URGENT MESSAGE TO PRESIDENTS BASHIR & KIIR - Shocking video of the LRA hunting children in Sudan

ONE of the world's most brutal terrorist groups, Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), is on the move from the Congo, terrorising civilians.

The below listed report from TIME.com, Tuesday, 07 September 2010, contains a shocking video entitled "The Lord's Resistance Army Hunts Children in Sudan".

Click here (and wait for end of short advert) to hear Ed Robbins reporting for TIME.com from Western Equatoria State, southern Sudan.

Please replay the video and listen carefully to a message for everyone. The message is from a deeply traumatised Sudanese boy. The boy's name is Moses. Moses was abducted, attacked, hurt all over and stabbed with a bayonet by LRA terrorists. The terrorists forced Moses to kill a young girl. The girl was aged 7 or 8. If he did not kill the girl, they would kill him. The heart wrenching message from Moses says:

"I'M ASKING EVERYONE PLEASE, PRAY TO MAKE IT END"

Replay the video again and imagine yourself as Moses. The flat deadened tone of his voice is haunting. After viewing the report for the first time yesterday and working on it today at Sudan Watch, Uganda Watch and Congo Watch, I can't get Moses out of my mind. His trauma seeped into my bones as I imagined how he must have felt, what his future holds, and how he will think and be haunted for the rest of his life. I find this report deeply distressing and disturbing. I cannot understand why so many people are powerless when it comes to stopping the LRA. How someone like Joseph Kony manages to stay alive is beyond my comprehension. The stresses and strains he has gone through in his lifetime are unimaginable. A living hell, I guess.

See further devastating reports and photos here below.
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Balancing Counterterrorism and Democracy in Uganda
Time.com - Tuesday, 07 September 2010
By Ioannis Gatsiounis in Kampala, Uganda

Photo: Mourners bury Alice Kyalimpa, a victim of the July 11, 2010, terrorist attacks that tore through a restaurant and rugby club in Uganda's capital Ronald Kabuubi/Reuters. Source: TIME.com report September 07, 2010 "Balancing Counterterrorism and Democracy in Uganda". To view the full report, click on the link above or visit TIME.com. If the report has moved, view a copy filed on September 08, 2010 at Uganda Watch or Congo Watch (sister sites of Sudan Watch).

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LRA KILL 8 IN YAMBIO, W. EQUATORIA, S. SUDAN -
More Ugandan PDF forces to be deployed



WES Yambio: LRA Raid And Kill 8 citizens
Report from South Sudan Analysis (SOSA) - Monday, 06 September 2010:

(YAMBIO) – Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels have killed 8 people during weekend raids in Southern Sudan’s Western Equatoria state, a local official said.

Around 6 LRA fighters attacked the market village of Rii-Bodo on Saturday, killing 8 civilians, said Lexon Amozai, State Director of Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in Western Equatoria State.

The horrifying murders come in the wake of an LRA ambush at a near-by small stream of Nahua.

On Friday the rebels launched a similar assault on the village of Gangura.

“They killed 8 people there, among them two women. There were no soldiers deployed there, so they attacked the civilians,” Mr Amozai said.

A Uganda-led coalition including Congo and South Sudan launched a joint offensive against LRA strongholds in Congo’s isolated Garamba National Park on December 14 after LRA leader Joseph Kony again failed to sign a deal to end his rebellion. However, the operation has failed to arrest Joseph Kony.

In the same weekend related attacks were carried on Sunday at James Diko and Naakiri Bomas under Bangasu payam during a final funeral of one of the LRA Victims.

Kony is wanted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague for war crimes.

Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro, state governor of Western Equatoria state with deeply sorrow and regrets expressed his dissatisfaction for the death of 8 WES citizens of Rii-Bodo on Saturday.

In a press statement, Col Bangasi said that, “it is painful to see such barbaric killings by the notorious LRA fighters on the innocent citizens of western Equatoria more especially as referendum gets around the corner.”

He called upon all the youth to stand up in order to provide security to the state from the marauding LRA and the state Government in collaboration with the UPDF and SPLA.

Security sources say soon the state government “will deploy forces around the payams and Bomas.”

Bakosoro assured the citizens that, “more forces of the Ugandan People Defense (UPDF) forces will be deployed around the most attacked areas of the Bomas.”

He cautioned the forestry department to ensure that “all timber cutters are removed from the forest of the state because it makes no sense for the LRA to be killing people leaving them (timber companies) unharmed hence some might be spices of the LRA.”

Meanwhile the Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies Colonel Wilson Sidigi said that he will ensure that support is given to the villagers’ security.

Sidigi promised that he will organize with the County Commissioners of Yambio and Nzara to encouraged the youth to stand firm as the security of the State is in the hands of every citizen of the state.

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LRA Kill Eight In Yambio
Report from SRS (Sudan Radio Service) - Tuesday, 07 September 2010:

(YAMBIO) – About eight people were killed in attacks allegedly perpetrated by the Lord’s Resistance Army over the weekend in outskirts of Yambio town.

The Western Equatoria state Minister of Information and Communication, Gibson Bullen Wande, spoke to SRS from Yambio on Tuesday.

[Gibson Bullen Wande]: “The LRA appeared between Gangura and a place called Baite, attacked the village and killed three people, so now we are seeing how we are going to handle it. Then on Saturday in the evening, the LRA appeared about 7 kilometers away from Yambio town in a place called Riibodoo. They came into the house of a chief with his in-laws. All of them were beaten to death and one person was abducted. So the total number of people that we have established to have been killed during the two attacks of last week has now come to eight so far.”

Gibson Bullen Wande was speaking to SRS from Yambio on Tuesday.

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LRA rebels kill eight in South Sudan raid, local official says
Report from Sudan Tribune online - Tuesday, 07 September 2010
By Richard Ruati - excerpt:

(YAMBIO - September 06, 2010) - The Ugandan rebels Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) has killed eight people in raids over the weekend in South Sudan’s state of Western Equatoria, a local official has said.

The LRA, which is a sectarian religious and military group from northern Uganda, has a history of committing atrocities in the region.

It began as an Acholi tribe rebel movement seeking to overthrow the Ugandan Government. What it stands for now is a matter of debate but in 2005 the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued its first five arrest warrants for LRA leader, Joseph Kony, his deputy and three of his commanders.

Around six LRA fighters attacked the market village of Rii-Bodo at about 2:00 am (local time) on Saturday, 4 August, and killed civilians, said Lexon Amozai who is the state director of the Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in Western Equatoria State. The murders took place after an LRA ambush at the nearby Nahua stream.

On Friday, the rebels launched a similar assault on the village of Gangura. "They killed eight people there, among them two women. There were no soldiers deployed there, so they attacked the civilians," Amozai said.

A Uganda-led coalition including Congo and South Sudan launched a joint offensive against the LRA strongholds in Congo’s isolated Garamba National Park on December 14, after LRA leader Kony again failed to sign a peace deal. However, the operation has failed to arrest Kony.

On Sunday, August 5, related attacks were carried out in James Diko, Naakiri Bomas and during the funeral of one of the LRA victims in Bangasu. [...]

Security sources say that the state government’s deployment of "forces around the payams [villages] and Bomas,” is imminent.

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"I'M ASKING EVERYONE PLEASE, PRAY TO MAKE IT END"



Photo: Gulu victim. The LRA use torture to instil fear. Uganda's rebel LRA has become synonymous with torture, abductions and killings. (BBC photo/Sudan Watch archives)



Photo: Two young boy's get treated for severe burn wounds in the Lira hospital in northern Uganda, 23 February 2004, after a massacre believed to be committed by the LRA in the Barlonyo camp 26 kilometers north of the town that killed at least 200 people. (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo/Sudan Watch archive)



Photo: Ochola John was deformed by rebels from the LRA. (BBC) Click here to read the victim's heartbreaking testimony published at BBC News online on 29 June 2006. If the report has moved, click here to read a copy filed on 30 June 2006 at Uganda Watch, a sister site of this blog Sudan Watch.



Photo: Leader of the LRA peace delegation Martin Ojul, left, is welcomed back home at Koch Goma in Amuru. (AP Photo) Source: Report from Time.com - Saturday, 10 November 2007, by Alexis Okeowo in Gulu. Excerpt:

Sixteen years ago, Irene Abonyo was held down to the ground and her lips and ears viciously sliced off by rebels in northern Uganda. But 70-year old Abonyo is in a forgiving mood. She attended a steamy, overcrowded town-hall meeting to see, on better terms this time, one of the world's most terrifying rebel groups, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). After a dialogue, she went over to shake the hand of a former LRA fighter. He held her hand, but refused to have his picture taken with the disfigured woman. "I will still forgive," Abonyo explains. "They are embarrassed of what they have done." Full story by Alexis Okeowo (Gulu, N. Uganda) published at TIME.com on Saturday, 10 November 2007: "Forgiving the Lord's Resistance Army"

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"I'M ASKING EVERYONE PLEASE, PRAY TO MAKE IT END"

Last month, Human Rights Watch said the LRA had killed more than 250 people in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo over the previous year and a half. It said nearly 700 others were kidnapped and forced to be either soldiers or sex slaves. Full story at Voice of America News (VOA) online, Tuesday, 07 September 2010: "LRA Kills 8 in Southern Sudan".



Photo: Southern Sudanese wait for food, shelter, security and medicine at the village of Nzara, along Sudan's border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, on 18 August 2010. Thousands have fled their nearby villages since a recent series of attacks by guerrilla fighters believed to be from the Lord's Resistance Army. (Peter Martell/AFP/Getty Images) Full story by Alan Boswell (Nzara, South Sudan) published at TIME.com on Tuesday, 31 August 2010: "The Ruthless Guerrilla Movement That Won't Die".

Kenya was perfectly right to invite Sudan's president - Bashir's arrival brought Kenya airport to a standstill

Quotes of the Day

If Kenya had arrested Mr Bashir, "Sudan would erupt in a civil war that is going to be bigger and more devastating than the civil war [that began] 20 years ago," Kenya's new ambassador to the U.S., Elkanah Odembo, declared. "I'm willing to put my money on it.".
(Source: Kenya Watch - see 'Further Reading' below)

"It is my wish that the international community would appreciate the delicate situation of Sudan and act proactively. We should not isolate the people of Sudan. Let us encourage them to play their rightful role in the community of nations," Kenyan President Kibaki told the 14th Comesa summit of heads of state and government in Ezulwini, Swaziland.
(Source: Daily Nation - Sep 1, 2010)

"It is clear that the attempt by the Pre-Trial Chamber and some of the UN Security Council members to create a controversy totally fails to appreciate the context of the Horn of Africa region." -Thuita Mwangi, Aug 29, 2010
(Source: see op-ed here below)

Photo: Kenya (Source: geography.about.com)
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Nevada
Land: total: 3,477 km
Boundaries: border countries: Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km
Population: 33,829,590
Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages
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Kenya was perfectly right to invite Sudan President Omar al-Bashir
The Nation (Kenya) - 29 August 2010 at 16:58
By THUITA MWANGI

In the last two days, a lot of heat has been generated around the visit of Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir during the promulgation of our new Constitution.

The unfortunate statements attributed to some members of the UN Security Council as well as the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber cannot go without a response. The statements, and the decision, assert that African Union member states have “a clear obligation to co-operate with the Court in relation to the enforcement of such warrants of arrest. . . .’’ to which Kenya is a State Party.

It is quite curious that the decision by the Pre-Trial Chamber was made strangely in respect of the “expected attendance of Omar Al Bashir at the celebration scheduled for Friday 27 August”. Anyone conversant with the proper role and mandate of the ICC must be dismayed by the manner in which this decision was arrived at, let alone the substance and implications.

It is clear that the attempt by the Pre-Trial Chamber and some of the UN Security Council members to create a controversy totally fails to appreciate the context of the Horn of Africa region. First, Kenya’s stability is linked to that of its neighbours and the region. Indeed, Kenya has an abiding interest in ensuring peace and stability there by promoting peace, justice and reconciliation.

This can be achieved through continuous engagement with the Sudanese Government. Kenya has remained seized with Sudan, supporting the process that led to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, as well as its implementation. Kenya continues to bear the negative consequences of the civil war that it helped negotiate to end.

For this reason, the country remains keen to pursue any measure that would encourage Sudan to attain sustainable peace. Furthermore, as a member of IGAD and a guarantor to the peace process in Sudan arising from the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the impending referendum in South Sudan, Kenya has an absolute duty and obligation.

The objective of having representation from the region, particularly Sudan, at Kenya’s most historic political event was therefore, to share a positive national development and to encourage Sudan as it moves towards its own historic referendum in early 2011.

The enthusiasm of the ICC to involve the UN Security Council is not only a reflection of its failure to appreciate the intricate reality on the ground, but also an indicator of yet another effort to force African countries to support the ICC.

This is irrespective of the complex dynamics that require striking a balance between peace and justice, which Kenya believes is not only necessary for Sudan, but essential for stabilising the region. In inviting President Bashir, Kenya is acting in alignment with the African Union decisions on this matter.

Interestingly, both the statements and the decisions grossly ignore the obligations of Kenya to the AU, arising from decisions of Assembly/AU/Dec. 245(XIII) adopted by the 13th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, wherein the Assembly “decide[d] that in view of the fact that the request by the African Union has never been acted upon (by UN Security Council), the AU Member States shall not co-operate pursuant to the provisions of Article 98 of the Rome Statute of the ICC relating to immunities, for the arrest and surrender of President Omar El Bashir of The Sudan”.

Also, the statements did not take cognisance of the obligations of AU member states arising from Article 23 (2) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which obligates all members “to comply with the decisions and policies of the Union”. To this extent, the decisions adopted by the AU policy organs are binding on Kenya.

Kenya strongly believes that sustainable peace and security anywhere must be underpinned by the three interconnected, mutually interdependent pillars of peace, justice and reconciliation.

It will be recalled that the repeated appeals to the UN Security Council by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union as well as the AU Peace and Security Council to defer the proceedings against President Bashir for one year, and to allow for the peace process to make irreversible progress, have never been acted upon by the UN Security Council.

Mr Mwangi is permanent secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Khartoum regime leader arrival brings Kenya airport to a standstill
eTurboNews.com - 02 Sepember 2010
By WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN

(eTN) - Last week’s promulgation of the new constitution in Kenya saw several heads of state grace the occasion with their presence, including Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and they all landed with full protocol at Nairobi’s main airport Jomo Kenyatta International. In stark contrast, however, the Khartoum’s regime leader, Bashir, snuck into Kenya through Wilson Airport from where he also left the country later on under a shroud of secrecy.

Air operators and passengers normally using Wilson Airport were reportedly irate over the closures of the airport for all traffic between arrival and departure of the tyrant, and three regular sources minced no words over this event - none of the comments, however, are fit to be repeated in the public domain, probably in itself a hint about how strong the sentiments were and what words were flying. Flights in and out of Wilson, East Africa’s busiest airport, were halted and then long delayed, scheduled flights to and from the national parks were disrupted, and charters had to be halted as passengers could either not get into Wilson Airport or because all commercial operations were grounded for the duration.

It appears that many of the leading politicians in Kenya did not know of his presence, and subsequently squabbles arose in Kenya’s political establishment over the wisdom of inviting an alleged war criminal and alleged genocidaire, wanted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague. Kenya is a signatory country to the ICC Convention and will be facing not just tough questions by the ICC but has already incurred the wrath of US President Obama and many other world leaders, who sharply condemned the invitation and presence of Bashir in Nairobi for the event. It is also understood that the ICC referred Kenya’s decision and behavior to the United Nations Security Council where the case is due to be discussed and a possible reaction and response will be prepared.

The ICC is also drafting indictments against perpetrators and promoters of the post 2007 election violence and instead of reveling in the newly-found world attention and spotlight, the day was by all accounts spoiled by Bashir’s presence. The alleged war criminal, brought to the venue by tourism minister Balala – a visitor Balala would also rather like to forget soon considering the negative publicity it brought to Kenya – had, according to a reliable source in Nairobi’s foreign ministry, secured guarantees beforehand that the arrest warrant would not be executed against him, and he only traveled to Nairobi after these assurances were given in writing. Subsequently, some government mouthpieces tried to defend the presence of Bashir in Kenya for the big day but were rubbished by the comments of many Kenyans posted on blogs and social websites, who openly questioned the sanity of the invitation.

The fallout has also reached the Southern Sudan, where regular high-ranking sources, on condition of strict anonymity, expressed their anger and disappointment with Kenya, having fully expected to see the First Vice President of the Republic of the Sudan, who is also the President of Southern Sudan, Gen. Salva Kiir, represent their country. In fact, some opinions proffered to this correspondent spoke of unspecified consequences for Kenya in their dealings with Southern Sudan. It appears that Gen. Kiir was all set to fly to Nairobi but was apparently told at the last moment that his presence would, after all, not be required as regime chief Bashir would travel himself.

Upon probing if they would have wanted Bashir, their former arch enemy, arrested, they were all the more guarded, with one claiming "it would not have helped us with the independence referendum" before adding "we know that hardliners in Khartoum and their backers abroad are not happy with Bashir for permitting us to move to independence. We are aware that there is [an]underground movement about this, but we hope all stays in place until January 9, 2010 when we will vote to become an independent country. After that the North can do what they want about Bashir, it is no longer our concern then."

Kenya’s "Second Republic" was launched with glitz and glamour in a grand ceremony at Uhuru Park, where in 1963 the late founder president Jomo Kenyatta took the oath of office as he led his then nascent and young nation into independence, but the presence of Bashir has shaken many international observers and friends of Kenya who now ask what, if anything, has really changed so far as several laws seem to have been broken by the Kenyans’ responsible for the invitation and with absolute impunity.

Tourism stakeholders meanwhile, while appearing somewhat unsettled over the huge controversy the Bashir presence caused in the country and worse for them across the world, were still jubilant over the fashion the referendum was held, the votes counted, and the new constitutional requirements are now unfolding, and that it will ensure lasting peace and reconciliation among leading political opponents, giving hope for free and fair elections in 2012 and allowing the tourism industry to prosper and grow, at last fulfilling Kenya’s enormous potential along the Indian Ocean beaches and in their national parks and game reserves.

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Note from the editor of Sudan Watch:
Red highlighting is mine. Ref the above, who exactly are 'the hardliners in Khartoum and their backers abroad'?
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FURTHER READING

Note the following from Kenya Watch, a sister site of Sudan Watch:

ICC issues Press Release about Sudanese President Bashir’s visits to Kenya and Chad
Kenya Watch - Friday, 27 August 2010
ICC Press Release: Friday, 27 August 2010
Pre-Trial Chamber I informs the Security Council and the Assembly of States Parties about Omar Al Bashir’s visits to Kenya and Chad
ICC-CPI-20100827-PR568
Case: The Prosecutor v. Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir
Situation: Darfur, Sudan
Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued two decisions informing the Security Council of the United Nations and the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute about Omar Al Bashir’s visits to the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of Chad, “in order for them to take any measure they may deem appropriate”. ...

EU: Statement by the spokesperson of HR Catherine Ashton on Sudanese President Al-Bashir's visit to Kenya
Kenya Watch - Monday, 30 August 2010
EU raps Kenya over Bashir visit. The European Union on Monday warned Kenya to tread carefully to avoid violating international laws ...

Sudan summons EU envoy over Bashir's Kenya visit
Kenya Watch - Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Sudan summoned the EU ambassador on Tuesday to protest against a European Union statement criticising Kenya for hosting President Omar Hassan al-Bashir last week, Sudanese state media said. ... Sudan's foreign ministry said a statement by the EU's high representative for foreign affairs, Catherine Ashton, raising concern at Bashir's Kenya visit was "totally unacceptable" ...

New envoy to U.S. defends Bashir visit - Kenya's President Kibaki breaks silence on Sudan leader’s visit
Kenya Watch - Thursday, 2 September 2010
Quote of the Day: If Kenya had arrested Mr Bashir, "Sudan would erupt in a civil war that is going to be bigger and more devastating than the civil war [that began] 20 years ago," Kenya's new ambassador to the U.S., Elkanah Odembo, declared. "I'm willing to put my money on it."...

Q & A with Sudan’s oil minister Lual Deng - S. Sudan youth forum condemns Deng for describing Garang as a unionist

ON 10 July 2010, the day of the Post Referendum Arrangement Talk held in Sudan's capital Khartoum, northern and southern Sudanese leaders said they would consider forming a confederation or a common market if southerners chose to declare independence in a referendum which is scheduled for January 9, 2011. Here below are some photos showing northern and southern Sudanese cheering together during the opening session of the talk.

Also, noted below is news of a southern Sudan youth forum criticising Sudan's oil minister, Lual Deng, for describing the late Dr John Garang as a unionist; plus a copy of Asharq Al-Awsat's recent "Q & A with Sudan’s Minister of Petroleum, Dr Lual Deng" authored by Mohammad Ali Salih; followed by a report from Sudan Tribune and some further reading including today's Quote of the Day re the late Dr Garang's visit to Egypt 'where he convinced President Hussni Mubarak and his Government that he was a unionist, not a separatist'. Incidentally, note the following excerpt from a press digest 2/6/2005 published at the website of Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs re Mubarak, Garang discuss Khartoum-SPLM peace pact 1/6/2005:

"... Following talks with President Mubarak, Mr. Garang said he discussed with the Egyptian leader the latest developments of the peace process in Sudan and formulating the national constitution, especially that the National Commission for the Revision of the Constitution (NCRC) was holding its meeting in the southern Sudanese town of Rumbek.

"I presented to President Mubarak a detailed explanation on the progress achieved so far in carrying out the peace pact," he said, noting that everything is going very well.

"I hope that by mid-June we could finalise drafting the interim constitution so as to refer it to the parliaments in the north and the south for ratification," Garang told reporters.

Following this step, he continued, a national unity government will be formed by July 9.

Garang announced that the team drawing up an interim constitution has agreed that the traditional Islamic phrase "Bismallah al-Rahman al-Rahim" or "In the name of God, the Gracious, the Most Merciful" will appear in the text for the Muslim north but not for the non-Muslim south to bridge a sensitive religious divide.

"That has been resolved," Garang said, adding that the agreement was based on principles laid down in part of the peace deal that was agreed in Machakos, Kenya, that allows for shari'a to be imposed in the north and secular system in the south," he told reporters.

"We are working in order not to divide the Sudan. We want unity in diversity," he said when asked whether the compromise was a sign the country was heading towards division.

The Khartoum-SPLM peace pact involves splitting state and religion so sharia law would not be applied in the south.

The SPLM leader noted that he discussed with President Mubarak the need to reach comprehensive peace in Sudan that includes the province of Darfur as well as eastern Sudan.

"I also asked President Mubarak for what Egypt could offer to contribute to resolving the remaining problems, especially regarding the National Democratic Alliance given the fact that Egypt is a mediator between Khartoum government and the alliance," Garang said.

Garang called Darfur a tragic problem where citizens suffer a lot. "We really need to conclude a fair and comprehensive peace pact like that of the south," he noted. ..."

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Southern Youth Forum Criticizes Statement By Oil Minister
Report from SRS - Sudan Radio Service - Wednesday, 01 September 2010

(Juba) – The South Sudan Youth Forum for Referendum has criticized a statement by the federal oil minister.

Minister Lual Deng was quoted by the Sudan Tribune on Sunday as saying that unity is the best option for the people of southern Sudan. He added that the late Dr. John Garang had always been in favor of unity.

The Secretary-General of South Sudan Youth for Referendum, David Amuor spoke to SRS on Tuesday in Juba.

[David Amuor]: “We condemn Lual Deng Acuek for describing our late hero Dr John Garang to have been a unionist. That is totally a lie. Lual Deng Acuek does not represent the views of southern Sudanese as he mentioned. He has no right to express these views since he is not a member of either the SPLM or the National Congress Party.”

David Amuor was speaking to SRS on Tuesday in Juba.

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Q & A with Sudan’s Minister of Petroleum, Dr. Lual Deng
From Asharq Al-Awsat - Monday, 30 August 2010
By Mohammad Ali Salih

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat in Washington, Dr. Lual Achuil Deng, the new Sudanese Minister of Petroleum, and the first Southerner to be appointed in this position, after years of disputes between Northern and Southern Sudanese over the production of oil wells that are mostly in the South, said he has started “an era of transparency.”

He added: “We will put everything on the Internet, for the Southerners, the Northerners, and the rest of the world to verify. We will put up daily production figures and daily revenue figures.”

Describing himself as a “long-standing unionist,” he acknowledged that the amount of time left before the scheduled referendum in the South, in January 2011, might not be enough to convince Southerners not to vote for Southern secession. But, he stressed: “I am an optimistic person.”

Deng (61 years old), was born in Bor, in Jonglei State in Southern Sudan. He holds two degrees from American universities: an M.A. in Economics from the University of Iowa, and PhD in Economics from University of Wisconsin. In Iowa, his colleague and close friend was John Garang, who studied there and obtained a PhD in Economics. Later, Garang established and led Sudan’s People Liberation Movement (SPLM), Sudan’s Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA), and fought in the struggle that culminated in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which ended half a century of civil war between Southern rebels and the Sudanese army.

Deng, after completing his PhD, joined the World Bank, then the African Development Bank, and later rejoined his friend Garang as an economic consultant, and participated in the talks that culminated in the CPA. When the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) was established, in accordance with the CPA, Deng became Minister of Finance in Juba. Later, he moved to Khartoum to join the Government of National Unity (GONU) as State Minister of Finance.

After the national elections in April 2010, and the reshuffling of the National Government, Deng was appointed Minister of Petroleum, the first Southerner to take the post.

Last week, he visited the US, for the first time in his new position.

Q: What is the purpose of your visit to the US and what were the results of your discussions with American officials?

A: I am visiting the US as a private person. I did not meet with any American officials.

Q: Do you believe that the US officials support the continuation of Sudan as a united country, or prefer that the Southerners vote for separation?

A: I haven’t participated in any discussion with American officials on this subject. Of course, the US has repeatedly declared its support for the full implementation of the CPA, including the scheduled referendum in January; and also its strong desire that the Southerners vote freely and fairly for either unity or separation. I understand this position and strongly support it. But during private talks, it seemed that the Americans would prefer the continuation of a united Sudan. I believe that is the case because, according to their interpretation of American national security and strategic interests, a separate South would not be a viable state. It would face many internal problems; and would endanger the unity and stability of neighboring countries; in the overall region of the Horn of Africa, to the east of Sudan, and the region of Equatorial Africa, to the south of Sudan.

Q: Do you think General Scott Grasion, President Obama’s special envoy to Sudan, supports Sudan’s unity or the secession of the South?

A: As I said, I didn’t have any official discussions with any American official on this subject, but my [previous] private talks with General Grasion led me to believe that he was in favour of unity.

Q: How about President Obama?

A: I have never met him. But, I believe he also prefers a united Sudan. If for no other reason, because instability in the South, the North, and in the wider region, would not serve US interests. Now, you work and live in Washington, and you know the complications surrounding US foreign policy. As for the US policy towards Sudan, you know there are different lobbying groups that, at least during the last few years, have played important roles. I don’t want to name names, but you know the organizations and the lobbying forces that prefer Southern Sudan’s separation. You and I know this is how US foreign and domestic policies are formulated. I would say: let us make use of the freedom of the American system and present our views as strongly as we can.

Q: You are a leader in the SPLM; do you support the separation of the South or a united Sudan?

A: I am indebted to John Garang, my colleague, friend, boss and teacher. I was initially in favour of separation, but he convinced me that it is in Southern, let alone Northern, interests to keep Sudan united. Garang used to say: “Look at the Americans. They fought each other and their country was almost divided into two or more [countries] during the 19th Century. But, they succeeded in ending the Civil War, and agreed to peacefully solve their problems and maintain a united country. Now, the Americans are a shining example for the whole world in terms of plurality, and racial and religious tolerance.”

I also support Sudan’s unity because I have been a strong believer in Pan-Africanism, as pioneered by Kwami Nkruma, Ghana’s first president, and in Negritude, as pioneered by Leopold Senghor, Senegal’s first president. Therefore, wouldn’t it be logical that I also support the unity of Sudan?

Q: What do you say to your fellow Southern Sudanese who support the separation of the South?

A: What I just told you. On one side for me, it is a matter of principle, that unity has more advantages than separation. In other words, one hand can’t clap, but two can.

On the other side, there are tangible advantages as far as the Southerners are concerned. Take my example. I used to be a member of the Southern government, and am now a member of the National government. Not many Northern Sudanese have this advantage. Right now, the Southerners rule themselves and share in ruling the North at the same time. What else do we, the Southerners, want?

Q: What do you say to the many Southern Sudanese in the US who clearly support the separation of the South?

A: First, I believe those who live in the US, this free, democratic and highly developed country should learn a lesson or two and try to apply some of the American achievements in Sudan.

Secondly, we all might complain about the conditions in Sudan, but we know that once we leave Sudan and live in foreign countries, we tend to miss our native country, and tend to appreciate it despite all its problems.

Thirdly, as I said, I was in favour of separation, but became older and wiser and changed my mind. I hope this young generation of Southerners in the US will grow up and become wise. In the meantime, I would say to them: “Don’t sit here and make judgments about the far away Sudan. Don’t talk about the possibility of the renewal of war if you are not ready to go there and fight. Don’t enjoy the air-conditioning here and think you can express the feelings of your brothers and sisters in the forests.”

Q: Some Southerners severely criticize, and complain about, the policies of the National Congress Party (NCP, led by President al-Bashir and the ruling party of Sudan); and say that its Islamic Civilization Project (ICP) is the reason they support separation?

A: I don’t want to defend al-Bashir and the ICP because they are able to defend themselves. But I want to defend the Sudan, its unity, heritage, hopes and aspirations. The Sudan, throughout centuries, has seen rulers come and go, and projects appearing and disappearing.

Q: Some of your Southern colleagues say you have abandoned “Sudan Jadeed” (New Sudan) slogan that was pioneered by John Garang?

A: John Garang raised the “Sudan Jadeed” slogan. Also, he raised “Sudan Wahid” (One Sudan) slogan.

Also, how can the Southerners establish a new Sudan, if they want to leave Sudan itself?

Furthermore, I strongly believe that the new Sudan is simply the old Sudan. I believe that Kush civilization (before Islam and Arabism) was a pure African civilization. I will tell you a story: recently, my daughter, who was born in the US and is a US citizen, visited Merowe in northern Sudan and saw the pyramids that were built by early Sudanese civilizations. She came back and told me that I was right in opposing Southern separation, and in saying the new Sudan is indeed the old Sudan.

So, if the North is indeed the South [i.e. a united Sudan], why would the Southerners want to leave it to the Northerners [laughs]?

Q: There is a leader in the SPLM who is clearly against Southern separation, Pagan Amum, SPLM Secretary General. Yet in an interview with “Asharq Alawsat’ two months ago, he said the SPLM shouldn’t declare whether it supported unity or separation, and should let the Southerners decide for themselves?

A: First of all, Amum, sometimes, says things that reflect only his personal views. Secondly, why are we leaders if we do not want to lead? Thirdly, Silva Kiir, Vice President of Sudan, President of the GOSS and of SPLM, has said many times that he supports a united Sudan.

Q: Some Southerners accuse President al-Bashir’s government of cheating the South out of oil revenues, since most of the oil wells are in the South.

A: On my first day as Minister of Petroleum, I declared my policy of transparency in Sudan's oil sector, and promised that I would start publishing figures regarding the daily oil output on the Minsitry’s website, on the Internet.

I strongly believe that it is this lack of transparency, or the perceived lack of transparency, that has fuelled mistrust between partners. We want to enhance trust between the North and South.

Q: Some Southerners say it is not enough that you declare transparency. You should compensate the South for the al-Bashir government’s deception since the CPA in 2005.

A: Like I said, I will publish daily production figures. Also, I will conduct a full independent audit regarding the oil industry since 2005, to prevent future conflict over oil.

I hope to comfort all the Sudanese by stating that there will now be transparency, even if it did not exist in the past.

The audit will basically look at oil production since 2005 - it will be conducted by an independent firm. Our preference is to accelerate the process so that the results are made available before the referendum.

Q: The international non-governmental organization Global Witness said last year that there were inconsistencies on the part of the Sudan government, regarding the exact figures of oil production and revenues. Furthermore it claimed that roughly six billion dollars, supposed to go the South since the CPA in 2005, were missing?

A: I don’t think this is true. And you can ask Global Witness. Recently, Global Witness participated in a landmark transparency seminar in Khartoum, which we organised. Global Witness said it was impressed by the openness with which all sides participated in the event. They emphasised that the discrepancies uncovered did not mean that six billion dollars were missing, but only about 10 percent (about 600 million dollars). Anyway, I assured them of my new policy of transparency.

Q: What are the prospects of oil production in Sudan?

A: We expect to increase oil production by up to one-third by next year, reaching as high as 600,000 barrels per day. Current average output is between 450,000 and 470,000 from the two blends - Nile and Dar.

Recently, we and the Finnish firm, Fenno Caledonian, signed an oil and gas exploration agreement for the north-eastern part of Sudan, in the states of Gadaref, Kasala, River Nile, and Gezira. The company also works in Dongola.

As you can see, this indicates the influx of European investment in Sudan. French oil giant Total, which has a huge untapped reserve in south Sudan, asked us about guarantees to keep its concessions after the referendum. I assured them of this, whatever the result of the referendum. As you know, Western firms mostly pulled out during the North-South civil war and the sector is currently dominated by Asian companies. But, I want to open the door for every company, from every country.

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Further Reading



Southern Sudanese gather at the grave of their first president John Garang in July 2010, in memory of those killed in a 22-year long war with the north. (AFP/File/Peter Martell - Sun Aug 8, 2010; 3:48 PM ET)

Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
Sudan Tribune - Monday, 30 August 2010
(Note: 60 comments)

Dr. Deng is entitled to his opinion but...
Sudan Tribune - Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Opinion piece by Isaiah Abraham

“What do we [Southerners] want more?" the Unionist Oil Minister, Dr. Lual Achuil Deng, asks!
South Sudan News Agency - Wednesday, 01 September 2010
Opinion piece by Dr Justin Ambago Ramba (a concerned South Sudanese citizen residing in the United Kingdom) - excerpt:

"... In the damaging interview that Dr. Lual Deng had with the London based Arabic Daily – the Al Sharq Al Awsat…Sunday 29th August 2010, Edition: 11597 can be considered as a continuum of contradictions within the SPLM’s inner circles. The very long (over seven pages) interview, which the Sudan Tribune 30/08/2010 only managed to publish a summary- clearly confirms that the SPLM was and is not uniformly indoctrinated in any one ideology or even a common vision for that matter. [...] For the in depth knowledge and first hand information about the infamous interview I advise you to visit the al Sharq al Awsat website and please read the Arabic version, which is original and authentic. ..."

Quote of the Day

"In 1998 Garang visited Egypt where he convinced President Hussni Mubarak and his Government that he was a Unionist, not a Separatist. Garang believed in a New Democratic Sudan with modern values as opposed to the old despotic Sudan. He wanted to extend the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) model to the other regions as the best solution of their political problems. He wanted to establish the New Democratic Sudan in Khartoum whereby all the five regions of Sudan converge to form a truly strong Federal Government. The Constitution of this Federal Government would be worked out by the elected Parliament in Khartoum. Unfortunately, he did not live to follow his vision through."

[Source: Extract from commentary published at theblacklistpub.ning.com - South Sudan Cross-Road: UNITY OR SEPARATION? - by an authentic SPLM/government bureaucrat, 17 February 2009, SSN]
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THE POST REFERENDUM ARRANGEMENT TALK IN KHARTOUM



Former South African president Thabo Mbeki addresses the opening session of the Post Referendum Arrangement talk in Khartoum July 10, 2010. Northern and southern Sudanese leaders on Saturday said they would consider forming a confederation or a common market if southerners chose to declare independence in an upcoming referendum. (Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah Sat Jul 10, 2010; 10:37 AM ET)



Sudan Vice President Ali Osman Taha (R) and Southern Sudan Vice President Reik Mashar (L) smile during the opening session of the Post Referendum Arrangement talk in Khartoum July 10, 2010. (Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah Sat Jul 10, 2010; 10:18 AM ET)

Northern and southern Sudanese cheer together



Southern Sudan Vice President Reik Mashar waves to northern and southern Sudanese cheering together during the opening session of the Post Referendum Arrangement talk in Khartoum July 10, 2010. (Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah Sat Jul 10, 2010; 10:21 AM ET)



Northern and southern Sudanese cheer together during the opening session of the Post Referendum Arrangement talk in Khartoum July 10, 2010. Sudan Vice President Ali Osman Taha and Southern Sudan Vice President Reik Mashar are seen at the table in in the centre of the picture. (Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah Sat Jul 10, 2010; 10:30 AM ET)

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News from The New York Times:

Headlines Around the Web

What's This?

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SEPTEMBER 2, 2010

Official: South Sudan Lawmakers May Vote to Secede

CBSNEWS.COM

SEPTEMBER 1, 2010

UN Opens First Office For South Sudan Referendum

ECHIDNE OF THE SNAKES

SEPTEMBER 1, 2010

Women In Sudan

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

SEPTEMBER 1, 2010

LEVI: A classic act of provocation

BOSTON GLOBE

SEPTEMBER 1, 2010

Aid groups accuse Sudan army of looting

More at Blogrunner »

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News from SRS - Sudan Radio Service:

Wednesday, 01-Sep-2010

• NCP Keen To Implement PCA Resolution On Abyei, Says Official
• Rwanda To Pull Out Peacekeeping Troops From Sudan
• SPLM-DC Says It Will Accept Referendum Results
• HAC To Address Humanitarian Situation In Country
• Blue Nile State Unhappy With CPA
• Southern Youth Forum Criticizes Statement By Oil Minister
• Southern Anti-Corruption Commission Sets Up Office In Unity State
• Yirol West Commissioner Discourages Cattle Raiding

Thursday, 02-Sep-2010

• UN Prepares For Referendum Aftermath
• Chadian Opposition Flown Back From Darfur
• No Agreement Reached Over IDP Delegates, Says UNAMID
• SPLM-DC Says It May Work With SPLM On Certain Conditions
• PCP To Respect Referendum Results
• GOSS Trains Ex-Combatants
• Sudan Sports Latest

Sudan Uganda Congo activists: The Enough Moment - New book by John Prendergast with Don Cheadle, to be released on September 07, 2010

From Amazon.com - About the book "The Enough Moment: Fighting to End Africa's Worst Human Rights Crimes"

Description: Two "New York Times"-bestselling authors issue a hopeful and empowering call to action for those interested in how people's movements and inspired policies can stop genocide, child soldier recruitment, and rape as a weapon in Sudan, Uganda, and Congo.
Authors: John Prendergast, Don Cheadle
This title will be released on September 7, 2010.

- - -

From John Prendergast's Enough Project.org

The Enough Moment



Human rights activist John Prendergast and Oscar-nominated actor Don Cheadle bring us an empowering and hopeful new book, as they reveal the steps being taken by engaged citizens—"Upstanders"—famous and unknown, here and abroad, to combat genocide, rape, and child soldierdom in Africa, and show how you can be a part of the movement.

Release Date: September 7, 2010
Pre-order the Book
Amazon.com
BARNES & NOBLE
BORDERS
INDIEBOUND

Had Enough?

Join activists, organizations, and celebrities to fight human rights crimes in Africa.
Learn how a high school student in Chicago rallied fellow students all over his city to raise awareness of genocide... a former child soldier in Uganda formed a group of others like him to aid in reconciliation... and a mother and teacher gang-raped by soldiers in Congo found strength to help other survivors. John and Don present ways for you to form alliances, contact Congress, alert the media, enlist corporations, and use social media to become part of the solution.

Featuring testimonies and interviews with:
Ben Affleck • Madeleine Albright • Emmanuelle Chriqui • Sheryl Crow • Ann Curry • Annie Duke • Dave Eggers • Mia Farrow • Ryan Gosling • Mariska Hargitay • Emile Hirsch • Iman • Angelina Jolie • Nicholas Kristof • Joel Madden • Nicole Richie • Martin Sheen • Robin Wright
As well as a number of members of Congress and many others making a difference.

- - -

From Amazon's John Prendergast page

I'm the co-founder of the Enough Project at Center for American Progress. We're building a movement to end genocide and crimes against humanity. The Enough Project focuses on crises in Sudan, eastern Congo, and areas of Africa affected by the Lord's Resistance Army.

Too often, the United States and the larger international community have taken a wait-and-see approach to crimes against humanity. This is unconscionable.

Genocide and war crimes are not inevitable, and we at Enough are making noise and taking action to stop ongoing mass atrocities and to prevent future ones.

Our mission is to help people from every walk of life understand the practical actions they can take to make a difference. Our strategy is to energize diverse communities - including students, religious groups, activists, business leaders, celebrities, and diaspora networks - to ensure that their voices are heard on some of the most pressing foreign policy and moral challenges facing the world today.

It all begins with an "Enough Moment" -- an experience in your life when you realize you have to stand up, speak out, and organize with others on vital human rights issues in Africa.

We at the Enough Project are interested in hearing your video, photo, or text versions of personal Enough Moments. We are launching a website, www.enoughmoment.org, where your video, photo, or text can appear alongside other Enough Moments from celebrities, policy makers, activists, and survivors. I look forward to hearing your Enough Moment.

Sudan Security Situation 29-31 August 2010 - Darfur Kalma groups discuss reconciliation - Messiriya welcomes Peaceful Coexistence Conference on Abyei

SOUTH DARFUR - Security situation update
The situation at Kalma internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in South Darfur remains generally calm with UNAMID patrols reporting no shooting or arson.

The IDPs have appealed for food distribution to be extended to cover the entire Kalma camp. The market of the Kalma camp was observed to be operating normally and the residents reported that the situation is better as compared to last week.

On Saturday, 28 August Kalma camp IDP representatives submitted a letter to UNAMID’s Community Policing Center (CPC) conveying their commitment to stop weapons use among youth in the camp.

On Monday, 30 August a UNAMID team met with several Kalma community leaders to discuss a means of reconciliation among opposing sides which led to violent incidents in the camp in July. During the meeting the Mission called upon all camp leaders to reconcile their differences in the interest of the IDPs, to live in peace and receive humanitarian assistance.

On Sunday, 29 August three Russians helicopter crew working for a private Sudanese aviation company were abducted by unknown armed assailants at approximately 16.30 hours near their accommodation in Nyala, South Darfur. The Government of the Sudan (GoS) is investigating the incident. On Tuesday, 31 August the three Russian aircrew members (two pilots and one navigator) were safely released.

On Monday, 30 August an aid worker with the American NGO Samaritan’s Purse was released after being held in captivity for 105 days.

UNAMID forces continue to conduct day and night patrols in and around the Kalma camp, no shooting incidents were reported in the area.

WEST DARFUR - Security situation update
On Monday, 30 August UNAMID Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari travelled to the West Darfur capital of El Geneina, accompanied by Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General / Resident Coordinator / Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Georg Charpentier, and the Sudan’s Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Mutrif Siddiq.

They met with the Wali (Governor) of West Darfur, Mr. Jafa’ar Abdul-Hakam Ishaq, representatives of the National Security Committee, the humanitarian country team, and international non-governmental organizations to discuss the Government of the Sudan’s new Darfur Strategy.

NORTH DARFUR - Security situation update
On Friday, 27 August unidentified men attempted to break into UNAMID’s camp in Mellit, located approximately 65 kilometers north of El Fasher, North Darfur, but fled when an alarm was raised. A similar incident took place on Thursday, 26 August at the Mission’s teamsite in Kutum, situated roughly 100 kilometers northwest of El Fasher, North Darfur. Security measures at all UNAMID bases have been increased.

On Sunday, 29 August a five-day workshop organised by UNAMID in collaboration with Save the Children-Sweden began in El Fasher, North Darfur. The forum is part of the Mission’s continuing efforts to address human rights issues in the region.

SOURCES: Daily Media Brief from UNAMID (United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur) EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan/via APO
Sunday, 29 August 2010
Monday, 30 August 2010
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
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SUDAN: FOOD SECURITY OUTLOOK UPDATE AUGUST 2010

Heavy rains cause floods but prospects for a good harvest remain high. Click here to read report from Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) Tuesday, 31 August 2010 courtesy of ReliefWeb.
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ABYEI: MESSIRIYA WELCOMES PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE CONFERENCE

Messiriya welcomes Peaceful Coexistence Conference on Abyei
Report from Radio Miraya - Friday, 27 August 2010 11:14

The Chairman of the Local Administration of the Messiriya, Nuer and Dinka tribes, Bashtana Mohamed Salim, said that the Messiriya welcomed the organizing of the Peaceful Coexistence Conference in Abyei area. He added that the conference is an initiative from the African Organization-main stream. Salim told Miraya that the purpose of the conference is to discuss the disputed issues and how to solve them.

On his part, the Prince of Dinka, Ngok Kual Deng, welcomed the invitation and confirmed their participation. Deng stressed to Miraya that the difficulties that are facing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement should be removed.

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S. SUDAN: SOLDIERS ATTACKING AID WORKERS

"The aid community in Southern Sudan documented 80 incidents of obstruction, vehicle hijackings or harassment of aid staff by southern troops since February. No aid staff have been killed, but several have been wounded.

International aid workers are worried that access to needy populations in a region already plagued by hunger may be further restricted as an independence referendum scheduled for January approaches. The vote would determine whether the south splits off from Sudan and forms a separate country. The U.N. says that 4 million people in Southern Sudan - roughly half the population — rely on food aid to survive." Click here for full story from The Canadian Press by Maggie Flick, Tuesday, 31 August 2010.
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S. SUDAN: KILLINGS IN YEI TOWN - LANDMINES STILL POSE A THREAT

Killings In Yei, Mounting Tension
Report from SRS - Sudan Radio Service - Friday, 27 August 2010:

(Yei) – There is high tension in Yei and business paralyzed when ten people were shot dead in separate incidents.

On Thursday evening a senior SPLA officer was shot dead by a soldier in Yei army barracks, in a heated argument over salaries.

In another bizarre incident a man shot dead seven family members of his former in-laws and is reported to be at large. Amidst the tension in Yei, our reporter Christina Jambo sent us this report:

[Christina Jambo]: “Today in the morning in Yei at Lotaya area around 2 A.M two armed men came and attacked the area. But before that they came and threatened the family yesterday. The angry man said if his wife is not brought he will finish that family. So they came at night to the house which had nine people, five women and three children. The man said if his wife is not brought all the people will be punished. He asked one of the ladies in the house to tie them down since they came with a rope. The lady tied all the people including the three kids then they started to shoot. They shot the five women dead and the three kids of two and half years three years and four years. The neighbors said they saw what happen but they could not come out because of fear.”

According to Yei Police the suspected murdered had officially divorced in a court of law the woman he wanted to take back.

In another incident on Friday morning a man who reportedly went berserk opened fire in public, killing one person and wounding another.

SRS will continue to update you on the latest developments on the situation in Yei town.

Deadly developing news
Report from SOS News (sosanews.com) - Friday, 27 August 2010:

It is important for all of you to know that there errupted gun shots in the suburbs of Yei Town last night – around 9:00pm as I was on line with someone on the ground. Two seperate shootings were heard.

The news that came this morning said the trouble started during the day when senior SPLA officers wanted to cut salaries of soldiers by force for participation in a cooperative. The soldiers were said to have refused to be forced to join the cooperative. They also refused to get their salaries in half. Later at night, one of them came armed and shot the commander of the camp at NTC, his deputy and his wife – all dead. The entire group of soldiers are said to have taken up arms and ammunitions and vacated the barraks. They are probabily in the suburbs of Yei, creating fear and panic to citizens of Yei. As I write, there is no movement in Yei, and all residents are urged by the commissioner to remain indoors.

After this incident, another soldier went to a house of his in-laws to get back his runaway wife when he told those people to hand back his wife or he would come and shoot all of them. This threat was not taken seriously bey the family. The soldier returned and killed seven members of the family in their house close to Lotaya, took his runaway wife and disappeared. What a husband. That is the benefit we get for our girls marying people from the other villages.

I will call Yei shortly for an update. Some of you can have direct contact with family or relatives in Yei to get the latest for yourselves.

Landmines Still Pose A threat In Yei
Report from SRS - Sudan Radio Service - Thursday, 26 August 2010

(Yei) – Anti-personnel landmines still pose a threat to the lives of residents of Yei River county in Central Equatoria state.

During the war, Yei county was a battle field and was heavily mined by both the Sudan Army and the SPLA.

Although the some of the landmines were removed there are still some remnants.
On Wednesday, a company that removes landmines, Landmine Action, removed and detonated an anti-personnel near Yei Civil Hospital.

SRS reporter Christina Jambo reports from Yei town:

[Christina Jambo]: “Landmine is still threatening people’s lives in Yei town. This morning landmine action personnel exploded anti-personnel mine near Yei Civil Hospital. The mine was discovered yesterday by civilians and reported it to landmine action personnel and they exploded it this morning. I talked to landmine action personnel and they said that those anti-personnel were everywhere during the war and up to now they have not discovered all of them. So what they do is that they are working with civilians to report them whenever they get them.”

Yei River county is an agriculturally rich area but the presence of landmines in the countryside is threatening the viability of this important economic sector.

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FURTHER READING



Freed U.S. aid worker Flavia Wagner, 35, right is escorted by an unidentified U.S. embassy staff upon her arrival at the airport in Khartoum, Sudan Monday, 30 August 2010. A US aid worker kidnapped four months ago in Sudan's troubled Darfur region has been freed by authorities, the Foreign Ministry said Monday. (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)

Norwegian aid worker expelled from South Darfur
Report from Radio Dabanga - Tuesday, 31 August 2010:

An Norwegian aid worker of the NCA was expelled from South Darfur state after she talked with the American hostage of Samaritans Purse who was freed yesterday. Governor Kasha explained that the Norwegian humanitarian worker was listening to a side talk with the released hostage.

The American freed aid worker Flavia Wagner thanked her colleagues and family to contribute her release by praying. Adding that she was in good health and was treated well, explaining that she spent a hundred days in an area with mountains and plateaus and drank quantities of camel milk that can suffice her the rest of her life."

- - -

NCP SPLM JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE IN KHARTOUM



Salah Abdallah, Sudan's Presidential Advisor of Internal Security from the National Congress Party (NCP), speaks at a joint news conference in Khartoum Monday, 30 August 2010. Ruling parties NCP and Sudan's People Liberation Movement (SPLM), who are sharing power in government, addressed the upcoming referendum in South Sudan planned for 09 January 2011, during the conference. (Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

See report by SUNA - Monday, 30 August 2010 (via website of the Sudanese Embassy, Washington D.C. - excerpt:

Presidential Advisor Calls on International Community to fulfill its Commitments for the Referendum

The Presidential Advisor and co-chairman of the joint political committee for demarcation of the border between the north and the south, Gen. Salah Abdalla, has called on the international community to live up to its pledges to support holding of a fair and transparent referendum in south Sudan.

At a press conference he held Monday at Al-Fateh Tower, Abdalla said that the two partners of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) have agreed on holding the referendum in the fixed time of January 9, 2011 and that the referendum shall be free and fair.

Pagan Amum, (R) Secretary General of Sudan's People Liberation Movement (SPLM), and Salah Abdallah, (2nd R) Presidential Advisor of Internal Security from the National Congress Party (NCP), attend a joint news conference in Khartoum Monday, 30 August 2010. (Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)
- - -

HIGH-LEVEL MEETING IN NORTH DARFUR



UNAMID soldiers guard a high-level meeting with Chinese, European, United Nations and African Union officials in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur on 05 July 2010. (Getty Images)
- - -

NEWS FROM SRS - SUDAN RADIO SERVICE

Tuesday, 31-Aug-2010

• CPA Partners Meet Over The Referendum
• Kidnapped Russian Pilots Released
• DDR Far From Target, Says GOSS Vice President
• Analyst Says South Threatened By Security Challenges Ahead Of Referendum
• Unity Unattractive For People Of Western Equatoria State, Says State Minister
• SPLM Angry At National Speaker Over Remarks On Repatriation
• GOSS Health Ministry Challenges

Monday, 30-Aug-2010

• Referendum To Improve Bilateral Relations Between North And South, Says Yasir
• Kidnapped American Aid Worker Released, Two Russian Pilots Kidnapped
• NCP Appoints DUP Leader As Head Of Unity Support Commission
• Latest Reports On Yei Killings
• Discussion On Pros And Cons Of Referendum By Political Scientists
• Sudan Sports Latest

Friday, 27-Aug-2010

• High level Meeting Discusses Darfur Conflict In Khartoum
• Bashir In Kenya, HRW Condemns Kenyan Government For Hosting Him
• Killings In Yei, Mounting Tension
• SSLA Speakers Calls On Referendum Commission To Speed Up Activities
• There will Be Freedom Of Expression During Referendum Campaigns, Says National Speaker
• Federal Health Ministry To Support Southern Health Sector
• Open Region For Investment Urges US Consul
• Sudan Sports Latest

Thursday, 26-Aug-2010

• Hard Vs Local Currency Saga Unveils
• US To Support GOSS, Says Special Envoy
• Don't Register If You Wont Vote, Urges SSLA Speaker
• Federal Gocvernment Working To Demarcate North-South Border Before Referendum, Says Speaker
• SPLM Dismiss Allegations Of Preparing For War
• Unity Is Political Suicide Says SPLM
• Anti-Tetanus Campaign Starts In Yei
• Landmines Still Pose A threat In Yei

Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010

• Central Bank Of Sudan Denies GOSS Allegations
• Southern Kordofan Demand Release Of Census Results
• NCP To Launch Pro-Unity Campaigns In South
• SPLA In Intensive Disarmament To Secure Referendum
• GOSS Loses Tax Revenue To Poor Management, Says Official
• 17 Thousand Displaced By LRA In Western Equatoria State
• Yei Hospital In Dire Need Of Equipment, Says Doctor

Tuesday, 24-Aug-2010

• Acute Shortage Of Hard Currency In South Is A Deliberate Move By GoS, Says Economist
• Shortage Of Hard Currency Felt In South Sudan
• Referendum High Committee For South Sudan Sworn-In
• Southern Kordofan Calls For Sef-Determination If South Secedes
• UN Chief Calls For Voluntary Relocation Of IDPs From Kalma Camp
• LJM Critical Of Government's New Peace From Within Strategy
• DUP Accuses NCP Of Making Unity Unattractive For Southerners
• Government Earmarks 1.9 Billion Dollars For Development In Darfur

Monday, 23-Aug-2010

• SPLM Threatens To Conduct Abyei Referendum Through Local Administration
• Libya To Launch New Startegy To Unify Darfur Movements

  The Liberation and Justice Movement has strongly criticized the new Libyan initiative, describing it as a move to break off the movements which has been united in Doha.

• SPLM Says China And Canada ready To Support Southern Referendum
• UMMA Party Claims That The Re-Imposition Of Sharia Law Makes Unity Unattractive
• Unify Education Curriculum In Southern Sudan, Urges State Minister
• Kala-azar On The Rise In South Sudan
  The Holland-based Medicins sans Frontiers or MSF says cases of Kala-azar infection are on the increase in southern Sudan. Kala-azar is a killer disease which is transmitted by sand flies.
• Boda-Boda Riders Targeted In Yei-River County
• Sudan Sports Latest