Sudanese newspaper Ajrass Al-huriya: Khartoum media still subject to censorship

From Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 17 August 2009:
Khartoum Media Still Subject to Censorship

(Khartoum) – The editor-in-chief of the Khartoum daily newspaper Ajrass Al-huriya, says that the media is still facing censorship by the security agents.

Dr. Murtada El-Ghali told Sudan Radio Service from Khartoum on Monday that media censorship of newspapers still exist, even after the endorsement of the new media law.

[Dr. Murtada El-Ghali]: “Who said the censorship has stopped? Sir, the censorship of papers has never stopped, before and after the new media law came into effect. This information should be corrected; many people think that the censorship had stopped for some time. It has never stopped, even after the the new media law was passed by the parliament, and even after the president of the republic had signed it.”

El-Ghali said that the reshuffling of the head of the security and intelligence in Sudan has no impact on the media so far.

[Dr. Murtada El-Ghali]: “The censorship is continuing, even after the reshuffling of the head of the security, it’s still there. I really don’t know whether they will be a new line from the security apparatus towards the papers particularly, and that's what concerns us, or this reshuffling a political act that we know nothing about? But what I can confirm is that the censorship is taking place every day between 8 to 11 pm.”

That was the editor-in-chief of Ajrass Al-huriya, Dr. Murtada El-Ghali, speaking to Sudan Radio Service from Khartoum.

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From Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 10 November 2008:
Khartoum Journalists Fight Press Censorship

(Khartoum) - Journalists from four daily newspapers in Khartoum are planning to demonstrate on Tuesday in front of the Constitutional Court.

They are protesting against what they called “intolerable censorship” by government security officials.

The editor-in-chief of the daily Arabic newspaper Ajrass Al-Hurriya, Dr. Murtada Al-Ghali, told Sudan Radio Service by phone from Khartoum on Sunday, that what he calls “continuous harassment and daily censorship by security agents” is making the publication of the newspapers virtually impossible.

Last week, journalists from three papers, Ajrass Al-Hurriya, Al-Midan, and Ray Al-Shaab, went on hunger strike for 24 hours to protest against the censorship of their papers by the authorities.

The three papers also suspended publication for three days last week.

Al-Ghali said that the papers have challenged the legality of the censorship in the Constitutional Court but although the court recognized their appeal, no action has been taken.

[Murtada Al-Ghali]: ”The censorship has become intolerable; it is preventing our journalists from doing their work. We brought the censorship issue to the court and our action was accepted but the censorship is still continuing. It’s getting worse; they confiscate our notes and articles without giving any reasons. And of course not all papers are treated in the same way.”

Al-Ghali said that staff from The Citizen, an English-language daily newspaper will also join their colleagues in their strike.

Ajrass Al-Hurriya, which means ”Bells of Freedom“ in English, is regularly accused by the government of being the voice of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

However Al-Ghali dismissed the allegation, claiming that his paper is independent and it is what he called the “voice of marginalized people in Sudan”.

Ajrass Al-Hurriaya was suspended by security agents more than ten times since the paper started publishing in April this year.

Of the two other papers participating in the strike, Al-Midan belongs to the Sudan Communist Party, while Ray Al-Shaab is owned by the Popular Congress Party.

Further reading
DR Congo: Several radio stations threatened with closure for retransmitting Radio France Internationale (RFI)
- Congo Watch, Monday, August 17, 2009.

Security Situation in Darfur - Aug 17, 2009

Darfur/UNAMID Daily Media Brief
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, August 17, 2009/(APO)

Security Situation in Darfur

The security situation in Darfur is reported to be relatively calm. However, minor banditry activities and car-jacking were reported in North Darfur.

UNAMID military conducted a total of 168 patrols in and around villages and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. UNAMID police conducted a total of 136 patrols in and around the villages and camps.

South African Police arrive in Darfur

A total of 79 police officers from the South African police arrived in Darfur on 14 August, to join the AU-UN Mission in Darfur.

The officers arrived in El Fasher and will begin induction training before they are deployed across the region. When the deployment is completed, with these new arrivals, UNAMID now has more than half of its authorized strength of police advisers on the ground.

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

Click on label here below for previous reports and latest updates.

US special envoy in Sudan amid growing criticism

Sudan Tribune - ‎5 hours ago‎

August 16, 2009 (WASHINGTON) — The US special envoy to Sudan Scott Gration arrived in Khartoum at the start of a five-day visit as criticisms begin to grow ...

Mia Farrow and other Darfur activists accuse U.S. envoy Gration of prolonging Sudan crisis

You couldn't make this stuff up. In an open letter to U.S. President Barack Obama's special envoy to Sudan, retired Air Force General Scott Gration, actress Mia Farrow and other activists said that Gration's strategy with Sudan was prolonging the crisis. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!
(In Arabic speak: "The camel cannot see the crookedness of its own neck")

Analysis by Louis Charbonneau (Reuters) Sunday, 16 August 2009:
Frustrated Darfur activists slam U.S. envoy Gration

UNITED NATIONS - Frustrated by the world's failure to end the humanitarian crisis in Sudan's western Darfur region, some advocacy groups have turned on the new U.S. envoy, accusing him of helping Khartoum thwart peace.

The unusual public censure highlights a growing divide on Darfur. One side are those who feel more engagement with -- and less criticism of -- Khartoum is needed to end the suffering in Darfur. On the other are those who support more pressure, more sanctions and possibly military action if Sudan blocks efforts to secure peace in the region.

The Darfur conflict has been going on for more than six years. The United Nations says as many as 300,000 people have died since 2003, compared to Khartoum's official death toll of 10,000. The world body also says some 4.7 million people in Darfur rely on aid to survive.

In an open letter to U.S. President Barack Obama's special envoy to Sudan, retired Air Force General Scott Gration, actress Mia Farrow and other activists said that Gration's strategy with Sudan was prolonging the crisis.

"We believe that your conciliatory stance and reluctance to criticize (Khartoum) both excuses and emboldens (it), thereby facilitating its ongoing reign of terror and well-known strategy of 'divide and rule,'" the letter said.

Gration has advocated loosening some U.S. sanctions against Sudan to enable Washington to deliver development aid to southern Sudan ahead of a 2011 referendum, after which it is expected to split from the north. He also has said there was nothing to justify keeping Sudan on the U.S. terror blacklist.

Gration says he needs to engage the governments of north and south Sudan, rebel groups and other key parties to revive the stalled Darfur peace talks and to ensure the north-south civil war does not erupt again. But he also supports keeping up the pressure -- including most sanctions -- on Khartoum.

John Prendergast, co-founder of the Enough Project, an anti-genocide group, also was critical of Gration. He described his deep disappointment at what he felt has been the Obama administration's failure -- through Gration -- to take the tough line on Sudan that Obama supported as a U.S. senator.

"It is shocking to all of us (activists) to see what has transpired over the last couple of months publicly," he told Reuters in an interview. "And frankly it is shocking to the people of Darfur and southern Sudan."

U.S. POLICY REVIEW

Not all activists focused their criticism on Gration.

Jerry Fowler, president of the Save Darfur Coalition, an umbrella organization for more than 180 groups, said the real problem was how long it was taking the Obama administration to decide what to do about Sudan.

"General Gration is not the issue so much as the administration's failure to finish the policy review and make clear what their strategy for Sudan is," he told Reuters.

The results of a sweeping U.S. government policy review on Sudan are expected to be released soon, possibly this month. U.N. diplomats and analysts say the United States is the key player on Sudan and can offer as an incentive something the Sudanese really want -- normal relations with Washington.

The United Nations participates in a joint U.N.-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur that has been slow to deploy because of bureaucratic obstacles created by Khartoum and lack of military hardware. But Washington, and not the U.N., may hold the key to peace in Sudan, the diplomats say.

Prendergast said that in the "vacuum" created by the delay of the policy review Gration has adopted a strategy of "constructive engagement" with Khartoum, similar to the U.S. approach to apartheid South Africa when Ronald Reagan was president. But he said Gration had done so without a mandate.

He also criticized Gration for not publicly describing Darfur as "genocide" as Obama himself has.

In a recent interview with Reuters, Gration said he has been reaching out to the Darfur activist community, speaking regularly with its key members. He said he generally agreed with the activists on what they hope to achieve in Sudan.

He cited a July 29 letter to Obama from the Save Darfur Coalition. It said Sudan must be ordered to bring peace to Darfur, implement the 2005 peace deal that ended a 22-year civil war between the north and south and replace President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who has been indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

If Khartoum does that, the letter says "a clear process toward normalization of relations with the U.S. will be mapped out." If not, then more sanctions and possibly "targeted military action" should be used to save civilian lives.

"Everything in that letter is what I'm trying to do," Gration said, adding that it was important that the advocacy groups and U.S. government work together on Sudan.

"This is a situation where everybody's got to be on the same team working forward," he said.

Fabienne Hara of the International Crisis Group, an independent think-tank that focuses on wars and conflicts, said some of the activists were "out of touch with reality" and that Gration's decision to step up engagement with Khartoum was a welcome and much-needed change in the U.S. approach to Sudan.  

(Editing by Bill Trott)

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Further reading
Setting the Record Straight on Sudan Sanctions: Part II
Enough, Aug 16, 2009 by Nina McMurry, STAND, GI-NET

Sudan Activists Fault Special Envoy's 'Conciliatory Stance' Toward Khartoum
Enough, Aug 16, 2009 by Laura Heaton.  Here is a copy:

"Increasingly frustrated with the direction of US policy toward Sudan, as expressed by Special Envoy Scott Gration in testimony earlier this summer, Sudan activists from around the United States sent a letter to Gration this week outlining how they think the approach is problematic. “We fear that your approach to Sudan is at odds with the President’s promise and will quash the hopes of all Sudanese for justice, peace, and the end of the culture of impunity that has afflicted Sudan,” the letter said. Organizations representing the Darfuri diaspora and southern Sudanese signed on and were joined by prominent Sudan activist Mia Farrow. Among the criticisms articulated in the letter, the signatories criticize Special Envoy Gration’s approach for “neglecting to adequately engage with or incorporate the priorities expressed by Darfuri civil society and the Darfuri Diaspora." The activists logged their complaints with the top Obama administration officials and Congress as well, sending copies of the letter to the White House and to senators and representatives engaged on Sudan. An Arabic version of the letter was distributed to international media.

The original letter and the Arabic translation are available here and here."

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The activists' open letter to Scott Gration 13 August 2009 - an excerpt:

"We implore you to consider the following aspects of your performance as Special Envoy which we consider problematic:

1. Failing to both acknowledge ongoing human rights violations by the GoS and consider these violations as another component of its genocidal campaign
2. Failing to acknowledge behavior by the GoS that demonstrates its lack of commitment to peace and justice
3. Failing to hold the GoS accountable for such aforesaid behavior
4. Failing to define and promote a strong sanctions policy
5. Downplaying Sudan as a “State Sponsor of Terror” and suggesting normalization of relations with the U.S.
6. Neglecting to adequately engage with or incorporate the priorities expressed by Darfuri civil society and the Darfuri Diaspora.

These problems are elaborated below."

Click here to read Scott Gration's statement 'This I Believe' 10 August 2009.

"This I Believe" by Scott Gration, U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan

From the website of U.S. Department of State:
"This I Believe"
Scott Gration

Special Envoy to Sudan
Washington, DC
August 10, 2009

In the 1950s, journalist Edward R. Murrow hosted a radio show titled “This I Believe” that invited Americans to record essays that shared their core beliefs with listeners across the country. The essayists, ranging from heads of state to cab drivers, used the opportunity to tackle difficult topics and to offer “the guiding principles by which they lived.”

As the President’s Special Envoy to Sudan, I have been charged with the awesome responsibility of working to improve the political, humanitarian, and economic challenges confronting the people of Sudan. For the past six months, I have been working incredibly hard and logging a lot of miles to understand this dire and desperate situation better and to chart a course for moving forward. I understand that for the community of people who care deeply about this issue time is of the essence and much is at stake. I want to give you the clearest sense of where I am coming from and what my core beliefs are on the best approach to untangle the complex, varied, and nuanced set of issues facing Sudan.

I learned to walk and talk in Africa; my first words were in Swahili not English. A passion for Africa and African people runs through my veins. I also know firsthand the personal toll of war and what it means to be displaced. Growing up, my family was evacuated three times from our home in the Congo, and we became refugees. I embrace those experiences and they inform my current efforts.

I believe that the road to peace in Sudan runs through Darfur. The atrocities that have taken place in Darfur are a crime against the world that must be resolved. We are working aggressively to reverse the ongoing consequences of genocide in Darfur. Though the incidence of violent deaths has improved dramatically since 2005, the situation remains dangerous and dire. Civilians remain vulnerable, living conditions are unacceptable, and the displaced remain unable to return home in security.

For those who are concerned that we are seeking the untimely return of IDPs, I assure you that that is not the case. I share the same concerns about the idea of having the more than 2.5 million people living in IDP camps attempt returns in an insecure and uncoordinated fashion. We will never abandon or seek to endanger IDPs. Our task for now is to begin the work to create conditions that are conducive for their eventual safe return, including access to food and safe water, addressing land rights, protection of human rights, and freedom from gender-based violence. We are working closely with the African Union/United Nations joint chief mediator, Djibril Bassolé to unify the disparate rebel groups in Darfur so that they can speak with one voice to participate in the peace process. I also believe that IDPs must have a clear voice as their perspectives and solutions become part of this process.

As important as it is to address the issue of Darfur, I believe that we equally dedicate all available resources to achieving full implementation of the CPA. In the next two years, Sudan will face both national elections and two referenda. An unsuccessful and marred election could contribute to significant unrest and instability in a state bordering nine other countries and even incite renewed conflict. In the last few months, we have initiated trilateral talks with the parties to the CPA and have developed an implementation strategy. These talks are ongoing and we are holding all parties accountable for their commitments. We are determined to create the conditions for a peaceful process and post-referendum period whether the result is a single, stable, and unified Sudan or a Sudan that divides into two separate states.

Our work on implementing the CPA is complemented by our efforts to address the pressing needs of Southern Sudan. The South needs urgent attention and assistance in building its infrastructure and promoting development before the referendum in 2011. While the current US sanctions against the government in Khartoum explicitly exclude Southern Sudan, in practical terms they do not.

Large equipment needed for infrastructure or economic development in the South must go through Port Sudan and/or Khartoum in the North, which makes these necessary investments for the South subject to our sanctions. “Smart,” targeted sanctions are absolutely necessary and desirable against key components of the government in Khartoum. I want to be clear. These sanctions should not be lifted.

However, I believe that we must consider specific exceptions or selective rollbacks to facilitate development in the South and fully implement the CPA. We need more flexibility to achieve our desired results, which are: pressuring the North, developing the South, and incentivizing good behavior on all sides.

I believe that we cannot hope to achieve these results and a lasting peace if we only engage with those we already agree with. We must work to mediate and work with all stakeholders—Khartoum, Juba, rebel groups, Chad, civil society, and the international community. It is important to recognize the stated position of the US government on President Al-Bashir. We hold him responsible for the actions of his government and recognize that the justice process is moving forward. I have not met and have no plans to meet with President Al-Bashir.

As we continue moving forward, I will need the support and engagement of the entire community that is dedicated to addressing the challenges facing Sudan. We all have to work together and to be on the same team. Let us continue to exchange our best ideas in support of our important mission.

Thank you for your continued interest and dedication, Scott.

Gration Starts Sudanese – American Dialogue from Juba

Sudan Vision - Mona Al-Bashir - ‎30 minutes ago‎

The US envoy to Sudan, Scott Gration starts today his 4th visit to the country within the bilateral dialogue rounds. The Ceremonies Administration Director ...

Daily Nation

Sudan - Lift US sanctions on Sudan

ISRIA - ‎4 hours ago‎

The US's presidential envoy to Sudan, General J Scott Gration, never a man content to kow-tow to public opinion, has just embarked on what his predecessors ...

ANALYSIS-Frustrated Darfur activists slam US envoy Gration Reuters

Gration Starts Sudanese – American Dialogue from Juba Sudan Vision

South Sudan faces new war over oil Telegraph.co.uk

Sudan Tribune - Sudan Vision

all 13 news articles »

Email this story

Daily Nation

Conflicting Priorities Complicate US Policy Toward Sudan

Voice of America - Alan Boswell - ‎Aug 11, 2009‎

The special US envoy to Sudan, Scott Gration, testified before a Congressional hearing two weeks ago the United States would have to soon "unwind" sanctions ...

SPLM would not support move to lift Sudan from US terrorism blacklist Sudan Tribune

Hussam Zaki: Egypt Seeking to Achieve Stability in Sudan Sudan Vision

Rift within Obama Administration's Sudan Policy Is Exposed New Sudan Vision

Sudan Tribune - Sudan Tribune

all 119 news articles »

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Reuters South Africa

Obama Envoy Says Sudan Sanctions Hamper Peace Efforts

Bloomberg - Juliann Neher - ‎Jul 30, 2009‎

The Foreign Relations Committee is planning to have a closed briefing to review intelligence findings on Sudan. Gration said the administration intends to ...

US Sudan Envoy Testifies to Congress Voice of America

Darfur activists worry of US easing on Sudan eTaiwan News

Envoy queries Sudan terror status BBC News

Kansas City infoZine - The Associated Press

Sudan football: Nigeria pull out of CECAFA Under-17 Youth Championship (Bashir Cup)

Nigeria have pulled out of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) Under-17 competition, organisers have announced.

CECAFA secretary Nicholas Musonye said the young Eagles informed him of their withdrawal, citing other commitments in Europe.

Nigeria, who were one of the two guest nations in the competition, will now be replaced by Malawi, who had been put on standby.

The other guest side is Egypt.

Full story: Goal.com, Sunday, 16 August 2009 - Nigeria Pull Out Of CECAFA Under-17 Competition
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Further reading:

Sudan Watch: Sudan Football Association boss publicly shreds ...

In their own reaction, the NFF told the Sudan FA boss to take care ... The Nigeria Football Federation has lambasted the Sudan Football ... 

Click on labels here below for related reports and updates.

Sudan's Al Merreikh lost 3-2 to Zesco United in the CAF Champions League

Sudan's Al Merreikh suffered a shock home defeat when they lost 3-2 to Zesco United in Group A of the Champions League on Saturday.



Photo: A goal from Nigerian striker Endurance Idahor was not enough for Al Merreikh

Al Hilal of Sudan are now top of Group A with seven points at the halfway stage.

Zesco United and Kano Pillars are tied at second with four points each while Al Merreikh remain bottom of the table with one point.

Full story: BBC Sport 19:28 GMT, Saturday, 15 August 2009 20:28 UK - Zesco United stun Al Merreikh.

Click on labels here below for related footballing news and updates.

South Sudan faces new war over oil (David Blair in Malakal, Upper Nile State)

Southern Sudan covers an area three times the size of Britain but has less than 13 miles of tarred road and is one of the poorest places on earth Photo: PETER MARTELL/AFP

South Sudan faces new war over oil
The Daily Telegraph, August 15, 2009
By David Blair in Malakal, Upper Nile State, southern Sudan

The gunmen who raided the cluster of mud huts beside the White Nile struck with merciless efficiency.

By the time they vanished into the night, hundreds of homes had been razed, 11 people lay dead and the village's inhabitants faced starvation, having lost all their precious cattle.

"Everyone is on his own now," said Jamuth Nyading, a 42-year-old Sudanese herdsman, who gathered his two wives and 12 children and fled to the nearby town of Malakal. "You cannot cultivate, you cannot herd cattle, you cannot go fishing in the Nile without risk of being killed. We can't go back, not only because of fear, but also lack of food."

Mr Nyading's ordeal would be grimly familiar had it taken place in Darfur, the region of western Sudan blighted by civil war and awarded the dubious blessing of world attention for the last six years.

Instead, he abandoned his home in southern Sudan, an area supposedly at peace since a landmark agreement four years ago ended decades of fighting.

Struck in January 2005, this "comprehensive peace agreement" was hailed as a moment of genuine hope. A rapturous signing ceremony brought down the curtain on the longest and bloodiest civil war in African history, pitting Sudan's Arab, Muslim north against the black tribes of the south, who include Christians and followers of traditional African beliefs. The south had bitterly resented Khartoum's rule, claiming the northerners' attitudes had changed little since the days of slavery - when southerners were seen as heathens fit only for serfdom.

Entirely separate from Darfur's troubles, this ethnic and religious faultline inflicted suffering on a scale that almost defies comprehension, claiming two million lives during two spells of conflict, the first of which began a few weeks before Sudan won independence from Britain in 1956. The second round of this war between north and south, lasting from 1983 until 2005, started when an earlier peace deal collapsed.

Today, people in southern Sudan fear that history is repeating itself. The calm that has prevailed since 2005 is breaking down, while the "comprehensive peace agreement" is steadily unravelling.

This year, more people have been forced from their homes in the south - and more have died violently - than in Darfur. Some 214,000 refugees have fled their villages across the 10 southern states, while the death toll probably runs into the thousands.

Only a fortnight ago, some 185 people were shot and speared to death in the southern Jonglei state in a single morning.

The central question is why all this fighting has suddenly begun. The south has always suffered tribal skirmishing, generally over cattle and grazing. Mr Nyading is from the Shilluk tribe, while the raiders who destroyed his village in Upper Nile state were from the Dinka people, their traditional rivals.

But this time, observers claim to detect a hidden hand, stirring tribal enmity with much bigger stakes in mind. The renewed hostilities may be aimed at sabotaging a referendum set for January 2011 over independence for the south. The region's future has wider importance, for large oil reserves lie beneath its lush plains.

Those reserves are coveted by the north as a resource to sell to China, whose appetite for Sudan's oil has given Khartoum a financial and diplomatic windfall.

During the civil war, when rebels from the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) fought President Omar al-Bashir's regime, the north deliberately ignited ethnic conflict in the south, arming some tribes to fight others. Ministers in the Government of Southern Sudan, which has enjoyed autonomy since the 2005 peace agreement, believe Khartoum is back to its old tricks.

"We suspect with some evidence that our partners in the north are still training, arming and sending to southern Sudan the former militia groups who fought alongside them during the war," said General Oyay Deng Ajak, a former SPLA chief of staff who now serves as the south's regional cooperation minister.

"There is an increase in weapons and supplies coming into southern Sudan from the north. Somebody, somewhere is coordinating this operation and we very much suspect it is our brothers in Khartoum."

Both north and south know the clock is ticking. If the referendum goes ahead in January 2011, as laid down in the peace agreement, few doubt the south will choose to break away and a new country will emerge in the heart of Africa.

But the south has about 75 per cent of Sudan's 6.3 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, giving the north a vital interest in preventing it from seceding. One way would be to stir violence across the south, to the point where the situation is too unstable for the referendum to be held.

"They want to make southern Sudan ungovernable," said Gen Ajak. "They want to discredit us and tell the international community 'these people cannot govern themselves and if they become independent, they will be a failed state'."

China's interests are closely aligned with Mr Bashir's. Beijing has invested heavily in developing Sudan's reserves, which provide beween seven and ten per cent of China's imported oil. The China National Petroleum Corporation, a state energy giant, is exploiting the most productive fields, including those in the south, and Beijing has also built a 900-mile pipeline linking these reserves with Port Sudan on the Red Sea.

To guarantee these supplies, China needs Sudan to stay united. President Hu Jintao has duly sold weapons, including jet fighters, to Sudan's armed forces and given Mr Bashir consistent diplomatic support.

Either way, the referendum carries huge risks. If the poll is delayed or cancelled, Gen Ajak said that people in the south would feel cheated and another war could start. If, however, the referendum goes ahead and the south chooses independence, the north may launch a war to hold onto the oil.

Some believe the recent violence amounts to the opening shots of this new conflict. The claim of a "hidden hand" behind at least some of the killing is supported by independent evidence.

A ship recently arrived in Malakal having travelled up the Nile from Khartoum. A 30-year-old man, who saw the vessel being searched, told the Sunday Telegraph that it contained Kalashnikov assault rifles and ammunition, hidden beneath a cargo of food.

Another 20-year-old man said the national army had tried to recruit him for a monthly salary of £200. Those who sought to entice him said they had been ordered to sign up 400 southerners in Malakal alone. These recruits, once in Khartoum's pay, could be used to destabilise their homeland.

The bitter mistrust between the SPLA and their old enemies in Khartoum has already cost lives in Malakal. The town's muddy streets were pounded by heavy artillery and tanks in February when a day of fighting between the two sides left at least 60 dead. A school was bombarded, killing about a dozen children. The United Nations is now digging shelters for its staff in Malakal.

However, there is no conclusive proof of a high-level decision in Khartoum to cause turmoil in the south. The region, which covers an area three times the size of Britain, possesses less than 13 miles of tarred road and is one of the poorest places on earth.

Yet the Government of Southern Sudan chooses to spend 30 per cent of its budget on the military - independent estimates say this figure may be nearer to 60 per cent - while health, education and development get only 28 per cent.

These priorities suggest the south is arming for war, leaving foreign aid agencies to conduct development work. But the recent violence has disrupted even the aid workers' efforts. "We're looking to do longer term, more sustainable interventions," said Maya Mailer, a policy adviser for Oxfam. "But when this insecurity takes place and people are displaced as a result, we're pulled back into doing emergency programming."

In Malakal, many fear that another war is inevitable. A local chief, who asked not to be named, said his people were caught between the SPLA and Khartoum. "Every community is being divided by the two governments, so people who are on one side are encouraged to attack the other side," he said.

The chief's own village was raided in December, an incident he blames on Khartoum's allies. "The people are bribed with money and guns to attack their own people. They are our own relatives who attack us," he said.

Related Articles

• Sudan hands down Darfur death sentences

• NBA great Manute Bol returns home to help war-torn Sudan

• Khartoum under siege as Sudan fears overthrow of President Bashir

• Baghdad under 24-hour curfew as US is drawn into the violence

• Fresh Sudan war fears ease after 'win-win' border ruling

See Sudan Watch, 24 Feb. 2009: 

Gabriel Tang's militia clash with south Sudan army in Malakal 

-- "This (fighting) is because Tang arrived yesterday in Malakal. The U.N. tried to persuade him to leave but he refused," James Hoth told Reuter. -- Reuters report Tue Feb 24, 2009 JUBA, Sudan: Militia clash with south Sudan army in Malakal.

SLM-Nur snubs US's Gration meeting, JEM dismisses Sudan President Salva Kiir's call on Darfur rebels to unite

Photo: Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) leader Dr Tahar Adam al Fiki, seen, during the Darfur Peace Talks, in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. (AP Photos/Maneesh Bakshi/Sudan Watch archives 04 March 2009: Darfur rebels vow full ICC cooperation ahead of ruling on Bashir case)
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From Sudan Radio Service, Thursday, 13 August 2009:
Kiir Calls On Darfur Groups to Unite

(London) – The first Vice president and the President of southern Sudan, Salva Kiir, is calling on the Darfur anti-government groups to organize themselves under one leadership.

Salva Kiir made the statement during his visit to Blue Nile state on Wednesday.

[Salva Kiir]: “Their problem needs a solution, but they did not get leadership, they did not get a person to organize and lead them in order to demand their rights. Their anger makes them create all these movements. But if they get a leadership, they can discuss their issues. The government can’t negotiate with 28 delegations from the Darfur movements. They should unite in order to have one delegation when they go for peace negotiations with GONU.”

The Darfur anti-government group, the Justice and Equality Movement disagrees with this analysis.

JEM senior official Dr. El-Tahir el-Fakie spoke to Sudan Radio Service from London on Thursday.

[El-Tahir el-Fakie]:  "It is not the problem of an absence of leadership, the leadership is there, and the leadership is JEM. But there are some birds who are trying to move away from the flock, this is the problem.  JEM will never agree to sit at a table with warring groups who have different thoughts and on the other side there is a united enemy (the NCP) who are experienced in politics and in conspiracy."

Dr. El-Tahir el-Fakie was speaking to Sudan Radio Service from London.

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Photo: SPLM Supporters at the stadium during the rally in Damazin on Wednesday, 12 August 2009 (SPLM Today)

From Sudan Tribune, Saturday 15 August 2009:
Darfur rebels should reunite to get peace – Salva Kiir

August 14, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese First Vice-President urged Darfur rebel movements to unite in order to reach a negotiated settlement of the six year conflict in western Sudan.

Doha peace process seems stalled by the differences among Darfur groups who have different political programmes and demands. The signing of Darfur Peace Agreement in May 2006 also resulted in the emergence of many small groups.

In remarks he made in Damazin on Wednesday during his visit to the Blue Nile state, the head of southern Sudan government said the number of rebel factions in Darfur reached 28 groups.

"The government can’t negotiate with 28 delegations from the Darfur movements. They should unite in order to have one delegation when they go for peace negotiations with GONU," he said.

"Their anger makes them create all these movements. But if they get a leadership, they can discuss their issues," he further stressed.

Kiir harsh speech on the rebel groups in Darfur comes at a time where the Doha peace process is deadlocked due to the refusal of two main groups to engage peace talks with the government for different reasons.

The Sudan Liberation Movement of Abdel Wahid Al-Nur rejects any talks before to resolve the security concerns of some 2.7 million internally displaced persons. The group demands the disarmament of government militias and the return of the IDPs to their villages.

The Justice and Equality Movement of Khalil Ibrahim accepted the principal of talks but requires the implementation of a goodwill agreement signed with Khartoum and particularly the improvement of humanitarian situation and the release of its fighters detained by the Sudanese government.

Further the meddling of neighboring countries once again complicates the peace process. Libya and Egypt who were supposed to help the efforts of the mediation are now taking contradictory initiatives disturbing the efforts of the mediation.

Also, the SPLM was supposed to play a role in the resolution of the conflict but the continuous troubles with the National Congress Party led its peace partner to suspect any move undertaken in this issue and frozen its efforts. (ST)

On most days, the only laugh I get from news on Sudan is in the comments at Sudan Tribune. I love the Sudanese people's passionate way with words. The following comment at the article above (by mayiik Albino after a dozen or so comments plus three in Arabic) made me laugh:

what a hell is written here, that looked like sh*t Arabic man next time dont be selfish

On revisiting the article, I see the comment has been deleted, along with the three written in Arabic. This confirms to me that comments at Sudan Tribune are moderated.
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From Sudan Tribune, Saturday 15 August 2009:
Darfur rebel group snobs Addis Ababa unity meeting

August 14, 2009 (PARIS) — Darfur rebel group reiterated today its rejection to a meeting expected to be held next week in Addis Ababa organized by US envoy to Sudan in order to reunite different factions of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM).

US President special envoy to Sudan Mr. Scott Gration invited the SLM factions to attend a three day meeting in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on August 18. The meeting is designated to discuss the unity of the rebel factions.

Gration stated recently he was working hard "to unify the (Darfur) rebels so that there is a spokesman for that group."

However, a spokesperson of the SLM group led by the founder of the movement Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur said they are willing to discuss the reunification of their SLM but without the interference of the US envoy or other mediator.

"We are open to discuss the crucial issue of unity with our comrades because we are basically in favor of this idea. But we do not need the interference of the US envoy" said Abdel-Rahman Adam Nimer the military spokesperson of the group speaking to Sudan Tribune from Ndjamena.

"Such talks should be in the field among and we need to take all the needed time not a quick meeting in Addis Ababa," he further said.

Nimer pointed out that the reunification of the rebel movement should not be done for the purpose of peace talks with the Sudanese government only saying "such unity is not viable."

Last week, local press in Khartoum published statements attributed to Gration where he had invited Al-Nur partisans to choose another leader. The call disturbed his supporters who are already angered by what they consider a “supportive stance to Khartoum."

"We are disturbed by Gration’s statements on the genocide in Darfur, and the improvement of humanitarian conditions in Darfur camps," said Nimer who was keen to distinguish between Gration and the US people and Obama administration.

He also called upon the US administration and the other donors to provide the necessary logistical support for the organization of a unity conference inside Darfur if they are serious in their efforts to reunite the SLM factions.

This week, some eight rebel factions from SLM and other groups including two breakaway JEM factions renewed in Libya their commitment to negotiate with the Sudanese government with one delegation and a common ground paper.

The rebel factions had already agreed in March of this year to join Doha peace process but difference emerged between them emerged during a meeting held in Cairo last July when the Egyptian authorities proposed to form a new rebel groups before the talks.

Observers say Gration attempts to find a way for the representation of Darfur biggest ethnic group of the Fur tribe. SLM-Al Nur asks Khartoum before to accept the peace process to disarm the militias and to provide security for the return of displaced population to their homeland. (ST)

Meanwhile:
More than 2,000 people killed in South Sudan since Jan 2009 -UN
Sudan Watch, August 14, 2009.

In southern Sudan a humanitarian disaster more serious than that in Darfur is unfolding
Sudan Watch, August 10, 2009

• Sudan, Red Cross and UNICEF agree to cooperate to reintegrate Darfur child soldiers
• 200 Tanzanian peacekeepers arrive in Darfur

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Quote for the Day



From Obale Palato at Obale Palato blog spot:

....in the words of Mahatma Gandhi, there's enough for everybody's need but not enough for everyone's greed.

In a simple thought one would think that Mr Gandhi had African leaders and their followers in mind. In fact most of the African problems are directly linked to greed as opposed to needs. This because, had it been for the mere needs, which among others include those basic ones like food, medical, housing, etc African problems would have been history at the moment. Contrary, we can not moved out of numerous problems simply because our leaders could not differentiate between needs and greeds.

Prendergast's ENOUGH Project: Poker players Ante Up for Africa charity - Sudan, Uganda, Congo, Chad, and Somalia

Posted to YouTube by ENOUGH - Ante Up for Africa, June 25, 2008:

ENOUGH is the project to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Focusing on the crises in Sudan, Uganda, Congo, Chad, and Somalia, ENOUGH uses a 3Ps crisis response strategy: promoting peace, protecting civilians, and punishing the perpetrators.

This year ENOUGH again joined the benefit poker tournament Ante Up for Africa, hosted by Don Cheadle and Annie Duke.

To learn what you can do to join the fight against genocide, go to ENOUGH.

© Center for American Progress
Category: Nonprofits & Activism
Tags: Cheadle Prendergast genocide Sudan Khartoum Uganda Somalia ICC advocacy Gayle Smith Africa war ENOUGH Ante Up Poker charity benefit Hollywood

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From usaplayers.com Thursday, 13 August 2009 by Bruce:
Full Tilt Poker's "Ante up for Africa" Charity Tournament

As part of Full Tilt Poker's FTOPS XIII online poker series, they are holding a special charity poker tournament known as "Ante up for Africa". The tournament will be held at 3 p.m. on August 15th [2009], and it will raise money for the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. The tournament will be hosted by actor and avid poker player Don Cheadle. The buy in for the tournament will be $100+20. The twenty dollar tournament fee will be donated to the charity. This charity tournament will be part of the FTOPS VIII online poker championships, which will feature more than $16 million in prize money over various tournaments. The last of the tournaments is known as the main event, and it will be held on August 16th with a massive guaranteed prize pool of $2.5 million.

Back in 2007, Cheadle co founded an Ante up for Africa Poker Tournament with Norman Epstein and Annie Duke. At the recent 2009 World Series of Poker, the third annual Ante up for Africa charity tournament was held. The tournament attracted some of the top celebrities from both poker and entertainment. Some of the stars in attendance were actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, and they were joined by poker pros Erick Seidel and Jennifer Harmon. The tournament had a $5,000 entry fee, and the players were asked to donate 50% of their winnings to the charity. When the tournament was complete, over $600,000 was raised. Since the Ante up for Africa charity was formed a few years back, over $2 million dollars has been raised. The funds have been distributed to organizations such as "Not on Our Watch", "Enough Project", and "International Rescue Committee". The upcoming online charity tournament will help raise even more money for such a good cause.

The FTOPS XIII charity tournament will take place on a Saturday afternoon giving most players the opportunity to play and help raise money for a good cause. Even though the tournament is designed to raise money for the Ante up for Africa charity, there is plenty of money to be won as well. The tournament will have a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool, with the winner guaranteed to walk away with at least $22,500. Players can take that their shot at winning some serious cash, while raising money for a great organization. Along with the chance to play with many well known poker professionals, players who play in the tournament will also get to play alongside celebrities such as Matt Damon. This will be another opportunity for poker players to help raise money for the ongoing crisis in Darfur.

To discuss this and other Poker articles like it drop by our brand new forum at: www.usaplayers.com

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From PokerNews.com Wednesday, 12 August 2009 by Elaine Chaivarlis:
2009 WSOP Ante Up for Africa Recap

ESPN’s third week of 2009 WSOP coverage aired last night with the Ante Up for Africa event. Dozens of celebrities and poker pros showed up for this event. This was the first time that Ante Up for Africa was aired on television.

The event had a $5,000 buy-in and attracted 137 players. The total prize pool generated for the event was $665,820. It was suggested that players donate 50% of their winnings to the charity.

Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Sarah Silverman, Montel Williams, Nelly, Cedric the Entertainer, Herschel Walker, and Charles Barkley were among the notable celebrities at the event. Several poker pros played the event as well, including Annie Duke, Jennifer Harman, Howard Lederer, Mike Matusow, Peter Eastgate, and Dennis Phillips.

Let’s face it, there weren’t a lot of stellar players, or plays in this event, as the event was created more as a fun way to raise money and awareness for the Darfur region.

Charles Barkley and Herschel Walker were two celebrities that might be able to benefit a little from the PokerNews strategy section. They both made this event entertaining to watch with their interesting plays. In one hand, where he rivered trip queens, Walker doesn't even know what the minimum bet is, but was happy with the face time he got from his hollywooding. Charles Barkley got it all in post flop when he flopped a flush draw with his . He never got there and was eliminated.

Mike McDermott (or Matt Damon, whatever you like to call him) ended up at the feature table sitting next to Erik Seidel. This is significant, only in that because of the movie Rounders, Erik Seidel's second place finish to Johnny Chan in the 1988 WSOP has been seen millions of times. So maybe Seidel had it out for Damon a little. Damon, like every other celebrity in this event, didn't make it to the final table. Wonder what happened to all those tells he used to pick up on.

The final table was, not surprisingly, packed with poker pros. Jennifer Harman, Matt Kay, John Hennigan, Phil Gordon, Chris Ferguson, Erik Seidel, Rafe Furst, Adam Richardson, and Alex Bolotin all made the final table of the Ante Up for Africa event. Five of the players at the table, Harman, Hennigan, Ferguson, Seidel, and Furst hold a combined 18 WSOP bracelets.

With the super fast structure, the final table saw its players drop rather quickly with Adam Richardson all but out the door at one point when he was all in and went runner runner clubs to stay alive. Richardson ended up going heads up against the eventual winner, Alex Bolotin, who won $176,449 for his first place finish.

There have been numerous opinions about whether or not there should have been more events from the 2009 WSOP aired on television. We're sure the minds over at ESPN had a reason for the lack of other coverage. We're not sure, however, if this will be the trend next year. What we can say is, in regards to this event, people watch what their favorite celebrities are doing, and if their favorite celebrity is playing poker, then they’re watching them play poker, bringing a more mainstream audience to the game, and that much we like. No matter what the broadcast schedule is next year, we definitely hope this event will be in the mix.

Be sure to tune into ESPN every Tuesday night for continuing coverage of the WSOP, and don't forget to follow us on Twitter.

Good luck to all.  



ENOUGH was conceived in 2006 by a small group of concerned policymakers and activists who wanted to transform their frustration about inaction into pragmatic solutions and hope. Co-founded by Africa experts Gayle Smith and John Prendergast, ENOUGH launched in early 2007 as a project of the Center for American Progress. John Norris is Enough’s Executive Director. Read more about ENOUGH at http://www.enoughproject.org/about.

South Sudan: Local FM radio Sout Al Mahaba (Voice of love) opens in Malakal, Upper Nile State

The Catholic Church has opened a local F.M. Radio in Malakal, Upper Nile State called Sout Al Mahaba (Voice of love). The station will broadcast news and programs in both English and Arabic languages.

According to Sister Elena Balatti, Coordinator of the Catholic Church-Malakal FM radio project, the vision of the project is to assist in the process of forming a peaceful society in Malakal and the surrounding areas.

Source: Miraya FM, Saturday, 15 August 2009.

Sudan's El Merreikh v Zesco United of Zambia today at Khartoum Stadium

Despite a loss away to Al Hilal, the coach says Pillars will still top Group A and qualify for the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.

Goal.com report by Samm Audu, Saturday 15 Aug 2009:
Kano Pillars Coach Ivo Sajh Confident Of African Champions League Qualification

Nigeria's Kano Pillars lost their leadership of Group A on Friday night, when they were defeat 2-0 by hosts Al Hilal in Omdurman, but their coach, Ivo Sajh, has expressed confidence that his team will bounce back to finish top of the standings.

"Pillars will top the group," a confident Sajh told Goal.com

"Second place in the group will be between El Merreikh and Al Hilal. But after playing against both teams, El Merreikh are the better team.

"We will have our chance to avenge our defeat by Hilal in two weeks. I did not expect to lose to Al Hilal. But it's very difficult to win or a draw away from home."

Al Hilal took the lead in the 53rd minute, when Zimbabwean referee Merange Kenias awarded the home team a disputed penalty kick.

"I'm not a referee," insisted Sajh, when asked about the officiating.

"Everybody saw what happened and it was not good for football. We are a team of 11 players but we played against 14 players. These were the same referees who ensured that Al Hilal qualified for the group stage at the expense of Primeiro Agosto of Angola. All the best to referees in the future."

However, the Slovenian coach admitted his team only have themselves to blame for the second Al Hilal goal.

"The second goal was our own mistake. We did not cover the near post by the time the corner was taken. The scorer got a free header," said Sajh.

Pillars are now second in the table with four points from three matches, three adrift of new leaders Al Hilal.

The Nigerian club could slip further down the table if Sudan's El Merreikh win their home game against Zesco United of Zambia on Saturday at the Khartoum Stadium.

Click on label here below for previous reports and updates.

CAF Champions League: Sudan's Al Hilal beat Kano Pillars of Nigeria 2-0

Sudan's Al Hilal were truly at home at a packed Al Hilal Stadium in Omdurman Friday night as they put to sword Kano Pillars of Nigeria 2-0 in continuation of the CAF Champions League. 

Hilal have thus shot to the top of Group A with seven points from three matches, while Pillars slipped to second place with four points.

Read full story by Samm Audu at Goal.com, Friday, 14 August 2009:   CAF Champions League: Al Hilal Shoot To The Top Of Group A
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Sudan midfielder Mohamed Al-Tahir broke the deadlock on 55 minutes by slotting home vfrom the spot before Hamoda Ahmed El-Basheer put the icing on the cake on 68 minutes.

Read full story at CAF online, Friday, 14 August 2009:   Al-Hilal hand Pillars first defeat

Click on label here below for related reports and updates.



YouTube: 2009 Highlights Day 1 & Day 2 - View highlights from the first group matches: AlHilal, ESS, Zesco United, TP Mazembe, Kano Pillars, Monomotapa Utd, El Merreikh, Heartland FC

South Sudan: 12th Aug - 3 killed, 40 missing after LRA attack in Ezo county, Western Equatoria

Note these puzzling details in the following report from Sudan Radio Service:

"The forces that came were heavily armed LRA and probably did not face much resistance because they came in between the Ugandan Armed forces on one side and the Sudan armed forces on the other. So when they went towards the house of the commissioner they could not fire because of the Ugandan Army forces.

The Uganda armed forces were also thinking if they opened fire, they might kill some Sudanese Armed forces. So the result is they managed get out with being attacked, but at least 3 people are reported to have been killed.”

Here is a copy of the report by Sudan Radio Service, Friday, 14 August 2009:
USSF Leader Describes LRA Attack on Ezo

(Yambio) – Three people were killed and 40 others are missing after an attack by the Lord’s Resistance Army in Ezo county in Western Equatoria state on Wednesday 12th.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service producer David Sanango, the leader of United South Sudan Party, Clement Mbugoniwia, described what happened.

[Clement Mbuniwia]: “What we know so far is that the day before yesterday, a group of LRA were able to enter Ezo from the Catholic church side, so they penetrated the town and they were able to launch a series of attacks within the town itself after which almost 40 people are reported missing and at least over 40,000 people are now displaced in Ezo county. Among them are 5000 refuges from Congo who were already there. 

The forces that came were heavily armed LRA and probably did not face much resistance because they came in between the Ugandan Armed forces on one side and the Sudan armed forces on the other.  So when they went towards the house of the commissioner they could not fire because of the Ugandan Army forces. 

The Uganda armed forces were also thinking if they opened fire, they might kill some Sudanese Armed forces. So the result is they managed get out with being attacked, but at least 3 people are reported to have been killed.”

[Sanango]: Can you describe the situation at the moment?

[Clement Mbuniwia]: “It happened from 5 up to 9 o’clock pm. They were roaming around the town. At least last night people slept well, but I was in contact with the commissioner this morning and he said the situation is bad, especially on the humanitarian aid side, as far as food, water and medical supplies are concerned. All the NGOs that were in Ezo were evacuated last evening so the situation is a little bit less tense.”

[Sanango]: Can you estimate the number of people who have been injured in the attacks?

[Clement Mbuniwia]: Around 30 to 40 people were seriously injured; some of them were actually cut with machetes, not necessarily gun shots.

Clement Mbugoniwia was speaking to Sudan Radio Service from Yambio.

Click on 'Jonglei' label in footnote here below for related reports and updates.

LRA rebels will not return to Uganda despite fresh attacks in DR Congo -Uganda
Uganda Watch, Friday, August 14, 2009.

Southern Sudan : Food crisis warning

Global Arab Network - English News - Adam Turner - ‎Aug 12, 2009‎

In Yambio, some of the 73000 displaced people who had been living in surplus crop-producing areas, including Ezo, Maridi, Yei and Mundri, ...

Ugandan rebels 'launch new raids'

BBC News - ‎Aug 2, 2009‎

The south Sudanese town of Ezo was also attacked recently by the LRA, which has a history of rape and killings. The LRA uses its base in the Democratic ...

Reports of Oil in Darfur are Exaggerated (Julie Flint)

From Alex de Waal's blog Making Sense of Darfur
Reports of Oil in Darfur are Exaggerated
By Julie Flint, Friday, August 7th, 2009:

Claims that the war in Darfur is intimately linked to vast untapped oil reserves have been made ever since the conflict began and are revived in The Scramble for Africa, where Steven Fake and Kevin Funk repeat a series of assertions that, as far as is known in the often secretive world of oil exploration, have no basis in fact. Thus far, all efforts to find oil in Darfur have failed in the almost 30 years since Chevron discovered the small and declining Abu Gabra and Sharaf fields that border Kordofan.

Unlike in southern Sudan, where the war for oil was terrible, the massive displacement in Darfur was not caused by the presence, or even hopes, of oil; it was caused by a vicious counter-insurgency to quash a rebellion, including by the regime’s Islamist rivals in the Justice and Equality Movement, that seemed to be threatening to take control of the whole region. If oil reserves are ever found in significant quantities in Darfur, they could become a source of contention. On present evidence, however, that seems unlikely. Most of central and western Darfur consists of non-sedimentary rock, which will not contain any oil deposits. Experts concur that the region has only two areas where there could be serious finds—southern Darfur, bordering Kordofan and Bahr el-Ghazal, and the very north-western corner bordering Libya.

Slowly-expanding new exploration in both areas has caused intermittent, and apparently very limited, local conflict, but so far has yielded nothing of commercial interest.

Although important discoveries have been claimed since the war in Darfur began—including by the Ministry of Energy and Mining, which often exaggerates its success—the claims have been vague, significantly lacking in detail, and, in the single most important instance, incorrect.

The most productive field in Darfur is Block 6, where Chevron first found oil in 1979. This concession straddles Kordofan and South Darfur and was awarded to Sudan’s most important oil partner, the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), in November 1995. Early in the conflict in Darfur, CNPC relinguished most of the part of Block 6 that was inside Darfur to a group of small companies. Now called Block 17, there have not been any reports about activities there. The operator, Ansan, is a small Yemeni company with no track record in the upstream. (For a map of oil concessions, including in Darfur, see this map produced by the European Coalition on Oil in Sudan.)

The Darfur production in Block 6 is Abu Gabra, which is situated just inside Darfur and has been attacked several times by rebels, without lasting effect. Alleged production figures from the field vary from 20,000 to 60,000 b/d. CNPC has built a pipeline from the Fula field in Block 6, in the middle of Southern Kordofan, to Khartoum. The Abu Gabra oil is trucked out to Fula, which produces approximately 45,000 b/d. A small refinery at Abu Gabra, built before CNPC arrived, with a 2,000 b/d capacity, has been closed by CNPC. It produced mainly diesel.

In April 2005, Energy Minister Awad al-Jaz grabbed headlines by announcing discovery of a giant oilfield in southern Darfur that he said was expected to produce 500,000 b/d within months. The reported find was in Block C, a concession granted to a consortium called the Advanced Petroleum Company (APCO). APCO had started drilling late in 2004 and soon after claimed that its exploratory well had ‘oil in place’. But announcements of success were premature and proved illusory: the oil discovered was in insignificant, noncommercial quantities, and the well was soon reassessed as dry. Cliveden Petroleum, the largest partner in the original consortium, sold its share to High Tech, one of Sudan’s largest conglomerates that is controlled by a former Energy and Mining Minister, Abdel Aziz Osman. APCO stopped all activity and hasn’t resumed since.

This ‘discovery’ provoked considerable confusion and a surge of new reports linking the Darfur war to oil. On 16 April, UPI correctly reported the find as being in ‘southern Darfur’. On 19 April, Reuters said the discovery was ‘southwest of El Fasher in North Darfur State’. This sentence was problematic—although El Fasher is in North Darfur, the discovery was in South Darfur. In September 2006, citing the 2005 Reuters report, Tomdispatch, an armchair blog with a tendency to ascribe US foreign policy to oil and oil alone, said a discovery in North Darfur (the italics are mine) had ‘effectively doubled Sudan’s oil reserves’. The blog continues to be widely circulated on the internet. Fake and Funk cite it as evidence that ‘Darfur, along with Kordofan, “may be the areas richest in oil in the entire country.”’

But the South Darfur find trumpeted in 2005 was a bust, and there have been no lucky strikes in North Darfur. Industry sources say that one of the companies that bought drilling rights to 125,000 square miles of the North Darfur desert—Block 12A— in November 2006 has reportedly had good seismic results. But it would be premature to claim even the possibility of oil wealth there: seismics identify potential; they do not find oil.