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

TUESDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2013 SOUTH SUDAN  Kenyans in Sudan raise security fears (The Daily Nation)  Army unlawfully killed civilians in South Sudan (Arabic Network for Human Right Information)  S. Sudan parliament probes N. Bahr el Ghazal deputy speaker (Sudantribune.com)  Wau prepares for second conference (Voice of Hope)  Yei civil society urges representatives to consult communities (Easter Radio)  Yei Councilors completes gender training (Easter Radio)  Women bring children for vaccinations against killer diseases (Sudantribune.com)  WBG Governor predicts term end (Voice of Hope)  Jonglei leaders want gubernatorial elections (Gurtong.net)  Rumbek hospital suspends blood donations (Sudantribune.com)  Western Equatoria calls for Mvolo flood victims' assessment (Anisa Radio)  Jonglei government initiates plans to stop future flooding in Bor (Gurtong.net)  Scholar calls for free education to higher students (Bakhita Radio)  Hospital corruption hurts South Sudan’s shaky health services (Theniles.org) SOUTH SUDAN, SUDAN  NLA to dialogue with Sudanese parliament over outstanding issues (News Agency of S. Sudan)  Khartoum hails positive development after Salva Kiir's Visit (Ethiopia Radio & TV Agency)  Sudan says US sanctions hurting Juba as well (Sudantribune.com) OTHER HIGHLIGHTS  Khartoum postpones decision to lift fuel subsides (AllAfrica.com)  Death, destruction from air raids on dilling in Sudan (Radio Dabanga)  Nuba Christians pray for peace in Sudan (Voice of Peace)  Sudanese businessmen reject government plans on VAT (Sudantribune.com) OPINION/ANALYSIS/EDITORIAL  Is Africa really a drunken continent? (BBC News) LINKS TO STORIES FROM THE MORNING MEDIA MONITOR  UNMISS clarifies mandate to Parliament (Gurtong)  NLA to investigate Aweil’s Deputy Speaker on assault (Catholic Radio Network)  Parliament to probe state Deputy Speaker on insult claims (Radio Miraya)  South Sudan youth hold conference on peace building (Sudantribune.com)  Commissioner seeks intervention on hunger (Gurtong)  More than 1,000 elephants leave Kidepo for Magwi (Radio Miraya)  Man arrested over allegedly injecting child with HIV-infected blood (Radio Miraya)  Japanese firm to lay a 2,000 km pipeline to export South Sudan and Uganda oil (Sudantribune.com)  Centre organizes symposium on dimensions of Salva Kiir’s visit to Khartoum (Sudan News Agency)  US in tough spot as Sudan’s president seeks visa to attend UNGA meetings (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

Kenyans in Sudan raise security fears The Daily Nation Nairobi, 17/9/2013 – Cases of xenophobia in the neighbouring South Sudan have been on the increase with a rising number of body bags to show. Grace Wanjiku is the latest Kenyan to meet her death in the continents youngest nation at the hands of gangsters. Now Kenyans are calling on the government that seems mum on the issue to take necessary action to ensure no more loss of lives. Kenyans working and living in South Sudan have raised concerns over their security citing unwarranted deaths and torture. On Sunday, the community accused the Kenyan Embassy in S Sudan of doing little to ensure their security. More than 20 Kenyans have lost their lives, raising concerns over the security of foreigners in Africa’s newest nation. During the burial of Ms Grace Wanjiku, 50, at the Nakuru North Cemetery, Kenya Welfare Association chairman in South Sudan, Mr J Michael, said locals had become hostile to Kenyans. Protect Foreigners “The Kenyan Embassy should work with the S Sudan government to ensure that foreigners are protected,” said Mr Michael. Ms Wanjiku is the latest Kenyan to be killed in S Sudan. According to family members, the business lady was shot three times by armed gangsters. “She was inspecting her charcoal burning business in the bushy Pakwao region when armed men struck,” said a Kenyan in S Sudan who declined to be named. The family’s spokesman, Mr Stephen Mureithi, said it was very unfortunate that the deceased had gone to seek greener pastures only to return home dead. “It’s time the Kenyan government addressed its citizen’s welfare in S Sudan. In Kenya, it’s the very people who engage in inter-clan wars,” he said bitterly. Mr Michael said they reported the matter but no arrests have been made. “The community is hostile and can’t cooperate especially when injustices are mete on Kenyans,” he added. (Back to Top)

Army unlawfully killed civilians in South Sudan Arabic Network for Human Right Information Cairo, 17/6/2013 – South Sudan's army has unlawfully killed and committed other serious violations against civilians in the context of a counter insurgency campaign. The action in has forced thousands of people to flee their homes, making them more vulnerable to attack from rival ethnic groups. South Sudan should hold all abusive soldiers to account and bolster military and civilian justice to curb further violations. The 45-page report, "'They are Killing Us': Abuses Against Civilians in South Sudan's Pibor County" documents 24 incidents of unlawful killings of almost 100 members of the Murle ethnic group between December 2012 and July 2013, constituting serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Murder and deliberate targeting of civilians during an armed conflict constitute war crimes. The report also describes how the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) soldiers burned and looted homes, physically and verbally abused civilians, and destroyed schools, churches, and the compounds of aid agencies providing life-saving assistance. "Soldiers should be protecting Murle civilians in Jonglei state from the fighting and the ethnic conflict," said Daniel Bekele, Africa director. "Instead, the army has been killing these vulnerable people and driving terrified men, women, and children into the jaws of danger." 2

A series of unlawful killings, including of women, children, and people with mental illnesses have caused widespread terror among the Murle, exacerbating the perception that they are being targeted as an ethnic group. The incidents occurred against a backdrop of a conflict between South Sudan's army and a Murle rebel group. Soldiers and specially trained "auxiliary" police in Pibor county of Jonglei state unlawfully killed more than 70 Murle civilians and up to 24 ethnic Murle members of the security forces, in serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. South Sudan should hold all abusive soldiers to account and bolster military and civilian justice to curb further violations. The authorities should urgently improve accountability for soldiers' crimes, investigate the brutal ethnic conflicts in Jonglei, which continued amid the counterinsurgency, and ensure that security forces adequately and impartially protect all ethnic communities from attacks. (Back to Top)

S. Sudan parliament probes N. Bahr el Ghazal deputy speaker Sudantribune.com Juba, 16/9/2013 – South Sudan Parliament on Monday formed 10-member committee to investigate the deputy speaker of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state assembly, Athiang Manok over alleged misconduct. Local media reports quoted Manok saying MPs who participated in last month’s vetting of the former justice minister designate, Telar Riing Deng were "crooks" and "betrayers". The lawmaker reportedly described national assembly members as “greedy” and “ill informed" people, calling on President Salva Kiir to dissolve entire Parliament. Victor Omuho, an MP from Eastern Equatoria State raised a motion over Manok’s utterances, which the assembly considered an abuse that undermines its integrity. "The house today unanimously voted to form facts finding committee including motives which prompted utterances of such negative and degrading remarks against the honorable House of Representatives, which is the symbol of our country," Charles Majak, a member of the assembly told Sudan Tribune Monday. "If someone has a problem with some people, they should limits it to themselves and show respect to the national institution," he added He however stressed that the house is constitutionally mandated to vet and approve cabinet ministers appointed by the president. The deputy speaker of the national assembly, in a separate interview, confirmed the formation of the probe committee to look into utterances allegedly made by the Northern Bahr el Ghazal lawmaker. “Yes the committee with representatives drawn from each state has been formed. It will investigate the cause and the motives before submitting the full report with the findings to the house after seven days", said Mark Nyipuoch. The final report of the 10-member committee is expected within a week. Meanwhile majority of lawmakers interviewed by Sudan Tribune say Manok should be held responsible for statement attributed to him in the local press. (Back to Top)

Wau prepares for second conference Voice of Hope, 16/9/2013 – Wau Catholic Diocese on Saturday organized a one-day youths workshop at Palica Centre to plan for the second youth conference in November. Wau Diocesan Youth Coordinator Moses Peter Joseph told Voice of Hope that the conference will equip young people to become good Christians in communities. He said they want to orient youths through church ethical values to become leaders able to serve in various communities across the country. Fr Peter added that it was a chance for youths to express their views and report to the diocese activities and challenges facing them.

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He acknowledged challenges facing youths in the diocese as numerous citing lack of coordination between youths and Parish Priests. The Youth Coordinator said youths should be involved in Church activities because they are the backbone of the nation. The cleric called on all people to cooperate with youths and support them to boost their morale for nation building. He urged all youths to get committed and continue with charitable work. More than 18 participants from sixteen parishes of Wau Diocese attended the workshop. (Back to Top)

Yei civil society urges representatives to consult communities Easter Radio, 16/9/2013 – Yei County Society Civil Forum vice-chair person urged community representatives at the state and the national levels to file up people’s worries on the ground and present them to the parliament for discussions and resolutions. Talking during International Democracy Day celebration on Saturday Mawa George Lazarus said some community representatives do not consult their communities in order to gather issues affecting them, Easter Radio reported. He lamented that some painful issues including the military police arbitrary arresting civilians were not taken to the parliament for deliberation. Mr George appealed to citizens to obey law and order to avoid conflict calling on the government to respect human rights. The celebration under the theme: “strengthening voices for democracy” at Yei Community Resource Centre drew together state parliamentarians, executive, CBOs, NGOs, well-wishers and civil society organizations. (Back to Top)

Yei Councilors completes gender training Easter Radio, 16/9/2013 – Thirty-five Yei Legislative Councilors on Saturday completed six-day gender training. Councilors’ representative Margret Sadia appreciated Association of European Parliamentarian for Africa or AWEPA for training them, Easter Radio reported. She said the training was the second of its kind after they received decentralization course last year. Ms Sadia noted that the trainings equipped them on their roles and duties to formulate laws and policies in order to guide the County. She appealed to AWEPA to continue training them on drafting of bills, monitoring, supervisions mechanisms, investment acts, and provision of child and other act. AWEPA Program Officer Namala Andrew said Yei council was the only one that has full attendance compared to those held in Eastern and Western Equatoria. He said there would be legislative modules including drafting motions and bills and that other modules in finance and budget would also be covered in the coming trainings. Mr Andrew added that AWEPA would continue building the capacity of councilors in Central Equatoria State until 2016. Yei County Commissioner Juma David Augustine said the executives were not monitored because councilors were not well equipped. He appreciated AWEPA for training councilors to equip them with their roles and responsibilities. Mr Augustine added that it would be better if the training include executives in order to know the diversity and the mandate of councilors. He clarified that if councilors sometimes challenged the situation in the county, executives looked at them as antagonists due to ignorance on the roles and responsibilities of councilors. (Back to Top) 4

Women bring children for vaccinations against killer diseases Sudantribune.com Bor, 16/9/2013 – Tens of thousands of children are being vaccinated against measles, polio, tetanus, diphtheria (DPT), pertussis and tuberculosis (TB) in South Sudan’s Jonglei state. Daniel Joh one of the health workers at expanded program of immunization office in Bor told Sudan Tribune that oral polio vaccines were being administered and Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG), was being given at birth to prevent TB infection. He added that measles vaccines are being provided to children, who are nine and over. New born babies are receiving Polio and DPT at one month intervals from the age of six weeks, Joh said. “Our community has now known the importance of these vaccines. Before when people were in the war, these diseases were killing a lot of children", explained Pach Kur who headed the team in one in payam [district] of . But efforts such as this vaccination program in Jonglei are trying to address these issues. Kur explained that after people receive their vaccines "they are told when the next vaccine will be given”. The drugs and vaccines are provided by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and given to government to be given out, he said. Kur said most of Jonglei’s 11 counties were covered by the immunization program. Each county has a supervisor and chain managers at the district level who would request and give out vaccines. “Every primary health care [centre] has a fridge for keeping the vaccines”, said Kur. Many women also attend antenatal care in Bor where they get immunized against tetanus, among the others each month. (Back to Top)

WBG Governor predicts term end Voice of Hope, 16/9/2013 – Western Bahr El Ghazal Governor predicted that he was likely to leave and successor will come. Speaking at the swearing ceremony of the new cabinet on Friday, Rizik Zachariah Hassan did not explain when he will be out of gubernatorial office, Voice of Hope reported. He told the ministers that the new governor might come from within them, saying they should collaborate with his successor for the interest of citizens and nation building. Mr Zachariah urged the new cabinet to work hard and prove their competence within three months. He called on the assembly and citizens to evaluate the performance of the new cabinet after 100 days. (Back to Top)

Jonglei leaders want gubernatorial elections Gurtong.net Bor, 17/9/2013 – Jonglei state assembly members have proposed that the incoming state governor should not be nominated as the citizens should determine their future leader by participating in electing their governor. A Member of Parliament representing and Chairperson of the assembly’s security, Khor Huow Gal, has said the there is no need for the president to nominate the governor of Jonglei state according to constitution of the Republic of South Sudan. Gal said that if the position of the governor is vacant, the acting governor of Jonglei state will act for 60 days thereafter people should go for election to determine their future governor. He said that if a governor is nominated, then he may not be working for the interest of the community. The Speaker of Jonglei state assembly, Peter Chol Wal suggested that greater are not represented in national government and this may give them opportunity to lead the position of governorship. 5

“But in this situation and the issue of position of the Governor of Jonglei state particularly, the issue of balancing and representation should not be applied to this because representation should be in the parliament in the executive,” Chol said. He said Jonglei state is like a nation even the number of tribes which are now in the state are not the same like in the other states and they should have representation. Member of Parliament from Pibor County, Judi Jongole Boyuris said that the position of the governor will be given to greater Fangak while the deputy governorship will be given to greater Pibor. Greater Fangak has two tribes of Nuer and Dinka Padang meanwhile Greater Pibor has four tribes; Murle, Anyuak, Ngalam, Jie and Kachipo. The greater Fangak County has currently the position of state speaker and greater Pibor has the deputy speaker in state assembly. (Back to Top)

Rumbek hospital suspends blood donations Sudantribune.com Rumbek, 16/9/2013 – Authorities in Rumbek, the capital of South Sudan’s Lakes state, have temporarily stopped blood transfusions in the local hospital due to lack of reagent screened blood. Lakes state minister of health, Daniel Gumwel, confirmed that Rumbel hospital does not the equipment to easily facilitate the work of doctors working the hospital’s laboratory. “We are planning to raise some money and send them to Juba to buy reagents, they are not available in Lakes state”, said Gumwel. The ministry is aware of the shortage, he said, adding that Lakes state has contacted the South Sudan’s national ministry of health in Juba to ask to more supplies. Gumwel said that decision of suspending the blood transfusions is because of a lack of reagent to screen the blood. “The ministry of health in Lakes state has temporarily suspended blood transfusions because of a lack of reagents to screen the blood”, minister Gumwel said. The deputy in charge of the laboratory in Rumbek Hospital, Majak Wol said the reagents are compulsory to check blood for hepatitis and other common diseases. Wol added that “the only thing we can do is concern form, if the donation and patient signed the form, the accept to give blood the way it is, then we can do that but without them signing it, we will not allow”, said Majak. Majak stated that “all donations and transfusions have been suspended until the testing chemicals are made available.” (Back to Top)

Western Equatoria calls for Mvolo flood victims' assessment Anisa Radio, 16/9/2013 – Western Equatoria State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission on Friday called for inter-agency assessment of flood victims in M’volo County. Commission chairperson Joseph Salvatore made the call during a meeting with NGOs and UN agencies in state to rescue citizens displaced by flood in Yeri Payam, Anisa Radio reported. He lamented that the victims were in dire need of shelter, food and medicines. Mr Salvatore said 280 houses collapsed and 941 households including over five thousand individuals. He explained that there is fear that people were prone to hunger because the flood destroyed all their crops. Mr Salvatore added that the victims are living in open places, schools and churches. (Back to Top)

Jonglei government initiates plans to stop future flooding in Bor

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Gurtong.net Bor, 16/9/2013 – Bor Town Constituency Member of Parliament, Philip Thon Nyok, has announced that the state government has a contingency plan to stop flooding in the future by constructing water channels in Bor town. The MP says that the state government needs to find the best solution and a mechanism for blocking water downpour in the state, adding that state government has conducted an aerial survey accessing where the water will be channeled. Last Friday, the Mayor of Bor Municipality, Nhial Majak Nhial made an aerial assessment, accessing the areas affected and places where they may construct the water channels to prevent any future flooding in Bor. The aerial survey was made possible through supports from United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) helicopter that carried the state government officials supported, members of Bor municipality council together with members of UNMISS peacekeeping force for aerial survey. However, James Mariem, a local resident said that the government planning will not succeed if they fail to contact the local communities because community is the one responsible for the area where the water will be diverted to. “It will not be possible if communities are not involved in to the contingency planning. The area belongs to the community, so where are they going to construct the water channels,” Mariem said. The Acting Governor of Jonglei state, Gabriel Gai Riem described that heavy floods affected most of the residential areas in state capital adding that in the last three to four days, the flood seemed to have reduced. He is appealing to the humanitarian organizations to participate in support of the affected communities. On September 10, the authority singled out this year’s flood situation as more exceptional compared to other previous years due to heavy over flow from River Nile. Bor County Commissioner Agot Alier called on all the youth groups, government institutions, women groups and business people and everybody to actually stand up and start supporting efforts urgently to block increasing water levels. The commissioner said that the relief agencies are working very hard to make sure that the most flood-affected families are assisted immediately. Acting Governor Gabriel Gai Riam said the government has done much to make sure that people are evacuated from the affected areas for safety although their properties are destroyed. “What we have done as a government it is to make sure that the people are evacuated from those affected areas, they have been moved to areas that are safe for their living, we have brought in some equipment from UNMISS, they are helping and also we have our own excavators which are doing the work to stop water flow,” Ghai said. (Back to Top)

Scholar calls for free education to higher students Bakhita Radio, 16/9/2013 – A senior professor at the University of Juba called on national authorities to offer free education to students. Leo Onek told Bakhita Radio that the government needs to open free education to every student at the university. He said the policy of students paying themselves at the moment will bring division of classes in the country. Dr Onek added that at the moment students should be given opportunities to study free first and pay money later. He said it takes students around ten thousand South Sudanese Pounds to pay one year tuition fees. Dr Onek said for the government to pay fees for every student, there should be a transparent manner affordable to them.

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The government this year stopped students’ scholarship and told them to pay for their education. (Back to Top)

Hospital corruption hurts South Sudan’s shaky health services Theniles.org Rumbek, 16/9/2013 – The Rumbek State Hospital has long suffered a shortage of essential drugs, but patients accuse nurses of charging for medicines which should be free. Allegations of corruption and illegal charges for medicines have surfaced in the State Hospital of Rumbek, the capital of Lakes States, in South Sudan -- echoing charges of corruption in hospitals elsewhere in South Sudan, which has one of the worst records on health provision in the world. Jacob Mamer, a resident of Rumbek East County, accused health workers of not treating his sick sister until he paid for drugs. “We don’t trust them anymore,” he told The Niles. “Everything is commercialised and you will never get service unless you give them something.” “Everything is commercialised and you will never get service unless you give them something.” Jacob Mamer Rumbek State Hospital is the only Government-owned referral health centre in the whole of Lakes State, but its services are poor and it is staffed by a few underpaid health workers. A number of health services, which are supposed to be granted free of charge, are being used to earn money from patients. Jackson Magok Isaac, a programme manager for the Episcopal Church of Sudan health programme, described how an HIV-positive woman was asked to pay for antiretroviral medicine in the government-run hospital. “We referred her to the main hospital to register and get free services,” Magok said. “She came back and told us that she was charged 300 South Sudanese Pounds (around 100 US Dollars) in order to access the antiretroviral drugs.” The outrage extends to maternity wards where mothers are also charged 100 South Sudanese Pounds by midwives after delivery. Monica Achien, a senior midwife in the hospital, admitted this happened but stressed it was strictly forbidden. “This is an illegal practice which should be punished if the culprits are found,” she said. She said they were keen to clamp down on the illegal charges. Last year, the ministry of health took steps against malpractice. In July 2012, the Director General of the State Ministry of Health Michael S. Mading sent out a letter, which has been seen by The Niles, urging all ministries of health employees in Lakes State to respect the rules on service delivery. Responding to allegations of unlawful fees for patients, it spelled out the areas of health which should be provided for free. “No charges must be collected for antenatal care, deliveries, prevention of mother-to-child transmission (of HIV) and antiretroviral drugs for HIV clients,” it said. Similar complaints have been made elsewhere in South Sudan. In Jonglei State, health workers at the government-run Bor Civil Hospital have been accused of illegally charging pregnant mothers. According to a report published on Gurtong news website on June 22, 2013, pregnant mothers had to pay 70 South Sudanese pounds for delivery. “No charges must be collected for antenatal care, deliveries, prevention of mother-to-child transmission (of HIV) and antiretroviral drugs for HIV clients.” State Ministry of Health Dr. John Kok, a director of planning in Bor civil hospital, pledged he would take measures against those involved, according to the report. The accusations of malpractice tarnish the health service in a country where provision is already patchy. A November 2012 report by Doctors without Borders showed that more than 80 percent of South Sudan’s healthcare is provided by international NGOs. The global health policy centre, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, CSIS, has described healthcare in the young country as “critical”. An extreme shortage of medical professionals is a key problem, it wrote, adding that there were only 1.5 doctors and two nurses for every 100,000 citizens. Many women in labour in South Sudan

8 have to walk for hours or even days to reach health centers and South Sudan’s record for maternal and infant mortality are among the highest in the world. Most hospitals have poorly-trained community health workers on their staff, including nurses and midwives. This lack of professionalism and low wages is seen as fuelling corruption in medical establishments. (Back to Top)

NLA to dialogue with Sudanese parliament over outstanding issues News Agency of South Sudan Juba, 16/9/2013 – The newly elected speaker of the National Legislative Assembly has said the house supports "continues direct talks" between the President of the Republic H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit and his Sudanese counterpart Omar Hassan el Bashir to resolve some of the sticky post-independence issues. Hon. Manase Magok said such initiatives could unlock a new window of opportunity for both countries. "In order to realize peace and prosperity between the two countries, all the available options of resolving the differences with Khartoum needs to be exploited, the new speaker of the national assembly", Hon. Magok said. During a meeting with the minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin on Saturday September 14, the speaker promised to lead a delegation of legislators to Khartoum to cement the initiative started by the president. In a related development, Dr. Benjamin held talks with the Sudanese ambassador to South Sudan Mr. Mutrif Sidiq where they discussed matters of bilateral relations between the two countries. The meeting also discussed the joined outreach program between Sudan and South Sudan in regard to Sudan's debt relieve and waving of its sanction. According to the cooperation agreement, the two countries as of the financial arrangement are supposed to advocate for Sudan’s debt cancellation. This month, the United Nations general assembly will table issues regarding Sudan and South Sudan especially the referendum in Abyei. (Back to Top)

Khartoum hails positive development after Salva Kiir's Visit Ethiopia Radio and Television Agency Addis Ababa, 16/9/2013 – Sudan has hailed the "positive development" in its relations with South Sudan following the recent visit to Khartoum of South Sudanese President Salva Kiir. The Sudanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday that the visit, during which President Kiir held talks with host President Omar Al-Bashir, would lead to "more steps to consolidate confidence and cooperation between the two countries". It said the positive outcome of the visit represented an "African model rooted in cooperation and integration between two countries emerging from a conflict that extended for decades". The statement also hailed the African Union (AU) and the Ethiopian government for their role in enhancing the relations between Sudan and South Sudan. "The Government of Sudan would like to commend the efforts of the AUHIP led by President Thabo Mbeki, the African Union Commission, and the efforts of H.E Haile Mariam Desalegn Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the chairman of the IGAD," it said. "The two countries and peoples, thus, present to the world an African model rooted in cooperation and integration between two countries emerging from a conflict that extended for decades," the Foreign Ministry said. It said one of the positive outcomes of the talks was that the Ministers of foreign Affairs of the two countries received an invitation from the European Union to visit Brussels for consultations and discussions with the relevant officials in the Union over the planned contribution by the EU to the two countries, particularly for cross-border projects. (Back to Top)

Sudan says US sanctions hurting Juba as well

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Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 16/9/2013 – The Sudanese government has said that economic sanctions imposed by the United States on the country are adversely impacting South Sudan as it cannot import goods through Port Sudan. The director of the U.S. bureau at the Sudanese Foreign Ministry Ambassador Mohammed Al- Abdullah al-Toum told the pro-government Ashorooq TV that the US administration imposed sanctions but at the same time asks Khartoum to cooperate economically with Juba. Al-Toum said that US sanctions kick in when the two neighboring countries are splitting oil revenues priced in US dollars. But certain activities continue to be prohibited such as involvement of US companies in refining South Sudan oil in Sudanese refineries. The Sudanese diplomat stressed that Washington knows that Sudan has nothing to do with terrorism and recognizes this in its annual reports. He reiterated that Sudan rejects conditions related to domestic issues for lifting the sanctions. Al-Toum said that lobby groups and internal politics forces Washington to manage relations with Sudan through special envoys and not through diplomatic missions and embassies. He said that Sudan agreed to this approach in the past as north-south peace was the focus of the US administration and that an envoy enjoys greater flexibility in his mediation efforts. But now conducting diplomacy through envoys is fruitless, he said. "We have fundamental issues in relations with America and we want [US special] envoy [Donald] Booth to see what he can offer in issues that concern us in our relationship with the US," al-Toum said. (Back to Top)

Khartoum Postpones Decision to Lift Fuel Subsides AllAfrica.com Khartoum, 16/9/2013 – The Sudanese government postponed the removal of subsides on several basic commodities as the ruling National Congress Party said its lift should intervene after the end of consultations with the political forces and civil society groups. The sudden delay follows rumours about sharp divergences within the government about these unpopular decisions which is seen necessary by the finance minister but disastrous by other members who fear that it will push people to take the street against the regime. The Sudanese government cancelled an extraordinary cabinet meeting scheduled to be held on Sunday to endorse the increase of prices of basic commodities including fuel, without further explanations. However the finance minister Ali Mahmoud denied on Sunday that the cancellation is related to fears of demonstrations to protest such measures. (Back to Top)

Death, destruction from air raids on dilling in Sudan Radio Dabanga, 16/9/2013 – The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) claims that the Sudanese Air Force's aerial bombardments of Dilling locality in South Kordofan have resulted in the injury of two persons, the killing of livestock, as well as the destruction of a number of farms and a mosque. Arnu Ngutulu Lodi, the spokesman for SPLM-N claimed that the areas of Manadil, Kujuria, Umm Doreen, and Umm Sardaba have been subjected to heavy bombardments by Antonov and Sukhoi aircrafts as well as to shelling by long-distance artillery on Friday and Saturday. This resulted in the injury of an adult and a child, the destruction of farms, a mosque in Kujuria, and the death of a large number of livestock. The bombardment also caused terror and panic among the citizens, especially the children. Lodi also stressed the SPLM-N's commitment to cessation of hostilities, which was unilaterally announced by the Movement despite the Khartoum regime's repeated attacks. (Back to Top)

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Nuba Christians pray for peace in Sudan Voice of Peace, 17/9/2013 – A number of chapels gathered in Sts Peter and Paul Parish Gidel in Nuba Mountains to pray for peace in the Sudan particularly Nuba Mountains, Blue Nile, Abyei and Darfur. The main celebrant Yuohana Alamin said there cannot be peace without addressing human rights issues, Voice of Peace reported. He said peace without recognition of human rights values and justice was not peace. Fr Alamin stressed that peace in the face of increasing violence and inequality was not comprehensive peace and that the true peace comes from one God. He said human rights, justice and peace were three entities that could not exist without the absence of one another. (Back to Top)

Sudanese businessmen reject government plans on VAT Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 16/9/2013 – The Sudanese Businessmen and Employers Federation (SBEF) has expressed reservation on the anticipated economic measures including raising the Value Added Tax (VAT), increasing the dollar exchange rate for customs purposes, increasing customs on luxury goods and the significant increases in commodity price which ranges between 40%-%50. The SBEF’s executive bureau met on Sunday with the presidential assistant Nafie Ali Nafie, the finance minister Ali Mahmoud Abdel-Rasool, the governor of the central bank, Mohamed Khair Al-Zubair, the ruling National congress Party (NCP) economic secretary Hassan Ahmed Taha and the former governor of the central bank Saber Mohmed Al-Hassan, to discuss the new measures. The business body called upon the government officials to make the Sudanese people aware of the actual increase in the fuel price, VAT, and the dollar exchange rate for customs purposes, denying that they would bear additional burden as a result of lifting subsidies on fuel and goods. It also renewed its rejection of using businessmen as “hat stand” for justifying merchant’s greed, and urged the government to speed up implementation of the new economic measures to prevent any increase in prices prior to lifting subsides. The Sudanese government postponed the removal of subsides on several basic commodities as the NCP said its lift should come into force after concluding consultations with the political forces and civil society groups. The sudden delay follows rumors about sharp divergences within the government ranks about these unpopular decisions which are seen necessary by the finance minister but disastrous by other members who fear that it will push people to take the street against the regime. The Sudanese government cancelled an extraordinary cabinet meeting scheduled to be held last Sunday to endorse the increase of prices of basic commodities including fuel, without further explanations. Different sources in Khartoum say the government delayed the implementation of the decision following recommendations from the security apparatus which reported a situation of public discontent against the government. The Sudanese opposition umbrella organization known as the National Consensus Forces (NCF) announced that it is planning to organize public sit-ins to resist the government’s anticipated decision. Also the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), an alliance of rebel groups issued a statement calling on their supporters inside the country to protest against the economic reforms. However the finance minister Ali Mahmoud denied on Sunday that the cancellation is related to fears of demonstrations to protest such measures. The Sudanese people showed patience and accepted decision biggest and toughest than the removal of subsides, he said.

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The NCP media secretary Yasser Youssef told reporters following a meeting of the political sector of the ruling party on Sunday that the announcement of these economic reforms depends on the completion of consultations with the political forces. (Back to Top)

Is Africa really a drunken continent? BBC News, 17/9/2013 – "Africa has a drinking problem," declared a recent article in Time Magazine. But is the evidence there to support such a sweeping statement? Kate Wilkinson, a researcher at the Africa Fact Check website, is in a good position to know, and she stresses that drinking habits in the continent's 55 countries vary. "There are different attitudes towards alcohol. Different religious beliefs about consuming alcohol. And to simply make this broad generalization about the continent doesn't give us much insight," she says. Reliable statistics on global alcohol consumption are hard to come by, and the numbers that we do have are quite old. Much of the World Health Organization's 2011 Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health relies on data from the period 2003-2005. But to the extent that they can be relied on, the WHO numbers don't appear to support the claim made in the Time article, headlined Africa's Drinking Problem: Alcoholism on the Rise as Beverage Multinationals Circle. “With just £1 you can get yourself truly messed up - plus two or three other people too” said Boniface Ndirangu Alcohol rehabilitation centre manager, Kenya The WHO report suggests that more than two-thirds (70.8%) of Africans have not touched a drop of alcohol for a year. "That's largely because many African countries have large Muslim populations," explains Kate Wilkinson. "If you look at how many people are lifetime abstainers - they don't drink alcohol at all and never have - that's 57.3%." That hardly paints a picture of an entire continent struggling with alcohol. There are, of course, some alcoholics in Africa. Boniface Ndirangu, who runs two rehabilitation centres in Kenya, has many stories to tell about alcohol abuse. He is a reformed alcoholic himself. "Alcohol has become probably the only source of relief for those out of work, the only source of relief from extreme poverty or joblessness," he says. He blames new ranges of alcoholic drinks, which are very strong, very cheap, and, in his view, "very dangerous". "With just £1 ($1.58) you can get yourself truly messed up, plus two or three other people too," he says. But, stories like this do not mean that Kenya, let alone the whole of Africa, has a problem with alcohol. Let's take a closer look at the data from the World Health Organization. The average global alcohol consumption is 6.13 litres of pure alcohol per person over the age of 15, per year. In Africa the average is 6.15 litres, just 20 milliliters higher. That's the equivalent to drinking one double measure (50ml) of whisky more each year. “In Kenya, while it is the case that 85% of the population had not had a drink in the past year, the people who had drunk alcohol, had consumed a lot” Furthermore, the WHO excludes seven African countries from the calculation altogether. Crucially, these are countries with large Muslim populations where alcohol is either restricted or banned. If these were included, Africa's average consumption would be lower.

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Europe, by contrast consumes 12.18 litres per year - almost double the African figure. So why is it Africa that allegedly has a drink problem? Perhaps Kenya, the main focus of the Time Magazine article is an outlier? It does not appear to be so. According to the WHO, Kenya's alcohol consumption per capita is 4.14 litres, putting it 118th out of a list of 189 countries. Moldova tops the table with a per capita consumption of 18.22 litres of pure alcohol. The UK is ranked 17th. But there is a third way to look at the data - and that is to look at the numbers on binge drinking, or "heavy episodic drinking" to use the formal term. This is important because it is the most harmful way of drinking to the individual concerned. According to the World Health Organization, a binge drinker is someone who consumes 60g (60ml) or more of pure alcohol on at least one occasion in any week. That's 7.5 units in UK terms, or about three pints of strong beer. When the WHO looked at heavy episodic drinking among those who do drink - and remember that drinkers are the minority in Africa - it found Africa had the highest proportion in the world. In Kenya, while it is the case that 85% of the population had not had a drink in the past year (when the WHO data was gathered) - compared with just 14% in the UK - the people who had drunk alcohol, had consumed a lot. Almost twice as much per person as in the UK. Where does this leave us? Simply looking at average alcohol consumption statistics in Africa would certainly cast doubt on the idea that "Africa is drunk". But taking a second look reveals those binge drinkers. While averages are useful, they are not the only statistical fact worth considering. (Back to Top)

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