UNAMID: Security Situation in Darfur July 15, 2009

Source:  UN – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) 
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan (via APO)

UNAMID Daily Media Brief July 15, 2009

Security Situation in Darfur

The general security situation in Darfur is reported to be relatively calm.

UNAMID military conducted 94 patrols, including confidence-building, escort patrols, night patrols and investigation patrols covering sixty-six (66) villages and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps during the reporting period.

Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation (DDDC) Workshop for Darfurian Women

The Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation (DDDC) Secretariat, in collaboration with the Center for Peace and Community Development Studies, University of Nyala, organized a two-day workshop on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 July to explore the achievement of sustainable peace and reconciliation in Darfur. Women leaders from South Darfur participated in the workshop, which discussed a range of topics to identify common issues in an effort to end the conflict in Darfur.

Further, issues pertaining to the impact of the ongoing crisis and damage it has caused to the livelihoods, infrastructure and social fabric of Darfur, and long term challenges were raised. Participants emphasized that sustainable peace in Darfur could only be achieved through the provision of basic public services, especially health and education, as well as by conducting vocational training and creation of job opportunities, among others. In that light, they noted the lack of resources and funding for implementation of related development projects.

The women also discussed the security situation in Darfur, including the exchange of weapons in and around the villages and IDP camps in the area, and across the borders with neighboring countries, especially Chad.

The DDDC Secretariat was set up at the recommendation of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) to facilitate a broad and inclusive consultative process to help Darfurians discuss and find solutions to the conflict in Darfur among themselves.

Sudan gov't buys unknown number of WS-2 multi-launch rocket launchers from China

This new escalation of the weapon systems available to the government raises grave concerns. Is it in preparation for an unacceptable ruling on Abyei which we expect towards the end of this month, or is it in preparation for an unfavorable decision regarding the future referendum of 2011, or is it out of concern for an escalation in Darfur and beyond with Chad? So, whichever way you look at it, it’s not good news.

Source: Sudan Radio Service, Wednesday, 15 July 2009 – full story:
Sudan Buys Rocket Launchers from China

(Asmara) – The Sudanese government has bought an unknown number of WS-2 multi-launch rocket launchers from China.

The deal raises concerns as to why the government is buying such sophisticated arms at this time.

Dr. Taysir Mohammed is the director of the Peace Building Center for the Horn of Africa.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service by phone from Asmara, Eritrea on Wednesday, he describes the possible motivation for the government’s move.

[Taysir Mohammed]: “There are worries in the region about the political will of the National Congress Party to implement the CPA and to follow through with other peace agreements. I think many observers are worried about, not just the fragile conditions of the peace agreement throughout Sudan, but also a concern about the political will to implement them. This new escalation of the weapon systems available to the government raises grave concerns. Is it in preparation for an unacceptable ruling on Abyei which we expect towards the end of this month, or is it in preparation for an unfavorable decision regarding the future referendum of 2011, or is it out of concern for an escalation in Darfur and beyond with Chad? So, whichever way you look at it, it’s not good news.”

Dr. Taysir Mohammed went on to explain the Chinese intentions in Sudan.

[Dr. Taysir Mohammed]: “China is not only a member of the Security Council but has a Special Peace Envoy to Sudan. By selling arms, the Chinese are ruling themselves out of the peace process. They cannot be considered by any measure as honest brokers. They’ve blatantly taken the side of the government; they’ve blatantly taken the side of war. Therefore, this signals Chinese intentions towards our country. Another point to consider is the Chinese investment in oil plus the Chinese investment lately in agriculture. They’ve acquired large tracts of agricultural land in Sudan. They’re going to cultivate products which are going to be consumed by Chinese. So, they’re not contributing to the agricultural development strategies of our country. And I think the Chinese have not invested in Sudan, they’ve invested in the regime and therefore, it makes sense that they would sell sophisticated weaponry to the regime.”

Dr. Taysir Mohammed was speaking to Sudan Radio Service from Asmara, Eritrea.

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WS-2 multiple launch rocket system



Photo source: www.armyrecognition.com



Photo source: www.militaryphotos.net

During the 2004 Zhuhai Air Show, SCAIC revealed its latest WS-2 multiple launch rocket system. The weapon is fitted with 6 box-shape launchers and fires 400mm rockets to a maximum range of 200km, which is long enough to travel through the Taiwan Strait and attack Taiwan targets should a war break out. It is speculated that WS-2 is going to be a cheaper alternative to the expensive short range ballistic missiles in Chinese inventory. 

The WS-2 is fitted with a primitive cascade inertial terminal guidance to compensate the degraded accuracy caused by the long distance flight of the rocket. 

In 2008, it was revealed that sub-munitions are developed for WS-2, including a specialized anti-radar version, which is a rocket containing three UAVs. Once the rocket is fired to the target area, the UAVs are released the same way like other sub-munitions. The seekers would seek out target radar signals as UAVs begun to cruise, and once locked on to the radar, UAV would home in and attack. Some domestic Chinese military enthusiasts have claimed such technology was based on the principle of Israeli Harpy anti-radar UAVs, but this could not be confirmed by independent sources outside China.

A WS-1E and WS-2 rocket battalion shared the same equipment and is armed with:
Firing command truck (5 men): 1;
Rocket launch truck (3 men): 6;
Transport and loading truck (3 men): 6~9;
Rockets per launch truck: 30~48;
Preparation time (from traveling to firing) < 12 minutes Firing density: better than 1/600 m Accuracy: better than 0.3% 

Source: Wikipedia
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From UPI Asia.com (Hong Kong, China) by Andrei Chang, July 10, 2009:
Sudan obtains advanced Chinese MLRS

Sudan has acquired a small number of WS-2 multi-launch rocket systems from China, according to reliable information obtained by the author. A number of African delegates to last February’s Abu Dhabi International Defense Exhibition and Conference 2009, including North African military attachés, confirmed that a China-made “secret weapon” the Sudanese claimed to have acquired was in fact the 200-kilometer-ranged WS-2 multi-launch rocket system.
This is the first evidence that this system has been exported to an African country. In fact, it appears to be the first such export to any foreign country. It is unclear exactly when China shipped the WS-2 system to Sudan. But what is clear is that this will be the most powerful long-range attack system in all of Africa.

The Chinese companies capable of exporting the WS-2 system include the China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation and Poly Group Corporation. Both companies refused to comment on the report, other than to stress that any weapon systems they had sold to Sudan were delivered before the international community imposed an arms embargo on the country. In late March, 2005 the U.N. Security Council imposed a ban on weapons sales to all parties involved in the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region.

For Sudan, the WS-2 is a top secret strategic weapon system; therefore it has never made an appearance in any of the country’s military parades.

Sources say that the WS-2 MLRS acquired by Sudan have undergone substantial upgrading. The system’s effective range has been modified to 70-200 kilometers, its accuracy is CEP 0.3 percent, and launch time for four tubes of rockets is six seconds. The system’s warhead weighs 200 kilograms and it uses four types of ammunition.

China has already developed an upgraded WS-3 precision-guided long-range MLRS on the foundation of the WS-2. The author has acquired some specifics about the WS-3 MLRS, which was first revealed at the Zhuhai Air Show in November 2008.

The WS-3 uses two types of guidance systems. Using the inertial navigation system it has a maximum range of 200 kilometers, and CEP of 300 meters. When using INS plus GPS guidance, the CEP is improved to 50 meters.

Other structural features of the WS-3 are not much different from the WS-2. The WS-3 was only recently approved for export, and no country has as yet purchased this new MLRS.

(Andrei Chang is editor-in-chief of Kanwa Defense Review Monthly, registered in Toronto, Canada.)

S. Sudan: Bari and the Mundari fight one another on the streets of Juba

Recently in southern Sudan, inter-tribal conflict in Jonglei and Warrap states claimed more than 300 lives. In April, as noted here at Sudan Watch, Bari and Mundari communities clashed over cattle raiding in Jebel Lado area, north of Juba. Now the Bari and Mundari are fighting one another on the streets of Juba.

From Sudan Radio Service, Wednesday, 15 July 2009 –
No Referendum Without Rule of Law Says Advisor

(Khartoum) – The Presidential Advisor for African Affairs, Bona Malwal, says southern Sudanese cannot go for a referendum to determine their destiny in 2011 when there is an absence of the “rule of law” in southern Sudan.

Malwal was speaking in Saint Matthew’s Cathedral in Khartoum on Sunday.

[Bona Malwal]: “The question that we must ask ourselves is: 'Are we justified as political leaders, are we justified as politicians, to drag our people into the referendum on self-determination without the rule of law in our country at the time when the Bari and the Mundari are fighting?' In my entire life, I have never seen the Bari and the Mundari fight one another, they are fighting today on the streets of Juba under an autonomous, almost independent Government of Southern Sudan. Is this the way we want to ask the people of southern Sudan to choose between separation and unity? I say this thing not to side with any politician, I say this to raise the awareness of the young people in front of me”.

He called upon southern Sudanese not to make northern Sudan their greatest enemy if southern Sudan secedes after the referendum.

[Bona Malwal]: “If southern Sudan is honest about its right to self-determination which I have been supporting personally since 1965, then I think southern Sudanese politicians and all of you as southern Sudanese are duty-bound to ensure that when you become an independent southern Sudan, northern Sudan does not become a permanent enemy because the first people to suffer as a result of hostilities will be Southern Sudan”.

Bona Malwal was speaking in Khartoum on Sunday.

Misseriya and Dinka Ngok will abide by Abyei boundary verdict July 22nd

The court’s ruling on the status of Abyei - whether it belongs to Bahr el-Ghazal or Southern Kordofan - will be announced by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on July 22nd.

Abyei is an oil rich area in southern Sudan. Click here to see map showing boundary of Abyei at 10°22'30"N as decided by the Abyei Boundary Commission.

From Sudan Radio Service, Wednesday, 15 July 2009:
Both Sides Still Prepared to Abide By Abyei Decision

(Khartoum) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deng Alor Kual says the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has announced that it will pass its verdict on the status of Abyei on Wednesday, 22nd July.

Speaking to journalists in Khartoum on Tuesday, Alor, who is also a senior member of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement from Abyei and a member of the SPLM delegation who went to the Hague to defend the position of the SPLM, said the Arab Misseriya and the Dinka Ngok have both expressed their readiness to abide by the PCA verdict.

[Deng Alor]: “We in the SPLM have committed ourselves and will abide by the decision of the court and our counterparts in the NCP have also assured us that they will abide by the decision of the court. We went to the Misseriya in Muglad and went to the Dinka in Abyei and we discussed with them, and the two tribes have no major problem with the decision of the court, if the NCP and the SPLM are committed to abide by the decision of the court.”

The historian, Douglas H. Johnson, a member of the Abyei Border Commission, says that the arbitration decision will have an impact on the 2011 referendum.

[Douglas H. Johnson]: “The Abyei protocol sets out the conditions for the residents of Abyei to vote in 2011 to decide what they will be part of. Either part of Kordofan, or part of southern Sudan. The boundary establishes what territory is having that vote. The dispute between Khartoum and the SPLM is over the boundary and the ruling in The Hague is supposed to settle that once and for all. It affects the future of the Abyei people because it will define what the area is and by that definition, it will define who has the right to vote in 2011.”

The court’s ruling on the status of Abyei - whether it belongs to Bahr el-Ghazal or Southern Kordofan - will be announced by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on July 22nd.

Click on Abyei label here below for related reports and updates.

Hague court to rule on Sudan’s Abyei region on July 22nd?

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague will issue its ruling on the disputed Abyei region between North and South Sudan on July 22nd, according to a newspaper report.

The independent Al-Sahafa newspaper quoting “informed sources” said that the Sudanese embassy in the Netherlands received notification on the date of their decision.

Source: Sudan Tribune, Saturday 11 July 2009 - Hague court to rule on Sudan’s Abyei region on July 22nd: report

Click on Abyei label here below to see further reports on Abyei.



Photo from Sudan Watch archives:: About 50 Dinkas staged a demonstration outside the opening ceremony of the NCP-SPLM meeting on Saturday 27, 2006 in Khartoum, shouting their support for the peace deal and calling for a swift resolution of the Abyei issue. In the picture two demonstrators hold banner "Abyei belongs 100% to Southern Sudan".

Sudanese embassy in Kampala to question Ugandan gov't over its stance supporting ICC Bashir arrest warrant

Here's a strange story.  Anything to do with the relationship between Sudan and Uganda I find odd. Some days I can't help thinking that Ugandans are at the root of the conflict in Sudan, particularly Southern Sudan. From what I have gathered over the five years of blogging at Sudan Watch, Uganda Watch and Congo Watch, Uganda receives support from the U.S. military. Taking into account all three blogs, the common denominators appear to be Uganda and the USA. Clearly, Sudan has everything going for it but is being held back. Some very powerful people are stopping Sudan from developing and keeping the Comprehensive Peace Agreement on track. Who are they and why, after six years and miles of writings on Darfur, don't we know for sure?

From Sudan Vision Daily, Wednesday, July 15, 2009:
Sudan Intends to Question Ugandan Government Over its Stances toward the ICC

(Khartoum – Zuleikha Abdul Raziq) - Sudanese government affirmed its intention to question the Ugandan government about its stance supporting the ICC arrest warrant against President Al-Bashir and its adhering to the ICC decision in case of Al-Bashir’s arrival in Uganda.

The question will be through the Sudanese embassy in Kampala.

Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ambassador Ali Al-Sadiq said in press statements yesterday that the travel of the President is not linked with the Ugandan stance, affirming that certain factors dictate the travel not including the Ugandan President's statement.

Al-Sadiq added that if Uganda stuck to its stance supporting the ICC arrest warrant that means that it violated the AU decision, adding that all African countries must adhere to AU decisions and any state that doesn’t do that is breaking the African consensus.

Foreign Ministry spokesman concluded that the Ugandan regime should be reminded about their massacring of the Acholi people in Northern Uganda, before talking about justice.

Governmental sources described Uganda stances as swinging and undecided while warned of any intention to get out from the AU decision which called on all African countries not to cooperate with the ICC with regard to its fabricated allegations against President Al-Bashir.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry is reserved in responding officially against the Ugandan stances but the Ministry spokesman had condemned in a previous statements, a similar stance of State of Botswana.

The Ugandan State Minister for International Relations Okello Oryem had said in a press conference, “Till Al Bashir comes here I could not tell whether he could be arrested or not”, adding, “Let us wait for Al-Bashir to arrive here and we will see which action will be action,” explaining that the said issue is up to the Inspector General of Police to take action.

The media in the area says that President Al-Bashir intends to attend a meeting on the international affairs called “Smart Partnership Business Conference”.

The ICC General Prosecutor Luis Ocampo said that Uganda has obligation to cooperate with the said Court indicating that the case of South Africa where the President Al-Bashir did not attend the swearing-in of President Jacob Zuma last May adding.

“It’s a legal obligation and a court decision and Uganda and South Africa and 30 other states have a legal obligation on the said issue.”

UPDATE: From Sudan Tribune, Wednesday 15 July 2009:
Uganda president apologizes to Sudan’s Bashir over ICC remarks: SUNA -- July 14, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Ugandan president Yoweri Musievini phoned his Sudanese counterpart Omer Hassan Al-Bashir over remarks made by one of his cabinet ministers on cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his arrest.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has threatened to target Chinese workers in Africa

Here is some worrying news from the Telegraph yesterday.  Al-Qaeda's North African wing has threatened to target Chinese workers in Africa in revenge for the deaths of Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang, according to a risk analysis company. Excerpt:

The threat came in the wake of race riots in far West China which claimed the lives of at least 136 Han Chinese and 46 Uighurs.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) said it would target the 50,000 Chinese who are working in Algeria and launch attacks against other Chinese projects in Northern Africa, said Stirling Assynt, which is based in London.

"This threat should be taken seriously," it said, adding that three weeks ago the group had ambushed a convoy of Algerian security forces who were protecting Chinese engineers, killing 24 Algerians. "Future attacks of this kind are likely to target security forces and Chinese engineers alike."

China has repeatedly linked Uighur separatist groups to Al-Qaeda, but this is the first time that the terrorist network has made a direct threat against China or its overseas projects.

Full story: Telegraph by Malcolm Moore in Shanghai, Tuesday, 14 Jul 2009 - Al-Qaeda vows revenge on China over Uighur deaths.

Here is an excerpt fom National Post, Canada, Tuesday, 14 July 2009 by Aileen McCabe, Asia Correspondent, Canwest News Service:
Al-Qaeda threatens China

AQM's sudden interest in defending Uighurs comes after a week of near indifference to their plight by the Islamic world. The sole exception was Turkey, where public opinion prompted the government into a quick defence of its ethnic blood brothers.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was particularly outspoken.

"The incidents in China are a genocide," he said. "There's no point in interpreting this otherwise."

On Tuesday, the official China Daily called on Erdogan "to take back his remarks."

P.S.  Over the past month or so this site Sudan Watch has received no visits from China which is most unusual.  For years Sudan Watch received several visits daily from China but ever since Google access in China was disrupted, all visits have ceased.  If you are reading this in China or know of Google-Blogger blogspots being blocked in China, please share and say hi in the comments or by email.  Thanks.

UPDATE: China is back on the ball. An hour after posting the above, Sudan Watch had a visit from China! Yay!

Kidnappers want €1.4m for release of aid workers - Ban Ki-Moon visits Ireland

The emergence last week of news that the kidnappers of two female aid workers from Irish aid agency GOAL in North Darfur, were looking for a ransom was the first confirmation that officials were negotiating with the armed gang who seized the women -- the third such kidnapping of foreigners in the region in four months.

But last night Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs maintained a discreet silence, saying it had no comment to make on the latest ransom demand report.  GOAL chief John O'Shea said he had seen a "million reports" about the situation and had nothing to say about any of them. "I can't say anything," he added.

On July 07, 2009 UN chief Ban Ki-Moon met Government officials on a visit to Ireland.

The high-level team of diplomats and negotiators sent to Sudan to try and secure their release met the police and army officials in north Darfur, the region where the women were abducted at gunpoint.

Goal chief executive John O'Shea said: "I would image that if anybody knows who has done this, these officials are the most likely people to know."

Sources: Independent.ie by Fergus Black, Wednesday July 15 2009: Kidnappers want €1.4m for release of aid workers

Independent.ie by Fergus Black and Aine Kerr, Tuesday July 07 2009: UN chief joins efforts to find Darfur workers

Joseph Kony will never make peace- ICC

"The retaliation shows that Kony has to be arrested," Moreno-Ocampo said. "They tried the Juba talks (in 2007), they offered him everything and he refused."

Let's hope that Prosectuor Moreno-Ocampo says the same of JEM and SLM's Nur one day soon. A lot more attention has been paid to Sudanese and Chadian rebels than Joseph Kony and his Lord's Resistance Army. Enough is enough. No more pandering to civilian gunmen. Either they make peace or go to jail, now. No more waiting for them to disrupt the CPA and start war all over again in Southern Sudan.

From The New Vision, Uganda, Tuesday, 14 July, 2009:
Joseph Kony will never make peace- ICC

UGANDAN rebel leader Joseph Kony will never sign a peace agreement so international efforts should focus instead on arresting him, the International Criminal Court prosecutor said.

The Hague-based ICC has indicted Kony and other leaders of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) for war crimes in a brutal, two-decade rebellion that began in north Uganda but has spilled into south Sudan, east Congo and Central African Republic.

ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said late on Monday that past mediation efforts in 2007 and 2004 had failed and served only to allow Kony to recruit and re-arm.

"This is a fantasy, Kony will never make peace," he said in the interview with Reuters and BBC. "When he is weak, he goes for peace negotiation. Then he gets money, he gets food, he buys weapons and he attacks again. How many times will he cheat?"

Kony, a self-styled prophet, has said he will surrender only if the ICC warrants are withdrawn.

Following a Ugandan-led assault on LRA camps in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) late last year, the rebels have carried out numerous reprisal attacks on civilians, killing more than 1,000 and capturing thousands more.

"The retaliation shows that Kony has to be arrested," Moreno-Ocampo said. "They tried the Juba talks (in 2007), they offered him everything and he refused."

Obama calls Darfur a genocide

Shut up America, stop playing with fire telling rebels what they want to hear so they don't have to make peace. From Bureau News July 14th, 2009:
Sudan criticizes Obama for calling Darfur genocide

KHARTOUM, Sudan — Sudan’s government has criticized President Barack Obama for calling the conflict in Darfur a “genocide.”

Obama made the comment in a speech over the weekend in the African nation of Ghana.

There has been a long-running debate over whether to characterize the conflict between Sudan’s Arab-led government and ethnic African rebels in Darfur as a genocide. Obama and his predecessor both called it that, but the U.N. never has.

Up to 300,000 people have been killed since the conflict began in 2003.

The Sudanese government’s point man on Darfur, Ghazi Salah Eddin Atabani, said Monday that Obama’s comment was “regrettable.”

See commentary (and comments from readers) by columnist and filmmaker Farai Sevenzo on issues of leadership and Barack Obama's trip to Ghana: BBC News, 13 July 2009 - African View: A question of leadership

JEM threatens to leave Doha talks (yawn)

JEM threatens to leave Doha talks again. Yawn. Boring. I wish JEM would shut up and disappear back under the rock from which they have crawled. Civilian gunmen make my blood boil. Who do they think they are and why are they getting away with murder? Note here below the peacekeeping costs all because of a bunch of criminals who are free to roam and do as they please. 

After more than five years of blogging Sudan, I am still at a loss to understand why nobody sanctions and arrests the rebels. What is Sudan and the ICC doing about such criminals? Not a lot.  What are the general public saying about the billions of tax dollars that the rebels are costing in aid and peacekeeping, not to mention stolen vehicles, loss of lives, etc., ? Nothing. Not a murmur can I find anywhere in the press or blogosphere. What's the matter with people? Bah. Fume.

UNAMID Cost: 1 July 2008-30 June 2009: $1.6 billion

UNMIS Cost: 1 July 2008-30 June 2009: $858.77 million

How many more years will this go on for?  Think about the costs involved, year on year, for five years to date.  Imagine how many fresh drinking water pumps, school materials, football pitches and sports equipment could be purchased for those vast sums of money generated from ordinary everyday taxpayers around the world. I say, enough is enough. Please someone tell those rebels to make peace, get lost or put them in jail, NOW.  Pronto.  No pussyfooting.  

From Sudan Radio Service, Tuesday, 14 July 2009:
JEM Threatens to Leave Doha Talks

(Cairo) – The Darfur anti-government group, the Justice and Equality Movement, has threatened that they will leave the Doha talks if the mediators decide to include other factions in the negotiations.

JEM senior negotiator Ahmed Mohamed Tugod told Sudan Radio Service on Tuesday from Cairo that the Government of National Unity should negotiate only with JEM.

[Ahmed Tugod:”Our position has not changed. JEM will not negotiate unless we are by ourselves. If the mediators and the host country or other parties want to include other individuals to be part of the peace talks, alleging that they are Darfur anti-government groups, JEM will not participate in such chaotic talks whose outcome is known in advance. This will never lead to peace in Darfur. Our stance is clear regarding the talks in Doha, if any other party apart from JEM joins the negotiating table, we will not be part of those talks and we will withdraw from the negotiations immediately. We have been fighting the government, we fought with it in Darfur, in Omdurman, and still we have other options, the government knows very well that there is no other group in Darfur that could threaten it, apart from JEM.”

The Egyptian government is organizing a series of meetings in Cairo, which began on Sunday, in an attempt to encourage the Darfur anti-government groups to take a unified approach to the crisis prior to peace negotiations.

4 new Sudan Football Association branch offices have been opened in S. Sudan: Rumbek, Wau, Rajah and Aweil

Here is some encouraging news for football players in Sudan. The Chairman of southern Sudan’s Football Development Committee, Mr Andrea Abdallah, is calling on the Government of southern Sudan to support the efforts of the Sudan Football Association to rebuild football stadiums in the region.

Great news. From Sudan Radio Service, Tuesday, 14 July 2009:
South Seeks More Stadiums

(Khartoum) – Mr. Abdallah told Sudan Radio Service in Khartoum on Sunday that southern Sudan has the opportunity to host regional tournaments but the southern stadiums are not up to standard.

[Mr. Andrea Abdallah]: “We have a problem. In the whole of southern Sudan, the only stadium with a grass pitch is in Juba. We are calling on the leadership in Juba to help us build grass pitches. We want them to install lights in the stadiums of Wau, Juba and Malakal. And if we are able to build extra stadiums for the new football clubs around southern Sudan this will be of great benefit, rather than having just one stadium. With them, we can host tournaments. For instance, in 2011 there will be the African Cup of Nations for non-professionals. If we get such a chance we will have no problem hosting it in southern Sudan.”

The chairman said four new Sudan Football Association branch offices have been opened in southern Sudan. Rumbek, Wau, Rajah and Aweil are the first of ten offices which have are scheduled to open, to complement the existing ones in the region.

Let's hope that sponsors of football and sport in general take an interest in Sudanese athletes, players and sports venues enabling Southern Sudan to host 2011 African Cup of Nations for non-professionals. Incidentally, the Olympics in 2011 are to be held in London. I'm pleased to report that the huge amount of work involved is going very well and on time. The whole nation is looking forward to the event.

Click on CECAFA label here below to view previous reports on footballing in Sudan.

Sudan women 'lashed for trousers'

Several Sudanese women have been flogged as a punishment for dressing "indecently", according to a local journalist who was arrested with them.

Lubna Ahmed al-Hussein, who says she is facing 40 lashes, said she and 12 other women wearing trousers were arrested in a restaurant in the capital, Khartoum.

She told the BBC several of the women had pleaded guilty to the charges and had 10 lashes immediately.

Khartoum, unlike South Sudan, is governed by Sharia law.

Several of those punished were from the mainly Christian and animist south, Ms Hussein said.

Non-Muslims are not supposed to be subject to Islamic law, even in Khartoum and other parts of the mainly Muslim north.

Full story: BBC News, Monday, 13 July 2009 - Sudan women 'lashed for trousers'

Click on label here below - Sudan women 'lashed for trousers' - for related reports and further updates.

Rwanda's Atraco has toppled Sudan’s El-Merrikh to win the CECAFA 2009 clubs championship trophy in Omdurman

Well, this is disappointing news.  Various news reports led one to believe that Sudan’s El-Merrikh would be win.  Congratulations to Rwanda.
From Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 13 July 2009 –
Atraco Win CECAFA Trophy Against El Merrikh

(Khartoum) – Rwanda's Atraco has toppled Sudan’s El-Merrikh to win the CECAFA 2009 clubs championship trophy in Omdurman. The final on Sunday was expected to be a replay of the tournament’s opening when El-Merrikh had an easy 6-1 win over Atraco but surprisingly enough the Rwandan champions changed tactics and replaced key players that helped them wrestle El-Merrikh down.

The editor of Sokar sports newspaper, Mr. Badr Eldin Bakhit, spoke to Sudan Radio Service in the stadium after the match.

[Badr Eldim Bakhit]: “I think El-Merrikh’s coach (Mr. Radan Jacknet) had said from the beginning that he does not want to pressure the players. You can see that he was just seated on the bench without saying anything. It is clear; he is more concerned about the match against El-Hilal than this competition. In the tactics you see today, the defense is supposed to be changed. Look at the midfield, there is Nasrdin Shigail, Lasana Fanie and the wings there are Bala Jabir in the right and Zuma in the left. This is a typical makeup against El-Hilal. He did not concentrate on this match; he is more concerned about the later match against Hilal.”

The Rwandan fans at the stadium expressed their surprise after their victory. Ms. Julie Karanja, a Kenyan who supports Atraco, could not hide her joy.

[Juli Karanja]: “I would just say congratulations Rwanda! They have performed miracles, it is the least expected.”

While it is jubilation and shouts of joy on the Rwandan side, thousands of El-Merrikh supporters who turned up at the stadium left disappointed, including Sudan’s businessman Jamal Al-Wali who sponsored the team in this tournament.

There were five cases of fans who fainted when the last whistle was blown.

The editor of El-Sadda sports newspaper, Mr. Muzamil Abulgasim, a die-hard supporter of El-Merrikh, who gave over twelve thousand dollars in prize money to several players, was more positive.

[Muzamil AbulGasim]: “Again we want to say that the tournament has achieved its objectives and El-Merrikh is not an exception to this because it has got this far in the groupings. This tournament has shown us the weakness and the strengths of El-Merrikh and I hope the tactical team have noted this and will use it in the champion’s league.”

TP Mazembe of the Congo took the third position in the championship after beating Mathare United of Kenya 2-0.

Click on CECAFA label here below to read earlier news reports.
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Hamisi Gitagenda's lone strike gave Atraco victory over Merreikh

From BBC SPORT, Sunday, 12 July 2009:

Atraco stun Merreikh in Cecafa final

Atraco of Rwanda are the surprise winners of this year's Cecafa Club Championship.

They beat the Sudanese favourites El Merreikh 1-0 to take the trophy.

Atraco scored after just 15 minutes through the tournament's top scorer Hamisi Gitagenda.

It is a spectacular result for Atraco who have only been in existence for three years.

Atraco take home prize money worth US$ 50,000 for their efforts.

The runners-up El Merreikh earned US$ 30,000 plus the fair play trophy.

DR Congo's TP Mazembe beat Mathare United of Kenya 2-0 in the third-place play-off.

Mukulukutu Miala and Kaliyutuka Dioko were the scorers for the Congolese club.

Darfur Groups Optimistic They Can Unite - But No JEM or SLM's Nur

From Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 13 July 2009:
Darfur Groups Optimistic They Can Unite - But No JEM

(Cairo) – The Darfur anti-Government groups who are meeting in Egypt say that they are optimistic that they will unite and will reach a common understanding.

The meetings are organized by the Egyptian government in an attempt to encourage the Darfur anti-government groups to take a unified approach to the crisis prior to peace negotiations.

Dr. Sharif Harir, a senior spokesman for the Sudan Liberation Movement-Unity faction, spoke to Sudan Radio Service from Cairo on Monday.

[Dr. Sharif Harir]: “In fact we started the work according to the time table, yesterday (Sunday) was the opening of the meeting, today (Monday) we will discuss the issue of visions and goals, and how we can make our different opinions closer about the issue of negotiation as one of our means of struggle. I think it is going well and I’m optimistic, we are optimistic because this is an essential condition in the success of the movements in achieving the demands and the aspirations of the Darfur people. By our unity we will unite Darfur people.”

The political advisor to the leader of the United Front for Resistance, Abdallah Abakar, also spoke to Sudan Radio Service from Cairo.

[Abdallah Abakar]: “In fact, when we came to Cairo as the different movements and factions of Darfur, the Egyptian government provided a conducive atmosphere for the talks, and they want us to come to a common understanding, because the recent portrayal of the Darfur factions and movements is unacceptable to the world. So they are continuing the Libyan initiative that the movements can come out with a common vision. We, the Darfur movements, have come this time with goodwill, and we have no differences, so what prevents us from being one or at least having a common negotiating theme in any of the coming peace talks?”

The Egyptian government spokesperson, Omar Qenawi, is hoping for a breakthrough in the talks.

[Omar Qenawi]: “There is much discussion about the desire to unite between all of the leaders and decision makers - but talking is not enough. We urge that talk will be transformed into action, so we hope through these meetings we will make a breakthrough, which everybody is waiting for, particularly the people in Sudan and in Darfur.”

Most of Darfur anti-government groups and factions are participating in the Egyptian initiative for unification, except the SLM Abdulwahid’s faction and the Justice and Equality Movement.

See today's news at Sudan Watch: JEM make excuses to avoid peace (again)

GONU became illegal on 9 July under terms of CPA?

From Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 13 July 2009
Opposition Parties Plan Mass Rally Against "Illegal" GONU

(Khartoum) – Last week, the coalition of national opposition parties called for the formation of a national government saying that the current government became illegal on the 9th July under the terms of the CPA.

They threaten to hold a mass demonstration over the legality of the current government.

The Government of National Unity has defended its legal and constitutional legitimacy.

GONU Justice Minister Abdel-Baseet Sabdarat Saleh addressed a press conference in Khartoum on Sunday.

[Abdel-Baseet Sabdarat]: “Who is going to form the government if the President is going to be illegitimate and the President of south Sudan government is going to be illegitimate? There is talk of a constitutional vacuum. Who is going to fill this vacuum?

Is it going to be a voluntary committee? I think these claims are an attempt to make political capital out of the situation.

Article 216 reads as follows: The election is to be conducted within the four-year interim period. It is important to refer to this article, because it doesn’t refer to the period of the Government of National Unity nor to President or First Vice-President nor the President of the south Sudan government or to any level of government mentioned in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.”

Article 216 of the Interim national constitution states that the general elections at all levels of government shall be held not later than the end of the fourth year of the interim period. This period expired on 9th July.

Increased levels of insecurity in southern Sudan

Note that there seems to be little news coming out of Sudan re progress being made on implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement or what to expect from the upcoming ruling on the Abyei boundary.

From Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 13 July 2009:
Kenana Group Upset By Presidential Treatment

(Khartoum) – A group of southern Sudanese politicians calling themselves the “Kenana Group” have accused the President of the Government of southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit of refusing to meet and discuss with them the future of southern Sudan.

Speaking at a press conference in Khartoum on Sunday, the deputy-chairman and the official spokesperson of the Kenana Group, Angelo Beda, said his group has been disappointed by the treatment they received from Salva Kiir.

[Angelo Beda]: “The Kenana Group of south Sudanese political leaders, political activists, intellectuals, and elders, who met in Kenana, White Nile State, between 1st-3rd April 2009, hereby wish to release the letter the group had written to the President of the GOSS and the Chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, General Salva Kiir Mayardit. The document contains many issues of concern to the Kenana Group, about the situation in south Sudan. Since the issues in the document concern the future of our country and our people, we wish to make it known to the Sudanese public that we are most disappointed with the treatment our group has received from the President of the GOSS, refusing to meet our committee, for nearly four months. That is why it became necessary to publish the letter.”

Beda explained that the letter they submitted to the GOSS President contained four key issues of concern to the people of southern Sudan which include a review of the implementation of the CPA in southern Sudan over the last four years and preparation for elections and the referendum scheduled for 2011.

He claimed that President Kiir refused to meet them because of misinformation about the Kenana Group.

[Angelo Beda]: “An inaccurate report was taken to them in advance, we got the copy of the this report, which contained information which we never discussed, like we are going to use the elections to remove them from power It said that certain people left the National Congress Party to join the SPLM. They talked of a false scenario in which, if the President of the Republic is arrested [by the ICC], the NCP will destroy the South — all these are wrong. This information was wrong. This information was made for their gain and somebody went and handed it over to the president and we who are politicians, we could not meet the president.”

Beda said the Kenana group is not seeking political positions, but they are concerned about the future of southern Sudan.

He cited the increased levels of insecurity in southern Sudan, mentioning the incident in which three police officers were shot dead by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Yambio town in Western Equatoria in 2007. Up to now, no investigation has been conducted into that incident.

The Kenana group will meet again on Monday night in Khartoum to discuss the next step they will take after having failed to meet the GOSS President.

More people have been killed in South Sudan than Darfur in recent months

The United Nations say that more have died in the south in recent months from violence than in the war-torn western region of Darfur.  

Anger is high after Lou fighters massacred 71 people in the Jikany village of Torkech in May.

Clashes between rival groups in the south have taken place for generations, over resources, land or livestock.  

But these well-planned attacks are no simple disputes over stolen cattle.

Women and children are now also deliberately targeted - something elders say never happened in the past.

Southern President Salva Kiir says he is "convinced beyond any doubt" that the fighting is the work of "outside forces".

Who is really responsible for the violence, and what lies ahead for Sudan, is unclear.

However, if the past is anything to go by, it will be the most vulnerable who once again suffer most.

Full story:   BBC News, Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Could Sudan clashes herald return to war?
By Peter Martell, BBC News, Nasir, southern Sudan

Click on Jonglei label here below for related reports and latest updates.

Uganda willing to arrest al-Bashir for war crimes

Uganda said Monday it would arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir if he enters the country, an unusual stance after a summit of African leaders denounced the international arrest warrant against al-Bashir.

Henry Oryem Okello, Uganda's minister for international affairs, spoke after meeting with the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo, in Kampala.

"It is a legal obligation for Uganda to arrest Bashir if he comes to Uganda," Ocampo said.

Full story from Associated Press by Godfrey Olukya - Monday, 13 July 2009, KAMPALA, Uganda: Uganda willing to arrest al-Bashir for war crimes

USAID has done some sort of audit of Care projects it has funded only to find that millions of dollars cannot be accounted for

From Rob Crilly's blog post, July 13, 2009 -
Shoddy Deals for Darfur - excerpt:

It turns out that Scott Gration is some sort of old chum of Helene Gayle, chief executive of Care USA, and was on the blower to her for a favour to help his deal get off the ground.

At the same time, USAID has done some sort of audit of Care projects it has funded only to find that millions of dollars cannot be accounted for. USAID is one of Care's biggest donors and was able to then dictate that the charity returned to Darfur, or else...