Sudan Radio Service's producer visited Malakal market, Upper Nile, southern Sudan

Mixed Messages From Malakal On Security
Report by SRS - Sudan Radio Service, 21 December 2009:

(Malakal) – In Malakal, Upper Nile state, residents have mixed views about the security situation, some saying that the situation is calm, while others are living in fear.

Our producer, Hussein Halfawi, visited Malakal market on Thursday and spoke to residents. He sent this report.

[Halfawi]: “Malakal, in Upper Nile state appears to be enjoying a special and unique festive atmosphere, despite the insecurity and bloody tribal clashes that the area had experienced during the past four years. The city is calm and the security is pretty normal, as you can hear in the background, people are busy in the market, restaurants and shops are working normally, and you can hear different types of music playing in the shops. Life is so normal here so far, people here greet each other everywhere as if they are one family, despite the political conflicts, the lack of development and the tribal clashes that erupt from time to time which could badly affect this beautiful city. Let us now hear how the people feel here in the market.”

[Female 1]: “Really the security situation is very difficult in the area, we are close to Christmas now and everyone is scared that a problem can suddenly occur and they will start running. Women here are ready and willing to celebrate Christmas in peace and stability, but still there is fear inside them because the security situation is bad due to the increase in the tribal clashes. We don’t know what the solution will be. The state government itself is the one contributing to the deterioration of security."

[Male 1]: “While I’m talking to you now, I feel scared. If I hear a car tire burst I will just run without asking what has happened. This is the situation, everyone is careful. Here in the market, we are the most scared people, now I have learnt how to shut down my shop in less than a minute and run.”

However some people think that the security situation will be calm, following the appointment of the new governor.

[Male 2]: “Actually currently there are a lot of changes in Malakal, unlike before. As far as security is concerned, we are actually stable, the way I see the security level for the time being, it seems to me the security is improving and we are expecting more improvement."

[Male 3]: “Generally, there is no fear, people are just scared for nothing, there is nothing happening inside the state. When they changed the governor, people thought there would be chaos and that the new governor will face difficulties, but we thank God there is no problem and it went peacefully."

Those were the views of Malakal residents on the security situation in the area.

Early this month, there was tension in the state when the former governor, Galuak Deng Garang, refused to hand over his position to the newly-appointed governor, William Othwonh.

- - -

Further news from Sudan Radio Service 21-Dec-2009

• NCP Passes National Security Legislation - Which Salva Kiir Refuses To Sign
• Unfinished VIP Facilities Cause CPA Celebrations To Be Postponed in Western Equatoria
  
• Upper Nile Finance Minister Reveals Plot To Steal Public Funds
• Sudanese Six Still Missing In Kenya
• Kala Azar Disease Kills 11 in Jonglei

UN chief: Civil society and rebel groups agree to resume talks in Doha Qatar 18 Jan followed by talks between Government and rebel groups 24 Jan 2010

Quote of the Day

"It will be the Sudanese people who solve Sudan’s problems. But working together, the United Nations and the African Union can provide them with critical assistance on their difficult journey towards lasting peace and prosperity." -UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, 21 December 2009.

Source: Report on UN Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council’s briefing by the African Union High-level Panel on the Sudan, in New York today, 21 December 2009.
From:  UN Department of Public Information, News and Media Division, New York.  Copy in full:

UNITED NATIONS, AFRICAN UNION CAN PROVIDE CRITICAL HELP ON SUDANESE PEOPLE’S JOURNEY TOWARDS LASTING PEACE, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS SECURITY COUNCIL

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks to the Security Council’s briefing by the African Union High-level Panel on the Sudan, in New York today, 21 December:

I am honoured to be with you today, and to welcome this esteemed delegation. Today’s meeting is an important symbol of collaboration between the African Union and the United Nations. It is also another concrete demonstration of our common commitment to work with the Sudanese people in addressing the serious challenges they face.

Today the Panel will brief you on their report which has been adopted in its entirety by the African Union Peace and Security Council. The Council also established a High-level Implementation Panel comprised of former Presidents Thabo Mbeki, Pierre Buyoya and retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar. We are privileged to receive their first-hand briefing.

The report of the High-level Panel provides a frank assessment and insightful analysis of the situation in Sudan and offers numerous proposals for the way forward. Perhaps above all, the Panel members have insisted on seeing Sudan in its totality. They have clearly articulated the links between the crisis in Darfur and broader efforts to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

Their insights come at a critical moment. In little more than three months, elections are scheduled to take place. In just over a year, the two referenda are scheduled, which will determine the future shape of Sudan. The National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM), as the two parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, have taken steps to prepare for these major events, but there is still much to be done.

We must remember that neither the election nor the referenda are ends in themselves. Managing the results -- whatever the outcome -- will require genuine cooperation between the NCP and the SPLM. In the meantime, violence -- in South Sudan in particular -- is occurring on a disturbing scale and frequency.

In Darfur, the peace process has reached a critical point. Chief Mediator Djibril Bassolé has been working with the Government of Qatar to generate momentum by giving civil society a strong voice at the peace talks. Representatives of civil society and armed movements have agreed to resume consultations in Doha on 18 January next, which will be followed by direct talks between the Government and the movements on 24 January 2010.

Efforts must continue to encourage the Government, and more especially the rebel movements, to make concessions and embrace the consensus which Mr. Bassolé is building. In my view, the High-level Implementation Panel, and the international community at large, has a critical role to play here. By giving Mr. Bassolé our unequivocal support, we will send a strong message to all parties that they must engage in the negotiations he is leading.

Beyond this, the Panel can make an invaluable contribution to the “soft-landing” we are all working towards after the election and referenda, by helping the parties to the CPA to bridge their differences. This is an outcome that is badly needed for Sudan itself, but also for Sudan’s neighbours and, indeed, for all of Africa. The High-level Panel also addressed the difficult issues of justice and reconciliation in Sudan. Their efforts to develop creative and pragmatic proposals are highly commendable.

We must keep sight of the importance of compliance with Security Council resolution 1593 (2005), referring the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court.

I have just concluded a very productive meeting with the visiting delegation, in the course of which we agreed on the importance of continuing close AU-UN cooperation on Sudan. Beyond our co-management of UNAMID, we must make every effort to ensure that the activities of the United Nations in Sudan and the work of the African Union’s High-level Implementation Panel are mutually supportive.

It will be the Sudanese people who solve Sudan’s problems. But working together, the United Nations and the African Union can provide them with critical assistance on their difficult journey towards lasting peace and prosperity.

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Further reading

REPORT OF THE AFRICAN UNION HIGH‐LEVEL PANEL ON DARFUR (AUPD) OCTOBER 2009

UN Radio - African Union panel briefs the Council on Sudan - 21 December 2009

SECURITY COUNCIL REFERS SITUATION IN DARFUR, SUDAN, TO PROSECUTOR OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT - Resolution 1593 (2005) Adopted by Vote of 11 in Favour To None Against, with 4 Abstentions (Algeria, Brazil, China, United States)

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Sudanese minister says GONU will do more to protect NGOs

Report from SRS - Sudan Radio Service, 17 December 2009:
State Minister Says GONU Will Do More To Protect NGO Staff

(Khartoum) – The Government of National Unity has acknowledged the existence of a humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

Speaking after his visit to European countries on Tuesday, the State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Abdulbagi al-Geilani said that there are humanitarian needs in Darfur and southern Sudan that have to be resolved.

[Dr. Abdulbagi al-Geilani]: “If we say we don’t have a problem, we are lying to you. We have problems in Darfur; we have problems in southern Sudan and with the CPA. We do have problems with the CPA. They don’t talk of the 80 percent that has been implemented, what they talk about is the 20 percent of the CPA which has not been implemented. Why are we not concentrating on the eighty percent of the CPA which is already implemented? There are some areas that are disputed, let us deal with these and concentrate on them. But always they are focusing on the non-implementation of democratic transformation as if the whole of the CPA is connected with two or three laws. Now people have sat down and resolved them, it means that we need to concentrate on the positive issues.”

Al-Geilani added that there is no war in Darfur and he blamed armed bandits for being responsible for threatening humanitarian operations in the region.

[Dr. Abdulbagi al-Geilani]: “There is no war in Darfur, there are some bandits threatening humanitarian operations, because they target humanitarian workers. This indirectly affects the humanitarian operations. We said that the Sudanese government has solutions to these problems. Firstly we must provide security for the staff and offices of humanitarian organizations; we must give them some kind of protection. They refused this idea because they thought it might damage their credibility and their independence. As you heard, two aid workers were released after 107 days. This shows that the mechanisms which we have begun to put in place are functioning.”

Last month, al-Geilani visited Morocco, Britain, Ireland and Columbia to attend conferences on humanitarian issues in these countries and to discuss ways of resolving the Darfur conflict.

Sudan Radio Service speaks to residents in Malakal, Upper Nile, southern Sudan

Report from SRS - Sudan Radio Service, 16 December 2009:
Malakal Residents Optimistic After NCP-SPLM Accord

(Malakal) – Residents in Malakal, Upper Nile state, have expressed their satisfaction following the announcement by the two principle signatories to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that they have reached an agreement on referendum and popular consultation legislation.

Over the weekend, the NCP and SPLM reached an agreement over the referendum laws for southern Sudan and Abyei and the popular consultation process for Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

SRS spoke to some residents in Malakal on Tuesday.

[Resident 1]: “I hope the two partners, despite the time they are taking to dodge these issues, will eventually agree to solve them, because these issues concern everyone. Even Pagan Amum and Yassir Arman had urged that these issues should be resolved, because people are heading for the referendum without any clear solution being reached. But we thank God that the two partners have agreed about most of their differences, hoping that even the remaining issues will be solved.”

[Resident 2]: “My opinion regarding the agreement of the two partners and the pending issues is that these are very important things. They are the partners who are responsible for the CPA and they are the only two parties who can implement the CPA. This is a good step which will lead to the democratic transformation that people are demanding.”

[Resident 3]: “After many differences, arguments and arrests, the two partners have decided to agree. As long as they have agreed on something that will lead the country forward, that is good.”

The parties agreed that a 60 percent turnout of registered voters and a 50 plus 1 percent 'Yes' vote would enable the south to declare independence following the referendum for self-determination which is scheduled to take place in 2011.

SLM's Minnawi calls for more opposition demonstrations to establish a 'better Sudan'

Report from SRS - Sudan Radio Service, 16 December 2009:
Minawi Calls For More Opposition Demonstrations

(Khartoum) – Senior presidential advisor Minni Arko Minawi is calling on political parties to continue staging demonstrations, saying it is the only way to establish a 'better Sudan'.

Minawi, who is also the leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement-Minawi faction, spoke to SRS during a ceremony to celebrate the release of the people who were detained following demonstrations on Monday in Khartoum.

[Minni Minawi]: “If the situation is complicated, people will become more agitated. Why? Because next April people are hoping that the elections will determine the destiny of Sudan. But I say it is time to establish the real Sudan, because as it is, the real Sudan is not well established. If we build Sudan on mistakes, it will continue to have catastrophes but if it is correctly established, it will move forward. If we continue to be scared of the authorities and those in power, our rights will be lost forever. But if people stand together today, men and women, for sure things will change. For that reason I would like to appreciate, praise and thank our brothers who participated in the demonstrations.”

About 50 people were arrested by police on Monday following an attempt to stage a rally in front of the National Assembly to demand pro-democracy reforms to pave the way for 2010 elections.

Sudan African National Union expresses election doubts

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, 16 December 2009:
SANU Expresses Election Doubts

(Juba) – The Sudan African National Union has expressed its concern that the forthcoming general elections will neither be free nor fair.

SANU chairman Dr. Toby Madut told SRS that the election process is too complicated, particularly as it will be conducted during the rainy season:

[Dr. Toby Madut]: “We are going to be voting in the rainy season and we think this is not the right time of year for elections. Secondly, we feel that the way voting is done, the way a voter has to vote 12 times, is really inconvenient and not only inconvenient but our people will not be able to vote properly. Most of the people are illiterate and don’t understand all these procedures and if we go ahead with this type of voting then many people will not vote properly - or at all.”

He added that the elections will also not be free and fair if the government does not provide funding for political parties to enable them to explain their policies.

Madut also feels that the elections should take place at different times and not all together:

[Toby Madut]: “There should be several phases of elections. In the first phase, people should only vote to elect the President of the Republic and the President of the Government of Southern Sudan and the Governors. Then, after a year, people can vote for the constituencies, the women’s lists and the party lists.”

SANU is currently selecting its candidates to stand in the forthcoming elections scheduled for April 2010.

South Sudan: NCP accuses SPLM of registering voters after December 7 deadline

Hello, the second paragraph of this report made me laugh. Maybe I'm in a funny mood today and this report is not funny at all.

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, 15 December 2009:
NCP Accuses SPLM of Registering Voters After December 7 Deadline

(Khartoum) – The National Congress Party is accusing the SPLM of registering voters after the registration exercise has officially ended.

The NCP secretary for Greater Bahr el-Ghazal, Matthew Mayor, told SRS on Tuesday in Khartoum that the voter registration exercise is still continuing in some parts of southern Sudan. Voter registration officially ended in Sudan on December 7.

[Matthew Mayor]: “Yesterday, we discovered that they were still registering people and we launched an investigation. We received accusations three days ago saying that the SPLM is still registering voters, even after the end of the official period. The registration papers have been seen at the polling stations. They have still not been collected and we are concerned that registration is still underway even after the end of the official period. People who are in the field are saying the SPLM is still registering soldiers. Of course this is not a simple issue, it is a big one and we will discuss it with the relevant authorities, which is the commission. This is a violation of the voter registration exercise.”

SRS attempted to contact the head of voter registration at the NEC, Alhadi Mohamed Ahmed, but he was unavailable for comment.

South Sudan: Teachers in Juba return to their classrooms after being paid

Good news from SRS - Sudan Radio Service, 15 December 2009:
Teachers End Strike in Juba County

(Juba) – Teachers in Juba county went back to school on Tuesday after being paid their salaries for September and October.

The teachers’ representative, the headmaster of Juba Day Secondary School, the Rev. Daniel Swaka, speaking to Sudan Radio Service on Tuesday, confirmed that the strike had ended:

[Rev. Daniel Swaka]: “The teachers held a meeting and decided that they stop the strike and immediately start classes on the 15th which is today and in fact in the early morning as usual we came to the school and the lessons started normally which is an indication that the strike is already off.”

Teachers in Juba county went on strike in early November in protest against the government whom they accused of withholding salaries for September and October.

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SLA's Minnawi calls for implementation of Darfur Peace Agreement

On Saturday, Minni Arko Minnawi met with the First Vice-president of the Republic of Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit.

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 14 December 2009:
Minawi Calls For Implementation of DPA

(Khartoum) – The senior Presidential Assistant, Minni Arko Minawi is urging the Government of National Unity to implement the Darfur Peace Agreement.

Minawi spoke to journalists in Khartoum on Saturday following his meeting with the First Vice-president of the Republic, Salva Kiir Mayardit.

[Minni Minawi]: “We discussed major issues concerning Sudan and Darfur. The First Vice-president briefed us on the meetings between the SPLM and the National Congress Party. I demanded that there must be a statement regarding the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement and that the DPA should be implemented as soon as possible. In addition, laws should be enacted so that all of us are on an equal footing in implementing the agreements, passing key laws and moving the democratic transformation process forward.”

Minawi, who is also the leader of the Sudan Liberation Army, signed the DPA with GONU in the Nigerian capital Abuja 5th May 2006, before breaking ranks with GONU later in the year over the issue of UN troop deployment in Darfur.

Sudanese GONU pledges to implement AUPD Report - Mbeki met with Turabi and Mahdi

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 14 December 2009:
GONU Pledges to Implement AU Panel Report

(Khartoum) – The Government of National Unity has repeated its willingness to implement the report of the African Union Panel on Darfur headed by Thabo Mbeki.

Presidential advisor Dr. Ghazi Al-Atabani spoke to journalists in Khartoum on Sunday following his meeting with Mbeki.

[Dr. Ghazi Al-Atabani]: “We have affirmed our readiness to cooperate with the AU panel. We can achieve peace within the time allowed for us because elections will be conducted next April and that will bring in a new government. However, time is limited and so we agreed that we need to move quickly to achieve peace in Darfur. Finally, we agreed that we will consult with them on the procedure to adopt for implementing the report. There are some initial and "non-final" ideas embodied in the report. We have agreed that those ideas need to be explored in greater detail. We have also agreed to hold joint consultations on how to implement them but we do not call these reservations.”

The chairman of the AU panel, Thabo Mbeki, met several northern Sudanese political leaders during his last visit, including the secretary-general of the Popular Congress Party, Dr. Hassan Abdalla al-Turabi and the chairman of the Umma National Party, Saddiq al-Mahdi.

15 million Sudanese voters registered for elections

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 14 December 2009:
NEC Registers More Than 15 Million Voters

(Khartoum) – The National Electoral Commission has announced that more than 15 million voters have been registered for the forthcoming elections.

According to the head of registration at the NEC, Alhadi Ahmed Mohamed, about 15.8 million voters had registered by Sunday.

Alhadi Ahmed Mohamed spoke to SRS in Khartoum on Sunday.

[Alhadi Ahmed Mohamed]: “When we started the voter registration, we were anticipating a sixty percent turnout, or about eleven million people. Now we have exceeded fifteen million and are heading for seventeen million. I think this is a good percentage. Registration was conducted efficiently. During the period, we never faced any security problems, different parties carried out their work perfectly. The higher committees, the registration officials, the police force who secured the places, the government and the donors who paid for the operation; everyone was deeply committed to the process.”

Alhadi Ahmed Mohamed was speaking to SRS in Khartoum on Sunday.

SPLM satisfied with referendum negotiations

GOSS President Salva Kiir returned to Juba on Monday after a breakthrough in discussions with the NCP over legislation concerning referendums to decide the future of southern Sudan and Abyei.

Once the Southern Sudan Referendum law is passed, the Referendum Commission will be set up and the registration process for the referendum will begin. Another commission will also be set up for the Abyei area to determine the criteria for voting for non-Dinka Ngok living in Abyei.

Note that the registration required to vote in the elections scheduled for 2010 is separate and different from the registration process required for the referendum votes and the popular consultation exercise.

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, 14 December 2009:
SPLM Satisfied With Referendum Negotiations Despite Accepting NCP Demands

(Khartoum) – GOSS President Salva Kiir returned to Juba on Monday after a breakthrough in discussions with the NCP over legislation concerning referendums to decide the future of southern Sudan and Abyei. Progress was also made in negotiations concerning the popular consultation process for the people of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile.

The GOSS Minister of Presidential affairs, Dr. Luka Biong, who accompanied Kiir, told journalists that the parties have agreed on a voter participation rate of 60% to enable southerners to be able to vote for secession in the 2011 referendum:

[Dr. Luka Biong]: “I think for the people of southern Sudan it is good news despite the fact that the SPLM was pushing for the turnout percentage to be 55% of the total electorate, with a simple majority of 50 plus one but the SPLM felt that it was necessary to move ahead and to accept the NCP demand for a higher turnout of 60% per cent of the electorate. We think this is achievable because the registration of people in southern Sudan has shown clearly that the turnout could even be more than 60%.”

Dr. Biong added that once the Southern Sudan Referendum law is passed, the Referendum Commission will be set up and the registration process for the referendum will begin.

The Minister noted that another commission will also be set up for the Abyei area to determine the criteria for voting for non-Dinka Ngok living in Abyei.

It is important to remember that the registration required to vote in the elections scheduled for 2010 is separate and different from the registration process required for the referendum votes and the popular consultation exercise.

Sudan's Council of Ministers endorses the referendum law

President al-Bashir, First Vice-president Salva Kiir and the 2nd Vice-president Ali Osman Taha met in Khartoum on Sunday.

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 14 December 2009:
Council of Ministers Endorses Voter Legislation

(Khartoum) – The national council of ministers on Sunday night unanimously endorsed the referendum law for southern Sudan, Abyei and the popular consultation laws for Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

The council had called for an emergency meeting headed by President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and attended by his Vice-president Salva Kiir, together with presidential assistants and advisors.

President al-Bashir, First Vice-president Salva Kiir and the 2nd Vice-president Ali Osman Taha met in Khartoum on Sunday.

President al-Bashir was in a conciliatory mood after the meeting but warned against what he described as outside interference:

[Omar al-Bashir]: “This is an important session and a step towards the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We hope we will move together to accomplish the full mission of the interim period by conducting free and fair elections, which will be an example. Experience has shown that even if the political situation has worsened, when we sit together responsibly, we overcame all the hurdles. I think this is a lesson we can learn from. We have always insisted that we should not involve others, because they turn it into their business.”

The laws will be tabled before the National Assembly on Monday for debate and endorsement before the Assembly is dismissed.

The move follows a breakthrough in negotiations between the two principal partners to the CPA, the SPLM and the NCP, regarding some of the contentious issues in the CPA.

The parties agreed that a 60 percent turnout of registered voters and a 50 plus 1 percent 'Yes' vote in the referendum for self-determination, due to take place in 2011, would lead to the granting of independence for southern Sudan.

Addressing the press, SPLM secretary-general Pagan Amum announced the agreement.

[Pagan Amum]: “We have reached an agreement on the three major disputed laws, which may lead to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The referendum law, self-determination for south Sudan, and the popular consultation law for both South Kordofan and Blue Nile and the referendum law for the Abyei area. This decision agreed upon by the two parties will be presented to the cabinet and then to the National Assembly. We hope that the National Assembly will be ready to adopt these laws before the end of the current session.”

Pagan Amum was speaking during a press conference in Khartoum on Sunday.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and Salva Kiir locked in crisis talks since Thursday

The leaders of Sudan and of its semi-autonomous southern region are having crucial talks in Khartoum.

It is rare for Sudan's most important politicians to meet, but President Omar al-Bashir and Salva Kiir have been locked in crisis talks since Thursday.

The direct head-to-head talks reflect a growing worry in Sudan about the state of the peace process.

The talks are focusing on the remaining issues dividing the sides. Four major areas of disagreement remain between the sides.

Full story by James Copnall, BBC News, Khartoum, Sudan, Saturday, 12 December 2009: Sudanese leaders locked in crisis talks

Sudan leaders reach deal on disputed reforms: SPLM

Reuters - Andrew Heavens, Edmund Blair - ‎50 minutes ago‎

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - A senior south Sudanese official said on Sunday his group had reached a deal with the main northern party on laws related to democratic ...

Sudan leaders reach deal on disputed reforms Reuters UK

Sudan's NCP, SPLM agree on referendum bill Xinhua

Sudan points fingers at France in stirring this week's demonstrations Sudan Tribune

Anyuak Media - Sudan Vision

all 41 news articles »

SPLM-DC arming militia in southern Sudan?

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service , 11 December 2009:

(Khartoum) – The government of Upper Nile is accusing the SPLM-DC of arming a militia in the region.

On Wednesday, the deputy governor of Upper Nile state escaped death after his convoy from Akoka was ambushed by gunmen who were later captured.

The state Minister for Information, Thon Muom claims that one of the gunmen is an SPLM-DC militia member.

He spoke to SRS on Thursday.

[Thon Muom]: “The gunmen that we are talking about support the SPLM-DC. We were ambushed by an organized gang. They attacked us from the roadside while others were blocking the road. After the SPLA soldiers backed us up, some of them ran towards the river. Our soldiers were able to repulse them and we caught some of them. That’s when we discovered that they were an SPLM-DC militia. One of the people we caught is called James Uthou and he admitted that they have a battalion and half in Al-Jazeera and their commander is call Guang Nyaker. They get their supplies from Kodok and are paid from Malakal here.”

Asked to respond to the allegation that his party operated a militia in south Sudan, the SPLM-DC chairman Dr. Lam Akol, brushed off the accusation.

[Dr. Lam Akol]: “The SPLM-DC doesn’t have any militia. I have said that several times. But there are people who want to tarnish our name, people who are afraid of the progress that the SPLM-DC is making in southern Sudan and the popularity which we are getting. They are scared of that. The fighting in the area started six months ago. In January, in the same area where they claim the ambush took place, the Shilluk were shot at by some Dinka. Were they SPLM-DC? In September, some Shilluk armed men retaliated and killed Dinka in Gai-Thiang. Were they for the SPLM-DC? Akoka was attacked last month by some armed men, among the dead were SPLA soldiers. Were they for the SPLM-DC? There is armed conflict all over the south, are they all caused by SPLM-DC militias? Let them take the people they claim to have captured to court. Why have they not taken them to court so that everybody will know that the court has convicted somebody? In any case, we are going to take the minister to court so he can prove his allegations. We are taking him to court for defamation.”

Dr Lam Akol was speaking to SRS from Khartoum on Friday.

CECAFA - Sudan Cup: El-Malakia from Juba is in Khartoum to play against El-Merrikh

Football in southern Sudan is developing and has a bright future. El-Malakia from Juba is in Khartoum to play against national giant El-Merrikh in the quarter-finals of the Sudan Cup. It is the first time in many years that a team from Juba has reached this level of the competition.

The Sudan Football Association (SFA) is holding its Annual General Meeting this week in Khartoum. Six new football associations from southern Sudan have joined this year’s assembly.

Reportedly, finance is the main reason Sudan's national team was not able to participate in this year’s CECAFA tournament in Nairobi, Kenya.

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Thursday, 10 December 2009:

(Khartoum) – The Sudan Football Association (SFA) says that the national team was not able to participate in this year’s CECAFA tournament in Nairobi because of financial constraints.

The Secretary General of the SFA, Rudolf Andrea, spoke to SRS in Khartoum on Thursday.

[Rudolf Andrea]: “The national team needed plenty of training but our financial situation prevented us from participating. The time was so short, by the time the decision was taken, the start of the CECAFA competition was only a week or two away. There wasn't enough time to gather the players and prepare them to go out there to play. Finance is the main reason Sudan is not participating.”

The SFA is holding its Annual General Meeting this week in Khartoum. Six new football associations from southern Sudan have joined this year’s assembly.

In other soccer news…

El-Malakia from Juba is in Khartoum to play against national giant El-Merrikh in the quarter-finals of the Sudan Cup. It is the first time in many years that a team from Juba has reached this level of the competition.

Rudolf Andrea noted that this shows football in southern Sudan is developing and has a bright future.

[Rudolf Andrea]: “El-Malakia team reached this level after defeating Renk Olympic, Rapta Kosti and El-Merriekh from Geneina. I want to say that this is the first time a team from southern Sudan has reached this far in a competition organized by the national football association.”

El-Malakia was beaten 4-2 in Juba by El-Merrikh on Tuesday but still got a place in the quarter finals on points.

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UPDATE - From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, 11 December 2009:

(Khartoum) – Khartoum's El-Merrikh defeated Malakia from Juba 9-0 in the quarter-finals of Sudan Cup soccer tournament on Thursday evening in Omdurman.

Malakia was beaten 4-2 in Juba by El-Merrikh in the first round on Tuesday.

The chairman of El-Merrikh, Jamal Al-Wali, donated 10 million SDG to the Malakia club as well the gate money which is usually divided between the two teams.

Wali said his club donated the money to Malakia to thank them for the warm welcome and the hospitality accorded to El-Merrikh while the team was in Juba this week.

Al-Wali also donated 60 floodlights for Juba Stadium.

The donation to Malakia Football Club was announced during the match.

El-Merrikh will play Al-Hilal, their principal rival, in the final in Khartoum on Monday.

Al-Hilal defeated Al-Mirgani of Kassala 2-1 in Kassala on Thursday to earn their place in the final.

Government of Southern Sudan has officially launched its website at www.goss.org

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Thursday, 10 December 2009:

(Juba) The Government of Southern Sudan has officially launched its website at www.goss.org.

Speaking during the launch ceremony, the GOSS Minister of Information, Paul Mayom, outlined the importance of the website:

[Paul Mayom] “This website puts southern Sudan in a strategic position on the globalized economy to engage effectively and productively with the international community for business development, cultural exchange, democratization and resources mobilization for the corporate well-being of our people. The website will also contribute to the preservation of those positive aspects of our cultures and act as a part of the national memory of our struggles, challenges and hopes. Future generation will turn to its pages to get glimpses of the sacrifices made by our fore fathers. It will also rally them around the national duty to defend the treasure of the liberty for this country.”

Mayom added that the website will also allow southern Sudan to tell its story to the world and take services to its people.

The website was designed by a German firm with funding from the World Bank.

After several weeks of technical difficulties, SRS's website is now up and running again thanks to

Charles Haskins
News Programming Advisor
Sudan Radio Service (SRS)
A project of Education Development Center
Safaricom: +254 715 05 2924
+254 722 20 8598
Thuraya: +882 1643 339 226
Office: +254 (20) 387 0906
Fax: +254 (20) 387 6520
Skype: ackamaracus
www.sudanradio.org

2010 will be the most crucial year in recent Sudan’s history - SID Forum on Conflict: Launch of Sudan Observatory

From Society for International Development (SID)
By Irene Panozzo, November 3, 2009
SID Forum on Conflict: Launch of Sudan Observatory

2010 will be the most crucial year in recent Sudan’s history. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in January 2005 in Nairobi between president Omar al-Bashir’s government and the then southern rebels of the Sudan’s people liberation movement/army (SPLM/A) is approaching its final and most decisive tests: parliamentary and presidential elections, the first multi-party consultation in 24 years, scheduled for next April and, in January 2011, a referendum through which southerners will decide whether to remain part of the largest African country or to secede, giving birth to an independent South Sudan. More than one year in advance, southerners are widely thought to favour separation. In an unprecedented move, on October 31 Salva Kiir, SPLM chairperson and president of the autonomous South Sudan, has clearly linked the vote for independence to a first class citizenship status in a new country for southerners.

Whichever the South’s choice will be, Sudan’s future appears gloomy. The outcomes of different scenarios exercise by Clingendael Institute and the United States Institute for Peace (Usip) go in the same direction: war might erupt again. Even the best case scenario by Clingendael, ‘CPA Hurray!’, doesn’t exclude conflict, though small-scale and localized. The worst case scenarios by both institutes clearly speak of a renewed large-scale war between North and South Sudan, paralleled by North-North and South-South conflicts and a total collapse of the Cpa. Should this future become reality in 2011 and afterwards, the consequences would be felt well beyond Sudan’s borders, with probable dangerous spill-overs in some East African countries, mainly Uganda and Kenya, and in the Greater Horn of Africa region. Moreover, a new North-South war would certainly have repercussions on Darfur, making a quick solution to that crisis even harder and less probable.

Avoiding a new Sudan’s war is thus clearly the main single challenge the country and its leaderships, both in the North and in the South, must face and possibly win. There is little time left for it: elections will be held in less than six months and there is still a large number of unsettled and potetially disrupting issues blocking the process. North-South borders have not been demarcated yet and the two partners in the government of national unity (GNU), president Bashir’s National Congress Party (NCP) and the SPLM, have an ongoing dispute over the use of last year census results, on which part of the electoral process is based.

However, the most urgent issue to solve is the reform or promulgation of a bunch of laws, provided for in the CPA. At the end of November the last pre-electoral parliamentary session will end. The National Assembly has then the next few weeks only to discuss and vote outstanding bills such as the ones reforming the national security and intelligence services and setting the rules for the 2011 southern referendum. While on the latter the two peace partners are still working for a compromise, few weeks ago the NCP tabled a National security forces draft law which would allow the intelligence services to retain powers of arrest and search, a provision the SPLM and opposition parties say would violate the interim constitution. Therefore, on October 19 the SPLM bloc decided to boycott parliamentary activities until the NCP presents a clear timetable to speed up discussions on the remaining bills, so as to have them approved within the end of November. Failing that, the former southern rebels and some opposition parties have already said they will boycott April general elections.

Preserving the CPA and fostering its full implementation could also help address the Darfur crisis, looking at it through a national lens. Significantly, the new US Sudan policy, formally announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on October 19, gives new emphasis to the troubled relationship between North and South for its importance in itself and as a means to approach Darfur problem for what it is: another (unfortunately not the first, hopefully the last) Sudan’s war. The African Union high level panel on Darfur (AUPD), headed by former South Africa’s president Thabo Mbeki, has come to a similar conclusion: in their final report, adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council on October 29, the AUPD members underlined that “Darfur is an integral part of Sudan” and Sudanese people should be enabled “to approach the next important phase of their history as one nation”. Therefore, the AUPD concluded, “there is an urgent need to secure a definitive peace settlement for Darfur before the 2010 general elections”. Time is running dramatically short.

About Irene

Irene Panozzo (Dr.) is researcher and journalist, expert of Sudanese history and politics. Irene’s research work has been focusing on Sudan for more than ten years, with a particular focus on North-South relationship. Her research interests also include the Chinese presence in Africa and the international relations of African countries. Irene holds a bachelor’s in International and Diplomatic Sciences from the University of Trieste and a PhD in History, Institutions and International Relations of Extra European Countries from the University of Pisa.

Get in touch with Irene via Email.

Jan Pronk: Millions of homeless people and children living in forgotten cities

Quote of the Day on refugee camps

"Thatched huts are upgraded into slums. Camp dwellers start exchanging belongings amongst themselves. Barter develops into markets. People try to make a living through prostitution and crime. Idleness fosters addiction to alcohol and drugs. Combatants come to hide themselves for a while within the camp and recruit youngsters for their militias. People in the camps start organizing themselves. The camps develop into cities, with an economy, a power structure and increasing violence.

Camps are cities in suspense. They suffer from shortages of water and sanitation, shaky food deliveries, oscillating relief assistance, despotic rulers, lawlessness and insecurity, both around the camp and inside."

-Jan Pronk, October 2009 (see copy below).

Professor Jan Pronk (pictured above) the UN Secretary General's former Special Representative to Sudan, now lives and works in The Netherlands. Here is a recently published column from Prof. Pronk's website.

Forgotten
By Jan Pronk
SID, 29 October 2009

Millions of people are living in forgotten cities. They are refugees and displaced persons, put away in camps at the margins of the modern world. Hardly ever a camp is closed down. Camps are swelling in order to offer refuge against continuing or newly emerging danger. Generations stay for decades in one and the same camp. They are doomed to die on the same dumping-ground where they had been born.

Is this acceptable? It seems to be, actually. The world outside is hardly offering a perspective on a new life outside the camps, only some to establish a little order within the camps themselves. Sustaining refugee survival within camps is easier and cheaper than halting the violence which they had to escape. They receive food, plastic sheeting, bore-holes and first aid. Clinics are set up to provide mother and child care. Occasionally some children get a little schooling, mostly in the open air, without books, pens, paper, blackboard and chalk and without salaries for the teachers. Thatched huts are upgraded into slums. Camp dwellers start exchanging belongings amongst themselves. Barter develops into markets. People try to make a living through prostitution and crime. Idleness fosters addiction to alcohol and drugs. Combatants come to hide themselves for a while within the camp and recruit youngsters for their militias. People in the camps start organizing themselves. The camps develop into cities, with an economy, a power structure and increasing violence.

Camps are cities in suspense. They suffer from shortages of water and sanitation, shaky food deliveries, oscillating relief assistance, despotic rulers, lawlessness and insecurity, both around the camp and inside.

The joy of having reached a sanctuary can boost a perspective. It can lead to action and persistence. However, in most camps life is marked by traumas and uncertainty. In these camps suffering abounds and life is desolate and empty.

In all refugee camps life and thought are determined by two things only: memories and expectations. Recollections prevail. Inside the camps everything is being relived, time and again. Bombardments and attacks are recalled and retold. Rape and killings come back to mind daily, together with the nightmares of the flight, the threats and terrors on the way, the fear not to last out. Not all refugees are able to reach safety. In Darfur one out of every seven refugees has been killed.

The recollections go together with the hope of a future in safety, outside the camp, and with expectations about life in decency. Camp dwellers are longing for return to the place where they did belong. They cherish the hope of reconstructing hearth and home and the desire resuming life back home or building a new existence somewhere else..

Refugees tell stories, time and again. Twenty five million refugees, and as many stories. In their stories the past prevails. But at the same time they are mesmerized by the future. People hope, without expecting much. They live between hope and desperation.

A camp may seem to be a static unit of time and space, dead and empty. However, it forms part of a turbulent history, part of a life full of tenacity and yearning. Present life within the camps is a function of both the past and the future. It is the sum total of stories, memories and contemplations, nothing more, but also nothing less: when expectations are betrayed and hopes are dashed, there is nothing left.

For refugees and displaced people in camps the present is empty, an endless repetition of nothingness: no jobs; no information; education devoid of sense; food, water, health and security in doubt – and, for the rest, waiting, just waiting, without any expectation. People sense that they have been forgotten, excluded and deprived of their rights. They find that they are voiceless, powerless and without any perspective. This feeling is right. In the eyes of people in the world outside a refugee is a loser, irrelevant, a burden, worthless, unworthy of rights indeed.

The longer the present will last, the emptier life will become. For millions of refugees and displaced people this is the reality of today. For them the future is a void, it means suffering. The past, on the other side, equals violence and death. The world they fled was a jungle. The camp, upon arrival, was a hiding place, an asylum and a sanctuary. However, gradually it became a dump, a junk heap and a prison. Like dumping grounds are being covered with soil to put these out of sight, camps are wrapped up with relief to salve our conscience. Rather than offering women, children, old age people, farmers, villagers and other civilians protection against evil powers that force them to seek refuge in a camp, the world is shielding itself from the camps with a thick layer of indifference. Rather than receiving displaced people in our midst we bury them far away from our own cities, outside our habitat, somewhere deep below the surface of a civilized society, like in dungeons where they easily are forgotten, out of sight, out of the picture, out of our minds.

The longer this lasts, the less hope - “there is nothing left to be done” –, but also: the more bitterness, frustration and resentment. The more refugees consider themselves forgotten, the greater the chance that the violence which they escaped will be fed by camp realities. At a certain moment camp dwellers are no longer interested in a solution of the conflict back home. They may start interpreting the camp as a bulwark behind which walls they cherish their own truths. They then give birth to an offspring which has nothing to loose and will only look forward renewing the fight. The resentment of such a new generation will not only be turned towards the enemy of their parents and ancestors, but against the world as a whole: “The world has written us off, now we are going to write off the world”.

(http://www.sidint.net/forgotten/)

About Jan

Jan Pronk is President of SID as well as Professor of Theory and Practice of International Development at ISS, the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, The Netherlands. From 2004 to 2006 he was Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Sudan, where he was leading the UN peace-keeping operation (UNMIS). He also served as Minister for Development Cooperation and Minister for the Environment of the Dutch government. Having studied economics at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, he has worked as a politician since the 1970s, first as a Member of Parliament for the Social Democratic Party and then as Minister.

Get in touch with Jan via Email.

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Photo from southern Sudan



Untitled photo from southern Sudan from Sudan Watch archives 2006 (source unknown).

Sudanese stabbed in Cairo football dispute

Photos: Algeria v Egypt football match held in Omdurman, Khartoum, Sudan. Algeria beat Egypt 1-0. (Posted at Flickr by Andrew Heavens, Nov 20, 2009)

There is still tension between Egyptian and Sudanese soccer fans following Egypt’s defeat by Algeria in Omdurman, Khartoum, Sudan two weeks ago.

The Egyptians claimed that they were attacked by Algerian fans after the match and that the Sudanese authorities did nothing to protect them.

Source: Report by SRS - Sudan Radio Service, 8 December 2009:
Sudanese Stabbed in Cairo Soccer Dispute

(Khartoum) – There is still tension between Egyptian and Sudanese soccer fans following Egypt’s defeat by Algeria in Omdurman two weeks ago.

Egyptian fans claim that Sudanese police failed to protect them when fighting broke out between rival supporters after the match.

A Sudanese living in Egypt, Mahir Musa, was attacked on Monday following an argument about the match. He spoke to SRS in Cairo.

[Mahir Musa]:"I had gone to visit my relatives in Alashir. At night I went to buy cigarettes from the kiosk. I politely asked the owner of the shop to hand me a cigarette. He then noticed from the way I spoke that I was from Sudan.

He then started talking to me about the football match. From there I said I was not interested in the cigarettes anymore and that he should give me back my money so I could leave. when I said I didn’t want anything from him, I just wanted my money, he started insulting me, I got annoyed and when I responded suddenly he came out from the kiosk carrying a knife and he and his friend started attacking me by stabbing me. My relatives had to take me to the hospital. This is just one of many the incidents happening to Sudanese in Cairo.”

The Egyptians claimed that they were attacked by Algerian fans after the match and that the Sudanese authorities did nothing to protect them.

Photos: Algeria v Egypt football match held in Omdurman, Khartoum, Sudan, posted at Flickr by Andrew Heavens, Nov 20, 2009.



Photo: Algeria v Egypt football match held in Omdurman, near Khartoum, Sudan. Source: Sudan Tribune report November 18, 2009 (KHARTOUM) - Egypt dispatching troops to evacuate soccer fans in Sudan: official

South Sudan: Police stormed Bakhita FM radio station in Juba and attacked a female journalist

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Wednesday, 9 December 2009:

(Juba) – About twenty police officers stormed into Bakhita FM radio station in Juba and attacked a female journalist on Monday afternoon.

The police claimed the journalist insulted them in a broadcast after a riot between students and the police in Juba earlier in the day.

The director of Bakhita FM, Sr. Cecillia Placido, described the incident to SRS on Wednesday.

[Sr. Cecillia Placido]: “The lady was in the compound of Bakhita radio and the gate was locked - because we lock everything. But there is a hole at the back of the fence and the 20 police dressed in their uniforms entered through that opening in the fence. She was just walking in the compound to go and ask a colleague what was happening since the colleague was outside. As she was going out, her colleague was running into the room. She just met the police there and she didn’t know what to do. She found herself in the confusion. People were running inside and she was outside. So she was taken by surprise. At that moment, one of the police said that she was the one who insulted them. They wanted to take her away but she said, "No, not me!" They said, "You come with us!" and she said, "Where?" Of course she resisted and started shouting. When she started shouting they started to beat her. I saw at least 5 men beating her while 20 others were just watching. Beating a lady? She ways already down and they continued beating her and dragged her into the ditch. This is not an attitude of a police.”

Sr. Cecillia added that the police lack discipline and needed thorough training to enable them serve citizen with respect.

[Sr. Cecillia Placido]: “Actually they beat so many people. This person was just one of many incidents. The other day, they beat up and shot a girl call Regina and she was admitted in the hospital. For me this is a painful experience. But as painful as it may seem, let it be a lesson for the police to learn that they have to be trained. Because if they can not handle this situation properly, imagine what is to be expected during the elections. If thieves are attacking me, I call the police, if someone assaults me, I call the police. But if the police attack me, who do I call?”

Juba police and the local reserve denied any involvement in the incident.

Sr. Cecilia said that the woman was taken to hospital by members of the South Sudan Human Rights Commission and that she has resumed work, although she is still traumatized by her experience.

South Sudan: Teachers in Juba have refused to return to their classrooms as a protest

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, 7 December 2009:

[Juba] – A police officer has been wounded and fourteen students have been arrested in Juba during a demonstration in protest at a prolonged teachers’ strike.

Secondary and primary school students exchanged stones for tear gas in a running battle with police along the Juba-Ministries and the Juba-Melekia roads.

Cars were vandalized and motorists were beaten up as traffic came to a standstill at the Mudiria roundabout.

Simon Kalamsakit, a reserve policeman, told SRS that the students will be charged and prosecuted for disturbing the peace.

[Simon Kalamsakit]: “We will charge them for violent behavior, then the judge can release them on bail and then refer the case to the court and the court will decide.”

Teachers in Juba have refused to return to their classrooms as a protest against the non-payment of their October salaries.

Jump upon the peace train - Sudan's UN envoy says Darfur activists are warmongers in a race to stop peace train

According to reports copied here below, Sudan's UN Ambassador Abdalmahmoud Abdalhaleem says Enough Project's activists are warmongers and war traders in a race with time to stop the peace train which is already moving to its destination.  Heh. Peace train.  I like.

Everyone jump upon the peace train


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Copy of blog post from John Prendergast's Enough Project:
Sudanese Ambassador Reacts to Enough’s Latest Paper
Posted by Laura Heaton on Dec 01, 2009

Even before our most recent Sudan strategy paper went public yesterday, the Sudanese ambassador to the United Nations had a strong reaction to our recommendations:

"Those war mongers and war traders are in a race with time to stop the peace train which is already moving to its destination. Their report exposes their bankruptcy and the fact that realities on the ground .... defeated their sick mentality."

These remarks are inadvertently revealing - they just go to show that the ruling National Congress Party is living in a dangerously self-constructed reality. This morning we put out a statement enumerating a handful of facts from the ground that contradict the ambassador's optimistic assessment. Peace train indeed.

Hat tip: GV - Ndesanjo Macha
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Peace Train by Cat Stevens - YouTube



Hat tip: spreadingourwings.blogspot.com

Peace Train by Cat Stevens - Lyrics

Now I've been happy lately,
thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
something good has begun
Oh I've been smiling lately,
dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be,
some day it's going to come
Cause out on the edge of darkness,
there rides a peace train

Oh peace train take this country,
come take me home again
Now I've been smiling lately,
thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
something good has begun

Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller
Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on now peace train

Get your bags together,
go bring your good friends too
Cause it's getting nearer,
it soon will be with you

Now come and join the living,
it's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer,
soon it will all be true
Now I've been crying lately,
thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating,
why can't we live in bliss

Cause out on the edge of darkness,
there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country,
come take me home again

~Cat Stevens (Source: Flickr)
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Sudan's UN envoy says Darfur activists are "warmongers"

Copy of a report from Reuters Mon Nov 30, 2009 12:04am EST
Report urges sanctions against Sudan ruling party
By Louis Charbonneau

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 30 (Reuters) - The United States and other world powers should impose sanctions on key members of the Sudanese government for refusing to end violence in Darfur and south Sudan, a report by an anti-genocide group said on Monday.

Sudan's U.N. Ambassador Abdalmahmoud Abdalhaleem reacted angrily to the report, calling the Enough Project, a Washington-based anti-genocide group, "war mongers."

The Enough Project's report said there was a risk of a new civil war and warned that nationwide elections next year and a 2011 referendum on whether the oil-rich and semi-autonomous south should secede from the Khartoum-led north would not be free and fair.

The report placed the bulk of the blame on the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who was indicted in March by the International Criminal Court for suspected war crimes in Sudan's remote western region of Darfur. The report called for sanctions.

"Without a firm response from the international community, led by the United States, full-scale nationwide war is inevitable," said the report, written by Enough Project co-founder and former U.S. State Department and National Security Council official John Prendergast.

"This should involve a special outreach effort to China because of the vulnerability of its oil investments should war resume in the South," the report said. "The United States must, then, organize and lead a multilateral diplomatic surge in Sudan aimed at negotiating and consolidating national peace."

It recommended "multilateral asset freezes aimed at key members of the NCP who have enriched themselves as a result of the oil boom of the last decade in Sudan." The report also supported travel bans and denying Khartoum access to the debt relief it has been lobbying for.

Sudan's U.N. envoy Abdalhaleem rejected the report.

"Those war mongers and war traders are in a race with time to stop the peace train which is already moving to its destination," he told Reuters. "Their report exposes their bankruptcy and the fact that realities on the ground .... defeated their sick mentality."

DISAPPOINTMENT

The head of Save Darfur, a separate coalition of more than 180 religious, political, and human rights organizations, backed the main conclusions of the Enough Project report.

"Coordinated multilateral action is crucial to promoting peace in Sudan, and that action has to deal with the reality that the core of the problem is the ruling National Congress Party's seeking to maintain its domination of power and wealth," Save Darfur president Jerry Fowler told Reuters.

"It is difficult for me to see how a strategy that doesn't include pressure could succeed," he said.

Behind the complaints of Darfur activists is disappointment with U.S. President Barack Obama's administration, which took nearly 10 months to formulate and announce a new Sudan policy that they worry is not being implemented aggressively enough.

That strategy calls for renewed U.S. economic sanctions on Sudan, but also offers Khartoum new incentives to end violence in Darfur and the South ahead of polls next year.

The former head of the U.N.-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur said earlier this year that the six-year conflict in Darfur was essentially over.

But that assessment was contradicted by a recent report of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who said that fighting between the Sudanese army and rebels continued, civilians remained at risk, and peacekeepers were routinely harassed by government forces. [...] 

(louis.charbonneau@thomsonreuters.com; +1 212 355 6053; Reuters Messaging: louis.charbonneau.reuters.com@reuters.net)

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Thought for the Day

People all over the world Join hands, Start a love train, Love train ...

Podcast: Sudan Radio Project's interview with Radio Mango

The first podcast link here below leads to an interview with my old blog mate Drima, The Sudanese Thinker (hi Drima!).  The third link leads to Sudan Radio Project's interview with a rep from Radio Mango, Khartoum’s first privately-operated radio station, about the growth of commercial radio in Sudan.

From Sudan Radio Project, Sunday, 6 December 2009:

Creating Conversation
This month on the Sudan Radio Project, “Creating Conversation.” We take a listen to in-depth interviews with three remarkable individuals who have carved out their creative niches in and outside of Sudan.

First, we talk with a Sudanese blogger whose provocative writings have narrated the evolution of his personal politics and faith. Listen here.

Then, we hear from a Sudanese musician living in Dubai, whose R&B hits have attracted listeners from across the Middle East. Listen here.

Finally, we speak with a representative from Khartoum’s first privately-operated radio station about the growth of commercial radio in Sudan. Listen here.

Memorial for five Rwandan UNAMID peacekeepers killed in North Darfur, western Sudan

Reading and reporting news of the slaying of peacekeepers in Darfur, western Sudan upsets me as much now as it did when the first peacekeeper departed from Sudan in a coffin. Sorry I lost count a few years ago, but I reckon the Sudan peacekeeper death toll might be nearing 80. Watch out when activists and the ICC's chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo target and speak out in the press against Sudan. Very few UN peacekeepers have perished in southern Sudan where every Tom, Dick and Harry carries a loaded gun.



Photo: Memorial service for the five Rwandans killed in North Darfur. (Source: Rob Crilly)

Five Rwandan UNAMID peacekeepers were killed in North Darfur
Report from SRS - Sudan Radio Service , Monday, 7 December 2009:

[El Fashir] – Five Rwandan UNAMID peacekeepers were killed in North Darfur in two separate incidents on Friday and Saturday.

The peacekeepers were distributing water to internally displaced persons.

On Friday, three peacekeepers were shot dead after coming under fire in North Darfur. Their two colleagues were killed on Saturday in a government-controlled area, also in North Darfur.

Ali Hamati, from the UNAMID press office, spoke to SRS from Darfur on Sunday.

[Ali Hamati]: “Unfortunately, the last incident happened on Saturday, just a day after the Friday incident in Saraf Omra. The last incident happened in Shangel Tobaya in North Darfur, and the Rwandan soldiers who belonged to UNAMID were apparently helping to distribute water to the citizens when they were attacked by people dressed in traditional attire and underneath the attire they had guns. Two peacekeepers working with UNAMID from Rwanda died on the spot and another, who was wounded in the attack, died later on.”

The governor of North Darfur, Mohamed Osman Kibir, announced on Saturday that the men behind the attacks had been arrested and had been transferred to El-Fashir.

On Sunday, the Rwandan government accused the government of Sudan of being behind the attacks.

+ + + Rest In Peace + + +

UN report from NEW YORK, December 9, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - excerpt:

The Secretary-General reiterates the commitment of the AU-UN mission to carry out its important work in Darfur. He notes the Government of Sudan’s rapid action to apprehend the alleged perpetrators and renews his call that those guilty of these cowardly attacks should be brought to justice immediately.

The Secretary-General expresses his condolences to the families of the peacekeepers who lost their lives and to the Government of Rwanda and reiterates his appreciation for their service and commitment to the search for peace in Darfur.

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Postscript
Any attack on peacekeepers constitutes a war crime. For more details, click on Haskanita label here below.



Archived photo: An African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) peacekeeper looks out over North Darfur, western Sudan. (AFP/AMIS/File/Stuart Price)



Photo: UNAMID peacekeepers patrol in North Darfur, 12 October 2009. (UN Photo/Olivier Chassot)

Ex Darfur rebels detain men over peacekeeper killing

Reuters South Africa - ‎Dec 8, 2009‎

Two Rwandan members of the joint UN/African Union UNAMID peacekeeping mission inSudan's Darfur region were shot dead as they distributed water in a refugee ...

Sudan gov't condemns killing of five UNAMID peacekeepers Xinhua

Sudan Arrests Suspects in Attack on Rwandan Peacekeepers in Darfur Voice of America

Three Rwandan peacekeepers killed in Sudan's Darfur BBC News

The Punch - AllAfrica.comall 316 news articles »



ICC Prosecutor Briefs Media on Sudan

See UN News Centre report Darfur crimes continue and Sudan still not cooperating with ICC – Prosecutor (also UN webcast Security Council meeting - 4 Dec. '09)



Photo: Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), speaks to reporters following his briefing to the Security Council on the situation in Sudan, 04 December 2009, United Nations, New York. (UN)

SPLM-DC chair Lam Akol has accused the Government of Southern Sudan of issuing instructions to restrict the party’s activities in the south

Reportedly, the chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC), Dr Lam Akol, says SPLM-DC is not allowed to operate in southern Sudan.  It seems Dr Akol thinks the constitutional court will summon the president of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) to appear before the court.  Dr Akol is quoted as saying "we went to court because the Government of Southern Sudan issued directives to all the ten governors of southern Sudan telling them that the SPLM-DC is not allowed to operate in the South".

On November 9, 2009 the SPLM-DC claimed that they possessed a letter written by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr Luka Monoja, which contained instructions from Salva Kiir, vice-president of Sudan and president of the south, demanding that all the state governors allow political parties to exercise their constitutional rights - except the SPLM-DC.

The SPLM secretary-general, Pagan Amum, speaking to Sudan Radio Service on Thursday, denied any involvement of the SPLM leadership in the affair, said "if he [Akol] is accusing the SPLM, then the SPLM is ready to defend itself. We are ready to go to court to prove that he has no case against us. And definitely, it will also be an opportunity for the SPLM to expose him and the designs of the National Congress Party to destabilize southern Sudan.”

Source:  Before reading the following news report from Sudan Radio Service, it is worth noting that SPLM-DC chairman Lam Akol recently said that he is ready to run for the GOSS presidency if he is nominated. For further details, click on Lam Akol label at the end of this report.

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 7 December 2009:

[Khartoum] – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change has applied to the constitutional court to present a case against the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement.

The SPLM-DC has accused the Government of Southern Sudan of issuing instructions to restrict the party’s activities in the south.

The SPLM-DC’s chairman, Doctor Lam Akol, speaking on Thursday, said the court will summon the president of the Government of Southern Sudan to appear before the court.

[Dr. Lam Akol]: “We haven’t won the case yet. But we presented a case to the constitutional court and they are saying that it is a strong case and therefore they will look into it. We went to court because the Government of Southern Sudan issued directives to all the ten governors of southern Sudan telling them that the SPLM-DC is not allowed to operate in the South. And of course, that is a violation of the constitution, especially articles 29, 30, 39, 41 and it’s against basic human rights. Furthermore, any violation of the constitution is a violation of the CPA.”

The SPLM secretary-general, Pagan Amum, also speaking on Thursday, denied any involvement of the SPLM leadership in the affair.

[Pagan Amum]: “If it is from the Government of Southern Sudan, why would it be against the SPLM? And if it is an order from a government minister to government governors, then I don’t see the SPLM involved in it, even if the SPLM is the ruling party. But if he is accusing the SPLM, then the SPLM is ready to defend itself. We are ready to go to court to prove that he has no case against us. And definitely, it will also be an opportunity for the SPLM to expose him and the designs of the National Congress Party to destabilize southern Sudan.”

On November 9, the SPLM-DC claimed that they possessed a letter written by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Luka Monoja, which contained instructions from Salva Kiir demanding that all the state governors allow political parties to exercise their constitutional rights - except the SPLM-DC.

Photo from Sudan Watch archives:  Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol, seen here in October 2005, gave the cold shoulder to a UN proposal to take over from African Union peacekeepers in Darfur and urged the world to prop up the African body with more funds. (AFP/File/Salah Omar/Sudan Watch archive Friday, March 24, 2006 - Interview: Sudan FM Lam Akol says Sudanese government calls for strengthening of AU mission in Darfur)

PHOTOS - taken by activists showing detention of SPLM leaders and protesters outside parliament in Khartoum, Sudan on 7 Dec 2009

From Sudan Tribune, Tuesday, 8 December 2009:

PHOTOS - detention of SPLM leaders and protesters outside parliament

December 7, 2009 — Below pictures taken by activists on Monday December 7, 2009 showing the detention of the SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum and his deputy for northern Sudan Yasir Arman. They were among the first people to arrive outside the National Assembly in Omdurman at 7:45 am. Five minutes after the arrival of the SPLM leaders the riot police started to arrest and beat protesters

More demonstrators were arrested in front of Omduran police central station at 09:00am following the detention of Pagan and Arman.

CLICK here to view PHOTOS - detention of SPLM leaders and protesters outside parliament.
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From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, 7 December 2009:

[Khartoum] – Police in Khartoum dispersed a demonstration organized by a coalition of opposition parties on Monday.

Security agents arrested the SPLM secretary-general Pagan Amum, his deputy Yasir Arman, and another senior SPLM official Abbas Gumma, who were leading the protest. The men were later released.

Opposition parties had called for a peaceful demonstration in front of the National Assembly to protest against delays in passing key CPA legislation.

The coalition’s spokesman, Farouk Abu Issa, spoke to SRS during the demonstration.

[Farouk Abu Issa]: “The government has deployed its troops on the ground to prevent the demonstration. They shut down the schools and the government institutions and declared the day as a public holiday and decreed that the demonstration was illegal. This measure is a big defeat for a government that pretends that it is strong and claims that it represents the nation.”

SRS was able to speak to SPLM secretary-general Pagan Amum, from the prison where he was being detained.

[Pagan Amum]: “I’m being detained in Omdurman prison, we went out to have a peaceful demonstration, and we informed the authorities in advance, according to the law. The law in article 26/2 allows political parties to organize peaceful political demonstrations. We informed the concerned bodies 72 hours in advance. But the NCP, not the government, decided last night to ban the demonstration and impose a public holiday to ban the demonstration and that is a violation of the constitution.”

The police insist that the demonstration was illegal.

A senior police spokesman, Colonel Abu Obaida El-Iragi, spoke to SRS after the arrests on Monday morning.

[Colonel Abu Obaida El-Iragi]: “The security committee announced yesterday (Sunday) that they had not received any application asking permission for the demonstration. So, no permission was granted. That is why the police announced that any demonstration held on Monday would be illegal.”

GONU reacted to the demonstrations by saying that permitting such demonstrations would lead to “the downfall of the dignity of the country”.

The adviser to the GONU Minister of Information, Dr. Rabie Abdullaati, spoke to SRS on Monday.

[Dr. Rabie Abdullaati]: “No one is above the law. Anyone who violates the law must be prosecuted according to the law. We don’t think that a special dispensation was given to anybody to violate the sovereignty of the law in broad daylight. If we allow such things to happen, it will lead to the downfall of the country’s dignity and the law of the jungle will prevail rather than the rule of law.”

Taj El-Sir Meki, a prominent political analyst based in Khartoum, has condemned GONU for breaking up the demonstration.

[Taj El-Sir Meki]: “The move clearly shows that the regime is not interested in democracy or democratic transformation. First of all, they (GONU) created a very complicated scenario. Last night, they announced a one-day national public holiday on the pretext that people should register to vote, because today (Monday) is the last day. The public holiday meant that the parliament, which was supposed to receive a petition from the demonstrators, was also closed.”

Opposition parties, including the SPLM, have accused the NCP of failing to enact a series of laws required by the terms of CPA. The NCP have responded by demanding that the SPLM should resume their seats in parliament to debate the issue. SPLM MPs have boycotted the Assembly in protest at the delays.

The NCP headquarters in Wau was torched on Monday afternoon by an angry crowd who gathered to protest against the arrest of the SPLM leaders in Khartoum.

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From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, 7 December 2009:

[Juba] – The President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir, has called for the unconditional release of the SPLM officials who were arrested earlier in the day.

Pagan Amum and his deputy, Yasir Arman, were among fifteen people arrested on Monday as they took part in a demonstration outside the National Assembly.

Speaking after an emergency meeting of the SPLM political bureau in Juba, Kiir made this statement on the arrest of Pagan Amum and his deputy, Yasir Arman:

[Salva Kiir]: “Fellow Sudanese, friends, I take this opportunity to address the nation on the current political situation our country. You are all aware that this morning, the political situation in Sudan has yet again taken a shocking direction. Members of the SPLM leadership, constitutional post-holders, and members of the legislature in Khartoum, have been illegally arrested. This prompted us to call for an emergency meeting of the SPLM leadership. We resolved that the situation must be contained. The SPLM leadership also resolved to use all the necessary means to ensure that the country does not revert to war again.”

Kiir went on to insist that action should be taken against those who arrested the two senior SPLM members:

[Salva Kiir]: “We therefore call upon the National Congress Party to unconditionally release all detainees, including the SPLM secretary-general, his deputy, other comrades and any other Sudanese who were arrested this morning. We also hope that these citizens have not been mistreated during their period of detention. Those officers who arrested our members should really be brought to book. It should be noted that any continuation in the arbitrary detention of people will only worsen matters and will not serve the peace and stability of our country.”

The president went on to call for calm:

[Salva Kiir] “We call upon all Sudanese people to remain calm and to exercise the utmost restraint and exercise their constitutional rights of freedom of expression within the law.”

Kiir insisted that President al-Bashir reassured him that all the detainees will be released and that legislation concerning democratic transformation will be passed by the National Assembly.