Sudan court orders vote re-run after YouTube "fraud" film - Al-Turabi arrested - Security Situation in Darfur 17 May

THE security situation in Darfur remains tense following reports on Friday 14 May of fighting in Jebel Moon, West Darfur, between the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudanese Armed Forces, which claim to have killed over a hundred JEM fighters.

In addition, JEM forces have withdrawn from Shangil Tobaya, North Darfur. UNAMID patrols to the area have resumed and the Mission is planning a series of assessment missions to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps near Shangil Tobaya to verify the number of people who settled there after leaving New Shangil Tobaya camp last week.

Meanwhile, Sudanese security agents have arrested the opposition Popular Congress Party leader Hassan al-Turabi and closed down his party's newspaper Al Rai Al Shab.

Armed officers detained Turabi in his Khartoum home late on Saturday and took him to Khartoum's Kober prison. SRS spoke to Al-Turabi’s wife, Wisal Al-Mahdi, on Sunday who described what happened.

Reportedly, a security source told Reuters Turabi's detention may have been related to his alleged links to the Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). Turabi denies any link.

Also, in other news, Reuters reported that Sudan's Supreme Court ordered a re-run of a state assembly election in Red Sea state after an opposition group sent in a video that appeared to show officials stuffing ballot boxes, the National Elections Commission said on Sunday.

"The video was submitted to the court. They cancelled the elections and said they had to be repeated," said commission spokesman Abu Bakr Waziri. The video was originally posted on online video site YouTube.

Further details below.

Darfur / UNAMID Daily Media Brief 2010-05-17
From United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, May 17, 2010/APO:

Security situation in Darfur
The security situation in Darfur remains tense following reports on Friday 14 May of fighting in Jebel Moon, West Darfur, between the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudanese Armed Forces, which claim to have killed over a hundred JEM fighters.

In addition, JEM forces have withdrawn from Shangil Tobaya, North Darfur. UNAMID patrols to the area have resumed and the Mission is planning a series of assessment missions to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps near Shangil Tobaya to verify the number of people who settled there after leaving New Shangil Tobaya camp last week.

Senegalese battalion advance party arrives in El Fasher
A two hundred-member advance party of a military battalion has arrived today in El Fasher, North Darfur, from Dakar, Senegal, to begin preparations for the deployment of the main body, expected to arrive in July.

The troops will be deployed in West Darfur, where they will be the second Senegalese battalion operating in the region. The peacekeepers will be tasked with patrolling villages and IDP camps as well as safeguarding the movements of aid organisations.

Senegal currently has contributed 826 troops and 161 police officers to the Mission. The new arrivals bring UNAMID’s total military force to 17,304 peacekeepers, representing over 88 percent of its authorized strength.

UNAMID Patrols
UNAMID military forces conducted 76 patrols including routine, short-range, long-range, night, and humanitarian escort patrols, covering 68 villages and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps during the reporting period.

UNAMID police advisors also conducted 126 patrols in villages and IDP camps.

Al-Turabi Arrested By Sudanese Authorities
From SRS (Sudan Radio Service) Monday, 17 May 2010:

(Khartoum) – Sudanese security agents have arrested the opposition Popular Congress Party leader Hassan al-Turabi and closed down his party's newspaper.

Armed officers detained Turabi in his Khartoum home late on Saturday and took him to Khartoum's Kober prison.

SRS spoke to Al-Turabi’s wife, Wisal Al-Mahdi, on Sunday. She described what happened.

[Wisal Al-Mahadi]: “They came at 11:30 p.m. and requested to meet Sheikh Hassan for interrogation but they didn’t have any documents. There was a Doshka and pickups with heavy weapons and a long column of security personnel in front of the house. The senior officer entered the house and we talked to him. Al-Turabi’s daughter chased him from the house, telling him that if he wants Sheikh Hassan he will come to them outside. He refused standing near the chair. Then he left. When we went outside the house, there were two Doshkas and all the roads were closed. They took Sheikh Hassan with his children and guards. They went to the political security department claiming they wanted to interrogate him. Then he was taken to Kober prison. They forbid him any food or drink except by permission from the security headquarters which is impossible to get these days, as the whole government is engaged with what is happening in Darfur.”

Wisal said Al-Turabi’s arrest is linked to the Darfur crisis.

[Wisal Al-Turabi]: “I think the government is thinking that we are helping our brothers in Darfur. The government has been killing our brothers in Darfur now for the last eight years. Nobody has managed to resolve this issue because they don’t want peaceful solutions - just military solutions. But they didn’t succeed because the International Criminal Court has been monitoring them. That is why al-Bashir is being investigated. I am afraid they will transfer him to another place so as to distance him from his family.”

Wisal Al-Mahdi, al-Turabi’s wife was speaking to SRS on Sunday.

Photo: Opposition supporters demonstrate against the arrest of Popular Congress Party leader Hassan al-Turabi outside his party's headquarters in Khartoum May 16, 2010. (Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

Sudan security close opposition party paper
From Reuters (Reporting by Andrew Heavens, Khaled Abdelaziz and Opheera McDoom; Editing by Jon Boyle) - Monday, 17 May 2010 - excerpt:

* Security says Turabi "summoned" for questioning
* Court orders vote re-run after YouTube "fraud" film

Early on Sunday, security officers raided Turabi's party newspaper Rai Al-Shaab and arrested several journalists, senior officials from his Popular Congress Party (PCP) told reporters.

A security source told Reuters Turabi's detention may have been related to his alleged links to the Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), which has clashed with Sudan's army over the past week. Turabi denies any link.

Separately, Sudan's Supreme Court ordered a re-run of a state assembly election in Red Sea state after an opposition group sent in a video that appeared to show officials stuffing ballot boxes, the National Elections Commission said on Sunday.

"The video was submitted to the court. They cancelled the elections and said they had to be repeated," said commission spokesman Abu Bakr Waziri. The video was originally posted on online video site YouTube.

Suspended newspaper Al Rai Al Shab not part of Journalist Union
From MirayaFM - Monday, 17 May 2010:

The Chairman of the Sudanese Journalist Union, Mahi el-Din Titawi, said that Al Rai Al Shab newspaper faced a publication suspension because the newspaper rejected regulations issued by the Journalist Union according to the Press Charter. Titawi stated that because the newspaper is not part of the Journalist Union, other institutions will interfere under the premise of protecting general safety and security.

Sudan: Election fraud caught on video?
From Global Voices - 22 April 2010 by Ndesanjo Macha:

A video showing election fraud in Sudan is being circulated online. Sudan's National Elections Commission has dismissed it as fake. The video shows election officials stuffing ballot boxes. Opposition groups claim that the video proves their claims of election rigging by the ruling National Congress Party (NCP). Full story.

News from SRS - Sudan Radio Service:
17-May-2010

• JEM Deny SAF Claims of Casualties in Jebel Moon
• Al-Turabi Arrested By Sudanese Authorities
• Kiir Asks Athor To Apologize For Doliep Barracks Attack
• Rumbek Soldiers Celebrate SPLA Day With Looting And Shooting
• Ex-SPLM Members Try To Rejoin Party After Elections
• Arrow Boys and UPDF Pursue LRA in Western Equatoria

14-May-2010

• Opposition Parties Angry But Not Surprised At Collapse Of Darfur Talks
• Mundri Commissioner Bans Guns in the Streets
• SSRRC Urges Investment in Farming to Overcome Food Shortages
• Ring To Reduce Food Prices In Lakes State
• Sudan Sports Latest

13-May-2010

• Luis Moreno-Ocampo Says Al-Bashir Can Not Hide From Justice
• Athor Is Ready to Fight SPLA
• State Border Peace Talks Begin in Wau
• Guinea Worm On Decline in Western Bahr el-Ghazal

News from The New York Times:

Headlines Around the Web

What's This?

AFP

MAY 14, 2010

Four African countries sign new Nile treaty

CBSNEWS.COM

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Upriver Nile Countries Sign Compact For Water Use

SPERO NEWS - RELIGIOUS NEWS

MAY 13, 2010

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MAY 13, 2010

Southern Sudan's Likely Capital Has Long Way to Go

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MAY 13, 2010

South Sudan Jonglei: Athor's demands

include cancellation of election results.

UNMIS' Jasbir Lidder mediates

More at Blogrunner »

U.S. Strategy on Sudan - Scott Gration's update

From U.S. Department of State via email
Sudan Updates: A Critical Moment For The CPA, Darfur and the Region
By Scott Gration, Special Envoy to Sudan
Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Washington, DC
Wednesday, 12 May 2010 - excerpt:

Whether or not Southern Sudan becomes independent in July 2011, and regardless of whether it includes Abyei or not, the Government of Southern Sudan will require effective leadership as well as strengthened capacity to undertake effective and accountable governance, provide security, and deliver services to its citizenry. A robust, concerted international effort will be required to assist in this capacity-building effort.

In order to assist in building up the capacity of Southern Sudan, we are undertaking a "Juba Diplomatic Expansion" to include staffing and material assistance on the ground in Sudan to support USG foreign policy objectives. Operating under Chief of Mission authority, staff from the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS) and the Civilian Response Corps (CRC) will provide support to Consulate General Juba and complement USAID’s robust presence in the run-up to and following Southern Sudan’s January 2011 referendum. Staff is assisting in strategic and contingency planning, program oversight, and technical assistance, both in Washington and in the field.

In keeping with President Obama’s emphasis on multilateral efforts in Sudan, we are working closely with our partners in the international community through the Troika, Contact Group, and "E6" group of envoys. We have an ongoing dialogue with key regional organizations and states, including the African Union, European Union, Arab League, Sudan’s nine neighboring states, China, Russia, and others. We also regularly engage with the United Nations on UN missions in Sudan. With substantial U.S. input, the Security Council recently renewed the mandate of the UNMIS peacekeeping mission, emphasizing the need for the mission to continue its support to the CPA parties to implement all aspects of the CPA, and requesting that UNMIS be prepared to assist the parties in the referenda process. Promising new leadership on both Sudan peacekeeping missions bodes well for future mission operations. The parties have much to do in the final phase of Sudan’s Interim Period and it is our sincere hope that strong international engagement will further bolster these efforts.

While much attention will be focused on the North-South process over the next year, we continue to work on Darfur and the many important unresolved issues there. A definitive end to conflict, gross human rights abuses, and genocide in Darfur remains a key strategic objective, as made clear in the U.S. Strategy on Sudan. Violence continues in and there are credible reports of continued aerial bombardments by the Government of Sudan. This is unconscionable and we have called on the government to immediately renew its ceasefire.

Following progress in Chad-Sudan relations earlier this year, the Darfur peace talks in Doha saw positive progress with the signing of two framework agreements between the Government of Sudan and Darfur rebels in February and March. We are concerned about the Justice and Equality Movement’s decision to leave the peace talks and are encouraging them to return to the negotiating table The UN and African Union are now working hard to include the voices of civil society representatives in the process, implement a ceasefire on the ground, and enter into meaningful and productive political negotiations between the parties.

While issues such as ceasefires, power sharing, and wealth sharing can be addressed at a high level in Doha, we need to think more creatively about how to bring the people of Darfur into local conversations about compensation, land tenure, and rebuilding their communities. Additionally, as stated in the U.S. Strategy on Sudan, accountability for genocide and atrocities is necessary for reconciliation and lasting peace. In addition to supporting international efforts to bring those responsible for genocide and war crimes in Darfur to justice, we are consulting closely with our international partners and Darfuri civil society on ways to strengthen locally-owned accountability and reconciliation mechanisms in light of the recommendations made by the African Union High Level Panel on Darfur led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki.

Local peacebuilding, rule of law, and reconciliation activities must be revived and strengthened. We should not wait for a negotiated political settlement to begin improving the lives of Darfuris.

[Read more at www.state.gov]

South Sudan Jonglei: Athor's demands include cancellation of election results. UNMIS' Jasbir Lidder mediates

ON THURSDAY (13 May) Radio Miraya reported that in its interview with George Athor, a renegade former senior member of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), Mr Athor demanded the cancellation of the election results, dissolving the current Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and the formation of a new transitional government to supervise holding of the Southern Sudan referendum.

Also, in an interview with Sudan Radio Service (SRS) from an undisclosed location on Wednesday (12 May), Mr Athor said that his talks with the southern government's president-elect are at a standstill. In the interview, Mr Athor is quoted as saying:

“I believe that within days, my attack will be against Bor town because I have learned that Salva is somebody who only likes fighting and he doesn’t want to talk. So it is for him to listen to what we are saying, I am organizing my forces for Bor town, I am organizing my forces for Bor town. [...] my warning to all citizens is that they should leave Bor immediately and any place with military bases, they should leave it, because our target is only the military.”

According to the BBC's James Copnall in Khartoum, on Wednesday morning gunfire was exchanged in Thoudiak between forces belonging to Mr Athor and the Southern army.

Full story here below plus several related reports, including Sudan Tribune's report published Wednesday, 12 May saying:

The United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) has pledged to mediate peace between the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and the renegade Lt. General George Athor Deng.

In a statement to Reuters today, the general Athor said he had been contacted by a UN official offering him to broker a deal with southern Sudan government.

A delegation from UNMIS, headed by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General, Jasbir Lidder, on Wednesday met with the Vice President-designate of the government, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, to explore ways to initiate the process.

The meeting discussed the possibility of halting the crisis by reaching a peaceful settlement to the ongoing clashes in the troubled Jonglei state through negotiations with Athor.

The UN team briefed the Vice President about their ongoing phone contacts with Gen. George Athor whom they said was expressing willingness to negotiate with the government.

The delegation expressed UN’s readiness to provide logistical support for the process.

Dr. Machar appreciated the efforts the UN team has exerted in their direct contacts with Gen. Athor, but however said the government would first make further consultations and review the situation before he could promise a decision to the UN body.

A follow up joint meeting between the government and UNMIS representatives is expected to take place in the next few days in order to try to agree on the way forward.

Photo: Jasbir Singh Lidder (India) Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Source: UNMIS - see biography)

Athor demands cancellation of election results
From Radio Miraya - Thursday, 13 May 2010 - excerpt:

Athor, who recently began rebelling against SPLA, warned against what he described as an imminent comprehensive war in Southern Sudan unless his demands are met. Athor is currently in an area between Duk Padiet and Awet.

He also claimed that he is receiving support from within the Sudan People's Liberation Army.

The SPLA spokesperson Kuol Deim Kuol threatened to eliminate Athor's forces by military means if he continues to make ‘false allegations'. However, he stressed that SPLA wants the issue to be resolved peacefully.

Speaking to Miraya, Kuol Deim Kuol denied the presence of Athor's supporters within the SPLA, adding that Athor's forces are not more than a hundred soldiers, and that they have fled to uninhabited areas.

Listen to George Athor

Listen to Kuol Deim Kuol

Read also: Jonglei Governor: SPLA will defend any rebellion against GoSS (11 May, 2010)

Athor Is Ready to Fight SPLA
From SRS (Sudan Radio Service):

Thursday, 13 May 2010 (Nairobi) – The renegade former SPLA lieutenant-general George Athor says he will defend himself if his demands are not met.

Athor whose forces allegedly attacked on SPLA barracks in Doliep Hill last month has been involved in subsequent clashes with SPLA soldiers this month.

In an interview with SRS from an undisclosed location on Wednesday, Athor told SRS producer Daniel Danis that talks between him and the GOSS president-elect are at a standstill.

[George Athor]: “The talks are not going on. They have stopped talking to us and they are attacking us. Not a single soldier can move without the knowledge of the president or the commander-in-chief of the troops.”

[Daniel Danis]: Can you confirm whether you will still maintain your position of defensive and not offensive, because rumors has it that you will probably attack Bor, or any other town within the South.

[George Athor]: “I believe that within days, my attack will be against Bor town because I have learned that Salva is somebody who only likes fighting and he doesn’t want to talk. So it is for him to listen to what we are saying, I am organizing my forces for Bor town.”

[Daniel Danis]: But are you not concern that you might sacrifice the lives of civilians by doing this?

[George Athor]: “Well, my warning to all citizens is that they should leave Bor immediately and any place with military bases, they should leave it, because our target is only the military.”

[Daniel Danis]: Can you really hope to deter or actually fight the SPLA forces?

[George Athor]: “We are not playing chess my brother. Fighting is fighting and I can not tell you how many troops I have.”

[Daniel Danis]: What exactly are you hoping to gain by this action?

[George Athor]: “Our first demand is the abolition of the election results. Because the elections were rigged, and so we don’t recognize it. Second, we want the dissolution of the Government of Southern Sudan, and then all the political parties of southern Sudan should come together to discuss how they can form an interim government that will lead us to the referendum and then elections after the referendum.”

George Athor, a former SPLA lieutenant-general, was talking to SRS on Wednesday.

UN to mediate peace between Gen. Athor and South Sudan
From Sudan Tribune - Thursday 13 May 2010 - excerpt:

Wednesday, 12 May 2010 (JUBA) - Dr. Machar appreciated the efforts the UN team has exerted in their direct contacts with Gen. Athor, but however said the government would first make further consultations and review the situation before he could promise a decision to the UN body.

A follow up joint meeting between the government and UNMIS representatives is expected to take place in the next few days in order to try to agree on the way forward.

Nobody knows the exact location of Gen. Athor who is generally known to be hiding in thick forests somewhere in the north-western part of Jonglei state.

Jonglei Governor: SPLA will defend any rebellion against GoSS
From Radio Miraya - Tuesday, 11 May 2010 22:56:

The Governor-elect of Jonglei State, Kuol Manyang Juuk, has described recent threats made by General George Athor to attack Bor town as a rebellion against the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS). Speaking to Radio Miraya, Juuk said that such threats are not allowed. He added that the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and GoSS will defend anyone who chooses to take up arms against the nation.

However, he downplayed George Athor's threats saying that his forces are 200 Km far from Bor town, adding that Athor's forces are neither in Bor town nor anywhere near.

Earlier, the defeated independent candidate for Jonglei governorship, General George Athor, told Reuters News Agency that he will launch an attack on Bor town.

Click and listen to Jonglei State Governor, Kuol Manyang Juuk

Athor’s threats to attack Jonglei capital amount to rebellion - Governor
From Sudan Tribune - Wednesday 12 May 2010 - excerpt:

Tuesday, 11 May 2010 (BOR) - Athor said he had clashed with SPLA on Monday for the second time and threatened to attack an important town if the assault on his forces persists.

“We are organizing our forces in all areas and we are going to converge in Bor….attacking Bor,” Athor told Reuters adding that he is willing to negotiate.

Reacting to Athor claims, Kuol Manyang told the Sudan Tribune on Monday in Bor that "he (Athor) is far from the state headquarters; about 200 kilometers away," adding he has no forces around Bor town or near Bor town and if he is attacking the State headquarters, then, that is a rebellion that the government of Southern Sudan will not allow.”

"Yes, the State has no forces of its own, but is being defended by the SPLA – by the government of southern Sudan against anybody who takes arms against the nation," Kuol Manyang noted.

Here is a copy of some comments posted at Sudan Tribune article (see above) entitled "Athor’s threats to attack Jonglei capital amount to rebellion - Governor":

12 May 08:42, by Ajawuk Juma
Dear Southerners

The problem of Gen. G. Athor Deng is not between him and the Governor elected Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk but, the so called SPLM Political Bureau and President Kiir ’s administration who always favor the CPA invited guests over our heros and the free fighters.

According to Mr Deng to whom his mother from te same area with Gen. Athor talked with me in Juba this morning , he said that there is series of negotiations going on between Government of Southern Sudan GOSS and Gen. Athor including some generals in SPLM/A.

Deng told me his father did talk to Gen. Athor over the phone and said that is not the way we solve our differences as Monyjang which always make us to be different from other communities.

This problem is going to be solve soon, so the devil heart people should not be too excited. I heard that they are clubbing everywhere.

You can do some celebration but don’t drink over the limit. Remember guys is a critical times for all of us whether u are traitor or liberarors.

We don’t know where the war against referendum will start whether on the border or within the South.
- - -

12 May 04:19, by thomas
Once men start acting like this, I simply stop listening to them. I don’t care whether Gov. Manyang or Gen. Athor is Governor of Jonglei, I don’t know them and I’m not from there. The only thing I care about is innocent people’s lives, none of this is worth one life. We’ve already lost a few soldiers, let’s mourn them. They had bright futures...

Please, I plead with Jonglei citizens, only you know the root cause of this rivalry. It’s all our responsibility to become agents for tolerance, peace, and love. One by one, that is how voices that spread division and violence are drowned out in a sea of love.
- - -

12 May 05:24, by Gatwech
Dear readers,

Gen. Athor’s war is real!

Please read the new article about its devastation on southsudannation.com under the title, ’Jonglei State: Gen. George Athor’s war is devastatingly unresolved.’
- - -

12 May 07:12, by Gatwech
Dear readers,

Bor town in trouble!

Kuol Manyang Juuk is not a true soldier. He has proved that he was just hiding behind child soldiers and never captured a town or village while at close range of Kenyan borders. Look at his military incompetence! He thinks that 200 kilometers distance between Bor town and where Gen. George Athor is based is like a distance between heaven and earth.

Gen. George Athor can reach Bor town in one day on foot. And surprisingly, he has several trucks to transport his soldiers. The unpaid SPLA soldiers will not fight effectively even if paid now and they may also split themselves on sectional lines like what initially occured between Dinka sectional soldiers in Doleib Hills who shoot at each other leaving 5 officers dead including ten foot soldiers. They took positions on sectional lines.

Bor town will soon be destroyed. I was sure about that when I read it on southsudannation.com that the ring leader Chibitek Mabil, who destroyed Duk county headquarters last year, has now taken thousands of his armed youth to Gen. George Athor, and then promoted as Colonel by Gen. Athor.

Also Thousands of Murle youth are said to have gone missing in Pibor county and may be heading to Gen. George Athor.

Definitely he will attack Bor town and destroy it in the face of SPLA and Kuol Manyang Juuk.

I talked to somebody in Bor town yesterday who confirmed to me that civilians have already started fleeing villages in the outskirt of Bor town and Bor South County.

It is really, very, very serious!!!

You reap what you sow! What goes around comes around. The Ngundeng’s prophesy about the predicted destruction of Bor is now coming to pass!

Watch out!!!
- - -

Athor hints at negotiations after clashes with South Sudan army
From Sudan Tribune by Ngor Arol Garang - Wednesday, 12 May 2010 - excerpt:

Tuesday, 11 May 2010 (WUNROK) - ... However after fresh clash with SPLA forces in Jonglei on yesterday, Athor on Tuesday hinted at possible negotiations with regional authorities but preferred mediation of negotiations by choosing both political and military figures he wanted to mediate his talks with regional authorities.

"If they need any negotiation with us, I have no problem because I have already started receiving calls and began direct communications with many people including Salva Kiir Mayardit," Athor further said that he would like negotiations to be mediated by groups of leaders that he already communicated their names to Juba.

The talks "should be mediated by Lual Diing Wol, James Wani Igga, Benjamin Majak Dau, General Peter Gadet, Paul Mayom Akech and those that I have mentioned in previous communications with authorities in Juba," Athor said.

General Athor, who also declined to mention his whereabouts in the third interview with Sudan Tribune, said his forces are not planning to attack any civil administrative unit or military base. "It is not in our best interest to attack any civil administrative unit nor to attack any military base but we will defend ourselves if attacked," he warned.

"We will not tolerate being attacked. We are being attacked. They attacked us yesterday and have seen how we reacted in self defense," he said.

"Their attacks are beneficial to us because we have yesterday destroyed and captured a lot of vehicles including an anti-aircraft machine gun and our forces have discovered bodies of 33 soldiers with different ranks and three officers. On our side, five soldiers and two officers sustained minor injuries and three at critical conditions."

Colonel Malaak Ayuen Ajok, head of information and public relations in the office of the SPLA spokesman, said SPLA do not have orders to launch offensive attacks on forces loyal to General Athor but have deployed their forces to contain his movement out of the area.

South Sudan: ‘No negotiation with a rebel commander’
From The New Sudan Vision (NSV) by Mading Ngor
Tuesday, 11 May 2010 08:58:

(Victoria BC NSV) - The caretaker minister of legal affairs in the government of southern Sudan, Makuei Lueth, said on Tuesday that there is no negotiation with Gen. George Athor.

“There is no question of sending a delegation to a commander who has mutinied. So there’s nothing like that. He must be crushed militarily,” Minister Makuei told New Sudan Vision from Juba.

“As the Government of Southern, it’s decided that this issue should be addressed militarily,” he said.

Minister Makuei said there have not been negotiations with ‘the renegade general’ from the outset.

“The position of the caretaker Government of southern Sudan since day one has been that this thing should be addressed militarily.

“After all he has killed people, how do we negotiate with him? Is he ready to come and answer for the death of these soldiers, those soldiers whom he killed in cold blood in Doleib, is he ready to answer for them?”

“There’s nothing like that.”

Photo: Caretaker minister of legal affairs and constitutional development, Makuei Lueth (Photo by GoSS)

South Sudanese army caught in fresh fighting
From BBC News, Khartoum by James Copnall at 17:43 GMT,
Wednesday, 12 May 2010 18:43 UK - excerpt:

The south Sudan army says only two of its soldiers died in the latest fighting

There has been fresh fighting in south Sudan between the Southern army and forces loyal to the former general George Athor.

The army has denied claims by Mr Athor that dozens of its soldiers were killed in the clashes in Jonglei state.

Mr Athor was a defeated candidate in April's landmark elections in Sudan, which he insists were rigged.

At least eight people were killed when mutinous troops attacked an army base in Jonglei late last month.

Mr Athor denied leading the troops, but said he sympathised with them.

On Wednesday morning, gunfire was exchanged in Thoudiak between forces belonging to Mr Athor and the Southern army.

The former general said his soldiers fought off a large-scale attack, killing 83 while losing four of his own men.

However, a spokesman for the Southern army said only an 11-man reconnaissance unit had been involved from his side.

He said two of his men had been killed and two wounded.

There was no independent confirmation of the scale of the fighting.

Click on Athor label at the end of this entry to view related reports.

News from Sudan Radio Service (SRS) 13 May 2010:

• Luis Moreno-Ocampo Says Al-Bashir Can Not Hide From Justice
• State Border Peace Talks Begin in Wau
• Guinea Worm On Decline in Western Bahr el-Ghazal
• Family Planning Conference Highlights Infant Mortality Rates in Southern Sudan

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A troubled post

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Sudanese artists campaign for Sudan unity

Sudanese artists have launched their own campaign for maintaining Sudan's unity, a reality that has long evaded politicians in the country.

The campaign comes as Sudan prepares to vote on a referendum next year on whether the south should gain independence from the north.

Musicians, rappers, and painters call for solidarity and warn of grave consequences if the country splits.

Mohamed Vall reports from Khartoum, Sudan's capital.



Source: Al Jazeera - Wednesday, 12 May 2010.

UNAMID: Tense security situation in N. Darfur - Reports of increased gov't troops & JEM in Shangil Tobay. Red Cross may suspend aid (Update 1)

UNAMID (the joint African Union/United Nations Mission in Darfur) said in a statement published late yesterday evening (Tuesday, 11 May) that the security situation in North Darfur, western Sudan is tense following reports of an increase in the presence of Sudanese army troops and heavily armed anti-government group JEM in the Shangil Tobay region.

Shangil Tobay is a settlement 70km (43 miles) south of the capital of North Darfur El Fasher, a government stronghold and hub for aid workers and peacekeepers. The area sits between JEM's current stronghold in West Darfur and South Kordofan.

News just in from SRS today (Wednesday, 12 May) confirms JEM has announced its total withdrawal from the two agreements signed between JEM and Sudan's Government of National Unity. The head of JEM’s negotiating team, Ahmed Togud Lisan, told SRS today that they have reached a deadlock in the two agreements and are prepared to attack government forces in Darfur.

Also, a spokesperson for the Sudanese army forces (SAF) told SRS that SAF is ready to retaliate if JEM strikes. The Sudanese government announced today that they would stop peace negotiations with JEM because JEM does not respect the framework agreement.

The head of the JEM negotiation team, Ahmed Togud Lisan, told SRS today that they are not scared by the government statements.

Yesterday, a leading member of Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) told VOA News that President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir’s government will not kowtow (submit) to threats of all-out war issued by JEM.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross' representative in Sudan told SRS today in Khartoum that the International Red Cross (IRC) will cease providing health services in three states of Darfur unless the conflicting parties stop targeting its staff.

"Approximately 70 percent of (people) living in the New Shangil Tobay Camp have left fearing clashes," UNAMID said in a statement. UNAMID said 2,000 people lived in the camp.

Further details in reports from SRS, Reuters and VOA noted here below. Click here for a larger view of the following map showing North Darfur, West Darfur and southern Kordofan.



Red Cross Threatens to Suspend Activity in Darfur
From SRS (Sudan Radio Service) - Wednesday, 12 May 2010:

12 May 2010 (Khartoum) – The International Red Cross Committee (IRC) has threatened to suspend its activities in three states of Darfur.

The IRC representative in Sudan, Saleh Dabaka, told SRS on Tuesday in Khartoum that the IRC will cease providing health services in Darfur unless the conflicting parties stop targeting its staff.

[Saleh Dabaka]: “Following the kidnappings which took place in October and November of last year, the IRC suspended all its activities in Darfur due to the danger represented by the arrests, kidnapping and detention of two of our international staff. If the IRC is not guaranteed security by all the parties participating in the conflict, we won’t continue doing our work, because we don’t want to subject our staff to any danger which may affect their lives or our work.”

Dabaka added that the IRC’s work has been reduced in parts of southern Darfur and other areas due to clashes between government troops and anti-government groups.

The IRC’s representative in Sudan, Saleh Dabaka, was speaking to SRS in Khartoum on Tuesday.

JEM Withdraws From Doha Talks And Renegades On Agreement
From SRS (Sudan Radio Service) - Wednesday, 12 May 2010:

12 May 2010 (Nairobi) – The Darfur anti-government group, the Justice and Equality Movement, has announced its total withdrawal from the two agreements signed between JEM and the Government of National Unity.

JEM and GONU signed a goodwill agreement last year and a framework agreement this year in Qatar.

The head of JEM’s negotiating team, Ahmed Togud Lisan, said that they have reached a deadlock in the two agreements. He threatened that JEM is prepared to attack government forces in Darfur.

He spoke to SRS from Doha on Tuesday.

[Ahmed Togud Lisan]: “Following the goodwill agreement, the government clearly does not have any intention of achieving peace. The framework agreement doesn’t exist and has no effect on the ground. This shows that there is no kind of agreement between the government and JEM, regardless of any procedures carried out before. We are not committed to it anymore and we don’t care about any agreement with the Sudanese government. It’s because of the Sudanese government that we reached this decision to suspend the negotiations and all communication. Therefore JEM will continue attacking the government in any position.”

The spokesperson for SAF, Lieutenant-Colonel Al-Sawarmi Khalid, said that SAF is ready to retaliate if JEM strikes.

[Al-Sawarmi Khalid]: “If JEM does not follow the agreement then they will be regarded as abandoning the agreement. On the other hand, we are completely ready to retaliate at any time and any place where they may try to attack SAF or civilians. They have not attacked any SAF positions, but only small villages where they loot markets. We have already welcomed the agreement and we hope it will move forward. We hope JEM will be completely committed with what is stipulated in the framework agreement and continue the negotiations, already the negotiation is continuing with the rest of the other movements, but we hope JEM will retreat from this position and join others in Doha.”

The Sudanese government announced on Tuesday that they would stop peace negotiations with JEM because JEM does not respect the framework agreement.

Sudan Unfazed by Rebel Threats
From VOA - Tuesday, 11 May 2010 by Peter Clottey:

A leading member of Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) says President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir’s government will not kowtow (submit) to threats of all-out war issued by the Darfur-based Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebel group.

Rabie Abdulatti Obeid said the government has asked the international police agency Interpol to arrest rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim after he refused to abide by a recent ceasefire agreement.

“The warrant of arrest that was issued by the minister of justice of the government of national unity mentioned that Dr. Khalil Ibrahim and his movement committed a lot of crimes in Darfur, as well as the crimes that were committed during the invasion of Omdurman,” he said. [...]

The JEM rebel group threatened an all-out war if their leader, who is believed to be hiding in neighboring Egypt, is arrested.

But, Abdulatti said the government is unfazed by the rebel threats.

“I don’t think that the statement will threaten the government of Sudan as this movement has no capacity to defeat the government’s military. And, even in Darfur, I think that the people of Darfur they hate the Justice and Equality Movement and are not in a position to accept that violation committed against civilians in Darfur,” Abdulatti said.

GONU Justice Minister Calls on Interpol to Arrest Khalil Ibrahim
From SRS (Sudan Radio Service) - Wednesday, 12 May 2010:

12 May 2010 (Nairobi) – The Sudanese minister of justice, Abdulbasit Sabdarat, has requested Interpol to arrest the leader of the Darfur anti-government group, the Justice and Equality Movement.

He requests that Dr. Khalil Ibrahim be handed over to the Sudanese authorities for attack on Omdurman in May 2008.

The head of the JEM negotiation team, Ahmed Togud Lisan, said that they are not scared by the government statements.

[Ahmed Togud Lisan]: “These statements were made for political purposes. It isn’t related to legal procedure. For that reason, they are just trying to increase the psychological pressure on the movement and its leadership by launching statements which exhibit the childhood and adolescence of the ministry. The movement attacked Omdurman and will continuing attacking Omdurman several times if this case is not resolved. We are not paying any attention to statements by Sabdarat. These statements just show the Sudanese government’s inability to face JEM politically and militarily - it has lost touch with reality.”

Ahmed Togud was speaking to SRS from Doha on Tuesday.

Peacekeepers warn of Darfur rebel, Sudan army build-up
From Reuters (Khartoum) Wednesday, 12 May 2010; 09:49:09 GMT:

* Security deteriorates after peace talk stalemate

* Separate tribal clashes killed 107 since March

12 May 2010 (Khartoum) - Peacekeepers have warned of a build-up of Sudanese army and rebel troops near a strategic town in Dafur, where the security situation has deteriorated after peace talks between the government and rebels stalled.

Separately, long running tribal rivalries in the remote western region had led to clashes, killing 107 people since March, they said.

"The security situation in North Darfur is tense following reports of an increase in the presence of government troops and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) forces in the Shangil Tobay region," the joint U.N./African Union UNAMID peacekeeping force said in a statement published late on Tuesday.

JEM was one of two rebel forces that launched a revolt against Sudan's government in 2003, accusing it of starving Darfur of funding and marginalising its population.

Sudan's president Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who mobilised militias to crush the uprising, is facing International Criminal Court charges of masterminding war crimes in the region.

Two international sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there were signs JEM was moving south east through Darfur towards the neighbouring oil-producing region of South Kordofan, where JEM has claimed support in the past.

UNAMID said it was monitoring the situation and called on both sides to avoid "further acts of violence".

Shangil Tobay is a settlement 70km (43 miles) south of the capital of North Darfur El Fasher, a government stronghold and hub for aid workers and peacekeepers. The area sits between JEM's current stronghold in West Darfur and South Kordofan.

No one was immediately available from Sudan's army or JEM to confirm the reports of the build-up.

Khartoum has accused JEM of attacking villages in West and North Darfur states in recent weeks to expand its territory.
Both sides signed a ceasefire and initial peace deal in February but talks soon reached stalemate.

UNAMID said fighting broke out between the rival Misseriya and Rizeigat Nawaiba tribes in West Darfur in March.

The U.N. said it appeared a violent incident had sparked a cycle of revenge attacks.

"It is spiralling retribution over a killing... the retaliation just cycles out of control," said Samuel Hendricks, spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
He said rivalries had been exacerbated by competition for pasture, water and other resources.

An initial settlement broke down last week when new fighting broke out in the Mukjar region of West Darfur, said UNAMID.

"It is estimated that since March, the clashes have claimed the lives of 107 people on both sides and have caused many more to flee their homes," it added.

Hundreds flee Sudan army, Darfur rebel buildup
From Reuters (Khartoum) - Wednesday, 12 May 2010; 3:12pm EDT
(Reporting by Andrew Heavens; editing by Philippa Fletcher) - excerpt:

UNAMID said it had reports government troops and forces from the insurgent Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) had been massing in North Darfur state's Shangil Tobay area.

"Approximately 70 percent of (people) living in the New Shangil Tobay Camp have left fearing clashes," it said in a statement. UNAMID said 2,000 people lived in the camp.

News from SRS (Sudan Radio Service)

12-May-2010

• Red Cross Threatens to Suspend Activity in Darfur
• JEM Withdraws From Doha Talks And Renegades On Agreement
• GONU Justice Minister Calls on Interpol to Arrest Khalil Ibrahim
• CPJ Condemns Media Freedom Violations in Sudan
• Foreigners Allege Corruption At Border Crossings
• Local Boy Becomes Oil Boss in Unity State
• Sudan Sports Latest

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Photo: By Lynsey Addario for The New York Times (NYT Topics page on Sudan)
P.S. The album "Sudan Votes Music Hopes" is available on www.sudanvotes.com/musichopes.

UPDATE on Thursday, 13 May 2010

Sudan rejects claims of new Darfur troops buildup
From Daily Nation by Peter Mwa, Nation Reporter
Thursday, May 13 2010 at 18:21:

Sudan on Thursday dismissed reports by UNAMID peacekeepers that there has been build-up of Sudanese army and rebel troops in the troubled Darfur region.

The spokesman for the Sudanese armed forces said the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has no power to mobilise in the area.

“The UNAMID warning is an unjustified exaggeration of the power of (JEM),” said Alsoarmi Khaled Saad in a statement.

The joint United Nations/African Union peacekeeping mission had warned of a build-up of Sudanese army and rebel troops near Shangil Tobayi, a strategic town in North Darfur.

The security situation in the area has deteriorated after peace talks between the government and rebels stalled.

According to the mission, long running tribal clashes in the remote western region have killed 107 people since March.

“The security situation in North Darfur is tense following reports of an increase in the presence of government troops and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) forces in the Shangil Tobay region,” UNAMID said in a statement on Tuesday.

Dismissing the warning, the armed forces spokesman termed the reports by the mission inaccurate.