to Omdurman, just across the Nile from the presidential palace.

"This judgement is illegal, illegitimate and violates international law," JEM spokesman Ahmed Hussein told AFP. "This is yet another evidence that the judicial system of the regime is not independent."

The verdict is "a clear violation of Doha because the regime recognised there that these guys are war prisoners that have to be exchanged," Hussein said.

Last year, the United Nations expressed concern over the trials in the Sudanese courts especially created for the case and urged Khartoum to abolish capital punishment.

Defence lawyers have argued that the special courts are unconstitutional and have not guaranteed their clients' legal rights.

Under Sudanese law, any death sentence must be ratified by an appeal court and the high court. All death warrants must then be signed and approved by President Omar al-Beshir.

The JEM last month said it would no longer hold peace talks with the Sudanese government after Khartoum's expulsion of foreign aid agencies from the war-ravaged region.

It had signed an accord in the Qatari capital of Doha in February with Khartoum on a package of confidence-building measures, paving the way for substantive peace negotiations.

But it said peace talks were no longer possible after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Beshir on March 4 for war crimes in Darfur.

The world court has accused Beshir of criminal responsibility for "exterminating, raping and forcibly transferring large numbers of civilians" from Darfur.

The United Nations says that up to 300,000 people have died and more than 2.2 million have fled their homes since ethnic minority rebels in Darfur rose up against the regime in February 2003. Sudan says 10,000 have been killed.

Hanged Sudanese 'may be innocent'

From BBC April 14, 2009 - excerpt:
Hanged Sudanese 'may be innocent'

Lobby group Amnesty International has condemned as "outrageous" the hanging of nine Sudanese men convicted of beheading a newspaper editor in 2006.

"They were arbitrarily arrested, tortured and then subjected to an unfair trial," said the body's deputy Africa director Tawanda Hondora.

From Sudan Radio Service April 14, 2009:

(Khartoum) - The family of a man executed after he was accused of assassinating the journalist Mohamed Taha, says that Taha did not write an article criticizing the people of Darfur.

It was alleged at the trial of the nine men who were found guilty of Taha’s murder that an article he had written about Darfur was the motive for the killing. The nine were hanged on Monday.

Habib Ali Abdul Mageed, the brother of Abdul Majeed Ali, who was among those sentenced to death and executed for the murder, claimed that the nine executed people were innocent.

Mageed also claimed that it was the Sudanese authorities who had killed the journalist.

[Habib Ali Abdul Mageed]: “The decision is oppressive, first of all, let me correct some information for the people in Sudan, this message is to Taha’s family, so they don’t think mistakenly that he was killed by these nine people. The media tried to hide the truth. The truth is that the journalist Taha did not write anything about the Fur community or even about the court, because the accusation said that he was killed because he abused the Fur tribe, he did not write anything about the Fur. Mohamed Taha was killed by the same hand which killed these innocent nine people. The government is trying to cover up by killing innocent people who are opposing them. These people, (the government) killed Mohamed Taha.”

Mageed claimed that the suspects wanted to get to the truth by meeting Taha’s family but the authorities rejected their demand.

[Habib Ali Abdul Mageed]:]: “This is a special message to Taha’s family, that the nine innocent suspects wanted to deliver a message before they went to the gallows, but the authorities refused to allow that. The message is that they did not want mercy, because they did nothing wrong. The message was to urge Taha’s family not to become involved in the crime with the people who hatched the plot, to be patient, to seek the truth.”

Habib said that the lawyer who was defending the accused was detained and was due to be released today (Tuesday).

[Habib Ali Abdul Mageed]: “The lawyer, Kamala Omer, the hero who was sent to jail because of these innocent people, in order not to attend the catastrophe of yesterday, Kamal Omer will be released today according to my information. He does not know what has happened to the people whom he was defending.”

The editor of the Al-Wifaq newspaper, Mohamed Taha Mohamed Ahmed, was kidnapped by armed men from his home and his decapitated body was found the following morning lying on the street in southern Khartoum on September 6, 2006.

Taha was an Islamist who was detained several times and tortured by national security agents for criticizing the government.

In 2005, he wrote a controversial article about the origins of the prophet Mohamed, which was met with anger and death threats by some extremists in Sudan.

The nine men who were executed were buried together in a mass grave in al-Sahafa graveyard on Tuesday.

From Reuters April 14, 2009:
Crowd burns Khartoum shops, cars after executions

(Khartoum) - A crowd of angry demonstrators burned shops and cars in a local market in south Khartoum, residents said on Tuesday, a day after nine Darfuri men were executed for the killing of a newspaper editor.

Some 5,000 people turned out under a heavy police presence to attend the funerals of the nine men, found guilty of killing Mohamed Taha Mohamed Ahmed in September 2006.

Some in the crowd chanted slogans in support of the Sudan Liberation Movement, a Darfur rebel group which has been fighting the government in the western region of Darfur.

Local radio, citing witnesses and security sources, reported that relatives of the executed men had clashed with police in two places.

Witnesses said a small number of demonstrators destroyed and damaged shops and cars on the way to the funerals.

At the men's trial, the lead police investigator said the defendants had been infuriated by an article in Ahmed's newspaper, al-Wifaq. A defence lawyer said the article played down reports about rape in Darfur and used unflattering language to describe Darfuri women.

The newspaper had also angered Islamists with articles about the Prophet Mohammad and had criticised the ruling National Congress Party of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.

The human rights group Amnesty International condemned the executions, saying the men were tortured to extract confessions.

"The execution of the nine men is outrageous. They were arbitrarily arrested, tortured and then subjected to an unfair trial," said Tawanda Hondora, Amnesty's Africa Deputy Director.

The government, viewing the killing of the editor and the trial as sensitive matters, initially restricted reporting of the case to state media.

From Sudan Tribune April 15, 2009:
Nine hanged men claimed innocence

April 14, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Nine people executed Monday by the Sudanese authorities had asserted their innocence before being hanged for the murder of a prominent Islamist journalist in 2006. Also, the Fur tribe protested the execution and considered it as directed against their ethnic group.

The editor of Al-Wifaq daily Mohamed Taha Mohamed Ahmed was snatched from his home in a northern district of Khartoum by armed men and his decapitated body was found the following morning lying on the street in southern Khartoum on September 6, 2006.

Ahmed’s murder had been perceived at first as motivated by blasphemy for articles republished from the internet that questioned the parentage of Islam’s prophet Muhammad; also a group claiming to be al-Qaida’s branch in Sudan issued a claim of responsibility for the murder.

Sudanese authorities responded by indicting ten people belonging to the Fur tribe, one of the most affected by the Darfur conflict. Also, the Ministry of Justice kept secret for a time the details on those arrested for the killing or on their motive.

But later, they disclosed that according to the confessions obtained from the suspects, Mohamed Taha had been slaughtered because of articles questioning the morals of Darfuri women in reaction to reports about sexual violence against women in the war-ravaged Darfur region.

"The convicted told their families before being executed they were innocent and never killed the journalist," one of the relatives of the convicted people told Sudan Tribune today from Khartoum on condition of anonymity. The relative added that they told that to their family just hours before the execution.

"They said they should be considered as martyrs for the cause of Darfur and asked their families to not weep for them," the source added, before commenting "this is a political crime." He stressed that the convicted were tortured to confess to the crime.

"And you should know that even under torture only three confessed and retracted before the judge," he added.

Yesterday morning the penitentiary authorities of Koper Prison allowed the nine convicted to meet their families for two hours. Hundreds of Darfuris were gathered outside the prison, while Mohamed Taha’s family was allowed to witness the hanging.

"The execution of the nine men is outrageous. They were arbitrarily arrested, tortured and then subjected to an unfair trial," said Tawanda Hondora, Africa Deputy Director at Amnesty International.

The hanging also angered Darfuri who demonstrated in Khartoum to protest the hanging of the nine men. On Tuesday some 5000 demonstrators burned shops and cars in south Khartoum. They also chanted slogans supporting the Sudan Liberation Movement, a rebel group led by the exiled Abdel Wahid Al-Nur.

Further, in a statement released from the Darfuri Osman Tarleen, one of Fur traditional leaders called to investigate the execution of the nine Fur saying it came in line with the crimes committed by the government in the region since 2003.

All these crimes will not "cow the will of our tribe — instead such intimidations increases our determination" to struggle for the rights of our people, the tribal leader said.

The nine men executed in Khartoum-North yesterday were: Ishag Al-Sanusi Juma, aged 75 years; Abdel Hai Omer Abdel Majeed, 45 years; Mustafa Adam Mohamed Mohamed Khalifa, 72 years; Abdel Majeed Ali, 33 years; Sabir Zakariya Hassan, 28 years; Gamal Eldin Eisa Al Haj, 45 years; Adam Ibrahim Alhaj, 44 years; Mohamed Birgid, 65 years; and Hassan Adam Fadol, 55 years.

The nine were buried in Sahafa East Cemetery.

1 Comment 15 April 2009 by Mr. Moto Moto
The justice system in Sudan has and will remain a suspect because of the way justice is dispense. Because of so much interference it is hard to tell whether people are convicted rightly or wrongly. Whereas I believe intimidation of journalists should never be condone, it is quite surprising that all the supposed members of "Al qaeda in Sudan" who were hange last monday are Darfuris. This begs lots of questions

Oxfam GB submits appeal against expulsion from N. Sudan

Oxfam GB submits formal appeal against expulsion from northern Sudan
15 Apr 2009
Source: Oxfam GB - UK (via Reuters)
Website: www.oxfam.org.uk

AGENCY REFUTES ALLEGATIONS AGAINST IT, WARNS HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN DARFUR HAS DETERIORATED SINCE THE EXPULSIONS

International aid agency Oxfam GB said today that it has formally submitted its appeal against the Sudanese government's decision to expel it from northern Sudan, and expressed serious concern at the false allegations that continue to be made against it and other expelled agencies. The agency warned the humanitarian situation in Darfur is worsening following the expulsion, with people facing shortages of water and other aid.

Penny Lawrence, Oxfam GB's International Programmes Director, said: "We have already been told that water pumps in some Darfur camps have stopped pumping, and there are growing fears about the potential for outbreaks of disease in the coming rainy season. The expulsion is already affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands of the very poorest and most vulnerable Sudanese people."

Oxfam GB has been assisting 600,000 people across northern Sudan - not only in Darfur, but in the east of the country and the poorest areas of the capital Khartoum, which have also been affected. Programmes providing clean water, sanitation, education and microfinance have all been shut down.

Lawrence said: "We strongly refute the government's accusations that we have acted outside our humanitarian mandate. We are an independent, impartial organisation, and we have not provided any information to the International Criminal Court's investigation. For the past 25 years, our predominantly Sudanese staff have worked tirelessly to help improve the lives of the poorest people in Sudan. We have provided emergency aid during conflicts, floods and droughts, and long term development support in some of the most remote and marginalised areas of the country. We remain committed to ensuring people get the support they need."

The agency said it has still not been given an official reason why its registration has been revoked, or been given evidence of any of the allegations against it. Its appeal has been submitted in the timeframe given under Sudanese law, after lengthy legal consultations.

A recent joint assessment in Darfur by the United Nations and the Government of Sudan showed that hundreds of thousands of people now have less access to safe water, healthcare, food and shelter, and that these needs are likely to become acute in the coming months. In many locations where Oxfam GB was working, the impact is already apparent. In Kalma camp in South Darfur, boreholes have stopped pumping water. In the camps of Kass and Shangil Tobai, communities have been rationing water to try to make it available for longer. Thousands of latrines will fill up and need replacing in the coming months, and many health programmes aimed at reducing the threat of water-borne diseases such as cholera and malaria in the rainy season have ceased. Given the urgency and scale of the need, replacing these programmes will be an enormously difficult challenge.

Notes to Editors:

Oxfam GB first began working in Sudan in 1983, responding to the needs of people displaced when war erupted in the south of the country. The following year it helped people made destitute by the drought in Darfur and eastern Sudan. It has been working in Sudan continuously ever since. In 2004 it scaled up its response to the Darfur conflict, as well as working to improve the livelihoods of poor communities in eastern Red Sea State and the capital Khartoum. Although it has been expelled from northern Sudan, Oxfam GB continues to operate in southern Sudan, providing clean water, sanitation and livelihoods support to people affected by decades of conflict.

Oxfam GB submitted its appeal to the Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commission, in accordance with Sudanese law under Article 14 of the Voluntary and Humanitarian Work Act 2006. The Act allows agencies one month to appeal.

Sudan's Bashir hails Obama's overture to Islamic world

Sudan's Bashir hails Obama's overture to Islamic world
Mon Apr 13, 2009
By Alastair Sharp

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan's leader welcomed on Monday "positive signs" sent by U.S. President Barack Obama to the Islamic world, striking a more conciliatory tone towards Washington, seen as an enemy of Khartoum in the past.

"We, our brothers and sisters, are seekers of peace and stability and we do not want our country to live under the shadows of swords and tension," President Omar Hassan al-Bashir said at the opening of the eighth session of parliament.

"Our hands remain held out to those who call for peace and justice in accordance with the standards of fairness and dignity," he added, echoing a phrase used by Obama in his inauguration address.

"We even welcome the positive signs sent by U.S. President Barack Obama to the Islamic world on more than one occasion."

Washington has had tense relations with the Islamist government of Bashir, who came to power in Africa's largest country in a 1989 coup.

The United States imposed economic sanctions on Sudan in 1997 and labelled it a "state sponsor of terrorism."

Ties were strained further by the conflict in Darfur, which both Obama and his predecessor George W. Bush have called genocide, a description Sudan's government rejects.

Bashir also used his speech Monday to defend a decision to expel 13 foreign aid agencies from Darfur last month after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes in Sudan's western region.

He said the decision was made "for the sake of protecting the sovereignty, security and independence of our country."

Bashir's comments came after a visit to Sudan this month by Obama's special envoy to the country, Scott Gration, who met officials from the government, rebel groups and international organizations, promising to "look, learn and listen."

Gration, who is expected to return to Sudan within months, said he was looking for friendship and cooperation from the Sudanese government but he did sound one note of criticism.

After visiting a refugee camp in Darfur, he said he was concerned the region was on the brink of a deeper humanitarian crisis following the expulsion of the aid agencies.

Gration's predecessor Richard Williamson, appointed by Bush, suspended talks on normalising relations with Sudan last year, saying northern and southern Sudanese leaders were not serious about reconciling after a decades-long civil war.

International experts say at least 200,000 people have been killed and more than 2.7 million driven from their homes in almost six years of ethnic and politically driven fighting in Darfur. Khartoum says 10,000 people have died.

(Editing by Katie Nguyen)

(Reporting by Alastair Sharp; Khartoum bureau)

Envoy to Tehran stresses Mossad's role in Sudan's insecurity

Sudan's envoy to Tehran described the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Sudanese President Hassan al-Bashir over alleged war crimes as a concerted move to help rebels establish an independent country in Darfur to support West's interests.



From Fars News Agency April 13, 2009
Envoy Stresses Mossad's Role in Sudan's Insecurity

TEHRAN (FNA) - Sudan's envoy to Tehran stressed the role of the Israeli Intelligence service, Mossad, in stirring unrests and insecurity in his country, and said the arrest warrant issued for Omar al-Bashir aimed to help establishment of an independent state in Darfur to support West's interests in the African country.

Noting that the US, Britain, France and Israel gain benefit from unrests in Sudan and that they have made lots of efforts to sow discord in the country, Sudanese Ambassador to Iran Soleiman Abd-al-Tavvab Al-Zein told FNA, "We have plenty of documents that prove Israel's interference in Sudan's internal affairs."

He described Israel as a threat to the Middle East, Africa and the Arab world and said, "First I should say that there are some (actors) behind the stage that provide the poor people in Darfur with weapons and financial aids to form armed forces and (provide) whatever needed for stirring insecurity (in Sudan)."

"If we pay more attention to the issue, we will see Mossad and other espionage and intelligence services of the West have a hand in creating insecurity in Sudan."

Referring to the underlying causes of West's campaign against Sudan, Al-Zein reiterated, "The successes gained by Sudan's Islamic government in uprooting poverty, extracting oil and economic progress, which were averse to West's desires and intentions, are not acceptable to them.

"They have spared no effort in bringing havoc, discord, unrest and division to Sudan in a bid to stop the wheel of development of this country."

He also described the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Sudanese President Hassan al-Bashir over alleged war crimes as a concerted move to help rebels establish an independent country in Darfur to support West's interests.

UNAMID: Security situation in Darfur April 13, 2009

From United Nations - African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, April 13, 2009 via APO
Daily Media Brief

Security Situation in Darfur

During the past 72 hours, the security situation in Darfur was reported to be relatively calm; however, car-jacking incidents and banditry activities continue to occur in most parts of North and West Darfur.

UNAMID Military and Police continue to conduct their regular patrols and activities throughout the region. The military component conducted 22 confidence-building patrols, 15 escort patrols, six night patrols and one investigation patrol covering 45 villages/camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The police component conducted a total of 96 patrols in and around the villages and IDP camps.

Human Rights Forum to kick off in West Darfur

The second regular meeting of the Darfur Human Rights Forum will be held tomorrow in the West Darfur state capital of El Geneina. This one-day forum will bring together officials from the Government of Sudan at the local and national level; members of the Advisory Council on Human Rights (ACHR), also representing the Government; members of the diplomatic community; the African Union; UNAMID and United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) Human Rights officials. It will also include participants from the Darfur State Committees on Combating Violence against Women and Children.

The purpose of the Forum is to promote transparent and constructive dialogue on human rights issues between the Government of Sudan and UNAMID. It will also form part of the ongoing efforts by UNAMID to support the Government in the discharge of its responsibilities in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Sudan hangs nine for journalist's murder: witness

Sudan hangs nine for journalist's murder: witness

KHARTOUM (AFP) — Nine Sudanese men convicted of murdering a prominent journalist in 2006 were hanged on Monday in a Khartoum prison, a relative of the victim told AFP.

"I saw the nine hang," the witness said on condition of anonymity.

The hanging took place at the Kober prison in Khartoum-North in presence of family members of Mohammed Taha Mohammed Ahmed but journalists were not allowed to witness the execution.

Ahmed's decapitated body was found in the capital Khartoum in September 2006, a day after he was abducted by armed men from his home in north Khartoum.

The former chief editor of the pro-Islamist newspaper Al-Wifaq, he was considered close to the Muslim Brotherhood and had strained ties with the government of President Omar al-Beshir.

Ten people were sentenced to death in November 2007 for Ahmed's murder and beheading at the end of a trial that lasted nine months, but one of the suspects was later acquitted.

The accused were members of the Fur tribe from the troubled region of Darfur.

Ahmed had angered rebels in Darfur after articles harshly criticising them were published in his newspaper.

The journalist had been arrested in 2005 after being accused of writing an article on the family of the Prophet Mohammed, and publication of his newspaper was suspended by the Sudanese authorities.

From Reuters, April 13, 2009 KHARTOUM -
Sudan executes nine convicted of editor's murder

Sudanese authorities on Monday executed nine men found guilty of involvement in the 2006 murder of a newspaper editor, a police source said.

"Nine people guilty in this case were executed today," the source said.

The case has been a sensitive issue for the government, which initially banned reporting of the trial except by state media. The nine men are from Darfur, a region torn by a conflict between rebels and government.

- - -

From Independent UK
Sent back by Britain. Executed in Darfur
Failed asylum-seeker followed home from airport and shot by Sudan security officials
By Robert Verkaik, Law Editor
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
A failed asylum-seeker who returned to Darfur under a government repatriation scheme has been murdered by Sudanese security officers after they followed him home from the airport in Khartoum, The Independent has learnt.

Is peace possible in Darfur, Sudan after ICC warrant? Submit question to Andrew Natsios

From Foreign Affairs
Q&A With Andrew Natsios on Sudan
Is Peace Possible After the ICC Warrant?
April 13, 2009

Next week, Andrew Natsios will answer questions submitted by readers about what the United States and others can do to bring peace and humanitarian relief to Sudan. Submit a question.

ANDREW NATSIOS is Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and was U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan in 2006–7.

Waltz With Bashir
By Andrew Natsios March 23, 2009
The ICC's latest move against the Sudanese president will harden Khartoum's stance, push Darfuri rebels to make unreasonable demands, and raise expectations in Sudan -- complicating efforts to secure peace and justice. Read.