Darfur rebels pour scorn on new Sudan talks in Doha, Qatar

Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:11am EST Reuters report by Andrew Heavens, Khartoum:

Darfur factions pour scorn on new Sudan talks

Darfur factions poured scorn on new talks between Sudan's government and a single rebel group on Tuesday, saying the meeting would fail because it excluded other movements.

Discussions between Sudan's government and Darfur's powerful rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) started in Qatar on Tuesday morning, the first time the warring sides have officially sat down together since 2007.

Officials present said both sides made opening statements saying they would discuss confidence-building measures that could pave the way to full peace negotiations.

But the criticisms from other Darfur factions underlined the huge challenge facing mediators trying to end Darfur's conflict involving government troops and an increasingly fractious array of rebels, militias, bandits and tribal groups.

Minni Arcua Minnawi, the only rebel to sign a troubled peace deal with the government in the Nigerian city of Abuja in 2006, told reporters the new Qatar talks would be "a major disaster".

"If the Abuja agreement was lacking then what is happening in Qatar is lacking even further," said Minnawi.

The 2006 accord is widely believed to have failed because no other groups signed it.

Suleiman Jamous, a senior member of the rebel Sudan Liberation Army's Unity faction said Khartoum and mediators had mistakenly concluded JEM was the biggest rebel group in Darfur.

"The government has ignored the other groups....It will be the same as what happened with Minnawi," he told Reuters.

The head of the insurgent United Resistance Front faction Bahar Idriss Abu Garda said the sole involvement of JEM proved mediators behind the talks were not impartial. "How can you be neutral and call one movement for negotiations," he said.

The Qatar talks have already been dismissed by SLA founder Abdel Wahed Mohamed Ahmed al-Nur, who is refusing to negotiate before the end of violence in Darfur.

JEM DEFENCE

JEM defended its presence. "We are the only people who are engaged militarily or politically with the government in terms of opposing the regime," said spokesman Ahmed Hussein Adam.

"If these people are ready for peace, we are ready for peace. But if they are not, our options are open."

JEM has launched a number of headline-grabbing campaigns in Darfur, attacking Khartoum in May and seizing one of Minnawi's strongholds in south Darfur last month.

Adam added JEM's leader Khalil Ibrahim was planning to fly from Chad to Doha later on Tuesday to attend the discussions as "a gesture of good will".

Adam said JEM would pull out of the session if there was any sign that Khartoum was using the talks to deflect a looming International Criminal Court war crimes case against Sudan's president.

The chief prosecutor of the global court has asked judges to issue an arrest warrant against Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, accusing him of masterminding genocide in Darfur.

The court's judges are expected to rule on his request in the coming weeks.

International experts say 200,000 have died and 2.7 million been driven from their homes since JEM and other rebels took up arms against Khartoum in 2003, accusing it of neglecting the development of the region.

DR Congo: New LRA attacks force Congolese to flee to Southern Sudan

Report from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Date: 10 Feb 2009:

DR Congo: New LRA attacks force Congolese to flee to Southern Sudan

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Ron Redmond – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 10 February 2009, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

At least six people were killed and another 21 kidnapped Saturday night in an attack by the Ugandan rebel group, the Lord's resistance Army (LRA), on the town of Aba in the north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The LRA rebels also plundered the local Protestant parish and hospital.

This latest attack sent thousands of Congolese fleeing to Southern Sudan. According to our team in Southern Sudan, some 5,000 Congolese refugees from Alba arrived over the weekend in the town of Lasu, some 50 kms from the DRC border. They said thousands more are on the way. The refugees told UNHCR staff in Lasu on Sunday that 90 per cent of Aba's 100,000 population had fled the town and many more could be expected to arrive in Southern Sudan in the next few days. Our team witnessed large concentrations of refugees in three locations along the Lasu-Yei road. The new arrivals are occupying schools and church buildings along the road.

People in DRC's north-eastern Oriental province have been exposed to brutal and deadly attacks by the LRA since last September. A rough estimate of the total number of people forcefully displaced since then now stands at almost 150,000. Some 900 Congolese have been killed by the Ugandan rebel group over the past five months in the north-east.

Meanwhile, our team in Dungu, a regional centre in the Haut Uele territory of the north-east DRC, trained 60 local Red Cross officials and others on conducting a re-registration exercise in the neighbouring villages around Dungu. The aim of the exercise is to obtain more accurate information about the displaced population and their intentions.

Relative calm is returning to areas around Dungu and our partners report the first signs of return to a number of villages north of the town. We continue to rush aid to the area. Over the weekend a second convoy of 14 trucks brought another shipment of plastic sheeting, blankets, sleeping mats, kitchen sets and soaps. These aid items will be distributed to the displaced population sheltering in the villages south of Dungu.

Qatari hosts sent a plane to JEM's Khalil Ibrahim rear-base in Chad to collect him to join Darfur peace talks later on Tuesday

February 10, 2009 AFP report from Doha, Qatar:

Sudan in first peace talks with Darfur rebels since 2007

A Sudanese government delegation met Darfur rebels from the Justice and Equality Movement in the Qatari capital on Tuesday for their first peace contacts since 2007.

The most heavily armed of the Darfur rebel groups, the JEM boycotted a largely abortive peace deal signed by one other faction in 2006 and in May last year launched an unprecedented assault on the Sudanese capital.

JEM representative Jibril Ibrahim said the new contacts could only pave the way for substantive peace negotiations if the government was prepared to accept the winding up of allied Arab militias in Darfur and allow high-level rebel representation in the central government.

"The appropriate order for our negotiations must be the following -- start by adopting confidence-building measures and making a declaration of good intentions and then address the key bones of contention," Ibrahim said.

He said confidence-building measures should include the release of JEM prisoners and the expansion of aid deliveries to rebel-held areas.

He said the rebel group expected to "retain its fighters during a transition period ahead of a final peace deal which would provide for their integration in the regular army."

The JEM also wanted to secure "a reduction in government troop numbers, the dismantlement of the militias and high-level participation in the central government in Khartoum."

The head of the government delegation, presidential aide Nafie Ali Nafie, renewed "Sudan's determination to continue down the path of peace."

Mediators have stressed that the Doha talks are preliminary and intended to pave the way for a broader peace conference on Darfur.

They have drawn up a working draft to act as the basis of negotiations but Nafie said the government would be seeking "modifications".

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Khalifa told the opening session that he hoped that "other Darfur rebel groups would join the negotiations" that the Doha talks are designed to prepare.

In a boost to the talks, the JEM announced that its leader Khalil Ibrahim -- Jibril's brother -- would be joining the talks later on Tuesday and that the Qatari hosts had sent a plane to his rear-base in Chad to collect him.

Darfur rebels have been critical of Arab-led peace efforts in the past, saying they were designed to save Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir from international court proceedings for alleged war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity in the western region.

One rebel group -- the Sudan Liberation Movement faction of Paris-based exile Abdel Wahid Mohammed Nur -- has refused all talks with Khartoum while the International Criminal Court decides whether to accept a recommendation by prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo to issue an arrest warrant for Beshir.

Jibril Ibrahim stressed that the JEM's participation in the Doha talks did not mean that the rebel group was abandoning its own calls for the ICC to continue its proceedings against Beshir.

Nafie said any move by the court to issue an unprecedented international arrest warrant against a sitting head of state would be a "negative sign" for the search for peace in Darfur.

The United Nations says about 300,000 people have been killed in Darfur since ethnic minority rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated Khartoum government in 2003, complaining of discrimination.

Sudan says 10,000 people have died, and denies charges that its soldiers and allied Janjaweed militiamen have committed war crimes and genocide in Darfur.

JEM, SLA/M Nur & Minnawi sceptical about Darfur Peace Talks - Darfurian leaders attack Minnawi's stance over Doha talks - JEM want Bashir to step down

Representatives of the Afro-Arab Ministerial Committee on the Peace Process in Darfur, led by Qatar, and representatives from the African Union talked with Arab ambassadors at UN headquarters Monday, Sudan's UN ambassador Mohamed said. They will also talk to African ambassadors and members of the 15-nation Security Council.

Mohamed said he had been scheduled to meet with new US Ambassador Susan Rice on Monday but their talks were delayed until later in the week because of a Security Council briefing by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Source: Associated Press report by Edith M. Lederer, Tuesday 10 February 2009, copied here further below.

Monday, 9 February 2009, report from Xinhua (Doha) by Editor Yan:

Qatar hosts consultative meeting on Darfur with int'l bodies

Qatar hosted here Monday a consultative meeting on Darfur with international bodies including the Arab League (AL), the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)and the African Union (AU).

Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Al-Mahmoud met with AL Secretary General Amr Moussa, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, AU Commissioner John Bing as well as UN-AU envoy for peace in Darfur Djibril Basole in order to push ahead the Doha-brokered talks on peace in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Al-Mahmoud hailed the consultative talks as fruitful and conducive to the efforts being made to restore peace and security in Darfur.

According to the Qatari official, he and Basole briefed the meeting on the progress made by the Qatari mediation and the concerted efforts of the United Nations and the concerned international bodies to solve the armed conflict in the Sudanese region.

The conferees reaffirmed support to Qatar's mediation between the Sudanese government and the armed groups in Darfur, Al-Mahmoud said.

Doha has set the stage for the first round of peace talks between the two conflicting sides which has been scheduled to take place this evening.

But it has been put off until Tuesday due to the late arrivals of the representatives of the government and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

The preliminary peace talks will be followed by more rounds that will gather representatives of other armed groups which are still opposed to the talks, Al-Mahmoud noted.

Photo: HE Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amr Moussa, Arab League Secretary General, Jean Ping, Chairman of the Commission of the African Union, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and Djibril Bassole, United Nations and African Union Joint Chief mediator for Darfur, attending a Doha meeting Monday, 9 Feb. 2009. Source: Gulf Times Tuesday, 10 Feb. 2009 Doha hosts meeting on Darfur:

A HIGH-LEVEL consultative meeting was convened in Doha yesterday afternoon as part of an initiative to find a peaceful solution to the Darfur conflict.

The meeting, attended by HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud, Arab League chief Amr Moussa, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihasanoglu, African Union (AU) commission chairman Jean Ping and United Nations and African Union chief negotiator on Darfur Djibril Bassole, aimed to conducting consultations on ways to support Darfur peace talks and render them successful.

“The participants reiterated their commitment to work together in lending their full support to the concerted efforts being exerted by the UN/AU joint chief mediator and the State of Qatar to find a solution to the Darfur crisis and restore peace and stability therein,” the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) said.

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Monday, 9 February 2009 report from Bloomberg by Heba Aly - excerpt:

Darfur Rebels Skeptical About Talks With Sudan’s Government

The most powerful rebel group in Sudan’s Darfur region said it is skeptical about the success of peace negotiations with the government scheduled to begin today in Doha, Qatar.

“We have a lot of doubts that the other party is serious and coming in good faith,” Gebreil Ibrahim, economic adviser for the rebel Justice and Equality Movement, said yesterday in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, “There is a lot of barriers of trust between the two parties.”

Ibrahim met with Egyptian government officials before leaving for Doha for what is the first attempt to hold talks in almost 18 months. [...]

Past attempts at negotiation with the JEM have failed. These latest talks come in the lead up to a decision by the International Criminal Court on whether to indict Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, as a result of the government’s counter-insurgency in Darfur.

Ibrahim, the brother of JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim, said al-Bashir should step down in the face of the likely indictment, which may come in the next few days.

“His stepping down will be very patriotic, helping his country and making life easier for his people,” Ibrahim said. An indicted president may lead to increased sanctions and less international diplomacy with Sudan, he added.

Peace Process

Sudan, backed by the Arab League and the African Union, has argued that indicting a sitting head of state would jeopardize the peace process. Ibrahim said JEM will negotiate with the current government and any future government, while the ICC continues its work on a parallel track.

“We think justice and peace got to go hand in hand,” he said. “We are not going to trade one for the other.”

JEM spokesman Ahmed Hussain Adam said the rebel group is seeking an end to the “harassment and forced returns” of displaced people to their original homes, an end to air bombardments of civilians and an exchange of prisoners of war.

Only one rebel leader, Minni Minnawi, signed the Darfur Peace Agreement in 2006. Another major rebel leader, Abdulwahid El Nour, who heads a faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement, has said he won’t negotiate with the government until it ceases bombing raids in Darfur.

To contact the reporter on this story: Heba Aly in Cairo via Johannesburg atpmrichardson@bloomberg.net.

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Monday, 9 February 2009, report from Sudan Vision Daily by Mohammed Abdallah, Khartoum:

Darfurian Leaderships Attack Minnawi's Stance Over Doha Talks

Darfurian Leaderships within the government and outside lessened Senior Assistant to the President, Mini Arco Minnawi stances against the preliminary peace talks scheduled to take place in Doha between the government and JEM.

Prominent Darfuri figure, Farouq Ahmed Adam described Minnawi's statements and his stance on Doha talks as a reflection to several problems within Minnawi faction and the conflicts between his faction and the three Darfur State governors from one hand and the Darfuri people on the other hand.

Adam pointed out that the Doha agreement is distinguished from other agreement by its availing the chance for conducting the Darfuri/Darfuri dialogue which took place in Sudan People's Initiative Forum.

For his part, South Darfur Deputy Governor, Dr. Farah Mustafa, described Minnawi stance as unjustifiable, adding that his faction is not the only movement controlling Darfur, describing what is going on in Doha as a completion to peace in the whole Sudan in general and in Darfur in particular.

Western Darfur Minister of Culture, Sultan Hashim Osman Hashim described Minnawi's stance as singing out side the flock.

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Monday, 9 February 2009, report from Sudan Vision Daily by Mohammed Abdallah:

Darfur Transitional Authority Chairman Minnawi Hinders Peace Efforts

For the sake of achieving peace and security all over the country, Sudanese government left no stone unturned to enjoin the Abuja agreement. Non-signatories have been constantly urged to join the peace process in the country.

Nowadays there are active movements to hold talks between the government and JEM in Doha to break the ice and build confidences in preparation to enter peace talks.

Sudan Vision investigated several Darfur leaderships over the Doha negotiations and the rejection of Mini Arco Minnawi to that negotiations and his boycotting the talks describing it as a plot and accusing the UN/AU mediator as lacking transparency.

The Advantages of the Proposed Frame Agreement:
Dr. Farouq Ahmed Adam said that what distinguished Doha meeting is that it avails the chance for a Darfuri/Darfuri
conference to agree on the basic demands. He added that the Darfur issue is very complicated and needs more patience and reality in dealing with the issue.

Farouq said that what is needed in this stage is to reach a peace deal which requires from all the concerned parties to be flexible.

Reactions:
Farouq described Minnawi's stance per Doha meetings as a reflection to the conflicts within the faction and Minnawi's disputes with the governors in Darfur and the neighbouring countries.

Singing outside the flock
Western Darfur Minister of Culture described Minnawi as singing outside the flock while he has been assigned as the chairman of the peace and reconciliation in Darfur and now he is the first one to reject such reconciliation!

Hashim added that any statement against the main objective which is achieving of peace is rejected by the Darfuri people, calling for not personalization of issues.

Western Darfur State Presidential Commissioner, Hisham Norain described the boycott of Minnawi to Doha talks as serious.

Controlling the situations:
South Darfur Deputy Governor, Dr. Farah Mustafa said that Doha talks are a completion to peace building in Sudan in general and for Darfur in particular pointing out that Minnawi faction is not the only one in Darfur and that Minnawi's stance is unjustifiable.

Reconstruction of Stopping the Bloodsheds:
South Darfur ex-Deputy Governor, Adam Idris Al-Siliak said that any action that can lead to stop the bloodshed is commendable whatever form the agreement will take.

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Tuesday, 10 February 2009, report from Associated Press by Edith M. Lederer (United Nations):

Envoy: Sudan to seek peace even if warrant issued

Sudan's U.N. ambassador said Monday his government will pursue peace in Darfur even if the International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir for his alleged role in atrocities in the war-ravaged western province.

The world's first permanent war crimes tribunal is expected to announce its decision soon on the warrant requested last year by the court's chief prosecutor. The decision comes as talks between the Sudanese government and one of the two main rebel groups in Darfur get under way Tuesday.

"Our priority is for peace in Sudan," Ambassador Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamed said in an interview with The Associated Press. "We will definitely pursue with vigor our national attempts and endeavors to achieve national reconciliation in Sudan and also lasting peace in Darfur."

Mohamed said an arrest warrant for the president would be "an insult to justice" because it would be politically motivated, aimed at changing the government in Sudan.

"We consider if it ever comes, it will be a dead and smelling rat," he said. "It will never shake our resolve in resisting this injustice inflicted on us. We are deeply hurt by trying to indict the symbol of our authority, our serving president. It's too much. It's crazy. That's why for us, it will mean nothing." [...]

Mohamed said the African Union is already starting talks at the United Nations to get Security Council support for a resolution that would delay action on a warrant for a year.

The statute that set up the International Criminal Court allows the council to pass a resolution to defer or suspend for a year the investigation or prosecution of a case. The council can renew such a resolution.

Representatives of the Afro-Arab Ministerial Committee on the Peace Process in Darfur, led by Qatar, and representatives from the African Union talked with Arab ambassadors at U.N. headquarters Monday, Mohamed said. They will also talk to African ambassadors and members of the 15-nation Security Council.

Mohamed said he had been scheduled to meet with new U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice on Monday but their talks were delayed until later in the week because of a Security Council briefing by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

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Monday, 9 February 2009, report by AFP (Doha - excerpt):

Mediators prepare new Darfur peace push

Mediators attempting to broker an end to the six-year war in Darfur met in the Qatari capital on Monday ahead of the first peace talks between the Sudanese government and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement since 2007.

The talks had been due to open on Monday evening but were put off until Tuesday after the arrival of some members of both delegations was delayed.

"We are waiting for the arrival of a nine-member delegation headed by presidential adviser Nafie Ali Nafie," Sudan's ambassador to Qatar, Abdullah al-Faqiri, told AFP.

JEM spokesman Ahmed Adam said some members of the rebel delegation had also been delayed and "will not arrive until late this evening after they were held up by engagements in Cairo."

Earlier, the mediators held a preparatory meeting "aimed at discussing and rendering the Darfur peace talks successful," they said in a joint statement.

The mediators included Arab League chief Amr Mussa, OIC secretary general Ekmeleddin Ihasanoglu, African Union commission chairman Jean Ping, Qatar's state minister for foreign affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmud and United Nations and African Union chief negotiator on Darfur Djibril Bassole.

Qatar was tasked by the Arab League and the African Union with hosting new peace negotiations between the Sudanese government and the rebels.

The Sudanese ambassador expressed optimism ahead of the talks.

"It is expected that a framework agreement will be signed tomorrow to end hostilities in Darfur," Faqiri told AFP. "The agreement is of a security and military nature."

But the rebels sounded a more pessimistic note.

"The delegation will not sign this agreement, and will present a clear proposition in the opening session," their spokesman said.

"These talks between the Khartoum government and the movement's delegation are to build trust between both sides.

"I am not optimistic about these talks," he said, adding that JEM negotiators would nonetheless enter them with an "open heart and mind."

Darfur rebels have been critical of Arab-led peace efforts, saying they were designed to save Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir from international court proceedings for alleged war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Adam said that whatever the outcome of the case against Beshir, it should not be linked to the current talks. [...]

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Tuesday, 10 February 10 2009, report from Sudan Vision Daily by Al-Sammani Awadallah, Khartoum:

Nafie Addresses Doha Talks Today

Talks between the Sudanese government and JEM will convene today in Doha to pave way for full peace negotiations and would be attended by the joint UN/African Union mediator in Darfur Djibril Bassole and Qatari State Foreign Minister.

Government negotiation delegation chairman, Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie said that the negotiations with JEM will be also with other armed factions and will concentrate on ceasefire to pave the way for talks and negotiations.

Presidential Advisor, Abdallah Masar said that the talks which will start today will be addressed by Darfur File Official and Assistant to the President, Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie who will concentrate in the technical aspects after which a frame agreement will be signed on the issues discussed by the technical committees.

He affirmed that this step is considered a start for the direct talks between the government and JEM expecting that the negotiations will lead to a peace agreement to end the suffering in Darfur.

Observers expressed optimism over the success of this round to reach an agreement paving the way for achieving peace in Darfur, despite the rejection of several armed movements to take part in the talks.

Analyst Mohammed Mahjoub Haroun described Doha talks as a real start, but it needs the joining of the remaining armed factions in Darfur to that talks.

He said that it seems that the talks are well prepared for as they have international support which might lead to joining by the boycotting factions to the talks. He pointed that Bassole made shuttle movements in preparation to this round of talks.

JEM Legislative Council Speaker, Al-Tahir Al-Faki stated that Doha talks are considered as preliminary consultations aiming at breaking the ice and opening the way for negotiations. He added that this round would be part of the agreement's frame, pointing that it is the first step forward which will lead to the second.

It is to be noted that the mediation set yesterday as the start of the talks but due to the delay of JEM delegation in Cairo it has been postponed to commence today.

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Tuesday, 10 February 2009, report from The Peninsular, Qatar by Mohamed Saeed (Doha):

Mediators prepare for Darfur peace negotiations in Qatar

Mediators attempting to broker an end to the six-year war in Darfur met here yesterday on the eve of the first peace talks between the Sudanese government and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) since 2007.

The talks were due to open yesterday evening but were put off until today after the arrival of some members of both delegations was delayed.

Qatar, under the umbrella of The Arab League, is sponsoring the preliminary talk that is expected to pave way for lasting peace in Sudan. The ‘Darfur Peace Talks’ between the Sudanese government and the JEM, that aims at resolving the Darfur’s crisis peacefully, will kick off at the Doha Sheraton today.

High-level officials representing Sudanese government and JEM will attend the conference. Envoys from Arab League, regional governments and Western countries have already arrived to attend the meeting.

A consultative meeting held here yesterday was attended by H E Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amr Moussa, Arab League Secretary-General, Jean Ping, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and Djbrill Bassole, UN/AU Joint-Chief mediator for Darfur.

The participants reiterated their commitment to work together in extending their full support to the efforts being exerted by the UN/AU Joint Chief Mediator and the State of Qatar to find a solution to the Darfur crisis and to restore peace and stability.

In a statement to the press, Al Mahmoud said that mediators comprising several experts and representatives of various agencies have formed several committees. Each committee will be in charge of a certain issue of conflict between the two parties.

“JEM is the only rebel group that is participating at the first round of the peace talks here. Other groups are expected to participate at the negotiations later,” said the minister.

US Ambassador to UN Susan Rice to meet this week with Sudan's UN ambassador Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad

Susan E. Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, invited Sudan's U.N. ambassador, Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad, on Wednesday to a reception for senior African diplomats at her official residence at the Waldorf-Astoria. She also has scheduled a meeting with the Sudanese envoy this week.

Source: Washington Post February 9, 2009.

AU adopts African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. Nearly a billion people are going to bed hungry -– one in seven people on Earth

I note that the Africa Union has made it clear that it will not accept unconstitutional changes of power such as recently took place in Guinea and Mauritania. It has further taken the lead in demanding a quick return to constitutional legality. I welcome and encourage this strong, principled and consistent approach and commend the African Union for the adoption of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon

Development of Africa's infrastructure key to economic growth, social progress, says Secretary-General in Addis Ababa address

Source: United Nations Secretary-General
Date: 02 Feb 2009

SG/SM/12084
AFR/1805

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's address to the Summit Meeting of the African Union in Addis Ababa, 2 February:

It gives me a great pleasure to join you for this important session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. I thank Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and the Government and people of Ethiopia for their warm hospitality. I also thank President Kikwete and Chairperson Ping for their dynamic leadership at this challenging time for the African Union.

Before I begin my substantial remarks, I would like to express sympathy and condolences to President Kibaki of Kenya for the recent tragic accident where over 100 people have been killed.

I extend my deep admiration and respect to all the leaders of the African Union.

The African Union meets at a critical period in Africa's search for development in greater peace and security. I welcome African countries' ongoing efforts to perfect their union. I can assure you that I and my staff at the United Nations are committed to doing everything within our capacity to support you.

As you know, I recently travelled through the Middle East seeking a durable and sustainable ceasefire to the conflict in Gaza. The casualties were unacceptable by any standards. We have a fragile ceasefire at this point, but it must be sustained and the crossings opened. Steps must be taken towards Palestinian unity taken to ensure that Gaza is rebuilt and that conditions are in place for the conclusion of a comprehensive peace in the region. In my capacity as Secretary-General, I am committed to making this fragile ceasefire a durable and sustainable ceasefire, working together with the leaders of the region and the international community.

What the recent conflict in Gaza teaches us is that prevention is better than cure. It also underscores the importance of working towards sustainable political solutions. The United Nations, therefore, particularly welcomes the various regional initiatives in Africa that are potentially much more effective than preventive diplomacy launched from New York. Of course, regional initiatives carry not only the privilege of priority, but also greater ownership and the responsibility of effective delivery.

All of us can take pleasure in the progress to a political settlement in Somalia, and I particularly want to congratulate President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, who is with us here today. We have all worked hard to get to where we are, but there is much that remains to be done to alleviate the suffering of the Somalians. The people of Somalia must build on their excellent start in Djibouti to achieve a truly national political and social compact. The United Nations will take the lead in building up the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) and strengthening Somali national forces with the international community doing its part to provide equipment and support. We should also plan, if considered appropriate, for the incorporation of AMISOM into a United Nations peacekeeping force in the months ahead. We appreciate the determination of the international community to fight against piracy activities along the coasts of Somalia.

In Darfur, insecurity and intense suffering prevail despite the commendable support of the international community and the courageous humanitarian, peacekeeping and mediation efforts of our colleagues on the ground. I urge the Government of the Sudan and the rebel groups to stop immediately all kinds of violent activity, which jeopardize the peace process and threaten the lives of civilians. I have urged the JEM to withdraw from Muhajeria in order to avoid an escalation of violence, and the Sudanese authorities to use maximum restraint. It is important to ensure that the situation in Darfur does not impact negatively on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. As you know, elections within this framework were planned to take place by July, but delays in setting up the requisite infrastructure for elections may make this deadline hard to meet.

The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) was fully able to deploy more than 60 per cent of its troops by the end of December. We shall continue to accelerate the deployment. I urge the countries that have pledged troops to deploy them as soon as possible. UNAMID still lacks several critical assets, such as 18 utility helicopters.

I am grateful to the Government of Ethiopia for its pledge of tactical helicopters. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, recent setbacks in the eastern part of the country have now taken a dramatic turn for the better. But the situation on the ground is still fragile. We will strengthen the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) to better protect civilian populations and provide humanitarian assistance. We should also acknowledge the significant achievements made in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the successful holding of presidential elections, the functioning of its legislative bodies and marked improvement in the security situation. The spirit behind the new cooperation in the east should be the basis for building lasting peace in this long-troubled area. The United Nations remains deeply invested in the search for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I urge an immediate end to the senseless violence against innocent civilians. Perpetrators of such crimes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere should know that they will not go unpunished wherever they happen; they will have to be accountable.

On Zimbabwe, I welcome the National Unity Government as the first step towards full democracy. But there is still a long way to go. The United Nations has supported the mediation efforts of the South African Development Community (SADC), and I am pleased that the two sides have now agreed to work together. I urge all sides to build on the hard-won breakthrough which has taken place so that the international community can partner with Zimbabwe in meeting the desperate humanitarian needs of its people. I will immediately send a high-level humanitarian mission to Zimbabwe. The United Nations remains ready to help this Government as it moves forward. We must all remain watchful to ensure that the human rights and democratic freedoms of all Zimbabweans are protected.

In West Africa, we have witnessed a reduction in the number of destructive and internecine conflicts, as well as several peaceful, democratic transfers of power.

I commend Ghana for its recent smooth democratic transition of power and my congratulations to the people of Ghana. To keep this momentum going in the region, it is essential that a date be set for the presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire. However, drug trafficking is becoming a major challenge to security and governance in West Africa, as traffickers are taking advantage of porous borders, inadequate security and limited national capacity. We are working closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to roll back this dangerous phenomenon. But these efforts have only just begun.

I note that the Africa Union has made it clear that it will not accept unconstitutional changes of power such as recently took place in Guinea and Mauritania. It has further taken the lead in demanding a quick return to constitutional legality. I welcome and encourage this strong, principled and consistent approach and commend the African Union for the adoption of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. I am particularly concerned about recent developments in Madagascar and urge all parties to address their differences peacefully and through existing constitutional mechanisms.

Our world continues to face urgent and complex challenges. A grave international economic and financial crisis. Climate change. High food prices. Energy insecurity. The global economic crisis is unprecedented in scale and scope. It is erasing jobs and undermining with alarming speed the hard-won gains of recent years. For a majority of people, particularly those in developing countries, the most painful and terrifying phase of the crisis has only just begun.

In Africa, its negative effects will reach not only growth, trade and financial flows but also the fight against poverty and the likelihood of reduced official development assistance (ODA). In responding to the crisis, the international community must take account of the needs of the poorest countries and stimulus packages should take this appropriately into consideration. I have made my consistent and strong message to the developed world while I welcome the national stimulus packages to address this financial crisis, they should never lose sight of the challenges of the most vulnerable people. They should keep their commitment on ODA; they should keep their commitment of fighting against climate change, fighting against this food crisis. And I'm sure that they have taken note of my strong message and this is going to be my message when I attend the G20 {Group of 20] Summit Meeting in London in April. Emerging and developing countries should have greater voice and representation in the new international financial system and all around cooperation will be needed to protect the gains made towards achieving the MDGs.

It is healthy, well-nourished and educated people who will drive development and prosperity on this continent. However, last year's dramatic rises in world food prices were especially hard on the poor. Nearly a billion people are going to bed hungry -– one in seven people on Earth.

We are encouraging a two-track approach at the global level to help those at immediate risk while tackling the underlying causes of the crisis. The High-Level Task Force I formed last May has proposed a Comprehensive Framework for Action that links improved nutrition, food security, agriculture, social protection, functioning markets and fair trade. In addition, I recently joined the Prime Minister of Spain in hosting a high-level meeting on food security last Monday which agreed on a number of steps to achieve this goal.

Africa should not have food shortages. I commend the African Union for establishing the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). I would be delighted if this process could be driven by African agriculture, and involve African Governments, farmers' organizations and businesses. Our Task Force will do all it can to help achieve this goal.

One of the immediate priorities must be to help smallholder farmers before the next planting season starts.

Climate change remains on the front burner of global concerns. Various studies have shown that Africa will be one of the regions most affected even though it has not contributed much to the problem. Our objective, however, should be seamless cooperation to tackle this problem by showing political will, providing resources and seeking an international treaty by the end of this year through the United Nations Framework Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Time is short to achieve these goals. This is why I regard 2009 as the year of climate change. I trust that recent steps taken by African countries to adopt a coherent approach on climate change will enable them to participate actively in the forthcoming negotiations.

I welcome your choice of infrastructure as the focus of this Summit, as infrastructural development is key to economic growth and social progress. Africa needs good roads, schools and hospitals; as well as reliable and efficient water services, electricity grids and telecom networks; while information and communication technologies must also be a bigger part of Africa's future. These remain the building blocks for job creation and the ability to compete in global markets.

Infrastructure development is an opportunity to go green. Greater use of renewable energy would increase access and protect against climate change. Geothermal energy in the Great Rift Valley; solar energy in the Sahara; hydropower and rainwater harvesting; these all have great potential to create jobs and lay the groundwork for tomorrow's low-carbon economy.

Given the large number of small and landlocked countries, and shared resource belts, regional approaches to providing infrastructure are essential. The various African river basin initiatives are a good first step in this regard. There is a great benefit to be derived from the economies of scale that cross-border cooperation brings. This should be complemented by public-private partnerships, building of indigenous scientific and technological capacities and tangible investments in education.

The MDG Africa Steering Group, which I established after attending the African Union Summit here in Addis Ababa two years ago, has estimated that $52 billion in public and private investment would be needed annually to address Africa's critical infrastructure needs. All of us should support the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa's efforts to mobilize these resources. Investing in Africa's infrastructure is a cornerstone of Africa's development. We must rededicate ourselves to this vital objective.

Africa's strong commitment to improving governance including through the African Peer Review Mechanism has contributed to the consolidation of peace and security and improved economic management. I strongly urge you to forge ahead in this constructive path. As Secretary-General of the United Nations, I shall continue to call on Africa's development partners to fulfil their commitments to the continent, even in this time of crisis.

With your strong leadership, matched by strong partnership from the international community, Africa will be transformed for the better in the future.

I thank you for your kind attention and I count on your leadership and vision.

Draft Doha Agreement on Darfur could lead to a final peace agreement in 3 months

February 8, 2009 KUNA report from Borglobe.com by Hussein Ibrahim, Khartoum:

Sudanese cautiously awaiting Doha agreement on Darfur

Sudanese circles are cautiously awaiting the initialing of an agreement between the Khartoum government and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) over peace in Darfur, due in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Monday.

The draft agreement, distributed here on parties concerned, of which KUNA obtained a copy, calls for cessation of military operations and hostile actions, improving security situation in Darfur and forming a committee, in which Qatar is represented, to prepare for negotiations.

It also called on Sudanese parties to promote political dialogue and create suitable atmosphere for final negotiations' round, due to be held in Doha and will lead to a final peace agreement.

The final peace agreement should be signed three months after the initialing of the deal maximum.

A Sudanese politician said all indications showed that progress was possible this time specially that the Arab League-sponsored Qatari mediation was backed by the international community. "We think peace is reachable because all parties have shown readiness and seriousness this time," Hassan Abu Sabib, an official in the Democratic Union Party, told KUNA.

The Sudanese government and JEM are under pressure and are inclined to reach a peace agreement swiftly, observers said.

The Sudanese government is under pressure by the International Criminal Court (ICC) where an arrest warrant was considered against President Omar Al-Bashir on genocide charges in Darfur.

The JEM, however, is also suffering a setback following its defeat by government forces in Muhajirya area.

Other rebel groups in Darfur are not present in Doha.

JEM, the most powerful militarily among the groups, is insisting that it represents all groups but the UN hopes that other factions would participate.

Secretary General of the ruling party Mandor Al-Mahdi said in a statement Sunday a government delegation would head to Doha "with an open heart and mind to reach a framework agreement over issues like power sharing, resources and security arrangement for upcoming negotiations." the Arab League and African Union (AU) assigned Qatar to sponsor the negotiations in yet another bid to end six years of conflicts that killed and displaced over two million people.

Officials from Sudan and JEM have begun to arrive in Doha, Qatar for talks attended by joint UN/AU mediator Djibril Bassolé

February 9, 2009 Voice of America report by Derek Kilner (Nairobi) - excerpt:

Sudan and Rebels Set to Start Talks in Qatar

Representatives of Sudan's Justice and Equality rebel movement are set to begin discussions with the Sudanese government this week in Qatar, in a bid to revive a peace process for the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region. Rebel representatives have been meeting with Egyptian officials in Cairo before the Qatar talks.

Officials from the Sudanese government and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement, known as JEM, have begun to arrive in the Qatari capital, Doha.

JEM's head of training and strategic planning, Abdullahi Osman El-Tom told VOA from Ireland that rebel representatives were still meeting with Egyptian officials in Cairo, and that discussions in Qatar were to begin Tuesday.

The negotiations, which will be attended by the joint U.N.-A.U. mediator, Djibril Bassolé, represent the latest attempt to revive the stalled peace process for the Darfur conflict. JEM, along with most other rebel factions, rejected a 2006 peace agreement, and the group boycotted negotiations held in 2007 in Libya.

The Justice and Equality Movement will be represented in Qatar by Djibril Ibrahim, an advisor to the group's leader, Khalil Ibrahim, and the government side by Nafi'e al Nafi'e, an advisor to President Omar al-Bashir. El-Tom said the discussions are simply a first step to re-establish contact between the two sides.

"We want to meet the other side, that is the government party, just an ice breaker. And then we will try to schedule ways of how to move forward, but the agenda is more or less open," he said. "But the most important thing is to focus on putting an end to the violence in Darfur and improving the situation of the IDPs and refugees."

None of Darfur's numerous other rebel groups will be represented, including factions of the Sudan Liberation Movement.

JEM, which has recently been the most active group militarily, has criticized previous efforts at negotiations for involving too many marginal players. But some observers worry that a process that does not involve at least some of the other more prominent factions will have limited effectiveness. [...]

In Cairo, JEM representatives met with Egyptian officials about a possible role for Egypt, which borders Sudan to the north, in future negotiations. Egypt is also sending its foreign minister and intelligence chief to Sudan this week. [...]

Egypt’s intelligence chief Umar Suleiman and Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit are visiting Sudan this week

February 09, 2009 report from The Media Line: - excerpt:

Egypt Top Brass Head for Sudan

Egypt’s intelligence chief ‘Umar Suleiman and Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit are visiting Sudan this week, the Egyptian government announced. [...]

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Husam Zaki said the two senior officials would be traveling to the neighboring Sudan to discuss developments in the Arab world, and specifically in Sudan.

Relations between Sudan and Egypt were recently strained after the Sudanese president attended a meeting in Qatar, which was boycotted by Egypt.

The meeting, which discussed the Palestinian plight during Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip, was viewed by Egypt as a gathering of the more extremist voices, including Syria and Iran. Cairo was concerned it was undermining its efforts to mediate a cease-fire.

The meeting pitted Arab powers against each other, with Syria, Iran, Qatar and Hamas on the one side and Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Authority on the other.

Egypt is opposed to an ICC indictment against Al-Bashir, expressing concern that this could fuel more violence in the region. [...]

UNAMID helicopter shot at by unidentified gunmen near its HQ in El-Fasher, Darfur

Darfur gunmen hit peacekeeping helicopter
February 9, 2009 Reuters report by Andrew Heavens in Khartoum - excerpt:

Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a peacekeeping helicopter on Monday as it flew over Sudan's Darfur region, smashing its windscreen, officials said. [...]

The joint U.N./African Union UNAMID peacekeeping mission said its Mi-8 helicopter was hit as it ferried food supplies 70 km (43 miles) southwest of El Fasher, the force's headquarters.

"We are lucky no one was injured," said UNAMID spokesman Noureddine Mezni. "This is a very serious incident -- unacceptable. We are here to keep peace. We are not part of the conflict."

UNAMID helicopters came under fire several times last year. The force has said it fears rebel groups are targeting their aircraft, mistaking them for government helicopters which, despite regular protests, often use the same white livery.

Sudan government officials are due to meet members of Darfur's rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in Qatar late on Monday for their first official talks since 2007. JEM officials said the discussions would begin in earnest on Tuesday.

Both sides said they were planning to discuss possible confidence building measures, including a ceasefire, which could pave the way to full peace negotiations.

Sudan's government last year said it wanted to invite all Darfur rebel groups to peace talks in Doha, as part of a new peace push. [...] (editing by Mark Trevelyan)

JEM delegation in Cairo before Doha talks is led by JEM's Economic Adviser Gibril Ibrahim and not his brother Khalil Ibrahim

According to the following article at Sudan Tribune, JEM delegation is in Cairo, Egypt and meeting scheduled for today in Doha between Sudanese government will be rescheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday.

JEM official said that their delegation is led by the Economic Adviser Gibril Ibrahim and not his brother Khalil Ibrahim the leader of the rebel movement, as it was reported yesterday.

Assistant of the President of the Republic and Chairman of the government negotiating delegation with Darfur movements Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie pointed out in a press statement Sunday that the government delegation leaving for Doha is of technical nature, who include representatives of the security and regular organs and a legal expert.

Source: following reports

Sudan Tribune Monday 9 February 2009
Peace talks between Sudan and Darfur JEM in Doha slightly delayed.:

February 8, 2009 (CAIRO) – A meeting scheduled for Monday between the Sudanese government and Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has been postponed due to talks rebels will hold with Egyptian officials in Cairo.



Photo: Qatari state minister for foreign affairs meet with the sudanese presidential assistant in Khartoum on Oct 9, 2008
The meeting will be rescheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday.

Qatar, the host country and the joint mediator called the Sudanese government and JEM to discuss confidence building measures in Doha on Monday. Envoys from different regional and Western countries have already arrived to take part in the meeting.

“We have informed the joint mediator Djibril Bassole of our delay in Cairo. By no means, this postponement will affect our commitment to Doha peace process,” Ahmed Hussein Adam, JEM spokesperson told Sudan Tribune from Cairo.

Hussein stressed that the delay comes as result of schedule conflicts with the Egyptian officials they will meet.

The JEM official said that their delegation is led by the Economic Adviser Gibril Ibrahim and not his brother Khalil Ibrahim the leader of the rebel movement, as it was reported yesterday.

The Doha meeting is the first meeting between the Sudanese government and JEM rebels since the end of Abuja peace talks in May 2006 where the rebel movement rejected the agreement.

JEM spokesperson said they will discuss with the government delegation the confidence building measures and if the two stakeholders agree on these measures then they will discuss a declaration on the principles of the peace process.

According to JEM these measures deal with the release of JEM fighters detained or sentenced after a raid on Khartoum last May, stop IDP’s harassment, halt forced repatriation of the displaced, and the cessation of air strikes on civilians.

However Nafi Ali Nafi, the head of the Sudanese delegation to Doha meeting said they would discuss a draft of framework agreement proposed by the mediators, focusing on the ceasefire, the official SUNA reported.

He pointed out that the framework agreement would be negotiated with the rebel movements separately.

The rebel official dismissed reports saying they would sign a framework agreement with the government. He also stressed JEM support to the indictment of the Sudanese President by the International Criminal Court which is “legal process that should not to be mixed with the political process”.

Hussein also said the purpose of the meeting in Doha is not “to negotiate for jobs in Khartoum but for the rights of the Darfur people”. He stressed that despite JEM military capabilities to fight government as they do on daily basis, JEM political leadership believes that the conflict only will be settled politically.

- - -

Negotiations between Government and armed movements in Darfur start in Doha Monday on proposed framework agreement

From SUNA Mon, 09 Feb 2009:

Negotiations between the Government and the armed movements in Darfur start in Doha, Qatar, Monday on framework agreement proposed by the sponsors of the Arab-African Initiative.

Assistant of the President of the Republic and Chairman of the government negotiating delegation with Darfur movements Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie pointed out in a press statement Sunday that the government delegation leaving for Doha is of technical nature, who include representatives of the security and regular organs and a legal expert.

Dr. Nafie pointed out that the framework agreement which will be negotiated with the armed movements separately, starting with the Justice and Equality Movement, focuses on cease-fire to pave the way for dialogue to reach a peace agreement.

Bashir possessed such control over his subordinates, that their will was irrelevant?

"...That Bashir possessed such control over his subordinates, that their will was irrelevant. I find it hard to believe that this was the case, and especially not during the period since the end of major hostilities four years ago", writes Alex de Waal in his latest analysis at Making Sense of Darfur, 9 February 2009: The ICC vs. Bashir: Debating the Mode of Liability

Sudan expels Canadian-Egyptian reporter Heba Aly

February 9, 2009 Reuters report by Andrew Heavens in Khartoum:

SUDAN-MEDIA

Sudan has expelled a foreign journalist for reporting on the country's Darfur crisis and arms industry, U.S. diplomats said on Monday.

Canadian-Egyptian reporter Heba Aly, who wrote for U.S. news agency Bloomberg, the Boston-based Christian Science Monitor newspaper and the United Nations news service IRIN, left the country last week.

She told colleagues that officers from Sudan's security service contacted her and ordered her to leave days after she made enquiries about a Khartoum-based arms manufacturer.

"The U.S. embassy in Khartoum condemns this expulsion and continues to deplore infringements by the Government of Sudan upon freedom of the press and expression," the embassy said in a statement.

No one was immediately available for comment from Sudan's government or security service.

Aly reported on a series of clashes between government forces and rebel fighters in Sudan's Darfur region. Foreign journalists receive permits to visit the remote western region, but have faced restrictions on their movements once they arrive.

Freedom of the press is guaranteed in Sudan's constitution. But local journalists regularly complain about censorship, the detention of reporters and the seizure of newspaper print-runs.

Media rights groups Reporters Without Borders said it was investigating Aly's case.



Photo from Reuters (Editing by Louise Ireland)

- - -

UPDATE FROM SUDAN RADIO SERVICE 9 February 2009 - (Cairo):

The US embassy in Khartoum has condemned the recent expulsion of a foreign journalist from Sudan.

The embassy issued a statement deploring what it says are “infringements by the Government of National Unity upon the freedom of the press.”

Heba Aly, a freelance journalist, was expelled on 2nd February, for reporting on the crisis in Darfur and for attempting to investigate Sudan’s arms industry.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service on the phone from Cairo, Heba describes her experience:

[Heba Aly]: “I have been working in Sudan since June 2008 and I have had a couple of incidents with national security. They stopped me once in Darfur and once in Khartoum and both times they went through all my things, laptop, everything. I got phone calls from national security quite often. So it was a period of harassment, a sort of intimidation, until I was asked to leave.”

Heba says that, as the election nears, the National Security Bill and the Press Bill have to be passed to allow for free and fair elections.

[Heba Aly]: “There will be elections as part of the peace agreement. Part of what many people in Sudan have been pushing for in the lead up to the election is the new press and national security laws so that these elections can proceed freely and fairly. Neither of those new laws has been passed and I think my case is an example of just why they are needed.”

The international press freedom watchdog, Reporters Without Borders and the Canadian government are both to investigate her case.

- - -

Thanks to Eric for posting a link to Heba Aly's blog - Heba's adventures in Senegal ... and beyond! - here in the comments.

From AFP 5 Feb. 2009 - Canada condemns journalist's expulsion from Sudan - excerpt:

Aly told colleagues that she had been questioned by Sudanese authorities in December when she left Khartoum to spend Christmas with her family in Canada.

She returned to the East African nation in January but did not obtain a new press identification card from Sudanese authorities and her application for a work permit was not approved.

Aly worked in the war-battered country throughout January but was given an ultimatum last week to leave.

From Christian Science Monitor 6 Feb. 2009 - Sudan expels a Canadian contributor to the Monitor - excerpt:

In the case of Heba Aly, a Canadian journalist with Egyptian nationality as well, Sudan says it expelled her because of immigration issues, not because of her reporting.

Yet Ms. Aly says it was her investigating of Sudan's arms manufacturing industry that prompted agents from Sudan's national security agency to call her in for a hastily convened meeting this past weekend at a restaurant in Sudan's capital.

UK's Special Representative for Sudan, Michael O'Neill, says Bashir's indictment could destroy Sudanese unity and derail peace process in Darfur

Listen up America. The following article from Yale on its Darfur conference last Friday, quotes Michael O’Neill, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Sudan as saying that al-Bashir’s indictment could destroy Sudanese unity and derail the peace process in Darfur.

Take heed I say, the UK has far more experience of Sudan than any American.
- - -

From Yale Daily News
Darfur conference divides
Anna Sophie Creager Contributing Reporter
Published Monday, February 9, 2009

The chief attorney of the International Criminal Court on Friday called for the indictment of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir at a Yale Law School conference on Darfur, sparking heated debate within panels stocked with international law heavyweights.

ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s keynote address at the all-day conference titled “The Pursuit of International Criminal Justice: The Case of Darfur” was followed by panel discussions on peace, justice and progress moderated by Yale Law School Dean Harold Hongju Koh. Over 300 policymakers, students and other guests — including an estimated 60 Darfuris — attended the conference, which conference organizers hoped would bridge the gap between the judicial and peacemaking processes in Darfur.

“The timing could not be better,” Moreno-Ocampo said of the conference. “The time to do something in Darfur is now.”

International officials involved in the Darfur peace process have skirmished over what role — if any — international criminal prosecution should play in curbing Darfur violence since Moreno-Ocampo charged al-Bashir with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in July 2008.

Moreno-Ocampo, elected in April 2003 to a nine-year term as ICC prosecutor, focused his address on the question of whether al-Bashir’s indictment would expedite the peace-making process in Darfur. Moren0-Ocampo argued that an ICC indictment would clearly show all parties in Darfur the repercussions of violating the law.

“Peace and justice have to work hand in hand,” he said. “Mr. Al-Bashir will face justice.”

Akec Achiew Khoc, the Sudanese Ambassador to the U.S., disagreed with Moreno-Ocampo’s assertion that al-Bashir’s indictment would lead to peace. Addressing the conference as a guest after the first panel discussion, Khoc argued the move would exacerbate conflict.

Michael O’Neill, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Sudan, agreed. He said al-Bashir’s indictment could destroy Sudanese unity and derail the peace process in Darfur.

Audience members were split over whether to indict al-Bashir. Darfuri refugee Abdelbagy Abushanab, a founding member of the Darfur Rehabilitation Project, said the prospect of al-Bashir’s indictment lends hope for justice to millions of Darfuris.

“Without justice, there can be no peace,” Abushanab said in response to Khoc. “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Panels following Moreno-Ocampo’s Friday keynote featured Jean-Marie Guéhenno, former Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations; Jerry Fowler, President of the Save Darfur Coalition; John Bellinger, former Legal Adviser for the U.S. Department of State; and Richard Dicker, the director of International Justice Program of Human Rights Watch.

The roster of panelists for the conference did not include any refugees from Darfur, noted Adeeb Yousif, a human rights advocate for Sudan Social Development Organization.

“It is very important to include a Darfuri on the panel,” he said. “Because they have important information about the problems that exist and the solutions that could be possible.”

The audience also included a handful of Yale students, including 26 members of Students Taking Action Now: Darfur.

- - -

Related reports

Sudan Watch Monday, February 09, 2009:
ICC Prosecutor’s keynote address at Yale's conference: “The Pursuit of International Criminal Justice: The Case of Darfur”

Sudan Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
ICC prosecutor tells audience at Yale University decision on Sudan president arrest warrant to be made ‘in a few days’?

Sudan Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
2009 could be a make or break year for the CPA and for the prospect of peace in Sudan says UN envoy Qa

Sudan Watch Saturday, February 07, 2009:
Sudan Tribune's shameless political activism masquerading as hard news to whip up a storm when peoples lives are at stake ought to be challenged

Congo Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
ICC trial of Lubanga off to an ‘inauspicious’ start

ICC Prosecutor’s keynote address at Yale's conference: “The Pursuit of International Criminal Justice: The Case of Darfur”

Sometime this month, maybe any day between the next few days and 20th Feb, the ICC judges are expected to announce their ruling on Sudan president. I hope the judges rule that there is not enough evidence for the case to hold up in court. Going by the archives of Sudan, I believe Darfur to be counter-insurgency not genocide. If the judges issue an arrest warrant I will feel an injustice will have been done. I think that most of what went on was out of Mr Bashir's control and that he didn't know half of what was going on inside Sudan's forces. I've tracked his movements closely over five years and it's amazing to see what goes on behind his back whenever he is out of the country.

In a Sudan Tribune article today (copied here below in a previous post) ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, in his keynote address on Friday at Yale's conference entitled “The Pursuit of International Criminal Justice: The Case of Darfur” is quoted as saying:

“This is not about regime change, it is about the criminal responsibility of individuals. It is about stopping the crimes."

Well if that is the case, and the statement is true and the ICC judges issue an arrest warrant for Sudan's president, then one would expect arrest warrants to be issued simultaneously against the Darfur rebel leaders, first and foremost JEM.

Note that in the following article from Yale, re its conference on Darfur, Michael O’Neill, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Sudan, is quoted as saying that al-Bashir’s indictment could destroy Sudanese unity and derail the peace process in Darfur. I agree and cannot understand why Mr Ocampo does not see this whilst feeling free to act like a political activist from the savedarfurcrowd. All I can think is maybe he is so clever, he knows his case won't hold up on court and is squeezing as much mileage out of his case to help the warring factions in Sudan to focus and come to the peace talks table. I hope so. After all, there are 51 names of suspected Darfur war criminals in a sealed envelope at the ICC, Mr Bashir is only one name.
- - -



Photo: Luis Moreno-Ocampo, International Criminal Court prosecutor, delivers the keynote address at a conference at the Yale Law School Feb. 6, 2009. (Philip Hu/Staff Photographer)

From Yale Daily News
Darfur conference divides
Anna Sophie Creager Contributing Reporter
Published Monday, February 9, 2009

The chief attorney of the International Criminal Court on Friday called for the indictment of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir at a Yale Law School conference on Darfur, sparking heated debate within panels stocked with international law heavyweights.

ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s keynote address at the all-day conference titled “The Pursuit of International Criminal Justice: The Case of Darfur” was followed by panel discussions on peace, justice and progress moderated by Yale Law School Dean Harold Hongju Koh. Over 300 policymakers, students and other guests — including an estimated 60 Darfuris — attended the conference, which conference organizers hoped would bridge the gap between the judicial and peacemaking processes in Darfur.

“The timing could not be better,” Moreno-Ocampo said of the conference. “The time to do something in Darfur is now.”

International officials involved in the Darfur peace process have skirmished over what role — if any — international criminal prosecution should play in curbing Darfur violence since Moreno-Ocampo charged al-Bashir with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in July 2008.

Moreno-Ocampo, elected in April 2003 to a nine-year term as ICC prosecutor, focused his address on the question of whether al-Bashir’s indictment would expedite the peace-making process in Darfur. Moren0-Ocampo argued that an ICC indictment would clearly show all parties in Darfur the repercussions of violating the law.

“Peace and justice have to work hand in hand,” he said. “Mr. Al-Bashir will face justice.”

Akec Achiew Khoc, the Sudanese Ambassador to the U.S., disagreed with Moreno-Ocampo’s assertion that al-Bashir’s indictment would lead to peace. Addressing the conference as a guest after the first panel discussion, Khoc argued the move would exacerbate conflict.

Michael O’Neill, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Sudan, agreed. He said al-Bashir’s indictment could destroy Sudanese unity and derail the peace process in Darfur.

Audience members were split over whether to indict al-Bashir. Darfuri refugee Abdelbagy Abushanab, a founding member of the Darfur Rehabilitation Project, said the prospect of al-Bashir’s indictment lends hope for justice to millions of Darfuris.

“Without justice, there can be no peace,” Abushanab said in response to Khoc. “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Panels following Moreno-Ocampo’s Friday keynote featured Jean-Marie Guéhenno, former Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations; Jerry Fowler, President of the Save Darfur Coalition; John Bellinger, former Legal Adviser for the U.S. Department of State; and Richard Dicker, the director of International Justice Program of Human Rights Watch.

The roster of panelists for the conference did not include any refugees from Darfur, noted Adeeb Yousif, a human rights advocate for Sudan Social Development Organization.

“It is very important to include a Darfuri on the panel,” he said. “Because they have important information about the problems that exist and the solutions that could be possible.”

The audience also included a handful of Yale students, including 26 members of Students Taking Action Now: Darfur.

- - -

Related reports

Sudan Watch Monday, February 09, 2009:
UK's Special Representative for Sudan, Michael O'Neill, says Bashir's indictment could destroy Sudanese unity and derail peace process in Darfur

Sudan Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
ICC prosecutor tells audience at Yale University decision on Sudan president arrest warrant to be made ‘in a few days’?

Sudan Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
2009 could be a make or break year for the CPA and for the prospect of peace in Sudan says UN envoy Qa

Sudan Watch Saturday, February 07, 2009:
Sudan Tribune's shameless political activism masquerading as hard news to whip up a storm when peoples lives are at stake ought to be challenged

Congo Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
ICC trial of Lubanga off to an ‘inauspicious’ start

2009 could be a make or break year for the CPA and for the prospect of peace in Sudan says UN envoy Qazi

Xinhua News Service reports from the African continent

'IT IS CLEAR THAT A POSSIBLE I.C.C. INDICTMENT WILL HAVE FAR-REACHING IMPLICATIONS NOT ONLY ON SOUTH SUDAN, OR DARFUR, BUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY' - SUDANESE AMBASSADOR

Sudan’s major peace accord reaches 'critical juncture': UN representative

UNITED NATIONS, (Xinhua) -- The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which ended a long and bitter war in Sudan in 2005, has reached a “critical juncture” marked by daunting challenges including political uncertainty and lack of mutual trust, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-general for Sudan Ashraf Jehangir Qazi said on Thursday.

“The CPA has reached a critical juncture with little over two years of the interim period remaining,” Qazi told the Security Council in an open meeting.

“The environment for these final two years is likely to be difficult and complex.”

The CPA, signed in January 2005 between the government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, ended a long-running north-south civil war in Sudan.

The UN envoy said that the current situation in Sudan was marked by “deepening political uncertainty and insufficient mutual trust among the parties to the CPA,” and that the implementation of outstanding CPA issues will test the parties.

Despite the commitment of relevant parties, the ongoing conflict in Darfur and the awaited decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) have “exacerbated” the situation and left the peace agreement in a “vulnerable” position, he noted.

Last July, ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo filed 10 charges against al-Bashir, including three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder, and called for an arrest warrant.

The world court is reviewing the case before deciding on whether to issue such a warrant, which will clear the way for the first indictment of a sitting head of state.

A decision could come as early as this month.

“Should, as a result, the CPA unravel, conflicts and instability in Sudan are likely to escalate dramatically,” the envoy warned.

“The humanitarian implications of a relapse into conflict and chaos throughout Sudan are, to put it mildly, sobering.

“Without any exaggeration, 2009 could be a make or break year for the CPA and for the prospect of peace in Sudan,” he said.
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U.N. Security Council divided over possible International Criminal Court move on Sudan

UNITED NATIONS, (Xinhua) -- UN officials and diplomats on Thursday raised alarms about the “daunting” challenges in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended a long and bitter war in Sudan in 2005, while the Security Council was split over the prospect of an indictment of the Sudanese leader by the world court.

The Security Council first held a public meeting on Thursday morning to hear a briefing by UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan Ashraf Jehangir Qazi on the latest developments in the war-torn country, before heading into informal consultations.

PEACE ACCORD FACES CHALLENGES

Despite progress in the last four years, the CPA has reached “a critical juncture where any action or inaction on its provisions will have a profound impact on the future of the Sudan,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his latest report to the Security Council.

Since its independence in 1956, the Sudanese people have suffered two civil wars between the north and the south, a civil war in the east and an ongoing and possibly intensifying conflict in the west.

The CPA was signed in January, 2005 between the government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, putting an end to the long-running north-south civil war.

The overall security situation remains fragile and unpredictable as a 2011 referendum looms on whether the South should secede or remain united with the rest of the country, according to the report.

“The parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement are yet to present a convincing case for unity to the people of Southern Sudan.

“I call upon the parties to use the remaining two years to explore all options available to make unity attractive,” Ban said.

The secretary-general stressed that key benchmarks, such as census results, border demarcation, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and referendum preparations now need to be achieved “within a tight time frame with very little flexibility for further delays.”

The UN chief’s view was echoed by Qazi, who told the council that the current situation in Sudan was marked by “deepening political uncertainty and insufficient mutual trust among the parties to the CPA,” and that the implementation of outstanding CPA issues will test the parties.

Emerging from the council meeting, British UN ambassador John Sawers told reporters that the CPA plays “a central role” in building peace in the Sudan.

“It is making good progress over the last four years, but there is a great deal more to do,” Sawers said.

In particular, he urged relevant Sudanese parties to take steps to prepare for the referendum in 2011 on the country’s future.

The council president, Japanese UN Ambassador Yukio Takasu, said council members agreed that the CPA is “a crucial part of stability and peace in entire Sudan.”

They also noted that the successful implementation of the CPA will be hinged upon the situation in many parts of the country, including Darfur, he said.

“Therefore, it is extremely important that CPA is going to be implemented with full commitment from all parties concerned.”

CONCERN OVER POSSIBLE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT MOVE

The United Nations has expressed concern about the ramifications of a possible arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against President Omar al-Bashir, including the impact on the CPA and safety and security of peacekeepers on the ground.

An ICC pre-trial chamber is currently reviewing evidence concerning the case and a decision could come as early as this month.

The ICC’s actions have “a major impact on Sudanese political dynamics and have diverted much attention at a time when outstanding issues related to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement require the parties’ cooperation and renewed commitment,” Ban said.

“While I am encouraged by the assurances of continued support by the government, I am also concerned about remarks by some of its officials that the government may redefine its relationship with UNMIS should an arrest warrant be issued against President al- Bashir,” the secretary-general said.

In the briefing to the council, Qazi also expressed similar concern and urged the 15-member body to discuss the “impact of an ICC decision on the CPA and the Darfur situation.

“The purpose of the CPA is the building and keeping of peace and security in Sudan, without which no justice for its people will be possible,” Qazi said.

“Towards that end, it is incumbent upon the Sudanese parties and leadership, as well as the international community, to remain focused on ensuring the full implementation of the CPA.”

The awaited ICC decision has contributed to exacerbating the situation and leaving the peace agreement in a “vulnerable” position, Qazi noted.

UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IS STILL DIVIDED

Diplomats said that members of the Security Council were divided over whether to take action to reverse a possible ICC indictment.

Takasu said that during close-door consultations, some members, African countries in particular, mentioned about Article 16 of the ICC statute, which gives the Security Council the right to defer an ICC investigation or prosecution for a period of 12 months.

But many others spoke of the importance of pursuing peace and justice at the same time and the “prevailing view was that ‘let’s wait and see,’” Takasu said, adding that it is premature to predict what will be the council’s response to the ICC decision.

Sudan’s ambassador to the UN, Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad, said the council has “a special responsibility” to put the ICC move on hold.

“It is clear that a possible indictment will have far-reaching implications not only on south Sudan, or Darfur, but the entire country,” he said.

On this issue, Mohamad said, Khartoum has the support of the “ overwhelming majority of the international community,” including the Africa Union, the Arab League and the Organization of The Islamic Conference.

Mohamad urged the council to demonstrate its commitment to the safety and security of UN peacekeepers and the Sudanese people by invoking Article 16 in order to arrest the ICCI move.
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Related reports

Sudan Watch Saturday, February 07, 2009:
Sudan Tribune's shameless political activism masquerading as hard news to whip up a storm when peoples lives are at stake ought to be challenged

Sudan Watch Monday, February 09, 2009:
ICC Prosecutor’s keynote address at Yale's conference: “The Pursuit of International Criminal Justice: The Case of Darfur”

Sudan Watch Monday, February 09, 2009:
UK's Special Representative for Sudan, Michael O'Neill, says Bashir's indictment could destroy Sudanese unity and derail peace process in Darfur

Congo Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
ICC trial of Lubanga off to an ‘inauspicious’ start

ICC prosecutor tells audience at Yale University decision on Sudan president arrest warrant to be made ‘in a few days’?

Today, the Sudan Tribune has this one line notice on its home page

Decision on Sudan president arrest warrant to be made ‘in a few days’, ICC prosecutor tells audience at Yale University
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SUDAN WATCH UPDATE
MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2009 07:42 GMT UK

The above one line notice at Sudan Tribune's home page has disappeared. Instead, at the top of their news section today is this article:

ICC prosecutor says ruling on Bashir case coming ‘in a few days’

Monday 9 February 2009 07:00.

February 8, 2009 (WASHINGTON) – Three judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) will rule “in a few days” on whether to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir, the ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said on Friday in New Haven, Connecticut.



The International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo

Sudan Tribune learnt last week that the judges have already come to a decision, still under seal, requiring that an arrest warrant be issued for Al-Bashir, who is charged on ten counts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

During his address at Yale, the prosecutor reiterated his allegations against Sudan’s leader: “For the past 5 years massive crimes have been committed in Darfur. For the past 5 years no amount of negotiation has allowed the violence to abate. As of today, 5,000 people are dying each month in Darfur,” he said, referring to alleged mortality figures due to extreme violence and worsened livelihoods.

While the ICC prosecutor omitted to say how the judges will rule, he spoke at length on what will happen if the warrant is issued.

“Should the Judges rule in favor of the request, they will issue an arrest warrant and transmit it to the Government of the Sudan for enforcement. Are the Sudanese willing to arrest the President, now or in a few months?” posed Moreno-Ocampo.

“If not, how will the UN Security Council authority be affected? Do the States parties to the Rome Statute have a particular duty? What will be the reaction of the NGO and academic community? What can students do?”

In March 2005 the ICC was tasked by the UN Security Council, acting under Chapter VII with investigating crimes in Darfur.

Ocampo alleges that since April 2003 the Sudanese Armed Forces and Popular Defense Forces (PDF) systematically conducted joint military operations directed against civilians in towns and villages inhabited mainly by three ethnic groups, the Fur, Zaghawa and Masalit, directly killing 35,000 people while almost 300,000 of those who fled the attacks died of starvation and disease.

Two arrest warrants were already issued in April 2007 for a Sudanese junior minister and a militia leader. They were never enforced.

“Let me be frank: The crimes have continued in Darfur because the international community has diverse interests and was never able to unite to ensure compliance with UN Security Council resolutions. If the world is united, the atrocities and genocide will stop in a day,” said Ocampo.

“The decision of the Court, if confirming the existence of the crimes, should create a momentum to close ranks around one objective, stop the crimes. It will be a unique opportunity for the international community to come together, to establish a new framework to protect the Darfuris.”

Later he added, “This is not about regime change, it is about the criminal responsibility of individuals. It is about stopping the crimes. The Court is not asking for international forces to intervene. No war, no invasions, but also no inaction, no denial. Something between bombing and nothing.”

Sudan has threatened unforeseen consequences for aid workers, diplomats and peacekeepers if a warrant is served. Critics of the ICC move include the ruling party, state-sponsored Sudanese news outlets, the Democratic Unionist Party and the leader of the National Umma Party, while internationally the critics include major regional blocs like the Arab League and African Union, as well certain vocal proponents of deferring the ICC move who make thorough use of Western news outlets.
(ST)

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Related reports

Sudan Watch Saturday, February 07, 2009:
Sudan Tribune's shameless political activism masquerading as hard news to whip up a storm when peoples lives are at stake ought to be challenged

Sudan Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
2009 could be a make or break year for the CPA and for the prospect of peace in Sudan says UN envoy Qa

Sudan Watch Monday, February 09, 2009:
ICC Prosecutor’s keynote address at Yale's conference: “The Pursuit of International Criminal Justice: The Case of Darfur”

Sudan Watch Monday, February 09, 2009:
UK's Special Representative for Sudan, Michael O'Neill, says Bashir's indictment could destroy Sudanese unity and derail peace process in Darfur

Congo Watch Sunday, February 08, 2009:
ICC trial of Lubanga off to an ‘inauspicious’ start
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From Sudan Vision Daily, Khartoum
Monday, February 09 @ 00:15:00 GMT by Staff Writer

Sudan Envoy to UN: UNSC has Nothing Good

Presidential Advisor, Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail stated that the government has no information about the timing of ICC resolution over President Al-Bashir. He added, after a tripartite meeting including Dr. Ismail, DUP Leader Mohammed Osman Al-Mirghani and Baath Party Leader Abdallah Al-Ahmar, that the government is prepared for the decision and all measures were taken to confront it, affirming that all what is said about the issuance of the decision is just guesswork.

On the support of the US Administration to the ICC decision, Dr. Mustafa pointed out that US banned the UNSC to issue a decision to suspend the arrest warrant in previous stages, but he hinted to the AU stance supporting Sudan.

Meanwhile, Sudan Envoy to UN, Abdul Mahmoud Abdul Halim revealed about moves by the mission round the clock with UNSC permanent members to discuss the Darfur issue and the ICC decision. He said that there is uncertainty in some members' stances.

Abdul Mahmoud said that the UNSC is useless and if the arrest warrant is issued or not it will not affect the government as it considers the decision as born dead and represents a political plot against Sudan from Western community.

For its part, OIC announced its support to the AU resolutions in the recent summit calling for deferring the arrest warrant.

OIC Secretary-General, Akmal Addeen Ihsan affirmed that AU resolution coincides with OIC stance endorsed in its emergency meeting last August.

Framework Agreement between Darfur rebels JEM, Sudanese Gov't to be signed tomorrow in Doha

The Sudanese government and the Darfurian Justice and Equality Movement will sign a framework agreement for further talks between them. The agreement expresses commitment to improving the security situation in Darfur, and stipulates the cessation of all military actions, as well as the formation of a three-member committee (representing Sudan, the rebels and Qatar), which will advance the negotiations towards a permanent peace settlement.

Source: Al-Hayat, London, February 8, 2009 (via memri blog)

Job seekers in Jonglei State are accusing local government and NGOs of nepotism and corruption

From Sudan Radio Service (Bor) 6 February 2009:

Job Seekers Accuse Local Authorities of Discrimination
Job seekers in Jonglei state are accusing local government and non-government organizations of nepotism and corruption.

Our correspondent in Jonglei spoke with unemployed youths in Bor, who complained that only relatives of employers are being hired.

Several reported that even when they responded to a position advertised in the media or on a public display, they found that the positions were already filled.

With many employers seeking qualified staff — often asking that applicants have 5 to 10 years of working experience — young people looking for jobs say that because Sudan has emerged from war, almost no one can meet such requirements.

Our correspondent spoke with a director in the state ministry of public works about state government hiring practices.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, this official cited budget constraints and an already-bloated civil service for the lack of hiring.

The director said there would be no new recruitment in most state government offices until at least half of current employees retire or are promoted to new positions.