Sudan: Omar al-Bashir had cash worth $113m: $90m from Saudi royal family - $25m sent to him by Prince Mohammed bin Salman to use outside state budget

Article from the Financial Times

By TOM WILSON in Nairobi 

Dated Friday 23 August 2019

Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir faces court reckoning 

Photo:  Dictator who loomed over country for a generation faces corruption charges Omar al-Bashir sits inside a cage as corruption charges are read out © Reuters 

Thirty years after seizing power in a military coup and four months after widespread protests forced him from office, Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir, once one of the most notorious leaders on the African continent, this week appeared in court. 

He appeared not at the International Criminal Court that charged him with genocide in 2010 for trying to wipe out non-Arab ethnic groups in Darfur, but in the east African country he has dominated for the past three decades. 

Dressed in immaculate white robes, Mr Bashir sat in a black metal cage as prosecutors and investigators described the corruption charges against him. 

The former president, who is expected to plead not guilty, spoke only to confirm his name, his age and his residence ” Khartoum’s Kober prison. 

For the millions of Sudanese citizens that struggled under his dictatorial regime and the hundreds of thousands that protested since December for his removal, it was a huge moment. “Bashir was the symbol of the regime since 1989,” said Wasil Ali, a Sudanese commentator and the former deputy editor of the Sudan Tribune, an online newspaper.  “People seeing him in court breaks a longstanding condition, it allows them to feel that Bashir is gone.” 

Despite an international arrest warrant, US sanctions and countless civil conflicts, Mr Bashir had clung to power, looming over the country for a generation. Ever present, barely a day went by without him giving a statement or making an appearance on state television. 

But as symbolic as the trial is, many also fear that the prosecution will not be sufficient to deliver justice. “It is a relief to see Bashir behind bars but we think this is not enough,” said Amjed Farid, a spokesman for the Sudanese Professionals Association, one of the groups that spearheaded the demonstrations that led to his ousting. “The current case against him is about money laundering and dealing in foreign currency [but] we don’t think this is the only crime that Bashir committed.”  

Though more charges could follow, Mr Bashir is currently accused of illicit possession of foreign currency and accepting gifts in an unofficial manner after a raid of his home in April, in which military officers said they found cash in at least three currencies worth $113m. 

At this week’s hearing, a police officer testified that Mr Bashir had admitted that some of the money was part of $90m he had received from members of the Saudi royal family, including the current de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 

“The accused told us that the money was part of a sum of $25m sent to him by Prince Mohammed bin Salman to be used outside of the state budget,” police Brigadier General Ahmed Ali told the court. 

The revelation was further evidence of prolonged efforts by Saudi Arabia to maintain influence in Sudan. In 2015 Mr Bashir agreed to send thousands of troops to support the Saudi-led war in Yemen and in April, Saudi Arabia and its ally the United Arab Emirates were quick to back Sudan’s new military leaders. 

That Mr Bashir had received personal payments from another leader would have been shocking to many Sudanese, said Mr Ali, but pales in comparison to the violence and war crimes of which he also stands accused. “To see him on corruption [charges], I think that fuels a suspicion that the government is not serious about really prosecuting for the crimes that really matters,” he said. 

Over 30 years Mr Bashir’s secret police terrorised opponents, while his army officers led murderous military campaigns in the now independent South Sudan and in Darfur, South Kordofan and other regions of the country. 

Part of the problem is that under a transitional agreement signed last week, civilian administrators will share power for the next three years with military officers, all of whom served Mr Bashir loyally until his ousting and some of whom were directly involved in some of the former regime’s worst atrocities. 

Still, the SPA’s Mr Farid said there was little appetite in Sudan to hand Mr Bashir over to the International Criminal Court, which issued warrants for his arrest in 2009 and 2010 on charges of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. The next hearing in Sudan is due in September.

“It is right for the Sudanese people to see Bashir facing justice in Sudan but this is conditioned on sufficient legal reform to guarantee that justice has been served and that all victims can present their cases against him,” Mr Farid said. “He needs to answer to his crimes and we don’t think there is any place for him to hide.”

View original article: https://www.ft.com/content/d54aa7fe-c4cf-11e9-a8e9-296ca66511c9

Sudan: AP interviews new PM Hamdok who vows to rebuild battered economy

Note from Sudan Watch Editor:  Further below are two comments left at the following FT article. The second comment ends by saying “It's thanks to the AU's unrelenting efforts that we have reached this encouraging outcome whence new challenges will have to be addressed in a positive and determined way.” 

The AU and its peacekeepers are doing a great job. 16 years ago the fledgling AU was derided and ridiculed. Not now. Well done Mr Mbeki et al!  Africa can be proud.  Read The AU’s role in brokering Sudan deal offers lessons for the future by Femi Amao, Senior Lecturer, University of Sussex, UK 21 Aug 2019.

Article from the Financial Times.com

By TOM WILSON in Nairobi 

Dated Thursday 22 August 2019

Sudan’s new prime minister vows to rebuild battered economy

Economist Abdalla Hamdok sworn in under transitional agreement

Photo: Abdalla Hamdok is expected to form a civilian cabinet next week © AP

Sudan’s new prime minister has vowed to make peace with the country’s rebel factions and rebuild its battered economy as he seeks to bring an end to the uncertainty that followed the military overthrow of dictator Omar al-Bashir in April after months of anti-government protests.

Abdalla Hamdok, a respected former official of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, was sworn in on Wednesday [21 Aug] under a transitional agreement that will see the military share power with civilian administrators until elections are held in three years’ time. “The government’s top priorities are to stop the war, build sustainable peace, address the severe economic crisis and build a balanced foreign policy,” he said.

In the wake of Mr Bashir’s ouster, the military had initially pledged to pass power immediately to the civilian opposition but then stalled, leading to further violence. Under the new deal signed last week Sudan will be run by an 11-member sovereign council made up of military and civilian appointees until the elections are held. For the first 21 months, the council will be headed by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who has run the country since April, before the leadership rotates to a civilian. Lt Gen Burhan was also sworn in on Wednesday. 

Though the deal places Sudan under the ultimate control of the army for another 21 months, it is the first time that the north African country has not been under full military rule since Mr Bashir seized power in coup in 1989. The long transition period is seen as a victory for the pro-democracy movement, which has said it needs at least three years to rebuild the state hollowed out under Mr Bashir if the country is to have any chance of holding free and fair elections. 

Mr Hamdok’s appointment was celebrated across Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of citizens staged protests in the past nine months and hundreds have been killed. Born in Sudan’s central Kordofan province, Mr Hamdok holds a PhD in economics from the University of Manchester and has had a long career as a respected international economist. 

“Hamdok is a Sudanese scholar and a technocrat with a track record of achievement,” said Amjed Farid, a spokesperson for the Sudanese Professionals Association, one of the groups that spearheaded the protest movement that toppled Mr Bashir. 

“He faces a lot of difficult questions and a very dark legacy of the Bashir regime but I think he, and the team he is about to select, has enough popularity and peoples’ support to implement the very difficult emergency plans needed to rescue Sudan in this transitional period of three years,” said Mr Farid. 

Thirty years of autocracy, corruption and the prolonged impact of international sanctions on Mr Bashir’s government have brought the Sudanese economy to its knees. Last year the value of the Sudanese pound plummeted by 85 per cent against the dollar and inflation reached nearly 70 per cent, one of the highest levels in the world. Mr Hamdok is expected to form a civilian cabinet next week. The ministers of defence and interior will be selected by the military.

Two Comments

Misfan 

This is one of the best outcome Sudanese people can hope for. Now its the international community must keep the pressure on the military to loosen their grip on power. All the well wishes for new democratic era for Sudanese people. 

OTTOANGY 

Allow me Misfan to share your wishes " for a new democratic era " in Sudan. The success of the battle for democracy in that country could turn out to be of pivotal impact for other countries in the MENA region. No other country could some day become a more promising role model for other entities in that area, given the fact that Sudan is an Arab and African country, a transit avenue from the Arabian space to black Africa. But given the unsavoury winds currently blowing in the Arab world I guess that the role of the African Union and particularly of bordering countries like Ethiopia will be vitally important for the success of the budding Sudanese democracy. It's thanks to the AU's unrelenting efforts that we have reached this encouraging outcome whence new challenges will have to be addressed in a positive and determined way.

To visit original article click here: https://www.ft.com/content/25258566-c4ba-11e9-a8e9-296ca66511c9

Further Reading

Article from MSN.com

Written by JUSTIN LYNCH, Associated Press (AP)

Dated Sunday 25 August 2019

AP Interview: Sudan PM seeks end to country's pariah status
Full story here: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/ap-interview-sudan-pm-seeks-end-to-countrys-pariah-status/ar-AAGjlYi

Sudan: Flooding kills 62 could be a national disaster - White Nile state worst hit, S. Sudan refugees affected

Article from Middle East Eye.net

By Kaamil Ahmed

Dated: 25 August 2019 08:51 UTC 

Health crisis looms for Sudan's new government as flooding kills 60

Concerns growing that floodwaters could cause disease outbreak in Sudan

Sudan's new transitional government could immediately face a health crisis, aid workers have warned, after flooding caused by ongoing heavy rains killed at least 60 people, according to the UN's children agency UNICEF.  

Tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed and dozens of people killed by roofs collapsing or electrocution, UN spokesman Jens Laerke told a press conference on Friday. 

"If this is not treated as a national disaster very soon, we will soon see a waterborne disease outbreak and possible cholera," a UN insider told Middle East Eye. 

Here is a copy of two tweets by Benjamin Strick @BenDoBrown dated 16 Aug 2019:

Intense flooding in #Sudan's far east town of Kassala (كسلا) this week. Footage from Tuesday shows floodwater rushing down from Totel Mountain (جبل توتيل) into #Kassala. This video was filmed from this corner: https://t.co/D4NPmFzUDR pic.twitter.com/hBPzSTCREk

— Benjamin Strick (@BenDoBrown) 16 August 2019

To visit above tweet click here: 

https://twitter.com/BenDoBrown/status/1162398355626045441

Sudan's own Humanitarian Aid Commission also warned that once the rains subside, disease-carrying mosquitos could breed in the stagnant waters left behind. 

The worst-hit area of Sudan has been White Nile state, according to the UN, where almost 70,000 people have been affected and camps for South Sudanese refugees have been damaged. 

At least 190,000 people have been affected by the heavy rains, which has hit all but three of Sudan's 18 states and is expected to continue in coming days. 

The UN warned that shelter for displaced families has become an urgent need because so many have been destroyed. 

Amsterdam-based Sudanese broadcaster Radio Dabanga reported that protests were held in the capital Khartoum this week, demanding that more be done for areas affected by the floods. 

Members of a new transitional joint civilian and military government were sworn in this week, including a new prime minister. 

The government was formed after months of protests that in April this year ended former president Omar al-Bashir's three decades in power and called for civilian rule.

View original article here: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/health-crisis-looms-sudans-new-government-flooding-kills-60
- - -

Death toll from floods in Sudan climbs to 62

CAIRO (AP) - A Sudanese health official says death toll from flooding triggered by heavy rains has climbed to at least 62 people across the country in the past two months. Acting Deputy Health ...

- - -

Sudan: $150M needed for floods plus $1.1B for humanitarian aid

Article from and by The New Arab & agencies Follow @The_NewArab

Dated 23 August 2019

Rain and floods killed 54 in Sudan since July

Photo: The worst affected area is While Nile state in the south [Getty]

Rain and flash floods have killed 54 people in Sudan since the start of July and affected nearly 200,000, the United Nations said Friday.

Rain and flash floods have killed 54 people in Sudan since the start of July and affected nearly 200,000, the United Nations said Friday.

The worst affected area is While Nile state in the south but Khartoum and other regions have also been affected.

"More than 37,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged," the UN said, quoting figures from the government body it partners with in the crisis response.

"Humanitarians are concerned by the high likelihood of more flash floods," it said, adding that most of the 54 recorded deaths were due to collapsed roofs and electrocution.

The floods are having a lasting humanitarian impact on communities, with cut roads, damaged water points, lost livestock and the spread of water-borne diseases by insects.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said an extra $150 million were needed from donors to respond to the floods, in addition to the $1.1 billion required for the overall humanitarian situation in Sudan.

SOURCE: https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/8/23/rain-and-floods-kill-54-in-sudan-since-july

Sudan: Sovereign Council declares state of emergency in Port Sudan after at least 16 killed

THERE could be a lot more to this story than meets the eye.  It and the timing seems strange and complicated.  Port Sudan is Sudan’s main sea gateway, and is used by South Sudan to export oil.  External and internal forces appear to be at work, interfering to fuel the conflict and spread it to other areas.

According to Sudan's power-sharing agreement, the sovereign council declares a state of emergency following a request from the cabinet, which is not yet in existence. The state of emergency must then be approved by the legislature within 15 days, according to the agreement, although the legislature is yet to be formed.  Read more here below.

Article from Reuters.com

By Khalid Abdelaziz, Writing by Nafisa Eltahir; editing by David Evans

Dated Sunday 25 August 2019 7:59 PM 

Sudan's sovereign council declares state of emergency in Port Sudan

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan’s newly-created sovereign council formally declared a state of emergency in the city of Port Sudan on Sunday, following tribal clashes that police say have killed at least 16 people.

The acting governor and the head of the national security service for the eastern Red Sea state, of which Port Sudan is the capital, were both dismissed, said Brigadier Altahir Abuhaja, spokesman for the sovereign council.

This comes at a delicate time for Sudan, following the signing of a power-sharing agreement earlier this month.

The joint military-civilian sovereign council was sworn in last week, as was Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who is set to form a government later this week.

Clashes between members of the Beni Amer and Nuba tribes, which have flared up in the past, were re-ignited on Wednesday and continued into Saturday morning, a police statement said.

Eyewitnesses told Reuters they heard and saw gunfire in the Port Sudan neighborhoods where both tribes live.

Port Sudan is Sudan’s main sea gateway, and is used by South Sudan to export oil.

“The relevant authorities have observed the use of firearms in the conflict for the first time, which reveals the existence of external and internal interference to fuel the conflict and spread it to other areas,” Abuhaja said.

Security services were placed on high readiness in order to quell any escalation, and an investigative committee has been formed, he added.

The police statement said reinforcements had been sent to the area.

“The transitional sovereign council emphasizes the neutrality of the military and security services ... Anyone who is shown to be biased to either side because of affiliation or support will be dealt with decisively,” Abuhaja said.

Two members of the sovereign council had visited Port Sudan on Thursday and met with tribal leaders in an attempt to bring an end to the fighting.

According to the power-sharing agreement, the sovereign council declares a state of emergency following a request from the cabinet, which is not yet in existence. The state of emergency must then be approved by the legislature within 15 days, according to the agreement, although the legislature is yet to be formed.

Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz, Writing by Nafisa Eltahir; editing by David Evans

SOURCE: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sudan-politics-idUSKCN1VF0WO

- - -

Article from and by Radio Dabanga dated 21 August 2019

Demonstrators block Port Sudan road after child injured by army

The incident came a day after the city’s month-long curfew was lifted, which was imposed after clashes in which dozens of people were killed.

Read full story at tweet by Eric Reeves:  https://twitter.com/sudanreeves/status/1164520909903990785

Sudan: Needs $8B in foreign aid over next 2 years - Plus $2B of foreign reserves deposits in next 3 months

Article from Africa News.com

Written by Reuters

Dated Sunday 25 August 2019

Sudan needs $8 billion in aid to rebuild economy

Sudan needs $8 billion in foreign aid over the next two years to cover its import bill and help rebuild its ravaged economy after months of political turmoil, its new prime minister said on Saturday.

Abdalla Hamdok, sworn in three days earlier to head a transitional government after the ousting of veteran leader Omar al-Bashir, said up to another $2 billion of foreign reserves deposits were needed in the next three months to halt a fall in the currency.

The 61-year-old economist, who has worked for the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa, said he had started talks with the IMF and the World Bank to discuss restructuring Sudan’s crippling debt, and had approached friendly nations and funding bodies about the aid.

Mounting public anger over shortages of food, fuel and hard currency triggered mass demonstrations that eventually forced Bashir from power in April.

“We are in communication to achieve this,” Hamdok said in his first interview with a foreign media outlet. “The foreign reserves in the central bank are weak and very low.”

“However,” he said, “there won’t be a forced prescription from the IMF or the World Bank on Sudan.”

On the politically tricky topic of government subsidies for bread, fuel, electricity and medicine, Hamdok said any changes would only be made after “deep discussions” with the people.

“The people are the ones who will make the decision on this issue,” he said.

He also said he had been talking with the United States to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism – a designation which has left Khartoum isolated from most of the international financial system since 1993.

There was no immediate comment from the U.S. government, the IMF or the World Bank.

SOURCE: https://www.africanews.com/2019/08/25/sudan-needs-8-billion-in-aid-to-rebuild-economy/

Sudan Darfur: Widespread epidemic of ethnically-targeted gang rape of girls and women continues

Here is a copy of a tweet with interesting maps posted by Eric Reeves @sudanreeves 25 Aug 2019:  The epidemic of sexual violence in Darfur continues, as the rape of girls and women remains a central weapon in ethnically-targeted war against non-Arab populations.  And not just N Darfur: hese maps indicate just how  widespread this heinous crime is: https://wp.me/p45rOG-1Qy 

The epidemic of sexual violence in Darfur continues, as the rape of girls and women remains a central weapon in ethnically-targeted war against non-Arab populations. And not just N Darfur: hese maps indicate just how widespread this heinous crime is: https://t.co/kmHH52YWsw pic.twitter.com/M4ZmqPit6r

— Eric Reeves (@sudanreeves) 25 August 2019

To visit the above tweet click here: https://twitter.com/sudanreeves/status/1165710404665917441

Sudan: 67 North Darfur farmers dodge heavy gunfire. 1 farmer killed, 1 injured in Central Darfur

Copy of a tweet by Eric Reeves @sudanreeves dated 23 Aug 2019:

It will daily become more difficult to believe the “rule of law” has any meaning in #Sudan if people of #Darfur are subject to such continual ethnically-targeted violence, unceasingly reported. And what will be required for adequate restitution for those who have lost everything?

It will daily become more difficult to believe the “rule of law” has any meaning in #Sudan if people of #Darfur are subject to such continual ethnically-targeted violence, unceasingly reported. And what will be required for adequate restitution for those who have lost everything? pic.twitter.com/B6YKfmSiMK

— Eric Reeves (@sudanreeves) 23 August 2019

To view original tweet click here: https://twitter.com/sudanreeves/status/1164691921639497730

Note from Sudan Watch Editor: With respect to restitution for all the Sudanese people who lost everything during the wars in Sudan and South Sudan, I wish that Mr Bashir's ill-gotten gains and bags of confiscated cash (pictured here) could be used to help the victims of war who have lost everything and to help expand 
THE COMFORT DOG PROJECT for war survivors in Darfur and elsewhere suffering trauma and PTSD.

Sudan: Civilians in S. Kordofan and Blue Nile continue to suffer attacks from Sudan Armed Forces (SAF)

HERE is a copy of a tweet by Sudan expert Prof Eric Reeves @sudanreeves dated 5 August 2019: #SudanUprising: This report on continuing violence in South Kordofan provides important context for the Sudan Revolutionary Front’s (#RSF) strenuous criticism of the final agreement signed yesterday, and the changes made at the behest of the #TMC junta: | http://sudanconsortium.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/HR-Update-April-June-FINAL.pdf …

#SudanUprising: This report on continuing violence in South Kordofan provides important context for the Sudan Revolutionary Front’s (#RSF) strenuous criticism of the final agreement signed yesterday, and the changes made at the behest of the #TMC junta: | https://t.co/QIy6PVHXh7 pic.twitter.com/PSj3EyzifW

— Eric Reeves (@sudanreeves) 5 August 2019

To visit the above tweet click here: https://twitter.com/sudanreeves/status/1158368461904633856

S. Sudan: UN rights experts see little headway on peace deal amid spike in local-level violence

UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan:  “The lack of progress in establishing transitional justice mechanisms...is delaying accountability and reparation – Commission member Barney Afako”

Article from and by UN.org

Dated Friday 23 August 2019

South Sudan: UN rights experts see little headway on peace deal amid spike in local-level violence

A United Nations expert group looking at human rights in South Sudan said on Friday that it is “deeply concerned” that, although the overall armed conflict has waned, there has been little progress in adhering to the peace agreement that guided the country thus far.

Photo: Child Soldiers are released in South Sudan in July 2019 as the country's efforts towards peace continue. Credit UNMISS\Nektarios Markogiannis

“Civilians with whom we spoke still raised numerous concerns that they feel are barriers to sustainable peace,” said Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, reporting from Juba on the panel’s seventh field mission, currently under way through 29 August and which includes South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Kenya.

During their visit, the three Commissioners listened to South Sudanese women, men and children express numerous concerns, including the localization of conflict linked to land, resources, and cattle; and inefficiencies in implementing the Revitalized Peace Agreement, which, signed by the warring parties in September 2018, has been commended as a significant development toward the dawn of peace.

Photo: The UN Commission on Human Rights in Sudan (from left) Yasmin Sooka, Chair, Andrew Clapham and Barney Afako (2018), by UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan /Twitter screen grab

They are also worried about deteriorating living conditions for the internally displaced, security and the continued shrinking space for civic engagement, among many other concerns.

“Despite the numerous challenges we heard, we were encouraged by the fact that committees composed of military and civil actors have been formed to improve civil-military relations and support local justice and reconciliation in Yei River state, where civilians could raise dispute resolutions,” said Commissioner Andrew Clapham.

“Such mechanisms that facilitate communication between armed actors and civilians could be replicated in other locations where violent conflict and violations have been witnessed in the country,” he added.

Little redress for sexual violence

Apprehension over continued impunity for sexual and gender-based violence, which is still at an all-time high, was another major concern – as survivors of sexual violence remained with only limited access for redress.

In Bentiu, the Commission heard testimonies of sexual violence from women who are waiting to share their stories with an accountability mechanism.

“The lack of progress in establishing transitional justice mechanisms, including the Hybrid Court, the commission for truth, reconciliation, and healing and the compensation and reparation authority, which are to be complemented by customary and other community-centred mechanisms, is delaying accountability and reparation for these and other crimes,” said Commission member Barney Afako.

He continued, underscoring that “so long as the voices of victims and survivors are not empowered, and these mechanisms not put in place, it is highly unlikely that South Sudanese women, men, girls, and boys will be able to witness a lasting peace”.

Overcome delays

In closing, the Commission stressed the importance of overcoming delays regarding the Revitalized Peace Agreement, and encouraged the positive work being carried out by the National Constitutional Amendment Committee.

The current mission will continue until Monday, after which the Commissioners will separately visit Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya until 29 August.

The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan is an independent body mandated by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to, among other things, determine and report the facts of and clarify responsibility for alleged gross violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes, including sexual and gender-based violence, with a view to ending impunity and providing accountability.

The Commission will present an oral update on the human rights situation in South Sudan to the Council on 16 September and a comprehensive written report in March 2020.

To visit original article click here: https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/08/1044831

S. Sudan: IGAD urges Kiir to pay out peace deal funds

Note from Sudan Watch Editor: Who knows where the funds are sitting, maybe used to pay the soldiers and civil servants who were not paid for six months. These two men seem shameless, pity IGAD can't put them on trial for corruption.  They are ex-rebels with much blood on their hands, they could not care less about 7M South Sudanese people facing humanitarian catastrophe, 2M facing starvation from famine.  

Photo: Nektarios Markogiannis/UNMISS

President Salva Kiir, right, of South Sudan shakes hands with Riek Machar after concluding a peace deal to end the conflict in the country in September 2018.

Article from The East African (Nairobi)

By John Adukata

Dated 22 August 2019

South Sudan: IGAD Urges Kiir to Disburse Peace Deal Funds

Regional bloc Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) has asked South Sudan President Salva Kiir to disburse the balance of the pledged $100 million to speed up the implementation of the peace agreement.

Igad, which brokered the peace agreement, urged Juba "to be transparent and put in place accountability mechanisms in the use of funds for the implementation of the peace agreement."

The bloc also called on rival leaders -- President Kiir and Riek Machar -- to set a face-to face meeting to resolve outstanding issues.

The government had earlier pledged to release the funds towards the deal's implementation but cash is yet to be paid out.

The Reconstituted Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) reported that between April and July, only $6.5 million had been disbursed for security arrangements.

South Sudan has been under pressure from the international community to use oil revenue to finance the peace process.

Read the original article on East African - https://allafrica.com/stories/201908230002.html

S. Sudan govt say no to buying a private jet for Kiir

Note from Sudan Watch Editor: Surely if Mr Kiir was an honourable man he would have had the decency to decry proposals by his govt to buy him a private jet and build a residence for him in his hometown and ensure they never saw the light of day while 7 million of his people face a humanitarian catastrophe, 2 million face starvation from famine, many suffer from lack of safe drinking water, food, medicines, security.

It is said that power corrupts.  Mr Kiir spent decades fighting as a rebel in the bush.  He has much blood on his hands.  He considers Kenya to be his second home and wants his children to be naturalised Kenyans. 

It seems to me there is so much corruption in South Sudan, it is a failed state.  Mr Kiir appears to stall for time while feathering his nest, not trusting dealings with Mr Machar.  God help the people of South Sudan.

Article from and by Radio Tamazuj.org

Dated 15 August 2019 - Juba, South Sudan

Proposal to buy private jet for Kiir faces opposition

South Sudan’s parliament has not given the green light to a proposal to buy a multi-million dollar jet for President Salva Kiir, a lawmaker has said.

The parliamentary committee for finance on Wednesday proposed that the government should buy a presidential jet, saying the plane should have eight passenger seats.

Supporters of the proposal say there is a need for the country’s leader to have safe air transport.

Paul Yoane Bonju, the head of the parliamentary committee for information, said many MPs rejected the proposal to spend a lot of money on a presidential jet.

He explained that the lawmakers argued that the money could be better spent to alleviate the suffering of citizens. Bonju revealed that some MPs also came up with a proposal to build a residence for President Kiir in his hometown in Akon.

“But the Members of Parliament who got the chance to contribute decided that the two proposals are not important,” Bonju said.

“Instead the MPs want the money to be used for youth development and they want the money to be diverted to the constituency development fund,” he added.

According to Bonju, the government will not go ahead with the proposal after many legislators blocked it. “The assembly said it is not workable and it cannot be considered in the current economic situation,” he said.

It is the first time a presidential jet has been proposed by members of the national legislative assembly.

South Sudan government currently charters planes from Rwanda Air and Kenya Airways for use by President Kiir.

This month, South Sudan’s oil output has increased to 180,000 barrels per day following resumption of oil production at Block 1 & 2 in Manga Oilfield, which was shut down six years ago due to insecurity in Unity region.

View original article here: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/proposal-to-buy-private-jet-for-kiir-faces-opposition

Note from Sudan Watch Editor: To be fair, Mr Kiir's predecessor John Garang was killed in a helicopter crash. Many air crashes happen in South Sudan. Mr Kiir should stay home and sort out his country starting with its need for safe drinking water, food, healthcare, medicines, education, safe air travel, the list goes on. I notice that his suits, shirts and ties are looking a lot more expensive.  He's no Ghandi or Mandela.

S. Sudan releases budget after paying civil servants following non-payment for 6 months

Article from Middle East Monitor.com

Dated 08 July 2019 at 9:21 pm

South Sudan releases budget after paying civil servants

Photo: Flag of South Sudan [MEM File photo]

South Sudan on Monday presented a 2019-20 fiscal year budget of 208 billion South Sudanese pounds ($1.3 billion) to parliament after agreeing to pay six months’ salary arrears to civil servants, reports Anadolu Agency.

The government pledged any further arrears will go in the regular monthly salaries.

The budget is meant to help the consolidation of peace and necessary reforms to stabilize the economy, Finance and Planning Minister Salvatore Garang Mabiordit said on Monday.“We anticipate a rise in oil production, with additional oil fields coming online,” Mabiordit said.“The economic recovery process is also spurred by the revitalized peace agreement signed in September 2018.

Mabiordit said the country is optimistic that as more people return home to engage in productive activities including agriculture, the economic recovery can be sustained.“We need to do more to attract new investment into the oil sector while improving trade he said, adding that for the first time, non-oil revenue is contributing about 23% of the total resource.

Amid a large deficit due to infrastructure spending, he said that the budget renews their commitment to limiting borrowing from the bank of South Sudan. He said that the budget will be funded from oil production and collection of non-oil revenue plus anything coming from donors.

SOURCE: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190708-south-sudan-releases-budget-after-paying-civil-servants/