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

TUESDAY, 6 AUGUST 2013

SOUTH SUDAN • SPLM to disown members of political bureau who do not support its vision and policy (S. S. News Agency) • Caucuses united to support President Kiir on lean cabinet (Gurtong.net) • S. Sudan’s Kiir makes new changes, appoints more women ministers (Sudantribune.com) • S. Sudan assembly forms technical committee to vet new ministers (Sudantribune.com) • Cabinet restructure affects some ministers (Catholic Radio Network) • Jonglei parliament accepts governor’s resignation (Sudantribune.com) • Assembly approves Governor's resignation (Gurtong.net) • Consultations delayed cabinet formation: presidency account (Gurtong.net) • Special committee: We hope David Yau Yau says yes to peace (Eye Radio) • 2,000 doctors leave country in 10 years (Daily Monitor) • Over 20 patients suffer leprosy in Nuba Mountains (Voice of Peace) • South Sudan welcomes 150 brand new teacher graduates (Eye Radio) • Parliament refers report on Macdowell Company to committee (Gurtong.net) SOUTH SUDAN/SUDAN • Situation contained after clash between Sudanese and S. Sudan patrols at Heglig area (Sudan News Agency)

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • Sudan’s DUP affirms its continued participation in NCP-dominated government (Sudantribune.com) • Sudanese lawmaker accuses government of negligence in wake of deadly floods (Sudantribune.com) • Saudi Arabia pushes back against Sudan’s account of blocking Bashir’s plane (Sudantribune.com) OPINION/ANALYSIS/COMMENTARIES/EDITORIAL • Torture of rebels in Khartoum prison reached climax (Sudantribune.com) LINKS TO STORIES FROM THE MORNING MEDIA MONITOR • Opposition criticizes President Kiir for increasing ministries (Radio Bakhita) • Parliament to scrutinize cabinet before taking oath (Catholic Radio Network) • Analyst says no lean government (Bakhita Radio) • Governor orders shooting of armed civilians (Gurtong.net) • Leader calls for ahead of elections (Gurtong.net) • Sudan-South Sudan border clash kills one: Khartoum (Fox News /AFP) • Sudan says military confrontation takes place with S. Sudan (Xinhua) • Khartoum speaks about limited clashes with S. Sudan army in Heglig (Sudantribune.com)

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.

Highlights

SPLM to disown members of political bureau who do not support its vision and policy South Sudan News Agency Juba, 5/8/2013 – The ongoing political squabbling among members of the South Sudan’s ruling party has taken an unlikely turn. Leading figures of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) have ordered a clandestine restructuring of the party with intent to identity and root out any member whom the party sees as a menace. The decision to reorganize the party was made and implemented without the knowledge of the entire leadership. The latest development, if put into practice, will define the future of the SPLM. In a memo circulated among party’s elites and obtained by the South Sudan News agency, the group tasked with finding the fix for the party’s internal problems has come up with a resolution that could mean either success or collapse of the party. “Our main objective is to disown members of political bureau who do not support the vision of the party. Any member who doesn’t agree with party’s platform must be rooted out”, the 1493 words document reads in part. (Back to Top/Headlines)

Caucuses united to support President Kiir on lean cabinet Gurtong.net , 6/8/2013 – The Executive and Legislature caucuses have united to support the President of the Republic of South Sudan, on his latest move to reduce the size of government. The Caucuses have also welcomed and reiterated a call for urgent investigations of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Secretary-General Pagan Amum including the Country’s former Vice President Teny over their misconduct towards the leadership of the country and the party. The SPLM State Chairperson who doubles as the state governor convened the meeting with key SPLM state Secretariat leadership were they the current political shakeup at the national level which is expected to follow the suit across all the 10 states. The state SPLM Chief Whip Hon. Tobiolo Alberio Oromo who spoke to the press after the joint meeting of the two caucuses said therte is need for investigations into misconduct towards the leadership of the party as manifested in the recent weeks by the suspended Pagan Amum and former vice president Riek Machar. The SPLM Deputy Chair Felix Okanyi Remijo who doubles as Party’s Secretary General told the press that the governor briefed the joint caucus accordingly about the latest national reshuffle and formation of the lean government. “We need [the] house to be clean. Chairperson Salva Kiir must be given another chance to lead the Party even in the coming third Party convention,” Okanyi said. The Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore had last week said that South Sudan’s former Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny is responsible for the mistake he made to challenge the president on the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) leadership. He noted that Riek Machar’s actions and utterances in the media announcing his plan for the SPLM chairperson candidature led to his removal from the position. “We all did not accept and appreciate his utterances. First of all Riak Machar as one of the key members of SPLM, has been Vice President has been delegated all powers by the President since the establishment of the six and a half year interim semi-autonomous government of the then Southern Sudan all the way to the 2010 elected Government until the present government of the Republic of South Sudan which came as a result of self-determination of 2011 referendum secession vote,” he said.

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He said that any achievement by the government had been because of two of them; Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir and therefore one cannot criticize own party which is the government. “For that reason we all have applauded the move by the President to remove him from the position he had held because he cannot challenge your own government while you are also part of Executive,” he said adding that “We will also wait for him in the upcoming national convention of the party; SPLM, and question him once convention is held or convened.” The governor also welcomed the removal of the SPLM Secretary-General Pagan Amum who also went to the media criticizing the government terming the practice as disobedient to his party instead of being loyal. (Back to Top/Headlines)

S. Sudan’s Kiir makes new changes, appoints more women ministers Sudantribune.com Juba, 5/8/2013 – South Sudan president, Salva Kiir unexpectedly reversed an earlier order, appointing five ministers and an equal number of deputy ministers in the newly formed government. Kiir, in an executive order issued Sunday, also split ministries he previously combined with others, into separate institutions as it were before the 23 July dissolution of the entire government. The splitting of ministries and subsequent appointments, officials say, was in response complaints raised by women groups, who claimed they were under represented and blamed the government for failing to fulfill 25% affirmative action. The new cabinet, the state-radio reported, will now comprise of 33 members, including the president, his deputy and minister for the presidency, whose positions are still unoccupied till now. Abuk Ayite, a legislator in the national assembly commended the president for adhering to the 25% affirmative action allocated to women in the country. “We are happy and thank the president for responding to our pleas favourably. This was a wise decision and we knew he was going to do so. He is a caring leader and which is why we the women have been supporting him all along,” said Ayite, who now chairs the technical committee to vet the newly appointed cabinet members. “We continue to support him,” she stressed. Thomas Wani, who chairs the parliamentary group for members from the south-ruling party (SPLM), said the appointment of new more women in the cabinet was the result of the meeting they had with the president on Saturday. “The house welcomed this development. It is the result of the meeting we had with the president on Saturday. It shows the president keeps his words. He told asked he has heard our reservations and the recommendations we made and that he was going to act on them, which what he has now done. We congratulate him and the women," Wani told reporters in the capital, Juba on Monday. This is how wise leaders like our president address issues of concern, he added. (Back to Top/Headlines)

S. Sudan assembly forms technical committee to vet new ministers Sudantribune.com Juba, 5/8/2013 – A technical committee, comprising eleven members, was on Monday formed by South Sudanese parliament to vet the newly appointed ministers. The team, which consists of lawmakers from all the country’s 10 states, was tasked to thoroughly conduct mandatory background checks of the minister, appointed last week. On 23 July, South Sudan president, Salva Kiir dissolved his entire government, including removing his long-serving vice-president, Riek Machar in a move that shocked many. Abuk Ayite, a conservative key member of the house was named head of the committee, which will also comprise of representative from the opposition, who is yet to be named. The team, according to the chairperson, will examine, among others, educational background, political experiences, past achievements, political vision for the country and whether the candidate he has been charged with crimes.

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“The committee will conduct thorough background checks for all the appointed cabinet members. This is mandatory. It is not targeting specific people as it is speculated in the media,” Ayite told reporters in Juba on Monday. The committee will look at their resumes, political background, past achievements, political vision for this country, she added. “The members will also be checked whether they have ever participated in any criminal activity, which is where the team will pay much attention”, the official stressed. South Sudan assembly on Friday started vetting the new ministers, but had to postpone the entire process after failure to reach a consensus. Some members have asserted that the new cabinet should not include those who had already served in government positions, but failed to make any valuable contribution. But Ayite did not say whether her committee will recommend the rejection of minister who served in the previous cabinet, without adding value. (Back to Top/Headlines)

Cabinet restructure affects some ministers Catholic Radio Network, 5/8/2013 – The republican decree President of the Republic issued on Sunday restructuring the ministries affected some ministers positively and some negatively. The former Minister for Transport, Roads and Bridges Simon Mijok Mijak became a deputy to the former Labour and Public Service minister Kuong Danhier Gatluak. Abdallah Deng Nhial who was in Dams and Electricity ministry was taken to Environment deputized by Martin Tako and Ngor Kolong Ngor is now the minister for Labour and Public Service. The restructuring brought in a number of women to fulfill their quota that increased from 25 to 35 percent. Jemma Nunu Kumba was appointed Dams and Electricity minister, Ministry of Land, Housing and Physical Planning is headed by Catherine Juan Beneiah. Ministry of Culture Youths and Sports is now headed by Nadia Arop Dudi and deputized by Josephine Napwon Cosmos. Rachel Nyadak is now a deputy to the Information and Broadcasting Minister Michael Makuei Lueth and Rebecca Joshua Okwachi is now Telecommunication minister. Lily Albino Akol Akol became a deputy to Bedda Machar of Agriculture and Forestry Ministry. (Back to Top/Headlines)

Jonglei parliament accepts governor’s resignation Sudantribune.com Bor, 5/8/2013 – The legislative assembly of approved on Monday the resignation of Governor , the newly appointed South Sudan’s defence minister. Several Members of Parliament (MPs) said that the former governor resigned with good will and determination to serve at wider capacity as defence minister for the whole country. Governor Kuol however, was appointed as the national minister of Defence and veteran affairs in the new Government formed by president Kiir recently. Speaking after the sitting, the speaker of Jonglei legislative assembly, Peter Chol Wal, briefed the media about the outcome of the meeting, and expressed their gratitude for the promotion of Kuol Manyang. The assembly members unanimously passed the resignation letter, Wal said. He further appealed on President Salva Kiir to consider the situation of Jonglei state, saying they need somebody who will follow the steps and the plans that were laid by the former governor. He cited the shaky security situation as the first challenge in Jonglei, urging the president of the republic to appoint a person who will really understand the composition and the nature of the people of Jonglei state politically and socially.

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"In our deliberation I think there was no difficult issue. (The resignation) was passed easily because most of the people, thanked the governor for what he has done, (and) because you know Kuol Manyang was brought to this state from the national government before the independence of South Sudan to maintain security in Jonglei state", Wal explained. According to some members in the assembly, the governor’s seat would be filled by caretaker governor who will be appointed by the president to act for sixty days before hold new gubernatorial elections in line with the South Sudan Transitional constitution. However observers say this constitutional provision is breached in the where the elected governor was removed by the president since more than three months ago and no race is held to choice anew governor. (Back to Top/Headlines)

Assembly approves Governor's resignation Gurtong.net Bor, 5/8/2013 – The Jonglei State Legislative Assembly has debated and approved the governor’s resignation from the state government according to the transitional constitution of Jonglei state. Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk was last week appointed to serve as the national Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs in the new government formed by the president of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir. Kuol served as the minister of Roads and Transport in the government of National Unity of Sudan after the signing of Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and he then become governor of Jonglei state in December 2007 taking over from Philip Thon Leek to deal with insecurity including child abduction, cattle raiding and killing of innocence people in the volatile state. In his resignation letter deliberated by the state assembly, Kuol resignation letter was according to transitional constitution of Jonglei state which indicated that, Jonglei state governor’s office shall fall vacant in any of the cases. Speaking after the sitting, the Jonglei legislative assembly, Peter Chol Wal briefed the state journalists about the governor’s resignation request that was passed by the members of assembly on Monday. Peter Chol said that the calmness of security situation in eight counties out of 11 was through governor Kuol’s efforts with exception of three counties of Pibor and greater Akobo where few cases of cattle rustling and child abduction are currently reported. Speaker Chol appeals to the President of South Sudan to consider the situation of Jonglei state that need somebody who will follow the steps and plans laid by Kuol Manyang, adding that insecurity is the priority as it is a challenge to state government. He requested the president to appoint a person who will understand the composition and the nature of the people of Jonglei state politically and socially. The speaker said in their deliberation there was nothing difficult as they passed the resignation of the governor Kuol Manyang. “In our deliberation I think there was no difficult issues, it was passed easily because most of the people thanked the governor for what he has done, he has done his part because you know Kuol Manyang was brought to this state from the national government before independence of South Sudan to come and maintain security,” he said. Chol said that Kuol Manyang has done his part and that was what has been stated by the members of parliament. He said that Kuol Manyang is also promoted by to the national government to deal with security affairs of the country in which Jonglei state will be part of his mandate. He said that all the members approved the resignation with MP Kuol Bol Ayom adding that the resignation is a step towards good governance in the state because he was appointed because of his activeness in the government.

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The government of Jonglei State has welcomed and congratulated the president upon naming a new cabinet in which its own Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk is Defense Minister. “The entre government and people of Jonglei state congratulate, Salva Kiir Mayardit who is also the commander in chief of armed forces, on the appointment of the new cabinet,” said Gabriel Gai Riem, the Acting Governor and also the State Minister of Cabinet and Parliamentary Affairs. (Back to Top/Headlines)

Consultations delayed cabinet formation: presidency account Gurtong.net Juba, 6/8/2013 – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir’s long awaited cabinet formation had been delayed by consultations for the need for inclusiveness, a statement released by the office of the President said yesterday. Need to ensure representation of the opposition parties, women, and other groups among others needed time, said the statement, adding formation of the lean government after it was reduced from 29 to 21 ministries needed more time. “President Salva Kiir Mayardit has been convening with the political establishment, state governors and religious groups in order to optimize the structure of government institutions and form a highly inclusive, professional and progressive cabinet,” said the statement. Its one week following the sacking of the South Sudan’s entire cabinet and the Vice President that a formation of another cabinet was announced from last Wednesday by the President. However, despite the new formation last week, women were lowly represented creating wider outcry. On Sunday, new republican decrees by the President however, confirmed the constitutional requirement for the women representation. Despite over a one week long consultations, the positions of the Vice President and Minister of Presidential Affairs still remain vacant. Parliament is set to vet the appointed ministers on Tuesday this week before their swearing in this week. “Pending final approvals, the nominees will then be sworn into office by the Chief Justice this week and President Kiir will subsequently preside over the first meeting with his new cabinet,” added the statement. At the meantime, Undersecretaries run the ministries though some ministers have started their work before vetting by the parliament and swearing in. The Secretary General of the Government, Abdon Agaw Jok Nhial said that; “the ministries are performing at a high level and the South Sudan Police and other security organs have maintained peace and security during the transition phase.” (Back to Top/Headlines)

Special committee: we hope David Yau Yau says yes to peace. Eye Radio, 5/8/2013 – A group calling themselves the “Murle Intellectuals Committee” in Jonglei State is organizing to meet the rebel leader David Yau Yau to start the peace process. A member of the committee, John Towan said the peace process will immediately start after getting official permission from the President. “We are going to Pibor to be on the ground because here is not easy, you know just to talk to him on phone is not enough, but we plan to sit with him physically to talk to him physically; these are plan as committee we are working on it,” he told Eye Radio. Mr. Towan said that once the discussions start, there is a high expectation that Yau Yau will accept the peace deal. “We know our hope that Yau Yau is going to accept the peace and we will decide and we are looking forward that Yau Yau really t accepts the peace, but in our hope we know that Yau Yau is going to accept. Yau Yau is not going to fight the government,” he said.

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During the commemoration of the Martyr’s Day, the President asked the Murle elders to try their best in talking to Yau Yau to respond to his amnesty. Last week, former rebel leaders under South Sudan Defense Forces met with officials of the SPLA to work out plans of integrating over five thousand of its soldiers into the national army. (Back to Top/Headlines)

2,000 doctors leave country in 10 years Daily Monitor Kampala, 6/8/2013 – South Sudan is the latest destination for Ugandan trained doctors whose migration for greener pastures has for long become an open secret. Latest statistics from the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council indicate that more than 2,000, nearly 50 per cent of the registered number of medical practitioners, have left the country in the past 10 years even as the government continues to struggle to attract, recruit and retain doctors in State health facilities. The Council had 4,200 registered doctors as of July 31, 2013. Out of these, only 2,021 have been licensed by the Council, while only 1,200 are involved in clinical medicine, a role for which they are trained. Despite fears in the sector that the latest trends do not show any efforts to curb the long lasting problem; authorities say they are moving to deal with the issue once and for all. “We realized that there is external market for health workers if they are not handled well. In South Sudan, Rwanda, South Africa and in Uganda there is market,” the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Asuman Lukwago, said. According to the latest figures, most of the unlicensed doctors are suspected to be ending up in the South Sudan market where the doctors do not need a practicing licence to do work, mostly in donor funded projects. Dr Ssentongo Katumba, the registrar at the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, confirmed some 2,021 registered health doctors are not known since they are not involved in clinical work, because they have moved to the private sector or migrated to well-paying markets. “Some of them may be in the country, but doing other things not related to medical work. Many others have absorbed into the donor-funded projects while others are doing private work,” he said in an interview. Only 1,200 doctors of those licensed are said to be practicing in Uganda while some are working in the neighbouring countries of Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and South Africa. This number also includes doctors in management, administrators, lecturers and tutors, district health officers and MPs who are doctors. Among other factors depleting the health sector of practitioners, Dr Katumba says, is that most doctors who go for further studies in other countries, nearly 70 per cent do not return and when they do, they join projects due to poor pay in the public health sector. “Up to 32 per cent of Ugandan doctors have not specified the countries in which they are working. For instance we aware that South Sudan is employing over 200 Ugandan doctors but they don’t appear in our system because South Sudan does not have a medical council nor do they require recommendations from the Ugandan council before they take them up,” Dr Katumba says. Other unaccounted for include those working in countries that are unstable like Somalia, Somali land, Swaziland and Botswana. Dr William Mbabazi, a Ugandan doctor working as the Head of Health/Measles Delegate at the American Red Cross based in Nairobi, says the trend is driven by personal, push-and-pull factors for different individuals to different countries. “In Uganda’s case there are more of push factors and in my case it was frustrating to work with a non- responsive health care system. If you are a progressive person, you will find it hard to work in the Uganda’s setting,” Dr Mbabazi told the Daily Monitor in a telephone interview yesterday, adding that the country’s health sector did not offer him challenges after working for over 18 years. While his choice to work in another country is not based on payment, a Ugandan medical officer currently working in Maseru, the capital of Lesotho in South Africa says he left the country to seek for green pastures because of poor pay.

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The source says before he left Uganda, he was being paid a net pay of Shs500, 000 as his monthly pay compared to his current salary of Shs10 million, a house and he is exempted from car tax. Figures obtained from the Ministry of Public Service indicate that medical officers in Uganda are paid a gross of Shs846, 000, consultants Shs1.3m while senior consultants earn a gross pay of Shs2.3m. While in Rwanda, for instance, the starting salary for a medical officer is Shs3.8 million. In Kenya, consultants are paid an equivalent Shs7.8 million while senior consultants take home a net salary of Shs10 million. Tanzania pays Shs13 million as salary for a consultant. Health sector still faces daunting challenges Other reasons medical practitioners leave include lack of equipment. Someone trains to become a brain surgeon, when they come to Uganda; they are frustrated because there is no equipment and no team to work with. “They end up frustrated. This kills their morale,” Dr Margaret Mungherera, the president of the Uganda Medical Association, says Every year, a combined number of 260 doctors graduate from Makerere, Gulu and Mbarara, Kampala International universities and a few graduates from outside the country. But of 260 who graduate every year, less than 50 per cent join the public sector. Dr Mungherera says that this trend is very dangerous and if not addressed urgently, the future of the medical and health sector is at stake. She adds that the indicators will remain poor because the available few doctors are paid poorly yet the work load is too much. This number is not small, according to Dr Lukwago, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of health. “The problem has been laxity in recruitment and poor rates of attraction and retention, but we have identified the gaps and the ministry is working with the Office of the President to improve the human resources for health,” he said. Another senior consultant at Mulago hospital, who preferred anonymity, says as a result of poor pay, almost 100 per cent of consultants and senior consultants have taken on “moonlighting” a common phrase to mean doing two jobs at the same time. Corruption “This is the highest form of corruption in health sector emanating from poor pay. It leaves patients desperate as doctors are now chasing money.” This, the senior consultant, says is robbing patients of time that they are supposed to be seen as well as affects service delivery. The source says this means that patients who cannot afford to see the doctors in the private hospitals and clinics are left unattended to. (Back to Top/Headlines)

Over 20 patients suffer leprosy in Nuba Mountains Voice of Peace, 5/8/2013 – Twenty-three patients were reported suffering from leprosy in the Catholic Missionary Hospital in Nuba Mountains. A nurse in charge of Leprosy Ward Abdu Mohammed Kumi said there were 23 patients undergoing treatment 17 of them were discharged after one year treatment. Mr Kumi said this infection is caused by a bacteria call leprea which kills the nervous system mostly legs and fingers. He said leprosy spread from infected person to healthy person through air and droplet of saliva. (Back to Top/Headlines)

South Sudan welcomes 150 brand new teacher graduates. Eye Radio, 5/8/2013 – A graduation celebration of more than 150 student teachers from Yei Teachers Training College has been held in Yei River County. Honorable Daniel Arema, a Member of Parliament in State who attended the ceremony said that up until now, most teachers in South Sudan have not been properly trained.

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“So with these achievements that we are realizing in this college where out of these 150 students, they are able to perform the best,” he said. “I wish to bring this to the notice of the entire nation especially the ministries, the state of education and that one of the nation so that they pay attention to such an institution.” Honorable Arema also said that all schools in South Sudan should have the same exams in all the ten states. (Back to Top/Headlines)

Parliament refers report on Macdowell Company to committee Gurtong.net Torit, 6/8/2013 – The Eastern Equatoria State Assembly has referred back a report on the disputed Macdowell Construction Company to a Select Committee to investigate the ‘incompetence’ demonstrated by the company in the construction of roads as contracted. The report on investigation of contracts signed by MacDowell Company was yesterday presented to the House by a Member of the select committee, Hon. Bernard Loky Palatino. The Seven Member Committee Chaired by Aventore Bilal Kenyi who is also a Chairperson of Physical Infrastructure, Roads and Transport Committee at the state Legislative Assembly, was formed in March to investigate contracts undertaken by the company across the state. The team was tasked with the identification of all the unfinished contracts approved to MacDowell, meeting the National Minister of Roads and Bridges and meeting MacDowell’s administration in Juba. The House could not take a drastic decision on the report because the committee has to meet MacDowell’s Administration and the team is now charged to meet the minister of Finance at the National Government to provide appropriate information about how contracts that have been awarded by the national government are done. The Committee has also been tasked to find out any other information which it thinks is necessary. The Select committee is also expected to meet the State Legal Administration on the implications of terminating MacDowell’s contracts in Eastern Equatoria State. According to the report, the Committee was able to get some information from the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges. In May, the State Transport and Roads Minister, Hon. Charles Ambrose Lokonoi notified the embattled MacDowell Company that their fate will be determined once the state parliament resumes sitting. He said that the company continues to haunt the state authority for its incompetence demonstrated so far. The State Government had sent a Parliamentary and Cabinet Committee to Juba to meet the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges as well as National Ministry of Justice on formal contract agreements related to Macdowell Construction Company. There was intense debate by State Legislators leading to a formation of the Six-Member Committee and later confirmed membership of Executive as the State Transport and Roads Minister Charles Lokonoi Ambrose as Member, after the select committee agreed. The committee was charged to follow up issues related to predicament caused by Macdowell Construction Company where most of the contracts had or have been awarded some by the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges with formal agreement the National Ministry of Justice in Juba. The State government terminated the contract with MacDowell Construction Company for the construction of the Torit-Magwi Road. The Transport and Roads Minister, Charles Lokonoi Ambrose said the company has been linked with a scandal as being portrayed by its incompetence to construct the road. (Back to Top/Headlines)

Situation contained after clash between Sudanese and South Sudan patrols at Heglig area Sudan News Agency (SUNA), 5/8/2013 – The spokesman of the Armed Forces, Col. Al-Sawarmi Khalid Saad, announced that a patrol of Sudan clashed with another of South Sudan which infiltrated into Sudan border at Heglig area at 03:00 p.m. on Monday, a matter which resulted in martyrdom of a 9 soldier and injury of two others of Sudan Armed Forces, indicating that the patrol of South Sudan has fled into their border. He said that the situation was then contained by commands of the two parties, adding that the situation is now stable. (Back to Top/Headlines)

Sudan’s DUP affirms its continued participation in NCP-dominated government Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 5/8/2013 – The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) today affirmed that it will continue its participation in the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) government despite persistent strong objections from the party’s base. The minister for cabinet affairs Ahmed Saad Omer, who is also a leading DUP figure, said that the political partnership between his party and the NCP was founded on clear and well- thought out basis for the good of the country and the citizens. He also boasted that Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) signed between rebels and Khartoum represent the major fruit of the NCP-DUP partnership saying it has become a basic reference for resolving the crisis in Sudan’s western region. Omer also blasted the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), a coalition of armed movements, accusing it of targeting of citizens and stability. But the DUP candidate for the 2010 presidential elections Hatim al-Sir directed harsh criticism at the government saying it reduced the political process to handing out posts without making comprehensive reforms at the helm. Al-Sir is leading a faction within the DUP that denounces participating in the government and seeks to bring the party back to the ranks of the opposition. The DUP was given 12% of the government posts on the federal level but state allocation has yet to be made. Recently it was announced that the DUP chief Mohamed Osman Al-Mirghani met with President Omer Hassan to discuss the DUP share in the widely-anticipated cabinet shuffle. Last February, DUP supporters ejected the commerce minister Osman Omer Sharif from an event they were holding accusing him of lobbying for joining the government and seeking to appoint his daughter as a minister in Gezira state government. Al-Mirghani’s DUP joined the government in December 2011, despite reports of internal dissent and against the wishes of Sudan’s other main opposition parties. (Back to Top/Headlines)

Sudanese lawmaker accuses government of negligence in wake of deadly floods Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 5/8/2013 – The head of the parliamentary subcommittee on Legislation and Justice has accused the executive branch of negligence regarding what he said was its poor response to floods and heavy rains which swept the country in the past few days. MP Al-Fadil Hag Suleiman also expressed regret over the human and material losses caused by the floods and blamed the governments of Khartoum state and other affected states for not doing enough to prevent the damages, holding them responsible for lives and property lost. He accused the states’ governments of exploiting people’s money by handing them houses which are located in the floodplains. The Sudanese General Authority for Meteorology (GAM) had previously predicted heavy rainfall this weekend and called upon the government to take the necessary precautions. The floods and rains that hit different areas in Sudan over the past two days have led to the death of at least 38 people and injured dozens. The Sudanese president, Omer Hassan al-Bashir, along with the governor of Khartoum, Abd Al- Rahman al-Khidir, has went on a three-hour helicopter inspection tour over the affected areas in Khartoum state.

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Al-Khidir said in press statements following the tour that Bashir asked the pilot to land in Al-Kiriab and Marabei Al-sherif areas but the pilot declined saying that floods have caused severe damages in Soba east, Al-Shaikh al-Amin, Ram Allah, and Id Babiker areas before it receded. He also said that al-Silait canal have caused damages to al-Barakat, al-Huda, al-Nasr, and parts of al- Giraif east neighborhoods. The governor further added that Bashir has issued a directive for aiding affected areas and disposing of water as well as seeking a lasting solution for the problem through a strategic plan which identifies the sources and tracks of the floods. He stressed that teams from the survey department have already embarked on implementing the presidential directive, declaring that the state’s budget will be used as an emergency budget in order to spend on relief for the affected areas. Al-Khidir pointed that the government of Khartoum state has offered large quantities of tents which will be distributed for the affected people, calling upon civil society organizations and philanthropists to provide support for them. According to the latest statistics issued by the government of Khartoum state, the number of houses affected by the flood reached 11,142 including 7,259 houses which were completely destroyed and 3,383 which were partially affected in the localities of the Nile River, Karari, Um Bada, Khartoum North, and Omdurman. The minister of guidance and social development in Khartoum state, Amal al-Bakry al- Beeli, said that Khartoum state government has made instant efforts to dispose of the accumulated water, stressing that waters in the localities of east Nile, Um Bada, and Karari have receded. The commissioner general for humanitarian aid, Suleiman Abd Al- Rahman, said that said that the average rain rate did not exceed 16 meters and the Nile River hasn’t flooded, appealing to voluntary organizations to provide support. A group of activists including students, college graduates, and political parties’ youths have launched a campaign called “Nafeer” (group of people joined together for a common purpose) on Facebook to provide aid for the affected. They set up headquarters for fundraising and aids to reach all affected areas in Khartoum state. The campaign coordinator, Shaima Tag Al-Sir, said that they intend to go to all affected areas to cover the void of civil society organizations. Facebook bloggers have drawn scathing criticism for the governor of Khartoum state and the ministry of infrastructure describing infrastructure of Sudan’s capital Khartoum as “fragile”, accusing the state’s government of spending billions of Sudanese pounds on failed sewage projects. They went on to accuse Khartoum state government of hiring companies affiliated to the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to build the roads and other infrastructure projects. But two ministers in Khartoum government cabinet have insulted the bloggers on Facebook, calling them “seculars” who do not believe in the “act of God”. (Back to Top/Headlines)

Saudi Arabia pushes back against Sudan’s account of blocking Bashir’s plane Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 5/8/2013 – Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued a statement late on Monday refuting the account made by the Sudanese government over the incident by which president Omer Hassan al-Bashir’s plane was barred from crossing Saudi airspace. On Sunday, Bashir was on his way to Iran to attend the inauguration ceremony of president-elect Hassan Rouhani. However, he was forced to turn back and return to Khartoum as a result of blocking his flight by aviation authorities at Jeddah airport. The Sudanese leader was flying on a Saudi chartered jet instead of using one of the planes in the presidential fleet. In the past Sudanese officials say they resort to this measure when presidential planes are undergoing maintenance.

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The flight crew was also non-Sudanese, state media said, and the plot circled inside Saudi airspace for an hour negotiating permission. The Sudanese presidency issued a statement saying that despite obtaining prior clearance and informing the control tower in Jeddah that Bashir was on board, Saudi Arabia still refused to let the plane pass through to reach Tehran. But GACA in its press release threw the blame entirely on Khartoum for failing to follow the protocol in obtaining flight clearance and claimed that it was not told of Bashir’s presence on the plane. "The General Authority of Civil Aviation, according to its records and recordings would like to clarify that it denied permission to a private jet yesterday to cross the Kingdom’s airspace in a journey between Khartoum and Tehran international airports before entering the Saudi airspace for not obtaining the required regular transit permit, " it said. The statement empathized that the control tower at Khartoum airport did not inform their peers in Saudi Arabia of the plane’s takeoff time or when it was expected to enter Saudi airspace "in accordance with international norms". It also disclosed that, contrary to Sudan’s assertions, the pilot did not notify the Saudi authorities of Bashir’s presence until it was headed back to Khartoum airport. "The government of Sudan did not make a formal request for a diplomatic permit for the aircraft which will fly his Excellency the President, either through the Saudi Embassy in Khartoum or the Sudanese embassy in Riyadh, according to the applicable international procedures which necessitates requesting permission 48 hours prior to departure of unscheduled diplomatic flights when crossing the airspace of states in the plane’s route," GACA said. "The civil aviation regulations in Saudi Arabia as well as the regulations of international civil aviation require that aircrafts obtain permits to cross their airspace and permits to land at their airports and non- compliance is considered a violation of these regulations". "The plane that was used [by Bashir] has a temporary permit to land at the kingdom’s International airports for personal use only by its owner and its current clearance does not allow it to be leased to others. The aircraft in use is registered outside the Kingdom for private use and regulations in that state or the kingdom do not allow its utilization for commercial purposes". GACA underscored that there are no other reasons behind its decision to block Bashir’s plane. Khartoum said yesterday that is awaiting clarification from Riyadh and did not signal any intention of retaliating. A similar situation occurred in June 2011 when Turkmenistan and Tajikistan refused to grant permission to Bashir’s plane in order to reach China where he was to start a state visit. As a result he was forced to return to Tehran where he was attending a summit there and decide on a new route to reach Beijing. In Tehran, the Iranian government said that Sudanese embassy notified it of the incident and while expressing regret it avoided making any reference to Saudi Arabia, its longtime regional foe. “We were informed by the Sudanese Embassy in Tehran that one of the countries on the flight route of Mr. Omer al-Bashir’s plane did not give permission for his plane to fly over its airspace,” foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday. “If it is true that this country has committed such an act, it is deeply regrettable” he said, adding that Tehran was investigating. Observers speculated that Sudan’s growing ties with Iran could have irked the Saudis prompting them to block Bashir’s flight but the move is nonetheless highly unusual for Riyadh. Sudan twice allowed Iranian warships to dock in Port Sudan last year, drawing concern by the United States and its allies in the Gulf.

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In an editorial last November titled “The fall of masks between Iran and Sudan”, the Saudi pro- government Al-Riyadh newspaper blasted Khartoum over allowing entry to the Iranian warships, saying there is no “logical justification” for a relationship between the two countries. Bashir has generally seen his travel difficulties mount in the wake of the two warrants issued by the Hague-based International Criminal Court in 2009 and 2010 for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide over the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region. He was forced to cancel many appearances since then for fear of arrest. Saudi Arabia, however, was one country Bashir frequently visited after his indictment as Riyadh is not party to the ICC statute. (Back to Top/Headlines)

Torture of rebels in Khartoum prison reached climax Sudantribune.com, 5/8/2013 – This article comes on the backdrop of the statement issued by the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) on the torture suffered by the Prisoners Of War (POWs) affiliated to the movement in the prisons of the National Congress Party (NCP) regime. The Movement’s Media Secretary and Spokesman confirmed that their credible sources reported the extent of cruelty inflicted on the Prisoners of War (POWs) by the crew of the notorious Kober Prison in Khartoum. The management crew of Kober Prison includes General Omar Abdelmagid, Brigadier Saeed Dahiya Bakhit, and Colonel Abdul Nabi Hassan and Major Hassan al-Sammani. They continue subjecting Dr. Abdul-Aziz Noor Usher to harshest forms of psychological and physical torture especially when news report of victories of the (JEM) forces in its battles against the regime’s military and allied militias. The examples of ill-treatment and torture suffered by Dr. Abdul-Aziz are beyond perception. The conduct and the behavior of those torturers are far from the Sudanese morality and humanitarian ethics. Furthermore, it negates chivalry and gallantry, the values, cherished by nations worldwide. Bearing in mind, this happens under the auspices of regime claims day and night that they are the protectors of Islam in Sudan and the guardians of the Sharia Law. All Divine laws and international treaties prohibit and criminalize insulting or torturing captives. Dr. Abdul-Aziz Noor Usher has been put in a solitary confinement in a prison cell adjacent to the ‘Death Row cells”, for those waiting their turn to the guillotine for more than a month. Moreover, he has to stay sleepless day/night on the floor without a mattress for him. This is in spite of the knowledge of the prison administration that the cell has overflown by sewage water for more than a week. The foregoing conditions made Dr. Abdul-Aziz as if living in agony, deprived of sleep, food and unable to do his prayers as expected during the month of the Holy Ramadan. To escalate their torture on Dr. Abdel-Aziz, the Kober Prison warders prevented him from getting any tool/device to prevent mosquitos and other harmful insects’ stings during this autumn rainy season. The conditions described above also apply to the situation of the POW, Ustaz Bahraddin Bashir Idris; ho has been in a solitary confinement in a prison cell few days ago under conditions similar to those of Dr. Abdel-Aziz. The inhumane treatment and torture suffer by the POWs affiliated to JEM amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Accordingly, General Omar Abdelmagid, Brigadier Saeed Dahiya Bakhit, and Colonel Abdul Nabi Hassan and Major Hassan al-Sammani are to be held accountable, and bear direct personal responsibility for the life of Dr. Abdul-Aziz Noor Usher and his colleague Ustaz Bahraddin Bashir Idris and for any physical and/or psychological harm afflicting them. The (NCP) regime remains accountable for the safety and lives of the rests of the POWs belong to the (JEM) and the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) languishing in the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) dungeons that are scattered at unknown locations throughout the regions of Sudan. Moreover, the (NCP) entity, at its highest ranks, is responsible for the inhumane treatment of POWs, prisoners of conscience and detainees, men and women. Local, regional and international laws would judge those who continue committing such crimes against POWs and detainees. Crimes of human rights violations are not time-limited and nor the heinous crimes eliminated by length of time passed.

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It is a critical time of death or life and suffering for the POWs in the dungeons of the NCP regime, local, regional and international Humanitarian organisations need to stand steadfast with the rights guaranteed by the global human rights laws. Here come the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols in order to decipher the harsh systematic torture to which Dr. Abdul-Aziz Noor Usher and his colleague Ustaz Bahraddin Bashir subjected to; at Kober Maximum Security torture Prison in Khartoum. There is No impunity for crimes against humanity. JEM reserves the right to defend itself and individuals and groups people in its membership. There remains No excuse for the one admonished. Retribution is inevitable regardless of how long the journey would take. We ask Allah Almighty to strengthen our resolve we Sudanese , young and old men and women to line up with this end of the Ramadan month and the coming up of the Eid al-Fitr to work together to liberate our homeland of the ruling regime, the putschist elements of so-called National Salvation Revolution. Surly, the NCP/NIF regime led by the fugitive from the international justice, the Génocidaire, Omer Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir is falling from decay within it and outside blows and only awaits honest will of the Sudanese people to topple and throw it into the dustbin of history. (Back to Top/Headlines) Dr. Mahmoud A. Suleiman is the Deputy Chairman of the General Congress for Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). He can be reached at [email protected]

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