United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Media & Spokesperson Unit Communications & Public Information Office MEDIA MONITORING REPORT

THURSDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2013 SOUTH SUDAN  Seven sustain gunshot wounds during clash with army in Rumbek North (Gurtong.net)  Ex-combatants get a new lease on life (Eye Radio)  An armed and dangerous SPLA soldier on the loose in Aweil (Eye Radio)  Governor Rizik makes first visit to Mapel town in preparation for President Kiir’s mission (Gurtong.net)  Security tightened ahead of officials visit to Western Bahr el Ghazal State (Gurtong.net)  UN calls for early preparation for 2015 elections (News Agency of South Sudan)  Rejection of national justice ministry nominee was unconstitutional: whip (Gurtong.net)  Warrap Governor sacks three County commissioners (Sudantribune.com)  South Sudan to increase non-oil revenue earnings by December - Finance Minister (The New Sudan Vision/AllAfrica.com)  Ugandan parliament discusses S. Sudan’s expulsion of its nationals (Sudantribune.com)  Two Ugandans die, 15 injured in Nimule accident (Sudantribune.com)  South Sudan learns Great Lake policies (Bakhita Radio)  Minister urges action on flood victims to reopen schools (Radio Miraya)  More than 50,000 people feared affected by floods in Panyijiar (Gurtong.net)  JICA donates vehicle to Labour ministry (News Agency of South Sudan)  State assembly postpones cabinet vetting (Gurtong.net)  Education minister visits Rumbek University (Good News Radio)  Ministry urged to speed setting up state radio booster in Kapoeta South (Gurtong.net)  More than 70 diaspora South Sudanese to get government jobs (Gurtong.net)  City Council launches cleaning at Juba teaching hospital (Bakhita Radio) SOUTH SUDAN, SUDAN  Satellite imagery shows evidence of SAF aerial bombardment in Jau (Sudantribune.com)  Improvement in Sudan, S. Sudan ties to reflect positively in S. Kordofan peace making (Sudan News Agency) OTHER HEADLINES  SAF continues bombing Nuba Mountains (Catholic Radio Network (CRN)  Khartoum seeks to contact SPLM-N over peace talks – Arman says (Sudantribune.com)  Rights groups call for tougher stance on human rights issues in Sudan (Sudantribune.com)  Sudan Finance Minister says economy will soon recover (Sudantribune.com)  Sudan promises to clear hurdles facing Chinese investments (Sudantribune.com)  Politicians call on armed movements to be nucleus for new political life (Sudandailyvision.com)  Kenyan Journalist accused of crimes against humanity was peace advocate (Sudantribune.com)  Rwanda seeks to address ICC during Kenyan leaders’ trial (Voice of America) ANALYSIS/OPINIONS/EDITORIALS/COMMENTARIES  South Sudan’s new Parliament Speaker: ―We are watchdogs‖ (Theniles.org)  Are there transparency, integrity, and accountability in S. Sudan? (South Sudan News Agency)

NOTE: Reproduction here does not mean that the UNMISS Communications & Public Information Office can vouch for the accuracy or veracity of the contents, nor does this report reflect the views of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. Furthermore, international copyright exists on some materials and this summary should not be disseminated beyond the intended list of recipients.

 The absurdity of peace-building in South Sudan (I) (South Sudan News Agency) LINKS TO STORIES FROM THE MORNING MEDIA MONITOR  Kiir set to make first public address since sacking Machar and reshuffling Cabinet (Sudantribune.com)  S. Sudan’s 2015 general elections may not take place – census official (Sudantribune.com)  Statistics Bureau says 2014 population census ―unlikely‖ (Radio Miraya)  SPLM calls on government to calm deteriorating security situation in Jonglei (Gurtong)  UNHCR establishes new transit site in Rubkona (Radio Miraya)  KCB local staff agree to resume work (Catholic Radio Network)  World Vision helps over 400 households in Tonj South (Don Bosco Radio)  Deputy Governor urges NGOs to prioritise support (Radio Miraya)  RwandAir adds Juba in South Sudan to its network (anna.aero)  Repatriation exercise to resume in November (Radio Miraya)  Abyei community petitions Obama over proposed referendum (Sudantribune.com) Highlights

Seven sustain gunshot wounds during clash with army in Rumbek North Gurtong.net Rumbek, 12/9/2013 – Rumbek North County has reported that five people were wounded and two others are in critical condition admitted at the Rumbek Civil Hospital after clashes erupted between pastoralists and the army responded by opening fire on the fighting youth. The army is reported to have opened gunfire to youth position resulting into the injuries with eye witnesses saying that the army station in Rumbek North County had weakened county activities acted without professional attitude toward civilians. The resident who requested anonymity said there was no serious clashes, only two young men from Gak and Lith disagreed over little family related matter and the two fought with sticks before the army responded by opening gunfire on civilian position. Rumbek North County information officer, Peter Makuei Tinjok confirmed the Saturday clashes and said that the county had received incidents of civilians reportedly being shot by soldiers. The shooting occur when clashes happened between youth of Gak of Alor payam and youth of Lith of Meen payam. He explained that army was already being deployed by county commissioner as part of quelling down insecurity and to collect firearms from civilians. Lakes state government under instruction of military caretaker Governor Matur Chut Dhuol early this year instructed the eight counties that are associated to cattle raiders to return back all cows belonging to other state raided in Unity state and counter cattle raids within counties of Lakes state. The decision seem by youth are unwise and they demanded state government also to bring cows raided by Unity state to be returned back to Lakes state owners.

Ex-combatants get a new lease on life. Eye Radio, 11/9/2013 – Over 250 ex-combatants will graduate on Monday after finishing three months of rehabilitation training organized by the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission in Western Bahr el Ghazal State. The training aims to change life of the former soldiers to a civilian way of life. Kerbino Yel, the Public Information Director at the DDR Commission says that the training also gave the former soldiers basic career and livelihood skills. ―There are around four to five courses; one is life skill, and then agriculture, carpentry, welding and many others,‖ he said.

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Mr Yel also said that there will be more opportunities for training. ―We want to encourage the rest of the ex-combatants and the combatants who are out there to gear up for the next training,‖ he said. The training is part of the pilot project funded by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan with support from government of South Sudan, which targets the four states of Warrap, Lakes, Western Bar el Ghazal and Northern Bahr el Ghazal. The graduation of the ex-combatants will take place on Monday. (Back to Top)

An armed and dangerous SPLA soldier on the loose in Aweil Eye Radio, 11/9/2013 – Police are searching for an armed man in a village in Aweil South, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, who they say has attacked people and burned down two buildings. The man is believed to be an SPLA soldier from Division 5 in Wau, Western Bahr El Ghazal state. Officials say the man has deserted his post. The soldier, who has not been named, is alleged to have beaten three people, including a pregnant woman in the village of Ayai. He is also accused of setting fire to a family tukul and a cattle pen. Witnesses have also told police that the man robbed shops at gunpoint and using hand grenades. Commissioner for Aweil South County Jel Mangok Yel said they are now searching for the solider, who has also attacked a police officer and has taken his gun. ―I talked yesterday with the acting governor to inform him that I want to send a force now I am preparing a force,‖ said Mr. Yel. ―I held security meeting this morning with all security organs and we have agreed to apprehend him by all means.‖ Victims of the soldier are recovering in Aweil Civil State Hospital, police have said. (Back to Top)

Governor Rizik makes first visit to Mapel town in preparation for President Kiir’s mission Gurtong.net Mapel, 11/9/2013 – Western Bahr el Ghazal state governor Rizik Zackaria Hassan led a high profile state visit to Mapel town of Jur River County, the first visit since 2011 campaigns, to prepare for President Salva Kiir’s scheduled visit to the area next week. This is the first time for the governor to visit Mapel town of Jur River County since 2011 when SPLM candidates including President Salva Kiir held a mass rally in the area. The visit included state government ministers, security forces, members of state Legislative Assembly and two county commissioners from Raga and Jur River Governor Rizik was welcomed with long queues of people as he arrived in Kwajiena payam, Akwayo boma before he approached to the town. Rizik also first met with SPLA army officials at the academic headquarter where he appreciated the security situation and harmony relationship between the civil population and the army mentioned by the SPLA Mechanized division commander Major General Malual Majok. The visit was aimed at inspecting the road linking the town to the state capital ahead of president Kiir’s visit to the town. Speaking in Mapel town, governor Rizik said he has come to Mapel to inspect the road condition, security situation and to see the Ex-combatants who President Salva Kiir is scheduled to inaugurate their graduation on the 16 September. ―It is with pleasure to announce to you that our president Salva Kiir Mayardit will be with us in Mapel town to inaugurate the DDR ex-combatants,‖ Rizik told the crowd before he met with the ex-combatants at DDR facility centre. Rizik reiterated that Mapel is not new to him since he was residing within the town during the past war time saying that he will arrange his private visit to Mapel.

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―I am very happy to tell you that Mapel, the SPLA former garrison town, for greater Bahr el Ghazal state is not forgotten in the history of South Sudan. In my cabinet which I announced today[Yesterday], I have included your area son Mr. John Urbano Madut as a state minister of Local Government, Law Enforcement and Parliamentary Affairs,‖ said Rizik. While addressing 291 ex-combatants who are waiting for the graduation, the governor thanked the participants for being patient since they started their courses on 16 April. ―During our struggle, we were destroying bridges within our regions which were used by our enemies to transport their weapons to our position; today we again need these bridges to be in good condition to smoothly allow the development of our country, therefore, people like you who have been trained on construction should help us,‖ Rizik urged the ex-combatants. (Back to Top)

Security tightened ahead of officials visit to Western Bahr el Ghazal State Gurtong.net Wau, 11/9/2013 – Western Bahr el Ghazal state police commissioner Major General Akot Deng Akot has announced that the security situation has been strengthened ahead of the visit by senior government officials. Deng Akot who was in the governor’s convoy to Mapel town of Jur River County yesterday said a joint security force had been deployed in the state to guarantee security and safety of the officials. ―We have made a mingle patrolling force that include the Army, Police, Wildlife and Fire Brigade, therefore, I would like to ensure the visitors and all entire citizens of Western Bahr el Ghazal state that the security situation is in good side,‖ said Akot. ―We here in Western Bahr el Ghazal state are ready for security of our people as since I came to Wau, there was no any insecurity reported that had occurred,‖ said Deng. Akot Deng also said that the police organs have completely organized the music bands and other preparations beside their duties. In similar relation during the state governor’s visit to Mapel town, the SPLA mechanize division commander Major General Malual Majok said security situation in Mapel is stable. Majok mentioned that during the dry season is when problems get high in the area which is caused by cattle raiders from neighbouring Lakes State. He said the relationship between the army and civil population is good. (Back to Top)

UN calls for early preparation for 2015 elections News Agency of South Sudan Juba, 11/9/2013 – A senior UN official has called on the government to start early preparation for the 2015 general election saying it is crucial for holding successful election. The UN’s Senior Political Officer for Electoral Division Madam Hiroko Myamura in a meeting with the Foreign Affairs minister Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin yesterday said conducting elections is not a simple task and requires adequate and early planning. She said for South Sudan's case, it may require setting up of secretariats and state committees to start the planning process. south Sudan before the 2015 elections, is expected to conduct its first population census, nevertheless preparation for the exercise have not kicked off largely due to funding constraints. The minister however said the elections will still be conducted in time despite funding difficulties. He called on the United Nations to help lobby funds to ensure timely election. On another news development, the Associate Vice President for the International partnership at the American University of Indiana, Shawn Reynolds has pledged twenty master degrees programmes to students from university of Juba and Upper Nile to study in Indiana University. He also said plans are underway to setup teaching and research center at the university of Juba and programs on women empowerment to improve level of education in the country. Reynolds further said the university plans to partner with the University of Juba in many fields of education to ensure quality service from the university. (Back to Top)

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Rejection of national justice ministry nominee was unconstitutional: whip Gurtong.net Aweil, 11/9/2013 – The Northern Bahr el Ghazal state’s Assembly Chief Whip, Daniel Akol Diing, has broken his long silence on the move by the national legislative assembly to reject the nominee for the national Ministry of Justice, Telar Riing Deng. In a press statement obtained by Gurtong, Diing refuted the move made by the national Assembly and said the rejection was unconstitutional urging the members for real and genuine vetting when doing public affairs. As of most concerns, Diing said he was angered by the members who went against the constitution to unlawfully disapprove Telar. ―According to the provision of Articles 4 and 46 of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (TCRSS) I am obliged by those articles to defend the Constitution and the entire population of the Republic of South Sudan more especially on Constitutional issues. So, we the citizen of the ten States will be probing more about the discrimination, deprivation and torturing that were done to Gen Telar Riing Deng during his vetting as the Justice Minister in the new Cabinet,‖ Akol said. Diing however declares that, the vetting Committee opted to enthusiastically wage a political war against the President and more especially on the vetted minister. He however insists that the decision was a war against the SPLM caucus extinguishing that the decision on those excuses of NLA were bias. ―In reference to article 112 sub article 2 of South Sudan Transitional Constitution, it says that the cabinet appointed by the president shall be approved by a simple majority or rejected as a whole until amendments are made in it. Now there is no provision in the Constitution that specifies that Ministers should be appointed as per their academic specializations and many of them have been appointed to different fields, why not him too?‖ he asked. The legislator further refers to article 12 of TCRSS on the Bills of Rights, which prevents that no citizen should be deprived of any right. ―Also, there is no provision in the Constitution that says the Ministers shall be appointed as per their fields of specializations. Furiously why was he vetted and voted alone? Is this constitutional or anarchy? Is it not a stigmatization against him? If not why not was he assigned or relocated to another Ministry as it was done to some of his colleagues? Therefore people need to check that provision about the equality before the law,‖ he warned. Last two weeks, the deputy speaker of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state legislative Assembly, Athiang Manok Athiang was the first to raise his concern of unfairness over the treatment of Telar, saying the national legislators in Juba have waged a real war against president where he warned that necessary steps have to be taken against the issue. It is not clear the whole assembly in the state is unhappy about the national upper house decision to reject Telar or whether there is division within the lawmakers. (Back to Top)

Warrap Governor sacks three County commissioners Sudantribune.com Agok, 11/9/2013 – The governor of South Sudan’s Warrap state on Wednesday issued an executive order, dismissing three county commissioners from their positions. Wol Anei Anei, a former Workers Union chairperson, was appointed as the new commissioner of Gogrial East County, replacing Akot Lual Akot. William Wol Mayom became the new commissioner for Tonj South County, replacing Mario Monydhieth. Biar Biar Riing takes over from Malek Riing Mathiang as the new county commissioner for Twic. The commissioners of Tonj North, East and Gogrial West counties all retained their positions. No changes were reported to have been made in the state cabinet, although officials have speculated that a larger reshuffle may still occur once a new team is assembled.

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―The office of the state Governor of Warrap state wishes to confirm to the general public that new changes have been made in the three counties. These changes have been made only in Gogrial East, Tonj South and Twic counties. Gogrial west, Tonj North and East have not been affected‖, an aide to Governor Nyandeng Malek Deliec told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday. The official, who did not want to be identified as he is not allowed to speak to the media, said confusion was created by "incorrect" rumours that all Warrap’s county commissioners had been removed from their positions and replaced with complete new faces. ―There have been rumours circulating around and some of the officials including county commissioners have approached the office of the governor this afternoon about reports of the general changes in the counties. I want to tell our people that they should not rely on rumour. Changes have been made but not in all the six counties. These changes are only in the three counties of Twic, Gogrial East and Tonj South. The decree was broadcast by the state radio and the office of the governor availed these orders to the relevant institutions in the state‖, he said. No specific reason was given for the changes, which come as governor Malek battles the infighting in South Sudan’s governing Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and a rising political dissidence that could pose a major challenge in the forthcoming 2015 elections. Baak Deng, a native of Turalei in Twic County, Warrap State, said the changes made by the state governor should not be taken negatively by those who have been removed from their positions because every decision has a reason. ―As far as I know how the system of government works, changes are made from time to time to bring a new faces to an administration. It does not mean that those removed from their positions have failed to perform. Some of the officials may have performed very well that the government may want to try their experiences and skills elsewhere‖, Deng told Sudan Tribune Wednesday. "It is a normal process, and the governor like the president of the country has given them the assurance that they will continue to be useful to this administration and to this country." (Back to Top)

South Sudan to increase non-oil revenue earnings by December - Finance Minister The New Sudan Vision/AllAfrica.com Juba, 11/9/2013 – South Sudan aims to increase its monthly revenue collection by 43 per cent by December from 70 million South Sudanese Pounds a month (about $24m) to 100 million South Sudanese Pounds ($34m) as the country develops better means of collecting revenue, Finance Minister Aggrey Tisa Sabuni said. The East African nation plans to create a National Revenue Authority to improve tax collection, the finance ministry said in July. A bill to establish the body is yet to be passed by the national parliament. South Sudan used to collect 35 million South Sudanese Pounds a month in non-oil revenue prior to the oil halt in January 2012, Sabuni said. Non-oil revenue earnings will be raised from the current 2 per cent "to go to 25 per cent in three years and then beyond that, and maybe 5 to 7 years, it should go up to 50 per cent," he said. South Sudan, which relies on oil to generate 98 per cent of its foreign-currency earnings, hopes to raise 25 per cent of its GDP from tax and customs fees within three years, Sabuni said in an interview in the capital, Juba, on Sept. 7. "We should be able to collect up to 100 million (SSP) a month by the end of the current calendar year, by December and that will from there move on to increase as much as possible," he said. Two years after it gained independence from Sudan, South Sudan is seeking to develop an economy shattered by five decades of civil war. The country's gross domestic product more than halved last year to $9.34 billion, according to World Bank data, after the government halted oil production in a dispute with Sudan over export fees. South Sudan has sub-Saharan Africa’s third-biggest oil reserves, after Nigeria and Angola, according to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy. The country's crude is pumped mainly by China National Petroleum Corp., Malaysia’s Petroliam National Bhd. and India's ONGC Videsh Ltd. 6

South Sudan earned $969 million in oil sales since oil production resumed in April, the Petroleum Ministry said in a statement last week. South Sudan also paid Sudan $238 million in oil transportation fees, including a fee to revive Sudan's economy after sudden loss of southern oil. (Back to Top)

Ugandan parliament discusses S. Sudan’s expulsion of its nationals Sudantribune.com Kampala, 11/9/2013 – Ugandan legislators on Tuesday called for the expulsion of South Sudanese nationals in Uganda in retaliation for what they say is the harassment and in some cases murder of Ugandan nationals in South Sudan. However, the Ugandan government quickly dismissed the suggestion, saying the matter has already been discussed between the two countries. Gilbert Olanya, the legislator who brought the matter before Uganda’s parliament, told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday that he was saddened after meeting some 200 commercial motorcycle riders who had been expelled from South Sudan. ―I met them on Sunday. They said they were from Jonglei and Eastern Equataria. They told me of how they had been harassed and tortured in South Sudan, so I decided to raise it in parliament as a matter of national concern‖, Olanya said. ―We demand that the Ugandan government takes steps to protect Ugandans in South Sudan who are being harassed and killed with impunity‖, he added. In an interview with Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, Ugandan government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said in an interview that Uganda had already raised its concerns about the treatment of Ugandan nationals to the South Sudanese government. ―We have condemned the harassment of Ugandans in South Sudan through the South Sudan embassy here and through our high commission in Juba. South Sudan has an established legal system. They should use that system to charge any Ugandan that they think has violated their laws‖, he said. Despite its concerns, Opondo said that the government did not agree with the position of MPs calling on Uganda to retaliate against South Sudan. ―We don’t agree with our MPs that Uganda should retaliate. The Ugandan government is in bilateral talks with South Sudan on the issue. The two presidents [Yoweri Museveni and Salva Kiir] have also discussed it‖, he said. Opondo called on the South Sudanese government to extend the period given to Ugandans to leave the country. ―South Sudan should extend the deadline given and guarantee safe passage for the Ugandans to get back home‖, he said. (Back to Top)

Two Ugandans die, 15 injured in Nimule accident Sudantribune.com Gulu, 11/9/2013 – Several Ugandan passengers remain in hospital in Nimule after a fatal car accident in Monday night left two dead and 15 injured. Ugandan police spokesman Jimmy Okema said the accident, which occurred about three kilometers before Nimule town, involved a lorry on its way from South Sudan to Uganda laden with a cargo of hides and skins when the driver lost control after the truck’s breaking system reportedly failed. ―The lorry was in a slope when the driver lost control and two people died on the spot while 15 were injured‖, Okema said in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Wednesday. Two ambulances were dispatched to the scene to transport the injured to Uganda for treatment, but only three were well enough to travel, the police spokesman said. The remainders of the injured Ugandans are currently still receiving treatment in Nimule hospital. Following the incident, Ugandan police advised all drivers to service their vehicles regularly in order to avoid accidents that arise due to mechanical failures. 7

A boost in trade between Uganda and South Sudan has seen an increase in the traffic along the road that connects the two countries. Accidents are a regular occurrence on the road, most of which are blamed on poor road conditions on the Ugandan side of the border, while on the South Sudan side of the road, which has been tarmacked, speed is often the main factor. A major road upgrade on the Ugandan side is being constructed at a cost of $100 million and is expected to further boost trade upon its completion. (Back to Top)

South Sudan learns Great Lake policies Bakhita Radio, 11/9/2013 – South Sudan is conducting a two-day workshop on Great Lakes policies to prepare the country to fully participate in regional affairs. Foreign minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told the press in Juba that the training would enable the country to learn policies and prevent threats that are likely to happen, Bakhita Radio reported. He said South Sudan was committed to implement and respect principles of the region locally and internationally. Dr Marial added that South Sudan would be represented by 18 members in the Great Lakes region's conference. Regional Deputy Executive Secretary Vicente Muanda said the committee was formed to look into genocide issues to prevent and punish offenders in the region. He clarified that South Sudan is number twelve member that joined in 2012. (Back to Top)

Minister urges action on flood victims to reopen schools Radio Miraya, 11/9/2013 – The national Minister of Education, Science and Technology, John Gai Yoh, has urged the national government and humanitarian agencies to find alternative solutions for flood victims in Jonglei to enable schools to operate. Minister Gai made the call after he confirmed that schools in flood affected counties of the state have closed to create space to accommodate people displaced by flooding. He said the displaced should be provided with tents and relocated to other areas, to enable children return to school. The Education Minister was in Bor to assess the operating conditions of the John Garang University as part of a broader assessment of the condition of public universities across the country. The University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Agrey Ayien said management shared the University’s challenges with the Minister. ―We have discussed a lot of issues which include accommodation for both lecturers and students, budgetary operation, that is money for employment of lecturers, and issues to do with operational money,‖ he said. The Minister will next assess the University of Bahr-el Ghazal in Wau and Upper Nile University in Malakal. (Back to Top)

More than 50,000 people feared affected by floods in Panyijiar Gurtong.net Panyijiar, 11/9/2013 – More than 10,000 households have been affected by the floods in Panyijiar County, Unity State, according to estimates done by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) office in the area. A statement released by Panyijiar Community Development Services says that a series of heavy rainfalls have resulted to floods that have forced residents from their huts and villages to high grounds. The properties are damaged, food stuffs are swept away and children are left to sleep in the cold under mosquito insect’s mercy.

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Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) office in the County estimates 10, 129 households and 56,945 individuals are feared affected by the floods according to assessment done in the affected Payams, Bomas and villages county-wide. The RRC office asserts that the flood ―affected the crops, foreseen to results in poor harvest like last year,‖ as the situation looks at the moment. Not only shall hunger be an issue, exposure to cold may result to malaria and other water borne diseases. According to World Health Organization (WHO), waterborne diseases accounts for ―1.8 million human deaths around the world annually.‖ The RRC office in the county alerts State RRC and the State government and as well as International organizations to take action immediately. Panyijiar County is readily at a vulnerable situation. It is located at the banks of the River Nile. Much of its eastern section is submerged in the Sudd swamps. It has been under constant flooding every rainy season since 2006. For this reason, citizens of the county have been affected by hunger for the last seven years. The Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) and World Food Program (WFP) assistance has inadequately met the needs of those affected. Building dykes, particularly along the lines of Sudd swamps could help reduce the outburst of the Nile water during rainy seasons, however, neither the State government nor International Organizations have had enough to help this happen. Any assistance by International organizations in terms of food and non-food items (NFI) to the affected areas would be of help to the citizens there in the short-term, while middle and long-terms solution would be construction of dykes along the Sudd swamps. The government yesterday announced that 7 million SSP has been earmarked by to respond to live saving needs of people affected by recent wave of floods and is working tirelessly in collaboration with local and international humanitarian agencies to respond to needs of flood victims. Assessment carried out in Warrap state indicates that 5862 individuals are affected in Tonj North while 3495 in Tonj South counties with 5862 people are affected in Tonj East while a number of 1498 individuals are affected in Gogrial East County. (Back to Top)

JICA donates vehicle to Labour ministry News Agency of South Sudan Juba, 11/9/2013 – The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) today handed over a vehicle worth 105,000SSP (US$30,000) to the Directorate of Vocational Training Centres in the Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development. Speaking at the ministry headquarters after receiving the Nissan Patrol vehicle from JICA’s Chief Representative in South Sudan, Mr Atsushi Hanatani, the national Minister for Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development, Hon. Ngor Kolong Ngor, hailed the support of the Japanese government for vocational training in the country.Hon. Ngor said the Ministry would continue strengthening its partnership with JICA to build vocational training capacity in South Sudan. The Minister said that Japan had offered assistance to the world’s youngest country in many ways, adding that vocational training would assist the new country to upgrade its manpower. On his part, Mr Hanatani said that in addition to the vehicle, JICA had also provided other equipment to facilitate the daily operations of the Juba Multi-service Training Centre. Mr Hanatani said the donation was part of the continued support of the government and people of Japan to the Republic South Sudan. He disclosed that JICA will be deploying a vocational training expert to the vocational training directorate next November.

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Also present at the function were the Undersecretary for Labour in the Ministry, Ms Hellen Achiro Lotara, and her Public Service and Human Resource Development counterpart, Ms Angeth Acol de Dut, and the Director General for Vocational Training, Reverend John Chol Dau. (Back to Top)

State assembly postpones cabinet vetting Gurtong.net Wau, 11/9/2013 – Western Bahr el Ghazal State Legislative Assembly today postponed the debate on vetting the newly appointed cabinet with the governor urging the members to speed up the approval process. The decisions come just minutes after the state governor Rizik Zackaria Hassan presented his new cabinet to the august house for approval. Governor Hassan urged the parliament to finish their work so that the new ministers could be sworn in tomorrow. ―I need the assembly to pass these ministers before the visit of President Salva Kiir which is scheduled on Saturday in Wau,‖ Hassan told the parliament. Hassan said the rendezvous of his new cabinet ministers was based on the criteria he promised last week. According to the state acting speaker Hon. Paulino Apinyi Akol, the MPs have requested 24 hours to go through the CVs of each appointed Ministers before passing their nomination. ―The parliament has formed a committee that should tomorrow go through the documents and report back within the day before passing the names,‖ said Akol. Parliament government chief whip Hon. Justin Makuac Majok said the members of state assembly would not have more to do with the names since these people are not new but the same members from the ruling party (SPLM) who are qualified for their posts and many of them were the ministers in the last cabinet except the two new faces. ―The Assembly will past these names unanimously,‖ said Majok. Hassan reiterated that the motivation of only having nine ministries was a response of state population to have a lean government that should deliver services. The criteria used in appointing a minister include loyalty to the ruling party which is Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and commitment to work with the entire population and the state government. Nominees also have an ability of technical knowhow to challenge any further difficulties and that the minister should be a social sound person excepted by the entire state legislative assembly. The popularity of person is also a measure as he or she will be leading the people of Western Bahr el Ghazal state and providing service to them adding that the overall shape of the cabinet will be based on efficient people. (Back to Top)

Education minister visits Rumbek University Good News Radio, 11/9/2013 – A high level delegation headed by Education Minister John Gai is in Rumbek, Lakes State to assess the conditions of the public university. Deputy Education Minister Bol Makueng on Tuesday told the press that their visit aimed at getting first information on the ground on the situation of the university, Good News Radio reported. He said with the flow of the oil to the market through Sudan, South Sudanese would receive more services State Governor Matur Chut welcomed the team saying the visit would boost the morale of lecturers and students. Rumbek University ceased operating for the last two years as a result of austerity measures due to oil shutdown. (Back to Top)

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Ministry urged to speed setting up state radio booster in Kapoeta South Gurtong.net Torit, 11/9/2013 – The Eastern Equatoria State Legislative Assembly has raised concerns over the delay in erecting a relay booster antenna for state radio in Kapoeta South County. The State MP Peter Lokuju Marcello, who comes from the affected area, moved the motion and complained that the community is deprived of important information such as news. He said by responding to the plea by the concerned Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Parliamentary Affairs to help rectify the mater as it is part of service delivery, thus seeing citizens information. In 2009, the facility was built and soon after it was arranged for official launch as relay booster antennae but later rescheduled indefinitely. The aim of the booster is to help the radio in disseminating government policies, giving awareness on risky health practices and involving communities for easy mobilization. The MP said the facility whose intention is to help citizens has never been felt by the people of Kapoeta saying that it is now in the verge of getting spoilt. The Members of the Parliament also asked the Minister to explain why the transmission of 97.5 FM has been off. The State Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Clement Laku Chichim, responded that there has been no general service done to the Radio since its installation in 2009. He explained that Alternative Power System and the low voltage generator to supply the radio with electricity are among the factors leading to the fluctuations in transmission of the 97.5 FM. The Minister told the House that a team of Engineers from Juba have been working on the facility transmitters to rectify any fault and the people of Kapoeta would be able to get news over the Voice of Eastern Equatoria State. However he said in case the engineers from Juba failed to rectify the fault, they would contact the Italian Company that had installed the radio. Hon. Tobias Xervier Lotto however said, the first thing to do is to service the main station in Torit, otherwise the relay station would not work without the mother station. Some MPs have tendered demands as the station does not cover Ikwoto County, Kapoeta East, Lopa/Lafon County and some parts of Magwi County including parts of Budi County. The Minister Laku however disclosed to the Legislators that his Ministry’s budget, currently awaiting approval, has included servicing first the main Radio Station in Torit before it moves out. The Parliament additionally recommends that the State Radio must have inter-linkages with other Community Radio Stations for easy dissemination of government programs insisting that the recommendation intends to minimize the cost that would be incurred on the installation of Booster antennas in all parts that do not access the radio. More than 20 civil servants to benefit from Indian scholarships More than 20 South Sudanese civil servants are to be selected to benefit from scholarships sponsored by the government of India. Eastern Equatoria State Government through its Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development has now embarked on the selection of 25 Civil Servants drawn from different State Ministries. The selected will gain from the Special Commonwealth Assistance for Africa Programme, a program sponsored by the Government of India Ministry of External Affairs, announced the State Minister of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development, Lorika Stella Brenda. She clarified that each Ministry has been given two positions to select two staff as there has been only 25 chances given to the state present 10 Ministries except her Ministry; the State Minister of

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Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development, which gets five employees, a higher number than the rest of the Ministries because of being the mother Ministry. The 25 beneficiaries will still be scrutinized by the national Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development as they at the state are only strictly allowing the potential candidates to correctly fill a provided standard form and thereafter send them to Juba for final scrutiny. ―So we are not the final screeners to decide our line Ministry along with the Government of India will finally determine who is qualified for the program,‖ she said. The Minister Stella disclosed that there are criteria which include medical reports that determine fitness, blood groups, blood sugar and certificates. She said qualifications of applicants to determine their competence will vary from courses to courses. The Minister however, urges the Ministries to speed up selection processes and submit to her Ministry for conveyance to Juba as the deadline is September 15. (Back to Top)

More than 70 diaspora South Sudanese to get government jobs Gurtong.net Wau, 11/9/2013 – The Eastern Equatoria State government has finalized arrangements to absorb 75 South Sudanese from the Diaspora into the civil service, officials have disclosed. The State Minister of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development, Lorika Stella Brenda told Gurtong that the process to absorb the staff followed a move by the national government in 2012 when it was announced that there were more than 1,000 returning civil servants but delayed to be absorbed due to Austerity Measures. The Ministry’s Acting Director General, Benjamin Okwahi Lauro clarified that the process took longer to implement as the country had shutdown oil production. He said this came after the President instructed all the 10 states in the country to implement absorption in order to unify civil servants returning from Khartoum and those coming from other nations. The Acting Director General further defended the state government saying the delay was because the past Financial Year (FY) 2012/2013 lacked reliable budget to immediately accommodate the new staff. He elaborated that until the state government solicited for a supplementary budget which the national government did freshly respond by reconsidering all the returning civil servants from the 2011 referendum secession vote. A public notice has requested the shortlisted 75 civil servants to appear in person to the state Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development, for final scrutiny by registering their names. The note from the office of the Acting Director General cautions those who have already registered not to register again. The registration commenced as from 5th to 12th September 2013 and will be consistent with approved list that had been sent from the national Ministry of Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development in Juba, stipulates the public notice. (Back to Top)

City Council launches cleaning at Juba teaching hospital Bakhita Radio, 11/9/2013 – Juba City Council authorities launched a cleaning program at Juba Teaching Hospital to boost sanitation. Public Health Inspector Susan Dawud said they were implementing Mayor’s instructions to clean the hospital, Bakhita Radio reported. She said after inspecting the hospital on Tuesday Juba City Mayor promised to collect garbage and that this morning he ordered 30 trucks to carry out the operation.

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Ms Dawud added that on Thursday another team would be deployed to collect empty bottles around the compound. She said they will plan with hospital authority to work together to keep the facility as clean as possible. Ms Dawud said there is need to conduct health education to patients in wards to avoid unnecessary waste dumping. She appealed to the hospital administration to ensure that surroundings were cleaned. Ms Dawud warned that if the hospital management failed to maintain the sanitation of the wards they would be fined 100 South Sudanese Pounds. The national health minister and Juba City Mayor on Tuesday visited Juba Teaching Hospital to assess the situation of the facility. The mayor promised to supply beds to the hospital to avoid lying on the floor. (Back to Top)

Satellite imagery shows evidence of SAF aerial bombardment in Jau Sudantribune.com Bentiu, 11/9/2013 – Satellite imagery released by US-based advocacy group the Enough Project’s shows evidence of recent aerial bombardment near the village of Jau in South Sudan’s Unity state, which falls within the Safe Demilitarised Border Zone (SDBZ) between the two Sudans. The images, which were captured on 8 September by Enough’s affiliated Satellite Sentinel Project (SSP), show two craters - one measuring about seven metres in diameter. Sources on the ground reported that a Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) jet dropped a bomb on a South Sudanese military (SPLA) installation in Jau on 7 September, killing two people and injuring six. The Sudanese army has yet to verify the claims. The attack came just days after South Sudanese president Salva Kiir and his Sudanese counterpart, Omer al-Bashir held a summit in Khartoum where they recommitted themselves to peaceful relations and the enforcement of nine bilateral cooperation agreements signed last September. SPLA commander of Unity state’s fourth division, Major Gen. James Koang Chuol, said a soldier and his wife had been killed in the blast, while another six people, including a four-year-old girl, were reportedly injured. A team from the countries’ Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mission (JBVMM) was in Unity state at the time of the attack and later travelled to the bomb site to investigate. The JBVMM inspectors, who were in the area investigating claims that the SPLA had been violating the demilitarised zone, have yet to publicly comment on the latest attack. Enough Project co-founder John Prendergast said the unprovoked attack would increase the likelihood of further instability in the region. ―The two countries have already skirmished over Jau twice since South Sudan’s independence [in July 2011]. Combined with rising tensions around Abyei’s scheduled referendum, actions such as these nudge the two countries closer to war than to peace‖, he said. Akshaya Kumar, a policy analyst with the Enough Project, said the satellite imagery offers independent proof of Sudan’s illegal use of force against its neighbour. She called on the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to condemn the latest bombardment when it meets later this month in New York, saying that it must step up pressure on both presidents to implement their signed agreements. (Back to Top)

Improvement in Sudan, S. Sudan ties to reflect positively in S. Kordofan peace making Sudan News Agency Khartoum, 11/9/2013 – National Council member, head of the deputies of the South Kordofan in the parliament, Afaf Tawor revealed that the first batch of returnees to civil

13 service jobs in the state will be transported to the state today, as part of laying the foundations of the civil service, in implementing to the decision of the governor on this regard. Addressing the meeting of the Governor of the South Kordofan State with the chiefs of the native administration here last Tuesday, Tawor called for the promotion of the coming peace phase, and that the native administration has to show seriousness in contact with their parents and their brothers in the other party for their return to the state, giving the opportunity extends for six months to compete on the Peace Cup for each administration working to return the largest number of its people. For his part, Minister of Youth and Sports in Khartoum State, Al-Tayeb Hassan Badawi expected that South Kordofan State will adopt a civil administration group in the promotion of peace, calling for the investment of good relationship with the State of the South to bring about peace and development. He stressed the readiness of Khartoum State to support peace initiatives through the institutions and councils of peace in the state. For their part, chiefs of the native administration praised the Shura approach of South Kordofan Governor and not to neglect the native administration and use them to bring peace to the state, stressing that they support peace. (Back to Top)

SAF continues bombing Nuba Mountains Catholic Radio Network (CRN), 11/9/2013 – Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) continues to bomb villages in Nuba Mountains despite the declaration of unilateral cessation of hostilities with SPLM- N. SPLM-N Spokesperson Arnu Ngatulu Lodi stated via e-mail that Sudanese MIG jet fighter dropped four bombs in Umserdiba and two in Genesia villages of Umdorain County and destroyed crops last week. He said an Antonov plane dropped another eight bombs in Hejerat and Habab villages of Rashad Locality killing a donkey and a cow. Mr Ngatulu said the attacks caused fear among residents. SAF began bombing civilians in the SPLM-N controlled areas since the breakout of war in June 2011. International community did not intervene to force the warring parties to stop the hostilities. CRN could not verify the claim. (Back to Top)

Khartoum seeks to contact SPLM-N over peace talks – Arman says Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 11/9/2013 – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) said the Sudanese government sought recently to contact them through three countries, but reiterated the demand of his group for a comprehensive process to end the ongoing conflict in the Two Areas and Darfur. Yasir Arman, SPLM-N secretary general, in a statement emailed to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday disclosed that during the last 30 days they were contacted by three countries at the request of Khartoum government in order to explore ways to resume talks on the Blue Nile and South Kordofan conflict. The rebel leader denied statements published last Tuesday in Khartoum by the Sudanese foreign minister Ali Karti saying his government would not negotiate with the SPLM-N but with the "people of the Two Areas" to implement the remaining issues in the peace agreement of 2005. "Karti speaks of the Two Areas because he wants partial solutions. But the era of partial solutions have passed and the only possible solution is a comprehensive solution with the participation of everyone, through a constitutional conference and a new transitional arrangements", Arman stressed. "Talks about the issues of Darfur and the Two Areas independently from the issues of Sudan will ultimately lead to the secession of new regions just like South Sudan", Arman further said.

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He reaffirmed that their priority remains the humanitarian situation in SPLM-N controlled zones in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. Reports in Khartoum say the new US president special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth will visit Khartoum on Friday for consultations with the Sudanese officials over bilateral relations and the efforts of Obama’s administration to support the normalization of bilateral relations between the two neighbours as well as achieving peace in Sudan. However, the American embassy in Khartoum declined to confirm these reports when they were reached by Sudan Tribune on Wednesday. SPLM-N secretary general said they have no planned meeting with Booth but he expressed their readiness to meet him soon. He said that Booth has to be aware that Khartoum used to drag feet and to buy time with the seven former special envoys.

Rights groups call for tougher stance on human rights issues in Sudan Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 11/9/2013 – International rights groups have called on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to strengthen the mandate of the independent expert on the human rights situation in Sudan to monitor and report publicly on serious violations. Twenty international human rights organizations signed the letter, which was presented to the council at the opening of its 24th session in Geneva on Monday. Rights groups say they are deeply concerned by the council’s persistent failure to respond effectively to the situation in Sudan, where gross and systematic violations of human rights continue unabated. ―We regret that previous resolutions adopted by the Human Rights Council failed to condemn the widespread violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed in Sudan and did not identify concrete priority areas of action to improve the protection of basic human rights‖, the letter reads in part. Rights groups say indiscriminate aerial bombardments and ground attacks in civilian areas carried out by the Sudanese military in the conflict-affected areas of Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile states has resulted in widespread loss of civilian life, destruction of livelihoods and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. Under the current mandate, which was renewed last September, the independent expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan is authorised to offer technical assistance and capacity-building support. However, rights groups have urged the council to strengthen the mandate, giving the independent expert more powers to monitor and report on serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in all parts of Sudan. In six key recommendations outlined in the letter, rights groups called for the establishment of an independent investigation into ongoing human rights violations in conflict-affected areas that would report back to the UNHRC at its next session. They also urged the council to condemn on the government’s restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms, saying a tougher stance was needed to address the practice of arbitrary detention, torture, media censorship and the targeting of religious minorities in the country. ―Throughout the country, the Government of Sudan has increased restrictions on freedoms of expression, association and assembly in what appears to be a concerted effort to shut down independent dialogue‖, the letter said. ―These restrictions have severely undermined the activities of civil society and prevented meaningful public consultation in Sudan’s constitution-making process‖, it adds. “Enormous challenges”

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In a report by the independent expert submitted to the UNHRC, Mashood Baderin acknowledges that while the overall human rights situation in Sudan remains unstable and the implementation of policies on the ground remains slow, he said the Sudanese government had made progress in institutional and legislative developments aimed at improving the human rights situation. He said there was now improved awareness about human rights issues both in the government sector and among the general population. However, despite positive steps, Baderin said Sudan continued to face enormous human rights challenges as a result of recurrent armed conflicts between government troops and rebel groups, as well as intra-tribal clashes and the operations of government security agencies, notably the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), which he says has impeded the enjoyment of basic civil and political rights. ―The security situation in the conflict-affected regions of the country has remained precarious and impunity for human rights violations remains a recurring problem‖, the report said. ―The absence or sometimes weak presence of formal state institutions in remote parts of the country accounts for the difficult situation in those areas‖, the report adds, saying women and children in rural areas remained particularly vulnerable. The UNHRC’s 24th session continues until 27 September. Amnesty International, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (JCJPS), Human Rights Watch (HRW) and REDRESS were among the signatories to the letter presented to the 47-member council. (Back to Top)

Sudan Finance Minister says economy will soon recover Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 11/9/2013 – The Sudanese finance minister, Ali Mahmoud Abdel- Rasool, has said that Sudan’s economy will gradually restore its positive standing and recalled the country’s resilience over the last decade saying that between 2003-2010 the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which went from $10 to $65 billion with a 4% growth rate and a stable exchange rate. Mahmoud, who was speaking at a farewell ceremony for the state’s finance ministers, said that the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have praised the performance of the Sudanese economy after achieving 4% growth rate but stressed that both institutions demanded the full implementation of the reform package which include lifting subsidies from basic goods. He pointed out that the first round of cutting fuel subsidies which was implemented last year brought about positive results leading to a decline in inflation rate from 40% to 20% last August. The government defended the measures saying that the country can no longer afford to pay for these subsidies. The Sudanese official lauded the former state finance minister, Abdel-Rahman Dirar, whom he said played a significant role in implementing the 2012 lifting of fuel subsidies. The head of Sudan workers union, Ibrahim Ghandour, for his part, disclosed that an increase in minimum wages will range from 11% to 55% according to the wage structure, adding that the finance ministry agreed to reduce taxes on drugs and continue subsidizing wheat and electricity. On Wednesday, presidential directives were issued following a meeting between the vice president, Al-Hag Adam Youssef, and Ghandour for making immediate moves to control commodities prices particularly the basic goods prior to the implementation of the decision to lifting fuel subsidies in order to assure the Sudanese people that prices will be under control. But several economists assert that the minimum wage increase will not exceed 70 pounds (SDG) which is not enough to allay fears by government employees due to the expected increase in inflation rate resulting from lifting fuel subsidies. Ghandour said that minimum wage increase will be applied retrospectively from January 2013. (Back to Top)

Sudan promises to clear hurdles facing Chinese investments 16

Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 11/9/2013 – The Sudanese investment minister Mustafa Osman Ismail has pledged to resolve all problems facing Chinese investments in the country particularly regarding the repatriation of profits abroad. Foreign investment companies operating in Sudan are suffering from the shortage in hard currency and continue to complain about losing millions of dollars when buying it from the black market. The Sudanese pound is now trading at 7.5 to the dollar on the black market which sharply contrasts the official exchange rate of 4.4. Ismail said in press statements on Wednesday upon his return from Beijing where he attended the Shi Min International Fair that transit fees collected by his government exporting from South Sudan’s oil would solve the problem of the hard currency needed by foreign companies. Khartoum expects to earn $500 million in revenue annually from transit fees of South Sudanese crude. Ismail said that the exhibition he attended offered a good opportunity for displaying the Sudanese products adding that Sudan could export its products including cotton and peanuts to China. China has been Sudan’s largest foreign investor particularly in oil and telecommunications after western firms shunned the East African nation due to conflicts and sanctions. Sudan’s economy was hit hard since the southern part of the country declared independence in July 2011, taking with it about 75% of the country’s oil output. As a result Sudan had been unable to come up with hard currency needed by individuals or businesses who want to import or send profits overseas. A report by Reuters cited growing difficulties facing Chinese investments as a result of the deteriorating economy. "We hardly have any projects in Sudan anymore and are now moving staff to Kenya where business is much better," the head of a mid-sized private Chinese building company told Reuters. "Sudan is no longer an important market for us," said the businessman who requested anonymity as he fears problems with the Sudanese government, which still owes his company money for construction work for ministries in Khartoum over the past two years. The report interviewed handful of Chinese entrepreneurs in Sudan who recounted how their fortunes went south in recent years. Some have even resorted to legal action in order to get their money from Sudanese partners. China’s exports and imports to and from Sudan, which totaled $11.5 billion in 2011, amounted to just $3.3 billion in the January-November period of 2012, Reuters quoted official Chinese data. The drop in oil trade accounted for much of that decline. But even while the oil industry has been shut down trade has continued to fall. In the first five months of this year, Chinese exports to Sudan fell 8 percent from a year earlier to $1.7 billion, the data shows. (Back to Top)

Politicians call on armed movements to be nucleus for new political life Sudandailyvision.com Khartoum, 11/9/2013 – The participants at the symposium on the Political Future of the Armed Movements that are Signatories of the Peace Agreements with the Government have asserted the necessity that the armed movements shall be a new nucleus and basis for political diversity in the political life of the country. The speakers at the symposium organized by the signatory Sudan Liberation Movement, held at Martyr Al-Zubair Hall in Khartoum, have commended conduct of the armed movements that have put down arms and responded to the call for peace. He pointed to the need for all armed movements to participate in dialogues in order to get integrated in the public life and to contribute to the country's rebuilding. The leader of the National Umma Party, Sadiq Al-Mahdi, indicated in the paper he presented at the symposium that the signatory movements of agreements with the government have entered a new

17 phase in achieving their goals via soft and political means, lauding in the same time the change in the movement’s behaviour. He expressed his confidence that dialogue is the best method for achieving development and construction. Al-Mahdi described the leaderships of the armed movements that have joined the peace process as new blood in Sudan’s political body, which he said is in need for refreshment and diversity. He called on these leaders to strongly and actively contribute to the political work in the country, in a way that fits their goals and preserves the unity of Sudan. In his paper, Al Mahdi reviewed the experiments of the political regimes and the way in which they have dealt with the political issues. Al-Mahdi pointed out the negative phenomenon in Darfur such as the tribal disputes, which he described as more threatening than the conflicts between the government and the armed movements, and called for avoiding war in the country. The State Minister at the Ministry of Information and Culture, Mustafa Tirab, has called for firm adherence to the unity of the homeland and expressed his confidence in Sudan’s political leaders and their capability to achieve final solutions for all their differences through peaceful means. He pointed out the importance of transparency in the political work, saying his movement, as an armed one, has determined to fully be involved in the political, stressing that they have abandoned arms because they are useless. The symposium was attended by a number of political and intellectual leaders, along with affected parties in the country, with the participation of the Council of the Parties of National Unity Government. (Back to Top)

Kenyan Journalist accused of crimes against humanity was peace advocate: lawyer Sudantribune.com The Haque, 11/9/2013 – The trial of Kenyan vice-president William Ruto and journalist Arap Sang continued on Wednesday in the International Criminal Court (ICC), with the latter’s defence counsel arguing that his client is a peace loving man who could not have orchestrated the crimes he is accused of. Sang’s lawyer, Katwa Kigen, played several audio tapes before the court as evidence that journalists had been calling for peace among the Kalenjin people in the Rift Valley region, one of the areas that witnessed violence following the 2007-2008 disputed Kenyan elections. Kigen also argued that his client was a junior staffer at Kass FM, the radio station on which he is accused of spreading hate messages. ―This trial is conducted against the background of two important facts; the first one is that he (Sang) was a junior staff member at the radio station; number two: he was not a shareholder in the said radio station; he had no political clout, he obtained no benefit from this situation, and the only benefit he got in the course of his services at the station was his remuneration‖, Kigen told the court. A day before, Ruto’s lawyer Karim Khan argued that the court should dismiss charges against the Kenyan vice-president, saying he had ―debunked‖ the evidence tabled by the prosecutor and proved the claims to be ―nonsense‖. ―I urge the prosecution to drop the charges against Mr Ruto. If not, the judges should terminate this case or enter a verdict of not guilty‖, Khan told the court. The prosecutor fired back that Khan had misrepresented the evidence tabled y the prosecution. The hearing continues next Tuesday, when the prosecution is expected to produce witnesses in support of its case. Ruto and Sang are accused of murder, forcible population transfer and persecution, during post- election violence that led to the death of 1,000 people and displacement of 600,000. (Back to Top)

Rwanda seeks to address ICC during Kenyan leaders’ trial 18

Voice of America, 11/9/2013 – Rwanda has asked the International Criminal Court to let it address the court in the trial of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto. ―What we have done basically is to request the court to allow [us] to address it as a non-member of the Rome Statute, because we are not members of the Rome Statute,‖ said Rwanda’s Attorney General and minister of Justice, Busingye Johnston. ―We think we can be of use to the court in terms of the interpretation of certain aspects regarding scheduling and the approach of the court to the planning and scheduling of matters.‖ Judges at the ICC have yet to decide on Rwanda’s petition. Rwanda is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, which established the Hague-based court. Some analysts say Kigali’s ICC petition could signal President Paul Kagame administration’s intension to become a signatory to the Rome Statute or of becoming a member of the ICC. But, Johnston disagreed. ―No. We are not planning to become a member of the Rome Statute that’s not the case,‖ said Johnston. ―We have requested as non-members of the Rome Statute, which we think is allowed. So, we are not planning to sign up to the Rome Statute.‖ Some observers have questioned the timing of Rwanda’s request to address the court at the time when Mr. Kenyatta and Mr. Ruto face the ICC over charges they played a key role in their country’s 2007-2998 post-election violence that left about 1,300 people dead. Johnston outlined the rationale behind Rwanda’s petition. ―The significance is that we want to address the court about our interpretation of certain articles in the Rome Statute with specific regard to the ongoing prosecution against the journalist, the deputy president and His Excellency [Kenyatta] the president of the republic of Kenya. So, it’s not just a coincidence. It’s in relation to that particular case,‖ said Johnston. Johnston says if the approval is given, Rwanda would want to talk to the court about the impact of the timing of the trial of both Kenyan leaders. ―It is generally on the issues around scheduling, for example, if you have two high-ranking government officials attending a court, would you want to have both of them at the same time out of their countries when they also at work back home at their own country?‖ said Johnston. Johnston declined to speculate about the possible success of Rwanda’s petition to the ICC. ―Honestly, my guess is as good as yours,‖ said Johnston. ―Granting of the request is a complete reserve of the judges of the court. You can only make a request [and] that is what we have done.‖ (Back to Top)

South Sudan’s new Parliament Speaker: “We are watchdogs” Theniles.org Juba, 11/9/2013 – South Sudan’s new Speaker of Parliament Manas Magok Rundial spoke to The Niles, explaining how he got his job and how it is up to MPs to stamp out corruption. Daniel Deng Bol; what makes you think you are the man for the job? I did not write any application for the job but my Party, the SPLM, has chosen me and is convinced that I am the right man for the job. So you were not among a list of candidates? Yes, I was. There was a meeting in which people of Upper Nile State nominated five of us for the contest: My name was among the five. Everyone is asking: Who is Manas Magok? Manas Magok is a simple personality. I am an MP in Bentiu, I was elected in 1982 in Bentiu town and I came to parliament. When the South was divided we were taken to Malakal and there I was appointed Deputy Speaker, then Minister of Agriculture and later Governor of Upper Nile. In 2000 I was appointed as Governor of Unity State. I studied political science. What qualities do you think your party saw in you to carry out this job? Maybe it was my contribution to the liberation struggle, or maybe my experience in the position I held in the previous period. In most parliaments MPs seem at logger head with executives. 19

How are you going to ensure that this relationship remains smooth? MPs will be on bad terms with anybody who mishandles public affairs, they will try to remove that person […], but that does not mean that they are at logger heads with the executives. We are watchdogs for the executives; we see them positive until they go wrong. So if they start messing things up, then the assembly may intervene. So are MPs or the parliament accusing executives of corruption when they oversee their work? You do not accuse for the sake of accusing, you must have material evidence that Minister X has some irregularities. You will not just brand somebody without enough evidence -- if the case is raised against you, you will be in hot soup. So we depend on concrete evidence and material evidence. Do you expect parliament business will be too tough or an easy task for you? I am quite experienced in the work of parliament so it won’t be a challenge. What message would you like to send to the public as a new speaker? I have availed myself to this challenge and therefore the public must stand with me. The work I am about to handle is for their benefit. The people who selected me are in Unity State and therefore I stand to help them, giving anything they want. We will have to provide water and other things. We will not be promising that we will do this and that. It will depend on the availability of the money in the country. I spent almost five hours waiting in your office for this interview. I was impressed by huge queues of people competing to see you. What are these people telling you? They are congratulating me, some are saying words of encouragement and some are friends who are happy seeing me being appointed. Could you say something briefly about the budget? We are awaiting the budget, but it will come very soon. The austerity budget was withdrawn because of what has taken place recently with the government: There were 29 ministries and they were reduced now to a lean government by putting some ministries together and (as a result) they are reworking the budget. (Back to Top) The views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the positions or opinions of the publishers of www.theniles.org - See more at: http://www.theniles.org/articles/

Are there transparency, integrity, and accountability in South Sudan? South Sudan News Agency, 11/9/2013 – Logically, socially, politically and even economically in the Republic of South Sudan, there is no transparency, integrity, and proper accountability in all government Institutions. Why is it that we lack those relevant issues in our system and we call ourselves good citizens? Does it mean that people hearts and minds are only channel to public funds and properties? Or it is the gene among the people in South Sudan that make people to be corrupts too much like this? However, it has been a way of accuses from our people in this country especially the government Officials that, we are new nation therefore; we could not do much at this particular period of time because we have started our Country from scratch level. And if you can question them, when will the time come for the people of South Sudan to have proper accountability, promotion of good governance, respect of rule of law and human rights, Transfer of powers, and transparency as well? Most of the government officials just focus on themselves not development. How can we move ahead as the Independence nation in that way? I know most of the old people or elderly people are the one that are promoting serious corruptions in government Institutions in South Sudan; some of them lack good ideas of taking this great nation to the promise land , it could have been better if the President of the Republic of South Sudan General Kiir to give opportunity to young people ,so that they can bring up this nation to a better standard that can be respected by the world at large because as far now, we have not yet reached to the level that we were fighting for some times for the last twenty one (21) years of civil war. 20

I don’t think whether God will come from heaven and begin telling South Sudanese people about issues to do with transparency and accountability in the system of governance. All the citizens of South Sudan have the right to freedom of expressions, freedom to advocate for any amendments in the current Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011, if they really know their rights and aspirations. Based on my findings and observations, most of the South Sudanese does not know their rights in this Country. People are just going in the direction that is so confusing and very discouraging, and moreover we call ourselves people who know things and we don’t know some of our rights and obligations. Assumptions without justifications sometimes is not good my dear compatriots in Jesus Christ. South Sudanese does not admit their mistakes in their daily lives, people assumed to have known things but in reality, they are doomed in brain, and they lack transparency, accountability and even integrity within themselves in this great nation. People have been blaming each other for nothing when they really know what is blocking transparency, integrity and accountability in South Sudan. People might ask what the possible ways to overcome these fundamentals issues are. First of all, South Sudanese should have truth among themselves for a common goal that can be achieved. There is need to do away with tribalism, hatred and lack of commitment, people need to have the direction to advocate for the freedom of all the relevant issues that need proper attention from the citizen. Secondly, there is need to be good observance in this current issues in the Republic of South Sudan, so that by 2015, we should choose for the leader who will do the needful to the entire Country not basing on tribal issues, insecurity and lack of respect for the rule of law and human rights. Citizens of South Sudan should come out and point out relevant problematic issues that need attention from the government which we are having in this Country. People might be wondering of the question am talking about but for some people who knows what is ongoing in the Republic of South Sudan since the beginning to date, they will know what am talking about. Conclusively; lastly there are people who are really traumatized psychologically and mentally, I don’t know whether it is war that caused it or it is the mentality within the minds of the people, people are very volatile to one another; people lack diplomacy and good approaches to the issues that are of great concern to the people of South Sudan. Within Juba as the capital city of South Sudan, you find that people discussing tribalistic and evil words that might take us backward one day, that will never take them anywhere, people minds focus only on evil things. People are opposing ideas that might be of great importance to the future of this Country. (Back to Top) The Author is the Independent Journalist and Columnist for Juba Monitor. You can contact him through [email protected]

The absurdity of peace-building in South Sudan (I) South Sudan News Agency, 11/9/2013 – In traditional conflict resolution approach, also known as conflict management or track I diplomacy, there are three technical phases or frameworks that peace scholars, practitioners and negotiators have largely identified as dictating the path of building peace in any given conflict. The three phases are: peacemaking where a political settlement mediated by negotiators is facilitated in a roundtable peace negotiation process between the conflict belligerents; peacekeeping where keeping the peace is undertaken usually by a regionally or globally mandated peacekeeping force after a peace agreement has been signed; and peace building where state and nation building, and reconstruction and development processes and activities are pursued by various institutional stakeholders to ensure a lasting peace in the conflict setting. The strategic objective is that with one less conflict too many, comes more regional and international peace and stability. The overall rubric that characterizes conflict resolution as such, for lack of better phrase may be called ―technical peace‖ pursuit. This is also most popularly known as ―democratic peace‖ or ―liberal peace‖ approach, and is the most dominant practice of conflict resolution in the world today. It finds appeal in the most powerful countries in the West and is practiced by actors

21 representing most global institutions, such as the United Nations, and regional bodies, such as the European Union (EU), and the African Union (AU), among others. In fact, there is a widespread persuasion shaped by the democratic peace thinking that the ―panacea‖ for world peace lies in inculcating a long laundry list of democracy, human rights, rule of law, security sector reform and economic liberalization in conflict settings across the world. It is argued according to this view that democratic states do not go to war with each other, and that countries that have McDonalds, for instance (here symbolizing free market economy) do not fight each other. Phrased another way building sustainable peace in conflict settings around the world hinges on this one-size-fits-all promotion of democratic or liberal peace, it is widely held. Arguably, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in Khartoum and the now ruling Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) in Juba, is predominantly shaped by this technical peace global mentality. Tragically, the absurdity of peace-building in South Sudan is precisely that the whole technical peace approach is counterintuitive and does not work in our conflict. The view is shared by many scholars who have noticed that most peace agreements signed under this dominant conflict management or track I diplomatic environment do not last more than five years from the date of inking the agreement to the resumption of violent conflicts. More recently, the one-size-fits-all democratic peace as imported from abroad this way has exacerbated violent conflicts from Afghanistan to Iraq to Somalia and now South Sudan, just to mention but a few. If the Arab Spring that is sweeping across North Africa and the Middle East region is thrown into the mix, as is the case in Egypt, Libya and elsewhere, the conclusion is even more surreal. Given the historicity and complexity of Sudanese conflicts, the peace-building size that is needed should have been at least an XXL, and preferably tailored and custom-made to neatly fit our conflict. The same conflict-specific approach to conflict resolution would have been prudent in the examples cited above and many more. Unfortunately, and despite some of its significant achievements, particularly the historic deliverable of the independence to South Sudan as a sovereign state, the CPA was nowhere close to promoting a comprehensive and lasting peace in the two Sudan. The agreement has utterly failed as comprehensive conflict resolution and as a mechanism for power sharing in the Sudan as it purports. It is my view that the current hostile and volatile political reality in South Sudan and the polarization of violent conflicts in different parts of Sudan is partly incentivized by the CPA. In order to understand why I view the CPA as a major contributing factor to the conflict, it is useful to briefly examine the various components of the peace process, including the different protocols and provisions, and the different actors involved in the peace deal. Prior to the CPA process, it is worth noting that several attempts were made to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the second North-South conflict between the Government of Sudan (GoS), and SPLM/A. As early as August 1989, almost two months after the National Islamic Front (NIF), now the NCP ascended to power in Khartoum in a military coup, the two parties met in Addis Ababa, and then in Nairobi in December of the same year through the unofficial mediating channels of the former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. But when SPLM/A insisted on the abolition of Islamic Sharia, which is at the center of the conflict, the negotiations stalled. Another round of peace talks was resumed by the US state Department in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC) in 1990, then in Abuja-Nigeria under the patron of Nigerian President Ibrahim Babangida. However, both attempted rounds of negotiations faltered, without any noticeable progress. In 1994 the African regional agency the then Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD), composed of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda organized another round of negotiations, and although the parties did not reach a settlement to the conflict, they agreed on humanitarian assistance, and signed a declaration of principles. Nelson Mandela then led another roundtable negotiation in 1997, which was followed up by the now renamed Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) from 1997-2001. This resulted in an agreement on humanitarian ceasefire, but without settling some of the outstanding issues such as self-determination and North-South border demarcation. An agreement on cessation 22 of hostilities followed in Switzerland in 2002, under the aegis of the Swiss and US governments, which set the stage for the subsequent conclusion of Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Signed between the SPLM and the NCP in the Kenyan town of Machakos in January 09, 2005, under the mediating efforts of the Kenyan General Lazaro Sumbeiywo, sponsored by IGAD, and observed by a Troika comprised of United States, United Kingdom and Norway, the CPA is a conglomerate of earlier six partial agreements, which were then compiled into the accord and hence the misleading qualifier ―comprehensive.‖ The first agreement, which set forth the basic framework for the peace process and future negotiations, is the Machakos Protocol signed on July 22, 2002. Appended to the protocol was another agreement, which stipulates ―the need for a pre-transition period of six months, a six-year transition period, followed by an internationally supervised referendum for the south, where secession should be one of the options.‖ Moreover during the transition period, an expanded multiparty government was stipulated to rule Sudan from Khartoum, while giving the South some autonomy. The second agreement, ―the Agreement on Security Arrangements‖ was signed on September 25, 2003. It arranges for a comprehensive ceasefire that was to come into force once the CPA was signed, and reduced the number of legally recognized armed forces into the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and the Sudan’s People Liberation Army (SPLA). The two legally recognized armed forces were to remain independent, but Joint Integrated Units (JIUs) from the two were to be created. These troops are to be based in South Sudan, Khartoum, the Nuba mountains and the Blue Nile throughout the transition period. The third agreement was a ―wealth sharing‖ agreement signed January 04, 2004 that provided for equal sharing of the oil revenue between GoS and the semi-autonomous government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) during the interim period. The fourth accord signed on May 26, 2004 is composed of three protocols. A power sharing protocol contained three core provisions, including the drafting of an interim constitution, the formation of a Southern Government, and power sharing in Khartoum, and the late John Garang was to become the first Vice-President of the Sudan. The fifth agreement relates to Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile regions, dubbed the ―Protocol on the Resolution of the Conflict in southern Kordofan and Blue Nile States.‖ This was signed on May 26, 2004 and provided for a popular consultation to determine the status of these regions. The sixth and final political settlement also signed on the same day as the fifth agreement, is the Abyei Protocol or the ―Protocol on the Resolution of the Conflict in Abyei Area.‖ The core provision of this protocol is the stipulation on a referendum that was to take place concurrently with the Southern Sudanese self-determination referendum on January 09, 2011, where Abyei people will decide if they want to retain the special administrative status in the north, or join the Southern Sudanese state of Bahr el Ghazal. But as we all know too well the Abyei referendum remains the stuff of a dream as the two parties SPLM and NCP continue to disagree on voters’ eligibility, the North-South border demarcation and other differences together now known as the post-secession outstanding issues. In view of the preceding presentation, how does the CPA contribute to the conflict, and hence the absurdity of peace-building in South Sudan? It is clear here that the peace process was conducted over an extended period of time, which began in earnest approximately seven years into the resumption of the second civil war in 1982. There was ample time and space to include other key stakeholders to the conflict from regional actors such as Ethiopia, Eritrea, Uganda, and Egypt, who supported the North-South belligerents on various levels and capacities, to local actors such as other political parties, other armed groups, the civil society (if any), and religious organizations. Yet the absurdity of peace building in South Sudan and greater Sudan at large is that key stakeholders in the conflict were not invited to the negotiation table. Moreover, there was also enough time and space for the agreement to be more comprehensive in the true sense of the word and address the issues that have proven sticking points and have spoiled and derailed sustainable peace in the two countries. In other words, the CPA should have clearly spelled out as part of the negotiation process, mechanisms for addressing the current outstanding issues from border demarcation, Abyei referendum, and the status of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, among other key issues. The resolution of these issues are now proving costly in terms of time and

23 resources spent, and have almost triggered a resumption of all-out war in April, 2012, and could yet ignite another war between the two Sudan. Oddly enough, though a product of democratic peace, the CPA lacked any democratic principles and punitive mechanisms that could have held the subsequent current regimes in Khartoum and Juba accountable, to safeguard its full implementation in a spirit of democracy and inclusive participation to promote sustainable peace in the two countries. Instead, Khartoum was left at large and derailed and obstructed the implementation of the CPA at will, with little accountability. As can be seen now, Khartoum continues to embark with impunity with its deliberate obstruction of the implementation of all new and old provisions related to the resolution of Abyei status and all the remaining outstanding issues. Given Khartoum’s poor track record in honoring peace agreements, it is difficult to see how the Abyei issue can be resolved while the current NCP regime remains in charge, not even when the President of South Sudan is seen humiliatingly bowing before the Sudanese flag during his last visit up north! Bow down or not, it took less than one week for Khartoum to violate South Sudan’s sovereignty and bombed areas within South Sudan’s territory killing a couple of innocent South Sudanese citizens. Indeed it has already been shown on previous occasions in the past, including when it arrogantly rebuffed the final ruling of the Abyei Boundaries Commission (ABC) that Khartoum does not have good faith more generally but even more so when it comes to Abyei. Stunningly, on one occasion, as John Prendergast and Roger Winter noted in their report entitled ―Abyei Sudan’s Kashmir,‖ President Bashir speaking to his paramilitary Jihadists, the so-called ―people’s defense forces,‖ even derided the ABC ruling on Abyei by telling the crowd that the ABC commissioners should ―dilute their report and drink it.‖ In Sudan’s culture such a statement is the utmost insult and the ultimate condescension attitude as it can get. It basically means you are not recognized and are being asked to take a hike. To prove this point, Khartoum even reneged from the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on Abyei borders, despite the ruling being in its favor, and despite Khartoum’s initial acceptance of the ruling. These obstructionist policies, reinforced by the vagueness of messaging, and lack of punitive measures and accountability in CPA, led to the current impasse on the status of Abyei. Overall, ―CPA has been characterized by unmet deadlines…‖ Thus, the CPA has proved to be impotent in handling the Abyei situation and thereby created space for derailment policies and contestations between the conflict belligerents. This in turn is increasingly fostering conditions conducive to unilateral declaration of Abyei as South Sudanese that could culminate in violent escalation. Abyei aside, the CPA can also be viewed as exacerbating the conflict in other areas of the greater Sudan including within South Sudan. To begin with the greater Sudan as a whole is a highly diverse and incoherent multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-lingual, multi-racial and multi-ethnic state. According to Peter K. Bechtold in his ―More Turbulance in the Sudan: A New Politics This Time?‖ the greater Sudanese social fabric is comprised of some 597 tribes that speak over 400 different languages and dialects—a diversity that has been characterized as ―one of the world’s most heterogeneous societies that is almost a microcosm of Africa.‖ And as we all know, Sudan, including its Southern territory also devotedly represents a microcosm of the African continent in its strong ethnic consciousness, racial and identity politics of domination, and marginalization which flame the various ugly violent armed struggles, as a way of negotiating grievances or greed for that matter. Few groups if any in the periphery of the Sudan would claim they have been spared from domination, and political and economic marginalization by the center—Khartoum. Despite this reality, the CPA was deliberated and concluded as a dyad peace process between NCP and SPLM, excluding the other groups with legitimate grievances, and thereby leaving the impression that grievance can only be taken serious under the barrel of the gun. The crisis in Darfur, and other armed insurrections in the East and in the South are classic examples of how the CPA gave peace with one hand and incentivized violence with another. In his brilliant article ―A Flawed Peace Process Leading to a Flawed Peace,‖ John Young rightly pointed out that: ―probably the biggest threat posed to the hopes for peace and stability in Sudan is the refusal of IGAD to respond positively to the demand of the rebels in Darfur for their voice to be heard in Naivasha. The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), the dominant rebel group in

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Darfur, purposely timed its insurrection as a direct response to the denial of a place for itself at Naivasha peace talks. It has explicitly stated a fear that power and resources would be divided between the GoS and SPLM/A at the expense of the rest of the country. IGAD and the Troika also rejected demands by SSDF [South Sudan Defense Force], NDA [Northern Democratic Alliance], the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), and other groups for a place at the peace talks.‖ Indeed it is no coincidence that at the time of signing of the CPA, Sudan Tribune reported that a study showed that there were about thirty different armed groups, with forces adding up to approximately thirty-thousand personnel, capable of disturbing any meaningful peace in the Sudan. And yet the CPA ignored these groups, who have legitimate claims to power sharing, which makes them even more determined to make their voices heard by physical coercion, and spoiling the peace as is currently evident. For this reason it is not an exaggeration to label post-CPA Sudan as an absurdity of peace-building and accuse the CPA of complicity in the conflict. By excluding other groups, from the negotiation table, the CPA was not serious about promoting sustainable peaceful in the greater Sudan. Moreover, by confining power sharing to two parties only, the CPA implicitly reinforced the policy of marginalization and domination practiced by Khartoum. Sadly, as we now see in Juba the power sharing arrangements of the CPA have been used by the SPLM to aggressively implement marginalization policies across regions, tribes, clans and political interest syndicates. This has created space for political opportunism, corruption and nepotism as different actors scramble for the crumbs that fall off the table of powers that be in Juba, and thereby deepening identity divides in an already highly ethnically charged and militarized society. Thus the power sharing protocol of the CPA has been aptly summed up by Young as ―a formula designed by the GoS to let Garang, and his supporters grab the lion’s share of power and thus precipitate tribal conflict in the South.‖ Finally, the absurdity of peace-building in South Sudan lies in that the CPA legitimizes centralization of authority, and reconfigures in the South the same power structures that existed in the North. As Young succinctly concludes: ―under the direction of the US-led Troika, IGAD has managed a peace process that is unlikely to lead to sustainable peace, and even less likely to result in Sudan’s democratic transformation. By failing to address the power inequities that are at the core of Sudan’s multiple crises, and failing to appreciate that conflict resolution in the periphery requires transformation at the center, it ensures that civil strife which already has spread from southern Sudan to the West will spread to other parts of the country…the weakness of the peace process can be said to begin with lack of a commitment to democratic values, the failure to bring other political forces and civil society organizations into the process, the absence of transparency of the process itself, the endorsement of power sharing by two parties that have no democratic credentials….‖ Tongun Lo Loyuong is reachable at [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it; and can be followed on twitter at TongunLoLoyuong. This and other pieces are also on his blog: http://tloloyuong.wordpress.com/ (Back to Top)

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