Sunday, August 20, 2023

London synagogue rescues Muslim family from Sudan

THANKS to a Sudanese reader, living in England after fleeing war in Sudan 20 years ago, for this heartwarming story about courage, the kindness of strangers and remarkable work done by members of Britain’s oldest progressive shul, alongside others at a local mosque and nearby church.
They're home! Salih Adam with his wife and child at Heathrow on Thurs -JN

Article at Jewish News - jewishnews.co.uk
By LEE HARPIN
Dated Thursday 17 August 2023, 12:20 pm - here is a full copy:

London synagogue helps rescue Muslim family from war-torn Sudan


EXCLUSIVE: The family’s arrival in the UK comes as a result of the remarkable work done on their behalf by members of Britain’s oldest progressive shul.


They're home! Salih Adam with his wife and child at Heathrow on Thursday.


A Sudanese-born Muslim man who fled the war-torn state for a new life in Britain has risked his life for a second time to bring his wife and baby daughter to this country with the help of West London Synagogue.


Salih Adam, 35, who received UK citizenship this year, arrived at Heathrow this morning after completing a dangerous journey back to his homeland to rescue his wife Moram, 35, and 10-month-old Warif from the on-going civil war, which has seen more than one million people flee  the country.


The family’s arrival in the UK comes as a result of the remarkable work done on their behalf by members of Britain’s oldest progressive shul, alongside others at a local mosque and nearby church.


Nic Schlagman, head of social action and interfaith at WLS, who has become friends with Salih since he was directed to the shul’s homeless shelter by a local charity in 2014, praised his “absolute bravery and determination” to be reunited with his family.


He also reflected on the historical fact that help, often from strangers, had saved countless Jewish families from being wiped out during the Holocaust.

Photograph: Salih meeting the King at West London Synagogue in December 2015

Photograph by Elliott Franks


“Family members living in Germany at the time figured they could get my grandmother, who was five-years-old, out of a small town in Poland and onto a train to London to ensure her safety,” said Shlagman. 


“She was taken in and brought up by strangers in London who paid to do this themselves.


“I grew up in a household where we knew that the kindness of strangers was literally the only reason we were alive, when people around us wanted to kill us.


“Helping Salih and his family was not done out of self-interest but a sense that people in the world simply need our help. I feel a tremendous sense of pride that we have been able to complete a circle.”


Alongside other shul members, a group of volunteers had worked tirelessly to organise Salih’s risky route to his family, and their eventual journey back to the UK.


The family reunion was also made possible with the assistance of Rabbi Sybil Sheridan, renowned for her work in providing assistance to the Jews of Ethiopia, who provided a fixer for Salih as he risked his life on the border with Sudan to get passports to his wife and infant child.


Schlagman praised the Home Office, and staff at Labour leader Keir Starmer’s constituency office, near where Salih lives, for their critical help.


Schlagman also confirmed the Saudi Arabian embassy in the UK had also been supportive, as the family escaped the war-ravaged republic by flying out to the city of Jeddah, before catching a final flight to London.


Philanthropist Edwin Shuker, who chairs the Board’s of Deputies’ communities and education division, also had a key role in the mission’s success.


But Schlagman said: “Salih is the real hero in this story, someone who has travelled from Sudan, to Ethiopia, to Saudia Arabia to come home. What he has done is unbelievably brave. He has thrown himself into danger, just to be the best father and husband he could be.”


With his wife living at his mother’s home in Darfur, it took Salih two years to travel, first across Libya, then into Europe, and finally on a boat across the English channel before he would arrive in UK in 2014, with the promise of work through contacts to provide for his family he left behind.


Civil war in Darfur meant his life was at risk if he stayed there. Inside the WLS homeless shelter he was offered vital support, and shul members helped to pay for the doorman’s licence that allowed Salih to work.


At the time WLS shul members were also making monthly trips to Calais to help migrants in the “jungle” camps. Salih offered to volunteer on trips himself.


When Prince Charles visited WLS to celebrate its 175th anniversary in 2015, Salih was one of six people connected to the shul that he spoke with, as the future King praised the social action work of the institution.


Moving to council accommodation in Camden, Salih has continued to do voluntary work for the shul.


View original: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/shul-rescues-muslim-family-from-sudan/


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Friday, August 18, 2023

South Sudan voices alarm over US warning to businesses about the risks of business dealings

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: No matter what the UN, US et al want to impose on South Sudan and pressure it into doing in the coming year, Messrs Kiir and Machar are the best and most experienced leaders to steer South Sudan through global recession and peace. Everyone's time could be best spent on working to hold South Sudan together and stop civil war in Sudan.

The last thing South Sudan needs is Americans breathing down its neck and twisting arms for a democracy that doesn't work in Africa. I say, African solutions to African problems! Libya's Col Gaddafi strongly supported a United States of Africa and championed African land for African people!

All African states are members of the African Union.  

Map of the African continent as in 2011-07. -Wikipedia

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From AFP News via The Barron’s Daily
By AFP - Agence France Presse
Dated Tuesday 15 August 2023 - here is a full copy:

S.Sudan Voices Alarm Over US Warning To Businesses


South Sudan voiced alarm on Tuesday over a US warning about the risks of business dealings in the troubled country, which is facing a myriad of problems more than a decade after independence.


The United States and South Sudan's other international partners have been piling pressure on its leaders over their failure to meet a raft of deadlines in the country's transition process.


The government in Juba said it was "seriously alarmed" by the advisory issued on Monday to US businesses in South Sudan.


The US Departments of State, Commerce and Labor warned of "the growing reputational, financial and legal risks" to transactions linked to the government or companies controlled by officials' families.


The advisory called on US businesses to do "due diligence on corruption and human rights issues" and to avoid any dealings that involve South Sudanese officials who are under sanctions.


And it faulted the transitional government for its "failure to adhere to its own laws" including on transparency over oil revenue.


Business dealings could "adversely impact US businesses, individuals, other persons and their operations in South Sudan and the region," it said.


Two-way trade totalled $88 million in 2019 according to US data.


South Sudan's foreign ministry said it respected the right of the US to issue such advisories and acknowledged challenges in the government's efforts to implement a 2018 peace agreement, particularly in economic reforms and public financial management.


But it added: "The government believes that cooperation and partnership are more effective than confrontation and isolation in achieving mutual interests and objectives."


Since becoming the world's youngest nation in 2011 when it achieved independence from Sudan, South Sudan has been bedevilled by crises including a five-year civil war that cost nearly 400,000 lives before a 2018 peace deal was signed.


But the fragile unity government led by President Salva Kiir and his rival and deputy Riek Machar has largely failed to deliver on its promises.


Kiir has vowed to hold South Sudan's first ever presidential poll by the end of 2024 after the government a year ago controversially extended the transition period outlined in the peace deal.


But Western powers accuse him and Machar of dragging their heels in order to cling on to power in one of the poorest and most corrupt countries on the planet.


"There has been neither any meaningful progress since (the extension) nor evidence of political will," the so-called Troika of the United States, Britain and Norway said last week.


"Deadline after deadline has been missed, laws remain unpassed, commissions unformed and implementation bodies unfunded."


The Barron's news department was not involved in the creation of the content above. This story was produced by AFP. For more information go to AFP.com.


View original: https://www.barrons.com/news/s-sudan-voices-alarm-over-us-warning-to-businesses-9e66d19f

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Further reading


Press Release at US Department of Commerce

By Office of Public Affairs

Dated Mon 14 Aug 2023 

US Government Issues a Business Advisory for South Sudan

For more information, see the complete advisory.

View original: https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2023/08/us-government-issues-business-advisory-south-sudan

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Report at VOA (Voice of America News)

By Henry Wilkins

Dated Thur 17 Aug 2023 2:05 PM - excerpt:

Northern South Sudan's Economy 'Decimated' by Sudan Conflict

Sudan's conflict has caused prices in the border region of neighboring South Sudan to rise sharply, according to local market traders. Meanwhile, the production and export of South Sudanese oil through Sudan, which the World Bank says makes up 90% of the country’s revenue, is being strangled by the conflict too. Henry Wilkins reports from Renk, South Sudan.

See video report: https://www.voanews.com/a/northern-south-sudan-s-economy-decimated-by-sudan-conflict-/7229419.html

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Report at DW (Deutsche Welle)

Why fewer Africans are able to own land

By Martina Schwikowski

Dated 19 Jan 2021 - excerpt:

Research has shown that inequality in access to land is increasing across the African continent. Experts are calling for more rules and controls on the sale of land to counteract poverty.

https://www.dw.com/en/dwindling-number-of-africans-own-land/a-56273543

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Report at land coalition.org

NEW REPORT REVEALS LAND INEQUALITY IS WORSE THAN WE THOUGHT AND IS FUELING OTHER INEQUALITIES

Dated 24 Nov 2020 - excerpt:

The International Land Coalition is a global network of over 250 organisations around the globe working together to put people at the centre of land governance, responding to the needs and protecting the rights of women, men and communities who live on and from the land. For more information, visit: www.landcoatition.org and www.unevenground.org - and  Uneven Ground: land inequality at the heart of unequal societies

https://www.landcoalition.org/en/newsroom/new-report-reveals-land-inequality-worse-we-thought-and-fueling-other-inequalities/


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Wednesday, August 16, 2023

South Sudan: Nuer refugees in Pugnido Camp, Gambella, Ethiopia targeted by Anyuak gunmen

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: South Sudanese-born Emmanuel Jal posted two important items with footage at his Facebook account today. 

The posts are about Pugnido refugee camp in Ethiopia where many South Sudanese Nuer refugees currently reside: Nuer refugees were targeted and attacked by Anyuak gunmen, at least one young child refugee was shot dead. The footage, taken last week, shows terrified men, women and children running for their lives. The camp has been under attack by Anyuak gunmen.

Emmanuel says 70% of Nuer in South Sudan are internally or externally displaced or in refugee camps such as Pugnido Camp in Gambella region of Ethiopia. They were living in South Sudan's most fertile land full of riches and oil: Upper Nile, Unity State and Jonglei. Clearly, they were forced to flee to make way for newcomers and mining. Who are the evildoers? Why don't Sudanese have land rights or legal rights? We're not living in the Stone Age.

The South Sudanese people who fled as refugees to Ethiopia are resented by many Ethiopians. South Sudanese currently living in refugee camps or elsewhere in Ethiopia who want to return home to South Sudan should be supported by the AU, AUPSC, UN and any others who rake in billions from the world's taxpayers to help the most needy and vulnerable people and children in countries such as Sudan and South Sudan.

Here are the two posts [each with same footage, beige highlighting is mine].

From the Facebook account of Emmanuel Jal 

Posted Wed 16 Aug 2023 with footage of Nuer fleeing gunmen

Shared with Public


These are refugee children under attack in Pinyudo camp in Ethiopia it’s a shame to see armed attacks attacked on women and refugees: #These are Nuer children they speak the same language as me and I hear what terror that they are experiencing. It’s happening in a place called pegnido in Gambella region. This happened last week. Let’s pray that things stabilize 70% of Nuer are internally displaced or in the regugee camp. They come from the most fertilize land of South Sudan with minerals and alot of oil. Upper Nile, Unity state and Jonglei.@guaafrica @chooselove @igniting_change  @angelicafuentes63a @chudierjj2023 @amnesty


View original: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=833381155071232

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Emmanuel Jal shared the second half of this post from Chudier Jiing Kuol Facebook account

Posted Wed 16 Aug 2023

Shared with Public


These children are refugees the camp and they are under attack because they are Nuer. The UN is doing nothing and government. it’s look like there is organized systematic ethnic cleansing of Nuer people 70 % of them leaves in the refugeee camp internally displaced or externally.

- - -


From Chudier Jiing Kuol Facebook account

Dated 09 Aug 2023

Shared with Public


PINGADU REFUGEE CAMP IS UNDER ATTACK FROM ANYUAK GUN MEN:

A young girl child calling out for her little sister, Nyakong who seemed to have been shot dead by the attackers while fleeing for her life. The camp is under heavy attack from Anyuak gun men as men, women and children (refugees) flee for their lives. 


As always, I call on Refugees & Returnees Service - RRSUNHCR, the UN Refugee AgencyUNHCR Ethiopia and FDRE government to strengthen refugee protection in Ethiopia particularly Gambella Region. I have to assure you that Gambella Regional State Government is working absolutely against 1951 Refugee Convention. 


The only crime these refugees committed is their IDENTITY.

This is outrageous act of violence with IMPUNITY.  

#refugees 

#refugeesupport 

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission 

Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation 

Addis Media Network-English 

Addis Standard 

Gambella Mass Media Service


View original here 

https://www.facebook.com/EmmanuelJal/posts/pfbid02g5kRvQDso4TLsfefacnwqWsiZqW9EDWU7atvfHPQo9GzkjHaW9KmZKaynME4VWCql


and here:


https://www.facebook.com/chudier.jiingkuol/videos/pingadu-refugee-camp-is-under-attack-from-anyuak-gun-mena-young-girl-child-calli/2027897904218479/

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Further reading


Article from ReliefWeb - excerpt:

Ethiopia: Camp Profile Gambella - Pugnido Refugee Camp (May 2020)

The Gambela Region has, since May 2023, faced insecurity due to ethnic based violence, reportedly leading to several casualties in Gambela town and displacing at least a reported 11,700(6) people in Itang Woreda and other affected areas as of 31 July. Needs for the displaced are assumed to include emergency shelter and non-food items, nutrition supplies for children 


View original: https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/ethiopia-camp-profile-gambella-pugnido-refugee-camp-may-2020

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Situation Report from ReliefWeb  

UNFPA Ethiopia Humanitarian Response Situation Report - July 2023

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