SPLM/A defector George Athor Deng threatens to fight to topple Government of Southern Sudan

Last April, southern Sudan officials confirmed that George Athor Deng, a defeated candidate and former Lt. General and Deputy Chief of General Staff for Moral Orientation in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), who had contested as independent candidate for governorship of the region’s largest state of Jonglei, was behind a deadly assault on the army’s military barrack of Doleib Hills area near the Upper Nile state’s capital, Malakal on April 30th. Click on Athor label here below for further details.

SPLA Renegade Athor Threatens To Disrupt Referendum
Source: SRS - Sudan Radio Service
Date: Tuesday, 17 August 2010. Full copy:

(Jonglei) – The renegade SPLA General George Athor has threatened to disrupt the referendum process in southern Sudan if the SPLM refuses to talk peace with him later this month.

General Athor rebelled after he lost in the April elections demanding a re-run of the elections for the governorship of Jonglei state.

Speaking to SRS in an exclusive interview on Monday from Jonglei state, General Athor said his attempts to seek peace have proved futile.

[George Athor]: “Referendum will not take place if am outside and others are outside. And if he [Salva] is dreaming that referendum will take place it will never. It will need unity of all southern Sudanese. So let us talk before the end of August, if August goes then I believe the referendum will go. And I am one among the people who will really fight to topple this government and not think to talk to them again because they have wasted what we have fought for, for almost 23 years. So my appeal to all southern Sudanese, let them tell Salva that he shouldn’t let us lose this chance, let us try to solve this problem, amicably before time.”

Last Sunday the SPLA captured a helicopter at Faluj Airstrip in Upper Nile state claiming that those on board were senior officers allied to the renegade General Athor.

In the interview Athor admitted that the captured helicopter was carrying some of his political allies, but denied that there were military officers allied to his group.

[George Athor]: “They captured rebels? Where are their uniforms, where are all the things that can indicate that this people are military people. They were only civilians. They were people assisting me; most of them are drivers, and others. One of them was the former commissioner of Khor-Fulus county. He was my campaign manager in northern Jonglei state. So when we were attacked at Khor-Fulus, they ran to Fangak county and hid there and they got a chance on a helicopter that was coming with relief to Fangak. They then boarded the helicopter then when the helicopter landed in Faluj they were apprehended, tortured and they are now in Juba.”

Attempts by SRS to reach the SPLM for reaction, were fruitless.

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News from SRS - Sudan Radio Service:

Tuesday, 17-Aug-2010

• Sudan Expels Foreign Aid Workers
• SPLA Renegade Athor Threatens To Disrupt Referendum
• SPLM Accuses NCP Of Planning Ethnic Cleansing In Abyei
• Jordanian Peacekeepers Kidnapped In Darfur Released
• Catholic Bishop Calls On International Community Not To Influence Southern Decision On Referendum
• Referendum To Go As scheduled Despite Delays
• IDPs Suffer Unrest And Disturbance In Darfur, Says Report
• Stop Early Marriages Urges Health Officilas In Unity State
• Sudan Sports Latest

Monday, 16-Aug-2010

• South Not Ready For The Referendum, Says Minister
• Mbeki Urges The Timely Conduct Of The Southern Referendum
• UN Urges Government To Allow Access To Kalma IDP Camp
• Kalma Camp To Be Relocated, Says Government
• Land Commissioner Says Land Registration To Be Conducted At All Government Levels
• Sudan Sports Latest

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Further Reading

1. Sudan Watch - June 02, 2006:
2. Darfur's JEM rebel leader says "We're going to have our own country" - excerpt:

Khalil Ibrahim, who took part in talks with Slovenian President Janez Drnovsek on Wednesday, told the Slovenian public broadcaster that his Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) would seek independence if there was no peace in Darfur.

"Now as the next step that means that we will ask for self-determination - we're going to have our own country," Khalil told TV Slovenija, which said that this is the first time he has mentioned the possibility of independence.

Sudan Watch - July 25, 2006:

SLM Abdel Wahid al-Nur declares his aim is to become President of Sudan - excerpt:

UN SGSR Jan Pronk, in his latest blog entry, reveals that this week, Abdel Wahid al-Nur declared that his aim is to become President of Sudan. Note also, Mr Pronk confirms JEM's aim is not peace but power in Khartoum ...

Sudan Watch - March 31, 2010:

UNAMID JSR meets with SLM leader Abdul Wahid Al-Nur in Paris, France - excerpt re H.E. Dr. Luka Biong Deng meeting with Cdr. Abdul Wahid Al-Nur, 22 July 2008, Washington, DC:

“SPLM is our strategic Ally; SLM is not competing with the SPLM. The SPLM is the leading force for change in Sudan, and we need to remain allies”, said Chairman Abdul Whaid Al-Nur. He stressed the need for discussions between the two movements around the SPLM Roadmap for Darfur in order to settle points of difference to begin a process of cooperation and coordination between two movements. Cdr. Al-Nur also emphasized the importance of the establishment of direct channels of communication between the respective Leadership of the SLM and SPLM.

1. Afghans believe US is funding Taliban

   25 May 2010 ... Daniella Peled: Intellectuals and respected Afghan professionals are convinced the west is prolonging conflict to maintain influence in the ...
   www.guardian.co.uk/.../2010/.../afghans-believe-us-funding-taliban - Cached

2. BBC News - Investigators claim US money is funding Afghan warlords

   22 Jun 2010 ... The US military pays $4m per week to Afghan security firms who funnel money to warlords and the Taliban, a report for Congress says.
   www.bbc.co.uk/news/10372309 - Cached

Hey, Barclays: Tell the US and its sanctions on Sudan to get lost - By what power are "authorities" in USA levying a fine on a non USA bank?

EVER since I started Sudan Watch six years ago, I have found the issue of US sanctions (especially those imposed on Sudan) mighty confusing and fishy.

My first reaction on reading the below copied report was to wonder what would happen if Barclays refuses to pay the fine.

I say, Barclays ought to tell the US to get lost and explain why the US refuses to sign up to the ICC and continues to impose sanctions on Sudan while using USAID and others to commandeer southern Sudan.

Note, apart from BBC report August 9th, still no news of Sudanese government lifting suspension on BBC broadcasts on FM in the north.

Quote of the Day

"I am tempted to become a official "toilet paper authority"- then, issue a bog standard ruling that everyone not using 100% recyclable paper must pay to me a "statutory fine" of $100".
- Vernier, in a comment entitled "By what power are "authorities" in USA levying a fine on a non USA bank?" posted at the following report, 17 August 2010

Barclays fined $300m by US for breaking sanctions against brutal regimes
American authorities have fined Barclays nearly $300m (£192m) for breaking sanctions put in place against some of the world's most brutal regimes.
From The Daily Telegraph
By Harry Wilson
Published: 9:47PM BST 16 Aug 2010
11 Comments

Barclays is understood to have voluntarily disclosed information on the dealings to the authorities after it became aware it might have broken sanctions Photo: AFP

Barclays on Monday reached a $298m settlement with US prosecutors that allows the bank to close the lid on an investigation into its business dealings with individuals linked to Cuba, Iran, Libya, Myanmar and Sudan.

The investigation relates to transactions worth $500m undertaken by Barclays between March 1995 and September 2006, which are alleged to have involved the bank removing details from payments to hide the identity of the countries of origin, according to documents filed with a Washington federal court on Monday.

Barclays is understood to have voluntarily disclosed information on the dealings to the authorities after it became aware it might have broken sanctions.

As well as co-operating with the US investigation, the bank ran an internal inquiry into transactions conducted between January 2000 and July 2007.

This saw more than 175 current and former Barclays employees interviewed and in excess of 100m records examined.

Disclosures from Barclays' own investigation led to the bank being charged by the US Department of Justice with one count of violating the International Emergency Powers Act and another of trading with the enemy.

A spokesman for Barclays declined to comment.

The US authorities have not yet commented.

No Barclays staff are understood to have been disciplined as a result of the investigation and yesterday's settlement closes down the possibility of any follow-on action by the US authorities against individual employees.

In its interim financial results for the first half of 2010 published earlier this month, Barclays admitted that it was under investigation by the US authorities and had set aside £194m in the period to cover any fines.

Barclays is not the first UK bank to have been fined for breaking US sanctions.

Lloyds TSB was forced to pay $350m in January 2009 after being accused of helping clients in Iran, Libya and Sudan avoid US sanctions.

Like Lloyds, the Barclays settlement involves US prosecutors agreeing to a "deferred prosecution" whereby the charges against the bank will be postponed for two years with the expectation of being dropped thereafter.

American sanctions against Cuba go back to the Kennedy administration in the early 1960s, while sanctions against Libya were introduced in 1986 in reaction to Tripoli's support of terrorist organisations.

Sanctions against Iran have been in place since 1995, while Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, and Sudan were added to the list two years later.

However, the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 led the US authorities to aggressively step up their investigations into terrorist financing, subsequently leading to several US and international banks being investigated and fined for violating sanctions.

Last December, Credit Suisse was hit with a $538m penalty for hiding several thousand transactions made by clients in Iran, Libya and Sudan, while in March American bank Wachovia paid $160m to settle charges that it had failed to prevent more than $100m being laundered by Colombian and Mexican drug gangs.

Copy of some comments:

perfidiousalbion
5 minutes ago
Time to tell the Yanks to disappear up their own fundament! CUBA is a "brutal regime"? As compared to Karzai in Afghanistan? One of my American grandsons described US foreign policy as "pissing off the World.....one country at a time"' He called that right. With "friends" like the USA, we don't need enemies.
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Perry de Havilland
Today 11:00 AM
Any foreign bank doing business in places like the USA or Russia are fools and deserve all the misfortunes they encounter.
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inthebeginning
Today 10:58 AM
Recommended by
1 person
The Americans are very good at killing off their allies with friendly fire. Isn't it time we dumped them as allies as a matter of self preservation?
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kergoff
Today 10:04 AM
Recommended by
1 person
Who the heck does the USA government think they are, the worlds police man?? The have no right toplace fines on companies who are not American. It is about them the this government stood up against that rotten lot in the USA
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vernier
Today 09:48 AM
Recommended by
2 people
I detect a disturbing trend.
By what power are "authorities" in USA levying a fine on a non USA bank?

Similarly, Israel declares an embargo on goods going into Gaza when commonsense tells us they have no authority to do this.

Apparently, Manchester City footie club (alias Abu Dhabi United) have forbidden their player Craig Bellamy from joining a "rival Premier club". By what authority?

I am tempted to become a official "toilet paper authority"- then, issue a bog standard ruling that everyone not using 100% recyclable paper must pay to me a "statutory fine" of $100.
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chuckwoking
Today 08:24 AM
Recommended by
5 people
Makes me wonder why other countries don't do the same.

Y'know, like India. They could pass a law that makes the chief executives of companies that operate in India, responsible for actions that their companies do in India, even if the executives are not present, are in the US, and so on.

So if say there was a minor gas leak in a place like Bhopal, that kills a mere few tens of thousands, the company could be charged and its executives as well, and those who were responsible for the company in the US could face major criminal charges and be extradited to spend a couple of years in jail awaiting trial, before maybe nothing happens.

Never happen of course. With the US everything is one way.
(Edited by author 3 hours ago)
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zhanglan
Today 03:25 AM
Recommended by
9 people
It would be interesting to know whether any of Barclays' US operations were directly involved in these transactions; if the transactions had been denominated in US$ then there would surely have been a Wire Fraud charge.

Is this perhaps yet another example of the selective extra-territorial application of US domestic legislation to events conducted lawfully overseas? In the Norris/Morgan Crucible case the events were not criminal acts in the UK or the EU where they were committed, yet the US managed to get the 65 year old ex-CEO in remission from cancer extradited without a prima facie case.

We should wake up and smell the coffee here; justice in the US is all about plea bargains and money. Being innocent or otherwise is an absolute irrelevance if someone in the USA decides they don't especially like what you are doing.

As an example - and trying not to refer to the "NatWest 4" - the following case is tangled and confused and nobody comes out of it smelling of roses, but you have to ask yourself why this woman came to be on trial in the USA and why her father was waterboarded 183 times to get him to point the finger at her - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aafia_Siddiqui . Those of you who have read Orwell's 1984 will no doubt recall Winston's rat ordeal in Room 101 which finally caused him to break down and betray his girlfriend. Personally, I find the whole USA legal system these days just as overbearing as Big Brother
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Sudan: New strategy - South Darfur State sets a plan for illegal arms collection - IDPs in Kalma camp not allowed to practice military activities

Photo: "In Sudan - the beautiful desert" by Douglas Bratthall (Source: Yahoo!)

Kalma IDP camp is a political and military camp to serve SLM-Nur

IN a press conference held last Monday (09 August) South Darfur Governor, Abdul Hamid Musa Kasha, described Kalma IDP (internally displaced persons) camp in South Darfur, western Sudan as a political and military camp to serve Abdul Wahid Al-Nur's Darfur insurgent faction SLM.

Kasha revealed that a joint meeting between the Sudanese government and the joint UN/AU peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) resulted in not allowing IDPs in Kalma camp to practice any military activities besides establishing a joint committee to investigate on the recent incidents.

He added that his government had prepared a plan for disarmament in three stages and taken the necessary measures to transfer Kalma camp to another location.

"The state government has developed a plan to collect arms voluntarily from inside the camp to establish social peace," Kasha said on Friday in statements reported by the official news agency SUNA.

He further presented an overview of the state government’s efforts to upgrade essential services of interest to the citizens in the areas of electricity and water.

For the first time a Sudanese government —State minister for humanitarian affairs Mutrif Sideeq — visited the camp with the head of the peacekeeping mission on Wednesday (11 August) and attended a meeting held between Ibrahim Gambari and six delegates who sought refuge at the UNAMID police center in the camp.

The six IDPs representatives told Sudan Tribune that Gambari tried to convince them to accept joint patrols by the Sudanese police and the peacekeepers.

New strategy for the settlement of the Darfur issue

Vice President, Ali Osman Mohammed Taha vowed to take into consideration the visions and proposals of all political parties in the new strategy for the settlement of the Darfur issue.

In his address to the consultative meeting he held with political forces for solving the Darfur issue at the Friendship Hall, the Vice-president affirmed that the government focuses on and will take on board positive contributions and opinions for achieving peace in Darfur. "We shall take on board the opinion of the Darfurian people and all the political forces in any consultation that lead to a comprehensive solution ", he said. The Vice-president described talk about excluding Darfur insurgent factions in any solution is not accurate.

Objectives and priorities of the new strategy

Dr. Ghazi Salah Addeen, the Presidential Advisor and the in-charge of Darfur File said that the objectives and priorities of the new strategy involve

(1) the achievement of a comprehensive settlement (2); enhancement of security; (3) the establishment of a political process in Darfur(4); acceleration of voluntary sustainable return of the displaced; (5) procedures to be taken by government for the execution of development projects; (6) and the organizing of viable consultations among the various components of the Darfurian society; (7) the implementation of justice for all; (8) the restructuring of humanitarian operations and directing them from relief aid to development; (9) the attraction of regional and international support; (10) the enhancement of reconciliation process amongst the people of Darfur; (11) working with our partners to conclude a final and comprehensive peace agreements.

Dr. Ghazi said that a copy of the strategy was handed over to General Salva Kiir, the First Vice-President of the Republic and President of Southern Sudan government and a copy will be submitted to the Council of Ministers. "It is a flexible strategy and not a rigid one and it can be amended according to developments", he said.

Many thousands of IDPs from Kalma remain unaccounted for

Meanwhile, a news report published by AFP on Saturday (14 August) says Sudan must stop blocking aid agencies from reaching more than 80,000 displaced Darfuri refugees at Kalma camp, the UN's undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, John Holmes, said on Saturday, quote

"Many thousands of IDPs from Kalma remain unaccounted for.

"We need immediate access so we can respond to the needs and conditions of those remaining there. We also need to find out how many people have left, and where they have gone, in order to provide relief to them too.

"The United Nations has been in close contact with the relevant Sudanese authorities to restore access ... but until today progress has not been forthcoming.

"Five international NGOs and UN humanitarian agencies which have humanitarian programmes in Kalma are still being prevented from entering the camp by local authorities on the ground, despite recent reassurances that such restrictions had not been imposed."

60 cases of malnutrition in Kalma IDP camp

According to a news report by Miraya FM published yesterday (Sunday, 15 August) UNAMID has revealed 60 cases of malnutrition in Kalma IDP camp, as a result of deteriorating humanitarian situation. Also, the UNMAID stated in a press release that, sound of shooting are heard within the camp pointing out the relocation of majority of IDPs, who sought shelter near UNAMID's local Community Policing Center, to other parts of the camp.

No barring of humanitarian workers from accessing the needy

This morning (Monday, 16 August), Sudan Vision Daily Newspaper reported that the Government of Sudan has "slammed the claims made by the UN's humanitarian chief, John Holmes, to the effect that the government had barred relief officials from entering Kalma IDPs camp". Furthermore, Sudan's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mo'awia Osman Khalid, is quoted as saying, "No barring of Humanitarian workers from accessing the needy."

The report also reveals that "a joint meeting is to be held between the Government of West Darfur State and UNAMID Chief, Ibrahim Gambari within the coming two days with the aim of consultation on Hamedia Camp of Zalinji, besides, studying the situations of all other camps in the state. Also, that the State's Humanitarian Aid Deputy Commissioner, Ismail Adam reported that the meeting targets more coordination and consultation between the two sides on what had been agreed upon in respect of disarming in the camps and protection of people therein. He noted that all camps witness stable security and humanitarian situations".

Finally, news just in from UNAMID - Daily Media Brief dated Sunday, 15 August 2010 - excerpt:

"The security situation in Kalma Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in South Darfur remains unpredictable, with sporadic shooting over the weekend. UNAMID troops continue to patrol the area, 24 hours a day. The majority of IDPs who sought shelter near UNAMID’s local Community Policing Center have relocated to other parts of the camp, suggesting an improvement in the security situation.

Humanitarian conditions in the camp continue to deteriorate. Fuel stores in the camp have been exhausted, and consequently motorized water pumps have ceased to function. Contrary to reports on 12 August, there are two functioning clinics in Kalma camp, albeit with limited resources. One of the clinics yesterday informed UNAMID of over 60 cases of malnutrition".

SOURCES: See 6 reports here below by Sudan Vision Daily, AFP, Miraya FM, Sudan Tribune, UNAMID.

South Darfur State Sets a Plan for Illegal Arms Collection
Report from Sudan Vision (SV) Daily News Paper - Official Website (Khartoum)/via Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan, Washington D.C.
Date: Tuesday, 10 August 2010/ via ISRIA - excerpt:

South Darfur Governor, Abdul Hamid Musa Kasha said that the security situations are 90% stable, pointing out that the government is serious in applying rule of law.

Government announces new strategy on Darfur peace process
Report from Sudan Vision (SV) Daily News Paper - Official Website (Khartoum)
/ via Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan, Washington D.C.
Date: Wednesday, 11 August 2010 - excerpt:

Vice President, Ali Osman Mohammed Taha vowed to take into consideration the visions and proposals of all political parties in the new strategy for the settlement of the Darfur issue.

Sudan blocking access to Darfuri refugees: UN
Report from AFP (Khartoum)
Date: Saturday, 14 August 2010 - excerpt:

"We need immediate access so we can respond to the needs and conditions of those remaining there. We also need to find out how many people have left, and where they have gone, in order to provide relief to them too. The United Nations has been in close contact with the relevant Sudanese authorities to restore access ... but until today progress has not been forthcoming. I am extremely concerned about the welfare of the IDPs (internally displaced persons) at Kalma camp, to whom we have not been able to deliver relief for 13 days," said John Holmes, the UN's undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs. "If access is not urgently restored, the situation risks deteriorating rapidly," he added.

Sudan: 60 cases of malnutrition in Kalma camp, UNAMID says
Report from Miraya FM / via ReliefWeb
Date: Sunday, 15 August 2010

South Darfur to disarm Kalma camp
Report from Sudan Tribune
Published: Sunday, 15 August 2010 - excerpt:

August 14, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The South Darfur state will launch a campaign to retrieve voluntarily weapons in the restive Kalma camp, the governor said this week. Governor Abdel Hamid Moussa Kasha declared considering to remove the camp and relocate the IDPs in other areas. He said that the camp has become a den of criminals and outlaws. He stressed the proximity of the camp from Nyala airport and railway "increases the security threat for UNAMID planes".

UNAMID Daily Media Brief - Sunday, 15 August 2010
Report from United Nations - African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, August 16, 2010/ via APO:

Security situation update
The security situation in Kalma Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in South Darfur remains unpredictable, with sporadic shooting over the weekend. UNAMID troops continue to patrol the area, 24 hours a day. The majority of IDPs who sought shelter near UNAMID’s local Community Policing Center have relocated to other parts of the camp, suggesting an improvement in the security situation.

Humanitarian conditions in the camp continue to deteriorate. Fuel stores in the camp have been exhausted, and consequently motorized water pumps have ceased to function. Contrary to reports on 12 August, there are two functioning clinics in Kalma camp, albeit with limited resources. One of the clinics yesterday informed UNAMID of over 60 cases of malnutrition.

UNAMID patrols
UNAMID military forces conducted 76 patrols including routine, short-range, long-range, night and humanitarian escort patrols covering 66 villages and IDP camps.

UNAMID police advisors conducted 119 patrols in villages and IDP camps.

Govt. Dismisses Holmes' Claims of Blocking Humanitarian Access to Kalma Camp
Report from Sudan Vision Daily News Paper - Official Website (Khartoum)
Date: Monday, 16 August 2010 by Mohammed Abdallah - excerpt:

The Government has slammed the claims made by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, to the effect that the government had barred Relief Officials from entering Kalma IDPs camp.

Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mo'awia Osman Khalid, said, "No barring of Humanitarian workers from accessing the needy." And further stating that the government respects international agreements and commitments and works for integrating the roles of the international partners for accomplishing the humanitarian objectives set for Darfur.

The spokesman underlined the importance of respecting the sovereignty and integrity of the country, adding that the government is properly discharging its responsibilities towards its people.

The government stressed the importance of adherence to security controls, stipulated in the humanitarian agreements; on the part of UNAMID and relief workers own safety against all risks. [...]

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Darfur's tribes dance during a rally to support Darfur peace talk



Photo: Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir waves to Darfur's tribes during a rally to support the Darfur peace talk, in Khartoum 06 August 2010. (Reuters/Mohamed Nurdldin Abdallah)



Photo: Members of Darfur's tribes perform a traditional dance during a rally to support the Darfur peace talk, in Khartoum 06 August 2010. (Reuters/Mohamed Nurdldin Abdallah)
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Sudan news from The New York Times' Blogrunner

Headlines Around the Web

What's This?

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUGUST 15, 2010

Peacekeepers kidnapped in Darfur Jordanian

SUDAN WATCH

AUGUST 14, 2010

Activist group Girifna aims to educate voters in Sudan

HARRY'S PLACE

AUGUST 14, 2010

Girifna braves repression to struggle for democracy in Sudan

CBSNEWS.COM

AUGUST 14, 2010

Sudan Referendum Commission Calls For Vote Delay

SPERO NEWS - RELIGIOUS NEWS

AUGUST 13, 2010

UN humanitarian chief urges full and unhindered access to Darfur camp

More at Blogrunner »

Sudanese music & "whirling dervishes"

SUDAN'S "whirling dervishes" are famed throughout the world for their spell-binding dances, in which they are accompanied by rhythmic drumming, as they gradually work themselves into a trance. Dervishes are Muslim devotees.

Popular music has had a rather chequered history in recent years, with many artists becoming exiles after the government stamped down on their freedom to perform. Lyrics are all-important in Sudanese music, with new words often made up on the spot for a special occasion such as a wedding. Traditional instruments include tom-toms, rababas (viol-like stringed instruments with a hide-covered body), and the oud (a lute).

Source: Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan, Washington D.C. website - Sudanese Music
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Sudan's whirling dervishes

The weekly dervish ceremony near the capital, Khartoum, is considered one of Sudan's main tourist attractions, explains BBC News website reader Mohamed El Hebeishy.

Sufism is associated with both Sunni & Shia Islam. Those who practice it are called Sufis, or Dervishes.

Every Friday dervishes gather an hour before sunset around some of the big mosques in Khartoum and Omdurman. A circle is formed and the ritual begins.



The ceremony starts with the Madeeh - chanting words of gratitude to the Prophet Mohammed. The audience interacts with the chanters, dancing to the rhythms of the percussion instruments.

Then comes the Zikr, in which the dervishes repeat the word 'Allah' many times.

The dervishes start whirling around inside the circle. With the music, the fragrance of burning frankincense, the endless repetition of religious chants, and the dizziness, they go into a state of trance.

According to ancient belief, Sufism is about the purification of the soul in pursuit of inner peace.

The whirling dance came from the Mevlevi Order in Turkey, and is just one of the physical methods used to try to reach religious ecstasy.

While the more well known Mevlevi dervishes wear white robes, Sudanese dervishes are often dressed in green and red.

Sufism started in Baghdad, and spread to Persia, India, north Africa, and Spain.



Another feature of the Sudanese dervish is the wearing of beads. The dervish elder pictured here has 1,000 beads wrapped around his neck — quite a weight to carry.

The Sufi order known as Tariqa, Qadiriyyah is one of the most widespread in Sudan & north Africa. It was established by Abdul Qadir Jilani (1077-1166 AD), a native of the Iranian province of Gilan.



This mausoleum in Omdurman belongs to one of 19th century Qadiriyyah leaders, Hamad Al Nil.

The ceremony is not all about devotional chanting, it is also a social and communal gathering where food is served for the needy.

Growing hair is a common practice among the dervishes, some keep it in dreadlocks while others just let it loose.

Although Sudan is in many ways a male-dominated society, women find themselves a place in the crowd. They gather in one corner wearing bright, colourful robes.

At the close of the ceremony, just before sunset, one of the dervishes walks round the gathered audience with frankincense - which is considered to be a type of blessing to the faithful.

Words and pictures by Mohamed El Hebeishy courtesy BBC. Click here to visit BBC News - In pictures: Sudan's whirling dervishes
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The whirling dervishes of Omdurman



Sheikh Hamed al-Nil was a 19th-century Sufi leader of the Qadiriyah order, and his tomb is the weekly focus for Omdurman's most exciting sight - the dancing and chanting dervishes. Each Friday afternoon before sunset, adherents of the Qadrriyah order gather to dance and pray, attracting large crowds of observers and participants.

The purpose is a ritual called "dhikr". The "dhikr" relies on the recitation of God's names to help create a state of ecstatic abandon in which the adherent's heart can communicate directly with God. This personal communication with God is central to Sufi practices. At the end of the ritual, the dervishes break off and enter the mosque to pray in the orthodox Islamic manner. With Sufism so important to Sudanese Islam, "dhikr" rituals play a major role in religious life.

Source: Walter Callen's photostream at Flickr - The whirling dervishes of Omdurman

Activist group Girifna aims to educate voters in Sudan

Girifna braves repression to struggle for democracy in Sudan
From Harry's Place blog by Gene - Saturday, 14 August 2010:

Rebecca Hamilton reports for The Washington Post from Khartoum:

Like any aspiring pro-democracy movement, the young Sudanese activists needed a name. They picked Girifna, Arabic for “We are fed up.” They chose orange for their color and the V-for-victory sign as a logo, then began distributing their first pamphlet.

Challenging the ruling party was risky in a country where political dissent is rarely tolerated, the activists said. But they saw a small opening before elections in April, as the United States and the European Union pressed the government to ensure a free and fair vote.

Girifna now has more than 7,000 members on its Facebook page, a YouTube channel and an online radio station. But members have been tear-gassed, beaten and tortured, the group’s leaders say. “We know they can put us in jail at any time,” said co-founder Nagi Musa, 23.

Faced with these challenges, Girifna’s success at conducting voter education and election monitoring campaigns before the vote was a hopeful sign, suggesting that a lively civil society could emerge in one of Africa’s most repressive dictatorships, the group and its supporters say.

“The government’s harsh crackdown on Girifna’s peaceful organizing activities is a testament to the potential power of youth activism,” said Olivia Bueno, associate director of the International Refugee Rights Initiative, an organization that supports human rights advocates across Africa.

Photo credit: The Washington Post "Standing up for democracy in Sudan" August 14, 2010. Photo caption: Members and supporters of activist group, who call themselves Girifna, Arabic for "We are fed up," march through the southern Sudan capital of Juba. Photographer: Pete Muller-Associated Press

UNAMID: Sudan govt's dealing with Kalma camp incident contradicts signed deal - Large regions of Kalma deserted

AN inter-agency mission carried out from 4 to 8 August and covering eleven villages near Nyala, South Darfur, western Sudan estimates that around 450 to 500 households have arrived there from Kalma IDP camp, South Darfur.

The United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID) team recommended immediate humanitarian intervention to all eleven villages, even those where no Kalma refugees were found, due to dire conditions, especially in sanitation, health and education.

The head of UNAMID, Ibrahim Gambari, said that threatening and setting a date for handing over culprits of the Kalma camp incidents does not conform to signed deals between the mission and the Sudanese government.

At a press conference held in Khartoum at the beginning of this week, the Governor of South Darfur State, Abdel Hamid Musa Kasha, disclosed the government's intention to remove Kalma camp described as military base and political platform for Abdel Wahid Al-Nur.

There was an exchange of gunfire at Kalma camp, a U.N. spokesman said on Wednesday. "The situation in Kalma remains tense and insecure," U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters. "There were reports of gunfire overnight." It was not clear who fired the shots, though there has been sporadic fighting between supporters of Darfur peace talks in Doha and those who oppose the talks.

The Department of Peacekeeping Operations says that the Joint AU-UN Special Representative, Ibrahim Gambari, and the UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator, George Charpentier, travelled with Government interlocutors to the Kalma camp on Wednesday, 11 August 2010 for meetings with senior authorities in Nyala. They discussed the need to find amicable and practical solutions to resolve the situation and ensure protection for all displaced people and civilians.

SOURCES: Five reports here below.

SUDAN: Thousands struggle to survive as Kalma aid cut off
Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN)
Date: 12 Aug 2010 /via ReliefWeb - excerpt:

NAIROBI, 12 August 2010 (IRIN) - Humanitarian access to Kalma, the largest settlement for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sudan's Southern Darfur State remains cut off ten days after the government blocked UN agencies and the last five NGOs still operating in the camp from distributing food and medical aid to an estimated 82,000 IDPs. [...]

At a press conference held in Khartoum at the beginning of this week, the Governor of South Darfur State, Abdel Hamid Musa Kasha, disclosed the government's intention to remove Kalma camp described as military base and political platform for Abdel Wahid Al-Nur.

More gunfire at Darfur camp, aid workers barred: UN
Source: Reuters by Louis Charbonneau
Date: Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 14:17 GMT - excerpt:

UNITED NATIONS - There was an exchange of gunfire at a refugee camp in Sudan's western Darfur region that has been the focus of a tense standoff between international peacekeepers and Khartoum, a U.N. spokesman said on Wednesday.

Sudan has demanded that U.N.-African Union peacekeepers in Darfur (UNAMID) hand over six Darfuris accused by Khartoum of instigating clashes in South Darfur's Kalma Camp in late July that killed at least five people. UNAMID has refused to do so.

"The situation in Kalma remains tense and insecure," U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters. "There were reports of gunfire overnight."

It was not clear who fired the shots, though there has been sporadic fighting between supporters of Darfur peace talks in Doha and those who oppose the talks.

UN - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
Date: Wednesday, 11 August 2010 /via ISRIA
The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Martin Nesirky, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Excerpt:

The situation in Kalma in Darfur remains tense and insecure, according to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). There were reports of gunfire overnight. The Department of Peacekeeping Operations says that the Joint AU-UN Special Representative, Ibrahim Gambari, and the UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator, George Charpentier, travelled with Government interlocutors to the Kalma camp today for meetings with senior authorities in Nyala. They discussed the need to find amicable and practical solutions to resolve the situation and ensure protection for all displaced people and civilians.

Darfur/UNAMID Daily Media Brief
Source: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
El Fasher Darfur, western Sudan
Date: Wednesday, 11 August 2010 /via APO Thursday, 12 August 2010:

Security situation update
The general security situation in and around Kalma Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in South Darfur is relatively calm, but remains unpredictable. UNAMID troops continue to patrol the area, 24 hours a day.

A UNAMID team which visited Kalma camp yesterday has reported that large regions of the settlement appeared deserted, the inhabitants having left for either the nearby UNAMID Community Policing Center, Nyala or one of the surrounding villages.

An inter-agency mission carried out from 4 to 8 August and covering eleven villages near Nyala estimates that around 450 to 500 households have arrived there from Kalma. The team recommended immediate humanitarian intervention to all eleven villages, even those where no Kalma refugees were found, due to dire conditions, especially in sanitation, health and education.

UNAMID patrols
UNAMID military forces conducted 102 patrols including routine, short-range, long-range, night and humanitarian escort patrols covering 93 villages and IDP camps.

UNAMID police advisors conducted 145 patrols in villages and IDP camps.

Government's dealing with Kalma Incident contradicts signed deal says UNAMID
Source: Miraya FM
Date: Wednesday, 11 August 2010 20:11
Last Updated Thursday, 12 August 2010 10:43

The head of the United Nations/African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Ibrahim Gambari, said that threatening and setting a date for handing over culprits of the Kalma camp incidents does not conform to signed deals between the mission and the Sudanese government.

In the same context, Mutrif Siddiq, the state minister of humanitarian affairs confirmed that the demands made by the government of southern Darfur are as follows, handing over of the perpetrators of the Kalma incidents, re-locating the camp, rehabilitate those who fled the camp to other areas.

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News from SRS - Sudan Radio Service:

Wednesday, 11-Aug-2010

• 6 Million Sudanese Pounds Recovered From GOSS Payroll Cleansing
• GOSS Captures Militias Allied To Renegade General George Athor
• Civic Education On Referendum To Be Conducted In Unity State
• Episcopal Bishops in southern Sudan Against Any Delay Of The Referendum
• Schools Re-open In Rumbek After One Month Closure

Tuesday, 10-Aug-2010

• Referendum To Be Conducted As Scheduled
• Civil Servants To Receive Pensions
• Campaigns To Support Southern Sudan’s Secession Kicks Off In Malakal
• Kenya Airways Flight To Juba Reports Technical Difficulties
• Unity State Government Reconciles With Opposition Group
• Security Situation In CES Calm
• Sports Latest

Ramadam in Sudan: Restaurants stay open in Khartoum - Gambari urges Darfurians to pray for peace

THE chairman of the non-Muslim commission in Khartoum, Joshua Dau, has affirmed continuity of the last year's deal between the commission and the localities, which stipulates opening all restaurants in Khartoum to give non-Muslims and those who are unable to fast a chance of having their meals during Ramadan.

Source: Miraya FM - Thursday, 12 August 2010 02:50
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Gambari urges Darfurians to pray for peace during Ramadan
Source: www.afriquejet.com
Date: Thursday, 12 August 2010:

(Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) - Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the AU-UN Joint Special Representative for Darfur, on Wednesday appealed to the people of Darfur on the occasion of the Ramadan, saying the Islamic fasting month 'is not a time for violence, but for reconciliation', PANA reported from here.

'On the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, I would like to take the opportunity to convey my best wishes to the people of the Sudan and of Darfur in particular.

'May the light of this holy month of purity in thoughts and deeds touch us all and engage us in generosity and charity,' Gambari stated.

He urged all Darfurians to let the spirit of Ramadan prevail and 'to take this chance to extend a hand to those in need and to pray that peace and stability grace this land.'

Dar es Salaam - Pana 12/08/2010

S. Sudan army SPLA captured Khartoum-destined 'copter carrying militias allied to Athor -SPLA resists UNMIS patrols on border between south and Darfur

THE President of the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan, General Salva Kiir Mayardit, who is also the First Vice President of the Republic, has directed the legal authority in the region to prosecute the captured officers from the rebels led by the former SPLA General, George Athor Deng.

The officers including Athor’s third person in command were captured in a helicopter on transit at Fulluj airport in Upper Nile state as the plane was returning from Jonglei state to Khartoum.

The SPLM’s Secretary-General, Pagan Amum, told reporters in a press conference in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Tuesday that the South Sudan army, SPLA, on 8 August captured the helicopter after it landed in Fulug county airport, Upper Nile State, on its way back from Athor’s strongholds in the Fangak area.

SOURCES: See reports below from SRS and Sudan Tribune

GOSS Captures Militias Allied To Renegade General George Athor
Source: SRS - Sudan Radio Service
Date: Wednesday, 11 August 2010:

(Khartoum) - The Government of Southern Sudan says it has captured a helicopter from Khartoum at Faluj airport in Upper Nile State carrying militias allied to renegade General George Athor.

The S-P-L-M Secretary-General Pagan Amum was speaking in Khartoum on Tuesday.

[Pagan Amum]: “On the 8th of August 2010, a cargo helicopter left Khartoum and landed at Faluj airport in Upper Nile State. From there, it flew to Fanjag to areas controlled by George Athor, who rebelled against the G-O-S-S in order to destabilize security in Southern Sudan. The plane returned to Faluj and when it landed at Faluj airport, a force from the S-P-L-A besieged the plane and searched it and found on the plane a group of leaders who belong to Athor under the leadership of the third in command of Athor’s forces. They were on their way to Khartoum and they have been arrested together with the helicopter crew.”

Amum said the G-O-S-S has launched an investigation into the incident.

[Pagan Amum]: “Now G-O-S-S has decided to launch an investigation in order to reveal in a transparent and complete manner that there are people in Khartoum that are supporting Athor’s group with a lot of things and they are working with him openly in order to destabilize security in Southern Sudan and this is a dangerous development to disrupt the peace process and spoil the process leading up to the conduct of the self-determination referendum for Southern Sudan.”

Mister Amum said those involved in will be brought to justice.

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South Sudan captures Khartoum-destined helicopter with rebels on board
Source: Sudan Tribune
Published: Wednesday 11 August 2010

August 10, 2010 (BOR/KHARTOUM) — South Sudan said it has impounded a Khartoum-destined cargo helicopter carrying men loyal to Gorge Athor, the man behind a rebellion against the government of the semi-autonomous region. The ruling party in southern Sudan, SPLM, accused "quarters in northern Sudan of supporting the renegade general in order to destabilize the south".

However, the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in the north has rejected the SPLM’s claims, dismissing them as "false accusations" whose aim is to "run away from the reality of the unstable security situation in the south."

North and South Sudan fought a civil war for two decades. The war ended when the SPLM and the NCP signed a peace deal dubbed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005, giving the mainly Christian-animist south autonomous role from the Muslim-dominated north and promises of a referendum on independence due in January 2011.

The SPLM’s Secretary-General, Pagan Amum, told reporters in a press conference in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Tuesday that the South Sudan army, SPLA, on 8 August captured the helicopter after it landed in Fulug county airport, Upper Nile State, on its way back from Athor’s strongholds in the Fangak area.

The former independent election candidate Gorge Athor staged a rebellion against south Sudan’s government last April after he lost gubernatorial elections in Jonglei State to the SPLM’s candidate Kuol Manyang Juuk. General Athor refused to concede defeat and claimed vote rigging. Athor had served with the SPLA during two decades of civil war and was promoted to be the SPLA’s deputy Chief of General Staff for Moral Orientation after the signing of the CPA in 2005.

"After landing in Fulug, SPLA forces raided the helicopter to find a group of Athor’s loyalists, including the third-in-command of his group, on their way back to Khartoum” said Amum, adding that "all men were arrested along with the helicopter’s crew".

Intelligence sources in Jonglei state, speaking on condition of anonymity to Sudan Tribune, said that "the former commissioner of Pigi county, James Yhor, and other senior Athor’s military men were the ones found in the helicopter". The sources further added that the detained rebels were wounded and heading for hospital in northern Sudan to receive medical treatment.

Amum has also declared that south Sudan will launch a probe into the case, considering it as "a serious development indicating that some quarters in Khartoum were supporting Athor in order to undermine security and stability in the south and obstruct the referendum".

News of capturing the helicopter by the SPLA was first reported by the subtly pro-government Alray Alamm newspaper on 9 August. The paper, which said that the helicopter belongs to Sudanair, Sudan’s national airlines company, quoted "a high-ranking source" as saying that the helicopter was "chartered by Fangak Aid Organization to transport aid materials".

For its part, the NCP’s official spokesman, Fathi Shillah, accused Pagan Amum of "launching hollow and false accusations" against the NCP in order to "run away from the reality of security instability in the south".

In statements published by the state-run Sudan Media Center last night, Shillah demanded that the SPLM intervenes and releases the helicopter and make an apology for the SPLA’s actions.

He reiterated that the NCP respects the existing partnership with the SPLM alongside its commitment to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

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Kiir directs for prosecution of captured officers of renegade George Athor
Source: Sudan Tribune
Published: Thursday, 12 August 2010:

August 11, 2010 (JUBA) – The President of the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan, General Salva Kiir Mayardit, who is also the First Vice President of the Republic, has directed the legal authority in the region to prosecute the captured officers from the rebels led by the former SPLA General, George Athor Deng.

The officers including Athor’s third person in command were captured in a helicopter on transit at Fulluj airport in Upper Nile state as the plane was returning from Jonglei state to Khartoum.

The Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and minister of Peace and CPA Implementation, Pagan Amum, announced the fate of the officers while addressing the press in Khartoum on Wednesday. He said Athor’s officers were found on board the helicopter destined for Khartoum and were immediately arrested.

Athor rebelled against the government after he was declared loser in the April gubernatorial elections in Jonglei state against the incumbent governor, Kuol Manyang Juuk, whom he accused of allegedly rigging the votes.

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SPLA resists UNMIS patrols on border between south and Darfur
Source: Sudan Tribune
Published: Thursday 12 August 2010 - excerpt:

August 12, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS), told the UN Security Council (UNSC) last week that the southern Sudanese army had resisted their efforts to patrol the area of south Sudan that borders the troubled western state of Darfur.

Major-General Moses Bisong Obi said August 6 that the area was of particular concern. He told the UNSC that the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) had often resisted UNMIS efforts to send patrols to the area.

UNMIS Helicopter Hijacked

Also in his statement to the UNSC Bisong ‘described incidents in which an UNMIS helicopter had been hijacked and a patrol manhandled.’

The same UN source said that technically the incident was a hijack under international law but downplayed the incident.

Two SPLA soldiers who were being transported on the helicopter between Juba and Malakal had started an argument with the pilot who refused to drop them off at a third destination the source told Sudan Tribune.

There were no guns or violence involved in the dispute, the source said. All weapons on UNMIS flights are stowed in the hold unless the aircraft is on a patrol.

The helicopter landed over an hour later than scheduled and the soldiers involved were arrested by southern Sudanese authorities on arrival said the UN official.

This was a separate incident to the Russian pilot of a UN helicopter kidnapped in Darfur in June and the capture August 10 of a helicopter, which the SPLA claim was carrying Khartoum backed rebels.

The rest of the details on Bisong’s statement to the UNSC can be found on the UN’s website. (ST)

RSF: Sudan's journalists must provide private info including their political views, friends, addresses, bank details and floor plans of their houses

• In a statement posted on its website, the BBC said it hoped ongoing talks with the Sudanese authorities would allow local FM broadcasting to resume. The suspension has deprived the residents of northern Sudan of one of the country’s most important news outlets

• Reporters Without Borders notes the announcement by the director-general of National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on 7 August that prior censorship of Sudan’s newspapers has been lifted. The government’s media department notified the national media of the decision, which most newspapers reported in their 8 August issues

• Sudan government official recently demanded that the country's journalists must provide private information that includes their political views, friends, addresses, bank details and even the floor plans of their houses

SOURCES: See below.

Sudan Government announces lifting of prior censorship but journalists and media still seriously threatened
Source: Reporters without Borders (RSF)
/via African Press Organization (APO)
Date: August 12, 2010

(KHARTOUM, Sudan) - Reporters Without Borders notes the announcement by the director-general of National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on 7 August that prior censorship of Sudan’s newspapers has been lifted. The government’s media department notified the national media of the decision, which most newspapers reported in their 8 August issues.

In a news conference on 7 August, the head of the NISS press office said prior censorship had been needed to combat the publication of false reports. Quoting the NISS director-general, he said some articles had aimed to destroy Sudan’s relations with its neighbours. Attempts to stir up division and inter-ethnic hatred had given the authorities no choice but to censor all newspapers, including the responsible ones, he said.

Announcing the lifting of prior censorship, the NISS spokesman thanked all the Sudanese print media on behalf of the director-general for their positive attitude towards the instructions they have received from the censors and for their cooperation with security personnel.

But he warned journalists to behave responsibly and to censor themselves on issues that could threaten national unity. And he added that the Sudanese authorities had a constitutional right to introduce partial or total censorship again whenever national stability and unity were threatened by newspaper articles.

Reporters Without Borders wonders which article of the constitution gives the security services the right they claim to impose censorship. This announcement was designed to make international observers think that press freedom is being restored in Sudan, but in fact it is a slap in the face.

Prior censorship may have been lifted, but the announcement has been accompanied by so many warnings that it is clear that nothing is going to change. The situation will remain the same and journalists will not be able to express themselves freely on key issues such as Southern Sudan’s autonomy.

Reporters Without Borders wrote recently to Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir calling for an end to censorship. Link to the letter: http://en.rsf.org/sudan-reporters-without-borders-writes-13-07-2010,37938.html.

In another example of how Sudanese journalists are kept under surveillance, the security services distributed a questionnaire to them last month with more than 20 detailed questions about such matters as their political affiliation, their home, the plans of their house, the names and professions of their close relatives and their car registration number.

Journalists who have been slow to cooperate have been summoned by security officials and questioned until they provided the required information.

The questionnaire is a serious violation of journalists’ civil liberties and is very intimidatory. When outspoken journalists are sought by the security services, they are now served up on a silver platter. They can be tracked down geographically, socially and politically. The security authorities know their car registration and the plan of their home. Reporters Without Borders is deeply shocked by this measure and worried for the safety of Sudan’s journalists.

This disturbing trend is confirmed by other recent developments. The government told the BBC on 9 August that an agreement allowing it to broadcast its Arabic-language service on local FM frequencies was being suspended until further notice. The BBC’s broadcasts were stopped the same day in four cities in northern Sudan (Khartoum, Port Sudan, Wad Madani and Al-Ubayad).

The authorities insisted that the suspension was the result of the BBC’s failure to comply with the terms of the agreement governing its local operations and had nothing to do with programme content.

In a statement posted on its website, the BBC said it hoped ongoing talks with the Sudanese authorities would allow local FM broadcasting to resume. The suspension has deprived the residents of northern Sudan of one of the country’s most important news outlets. Link to the statement: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-10912871.

Sudan is ranked 148th out of 175 countries in the 2009 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.

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Sudan suspends BBC radio broadcasts
Source: Roy Greenslade guardian.co.uk/Index on Censorship/CPJ
Date: Thursday 12 August 2010 09.18 BST
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Noteworthy comment at above report from Guardian
by Sosha, 12 Aug 2010, 11:43AM:

How do you suspend a radio station? This a good argument for keeping analogue alive? (Know nothing - just curious).