Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Quote:
Deadly clashes in Abyei on first day of South Sudan referendum
Dinka Ngok sultan, Kual Deng Magok, said the clashes erupted after the Misseriya attempted to capture the village of Macare and that Southern security forces had been ambushed.
But the senior Misseriya leader, Hamdi al-Doudo has said the clashes were triggered by the southern army (SPLA) moving up to 1,500 soldiers into the area, which the Arab nomads regards as a route to grazing fields.
South Kordofan Governor, Ahmed Haroun, has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune from the oil-producing region, Juac Agok, the acting SPLM chairman in the area, said armed groups camouflaged as nomads killed 28 local police in a series of clashes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
"[An] armed group possessing heavy artillery and tanks launched series of attacks on police posts in three different places in the area on Friday and Saturday. They also attacked the same and additional three other locations today," said Agok.
Agok said the clashes occurred in Maker Abior, Miakol, Todach and Shegei.
"They launched heavy attack on the police post today (Sunday) at 11 o’clock this morning at Maker Abior resulting into the killing of 18 on the side of local police and injury of 20 others. This occurred as [a] retaliatory attack, after the Friday attack, in which one police was killed and 9 others in Todach on Saturday," said Agok.
"On their side, we do not have accurate information but we have reports that 22 were killed from today’s attack at Maker. The local police who conducted sentry surveillance at five o’clock today found a lot of dead bodies. I am told 19 bodies were found. This was the clash of today. As for yesterday, 20 were found killed," he said.
The official said that some of those believed to have sustained injuries are taken to a local hospital in an area called Balilal outside of the Abyei region.
"Balilal is a one of the localities under south Kordofan state at the corridors branching to the way to Kadugli and to the north from Abyei. It is in the middle serving as the headquarters of militia group. This is where attacks against Abyei and other places in the south are planned," explained Agok.
The senior official of the southern ruling party in the area also said that 13 were injured on Friday and a further 18 members of local police in Saturday’s attack.
The Abyei administrator, Deng Arop Kuol, also in an interview with Sudan Tribune from Abyei town, confirmed the clash but gave different casualty figures.
"Yes, there were clashes starting on Friday and again today. The armed group best described as Missiriya tribesmen launched series of attacks on civilian settlements in three different locations."
"They attacked Miakol, which is about 18 km north of Abyei town, killing at least one on Friday and 9 others on Saturday. 13 were also injured and 5 today," said Kuol, the Abyei chief administrator.
The top local official, however, said that he and his northern counterpart, the south Kordofan Governor, Ahmed Haroun were ready to find a settlement to the conflict.
"Governor Ahmed Haroun was here today after traveling to Muglad for talks with members of the Misseriya tribe who are currently engaged in these attacks. In our meeting we have discussed and agreed ways forward to stop escalation of these attacks to large scale."
"On our side, we have agreed that our local police will not proceed but remain in their position. Governor Haroun also assured that he would ensure nobody from members of the Missiriya should again launch another retaliatory attack on civilian population and police post we have agreed to find immediate settlement at earliest possible so that peace is restored and movement between the two areas resumes immediately," Kuol told Sudan Tribune from Abyei.
Quizzed on what could have triggered these series of attacks beginning on Friday, Kuol said members of the Missiriya tribe and their leaders reported to have received false reports that the Dinka Ngok were planning to unilaterally declare returning south since attempts to hold referendum in the region have failed.
"The cause of attack is nothing than about false reports that the Misseriya received information that the Dinka Ngok was planning to unilaterally declare returning to the south since attempts to hold referendum as stipulated in the comprehensive peace agreement have failed. They (Misseriya) say they have heard reports that the Dinka Ngok were planning to hold their own referendum today so that they can return to the south and so were trying to deter voters from voting," said Kuol.
Abyei should entering its second day of voting in a referendum on whether it will join the south in remain in the north. The plebiscite has not taken place due to a dispute over whether the Misseriya, who enter Abyei for a few months each year to graze cattle, should be given the right to vote.
http://www.sudantribune.com/Deadly-c...on-first,37549
I’m still pretty convinced that we will end up with a declaration that part of sporadic clashes in Abyei the referendum went peacefully.
The trick is that it HAS TO be peacefull for every body to be a success. And let’s face it, if Misseriya are trouble akers and probably fed with false reports, they are not really backed up by North which has more to loose than to win in this gae.
In fact the rebels from Darfur and East just came to the conclusion that they could probably create a full havoc by getting allies:
Quote:
Eastern Sudan rebels merge with Darfur JEM
The Eastern Front, a former rebel group in eastern Sudan, signed a peace agreement sponsored by the Eritrean government on 14 October 2007. The deal ended a rebellion started in 1996 with the support of an umbrella of opposition groups called National Democratic Alliance including the SPLM.
The FAES rejected the peace accord and claimed it was forged by Eritrean and Sudanese governments to normalize bilateral relations but it does not contribute to end the marginalization of the region or bring economic development.
Speaking from a JEM controlled area, FAES leader Abdel Moneim Muhi Al-Deen Ahmed told Sudan Tribune that their decision to merge with the western Sudan rebel group was motivated by their desire to end the domination of the center represented by the government of the National Congress Party (NCP).
"The Justice and Equality Movement has a national vision and also include people from the different regions representing the diversity of all the Sudan. So, we are part of this project aiming to end the domination of the center represented by the National Congress Party."
The FAES joined JEM with 270 soldier and five of its leadership council. Adam Abdalla Yahia, the secretary general of the eastern Sudan rebel group said further members of their group will join JEM bases.
http://www.sudantribune.com/Eastern-...rge-with,37539
Now the real real politik question is: is that a real good idea to get Bashir out?
Better look twice at it cause if there are needs for significant changes in North, you always know what you loose but not what you will get. And what ever comes, there are very little probabilities it will be a nice open, gentle and people oriented democratic government that will come after Bashir.
On the other side backing up the rebels will just give good legitimate arguments for NCP to get more and more rigid and impose an ultimate crazy Islamic dictatorship.
The game is tied to manage to preserve a reasonable government in North.
Hey Stan, apparently we also will get Clinton but the Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not aware...:D
Sudan foreign ministry says no knowledge of visit by Clinton
The Sudanese foreign ministry today denied report of an upcoming visit by the U.S. Secretary of state Hillary Clinton to attend the commencement of South Sudan referendum today.
http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-fo...-says-no,37551
At least George "Clown ney" is here! To prevent clashes with satelites. :rolleyes:;)
Once again, the tactic of making noise to exist has paid
Quote:
Militia leader in Unity state says respect ceasefire after Friday clashes
Colonel Gatluak Gai, a leader of the armed militia allegedly operating with backing from the Sudan Armed Forces, in the southern state of Unity on Monday said would respect and support the recently signed permanent cease-fire between General Athor and the semi-autonomous regional government of south Sudan.
Colonel Phillip Aguer, the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army spokesman on Saturday said armed elements identified as loyal to Gatluak Gai attacked an SPLA post at Tor Bieth in Mayom county, Unity state, killing six soldiers capturing of 32 others and severely injuring 13. It is claimed that of the 32 captives, 15 were flown to Juba on Saturday.
The senior military officer denied any losses to their forces but individuals whose relatives were in the clashes on Friday and Saturday said 14 were SPLA members were killed. Bul Athian, of Aweil, the capital of Northern Bahr el Ghazal lost his brother in the attack.
"We talked today with Colonel Gai. Our discussion was about the recent ceasefire which we signed with government of south Sudan. This agreement covers forces under our zonal command. Gatluak Gai is one of our zonal commanders in western Upper Nile and David Yauyau in south eastern Upper Nile in Pibor," explained General Athor in what seems to confirm allegations that Gatluak Gai and David Yauyau are not acting independtly but are commanded by Athor.
Athor said that during the one hour long telephone discussion they seemed to reach some understandings which would encourage colonel Gai to accept the ceasefire. “It was a good discussion over some contentious issues,” said Athor without giving any details.
Gathering reactions to this interview, Sudan Tribune spoke with the SPLA spokesman in the regional capital of Juba, Colonel Phillip Aguer who welcomed what he described as “change of heart.”
"There is nothing we are looking for in south Sudan other than peace. We need peace and stability in south Sudan. Gatluak’s (Gai) calls for a ceasefire is welcomed. It is as if God has touched him to change his heart. We do not have a problem with him because it was he who launched an attack on our position after we signed the ceasefire with General George Athor, whom we believed was the overall rebel commander. When we signed the ceasefire last week with him [General Athor], we thought Gatluak was one of his officers but we were surprised when he attacked our position," explained Aguer.
http://www.sudantribune.com/Militia-...ate-says,37563
Gatluak Gai is taking using General Athor success as an umbrella to gain some benefits from this referendum. SPLA announced previously they crushed him, but they did rather pushed him in a remote place. Now he is back and with this attack and sudden alliance with Athor can expect some benefits from this attrition «#soft COIN#» strategy.
For Athor, it's even a bigger benefit, he is now a general in charge of at least 3 armed groups and can really weigh in the balance.
It proves once again that «#soft COIN#» is not providing anything else than immediate results with very little political gains.
South Sudan made the joice of separation.
Let's have a look at what others say about it#:
Quote:
India calls for negotiated peace in Sudan, Darfur
Speaking at the UN Security Council open meeting on the Sudan here Tuesday, India's Permanent Representative Hardeep Singh Puri expressed "great satisfaction" that the referendum in South Sudan on whether the region
should remain a part of Sudan or be independent has been completed "successfully and peacefully."
"Successful conduct of the referendum has met an important element in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement reached between the Sudanese parties," he said.
Commending the commitment of these parties to respect the outcome of the referendum, Puri said India hoped "the same spirit of cooperation and commitment will be shown by the parties to resolve post-referendum issues which remain to be agreed upon."
However, expressing concern at a "high and worrying level of violence in the region of Abyei, Puri urged the leaders of the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities to show restraint and faithfully implement the agreement which was reached with the mediation of the special representative of the UN Secretary General.
"The violence witnessed last week in Abyei should remind us of the need to remain vigilant about the ground situation, which continues to remain fragile," he said expressing the "hope that the parties will cease their support to the proxy forces and seek to resolve all issues through negotiations and dialogue."
http://www.indiavision.com/news/arti...tional/147282/
An interesting attitude from India who's one of the most not known key player in East Africa. As China, India choose to be a major economic player rather than directly intervening as a political player.
Quote:
Does South Sudan secession benefit Ethiopia?
This week’s referendum also provides a political and moral support for armed groups in the region. ONLF rebels of Ethiopia have already praised the referendum in Sudan. In a statement, the ONLF said
“This vote represents a precedent affirming that there is no longer a moral or so-called legal basis for denying the Ogaden people their legitimate rights to self-determination and that the AU bears a direct responsibility to address protracted conflicts.”
http://www.eastafricaforum.net/2011/...efit-ethiopia/
The question of Ogaden is back on table...
And Somaliland is following:
Quote:
Somaliland to Push for Recognition after South Sudan
The referendum will have a “positive knock-on effect,” Omar said by phone today from the capital, Hargeisa. “We will be using the South Sudan case to take a more aggressive policy to the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.”
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 when a coup sparked civil war. It has never been recognized abroad because the Organization of African Unity ruled in 1964 that post-colonial borders in Africa were inviolable. The break-up of Sudan, Africa’s largest country by area, would be a rare exception to that rule.
Somaliland enhanced its democratic credentials with elections leading to a peaceful transition of power to President Ahmed Mahmoud Silanyo in June. The vote met international standards, according to observers Progressio, a London-based development agency.
http://english.alshahid.net/archives/17332
Unfortunately, the following link is coming from an anti US blog. But their analyses of the China vs USA battle in Sudan is interesting... And gives an idea at strategical level of the issues for both. (More or less)
Quote:
A tale of blood and oil in Africa – US seeks to undercut China in Africa by exploiting secession referendum
This “historic vote is an exercise in self-determination long in the making,” he declares. “A successful vote will be cause for celebration and an inspiring step forward in Africa’s long journey toward democracy and justice.”
Such statements are mendacious. There is no doubt enthusiasm for secession in the south, in the hope that a line can be drawn under the decades-long civil war between the north and the south. Two million people have died in the conflict that began at the moment of independence in 1956 and continued until 2005, with the last 21 years being the most destructive. The number of those displaced is close to 4 million. Generations have been raised in refugee camps.
But the referendum has nothing to do with self-determination, peace or democracy. It is dictated by the efforts of the United States to gain strategic advantage in relation to China, which dominates [sic] the Sudanese oil industry, some 80 percent of which is located in the south. Its aim is the creation of a puppet state which will become a platform for US domination of the entire region.
The separation of the south and creation of a new capitalist state will only perpetuate religious and ethnic conflict, with the most likely outcome being a resumption of warfare. Already more than 30 people have been reported killed in clashes on the proposed border between the north and a new state in the south.
http://sweetandsoursocialism.wordpre...list-web-site/
First test or first crack?
Quote:
Sudan soldiers clash in Malakal: Several dead
At least 13 people, including two children, have been killed in clashes between soldiers in the volatile south Sudan town of Malakal, doctors say.
Battles broke out on Thursday between rival northern troops, some of whom want to stay in the south. Malakal has previously seen north-south clashes.
The fighting comes as Southern Sudan is waiting for confirmation of the result of its independence referendum.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12368831
Malakal is less known to be a hot spot compare to Abyei but it is actually the hottest spot just after Abyei. Fighting broke out there in the past.
Let see if the South will be able to be as cold and patient as for Bar Al Ghazal.
the first public counter cyber social network strike!
First the death of the Minister of Rural development#:
Quote:
South Sudan minister shot dead
February 9, 2011 (JUBA) - A minister in the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) has been killed by his personal driver who broke into his office this morning soon after his arrival.
The minister of Cooperatives and Rural Development, Jimmy Lemi Milla, was shot dead at around 10:45AM in his office, which is only about 200 meters from the office of the president.
The assilant also killed the minister’s bodyguard.
More details are expected to emerge later.
http://www.sudantribune.com/BREAKING...minister,37930
And secondly Bashir is trying facebook to counter the opposition#:
Quote:
Sudanese president urges supporters to use Facebook to overcome opposition
The Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir has called on his supporters to use Facebook in order to overcome groups that are opposed to his rule.
Bashir made the call during his visit to North Kordofan state on Tuesday where he inaugurated a power plant.
Sudan official news agency (SUNA) cited Bashir as instructing authorities to pay more attention towards extending electricity to the countryside so that the younger citizens can use computers and internet to combat opposition through social networking sites such as Facebook.
This is the first call of its kind by an Arab president since a wave of revolts spread across the Middle East leading to the downfall of the 23-years old regime in Tunisia and forced the Egyptian government to loosen its grip on the power and make unprecedented concessions.
http://www.sudantribune.com/index.php
This might be the first public counter cybersocialnetwork strike#! An article recently published in Wirred (Know that because of Slate not because I read Wirred. ) states that the US army has the capacity to reinitiate by force internet network in a country. This could be considered as an act of war.
I did not mentioned it but Bashir is facing some opposition demonstrations in Khartoum. The NCP is not ready to let go. Also, there are too many interests at stake now now, that an abrupt departure of Bashir is not really an option for many. And as in Egypt, the problematic of the islamic fundamentalist political opposition is part of the equation too.
Other threats have demonstrate the importance of Internet and social network in population mobilization in Tunisia and Egypt.
Here, Bashir just turn around the difficulty of censoring Internet or simply cutting the net. He choose to conduct a cyber social network strike by reversing the use of social networks at his profit.
Sharing the house... part 1
Now South Sudan has a name#: Republic of South Sudan#!
And the sharing has started with its bright and clean agreement side and dirty tricks over the kids#:
Quote:
SPLM: North-South border demarcation commences Sunday
Demarcation of the border between North and South Sudan, which remains a contentious issue after the South in January voted for independence, a senior official from the South’s ruling party said Tuesday.
At least 80 percent of the border have so far been demarcated.
Pagan Amum, the southern minister for peace and implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), in which the right to self determination was granted, told a media briefing in Juba that the technical committee, tasked with overseeing the demarcation process is expected to table its actions on Wednesday.
The demarcation process, Amum clarified, will also involve the mapping of the contested areas. The SPLM claim most of the areas contested should be part of South Sudan.
On the fate of Abyei referendum, Amum, also the SPLM’s secretary general, said the South’s ruling party and its Northern counterparts the National Congress Party (NCP) are due to hold a Friday meeting on the future of the oil-producing area.
Oil-producing Abyei was supposed to hold a referendum to decide whether it will remain in the North or be transfered to South Sudan but it has been delayed over disputes between NCP and SPLM regarding who is eligible to vote.
http://www.sudantribune.com/SPLM-Nor...h-border,38002
And so it is for oil#:
Quote:
South Sudan rules out sharing oil revenue with North
The secretary general of the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) Pagan Amum told reporters today that the South will only pay a fee for using the pipelines that transport the oil to Port Sudan.
"The notion of sharing wealth will not be there. There is no continuation, whether 50 percent or anything," Amum said according to Reuters.
Most of Sudan’s proven daily output of 500,000 oil barrel is extracted from oilfields in the South whereas the pipelines infrastructure and refineries are based in the North. Both sides need to maintain cooperation on oil after secession to sustain their economies which depend greatly on oil revenues.
"There’s going to be an agreement on the South continuing exporting its oil through the pipeline in Northern Sudan and to Port Sudan, and the South will be paying pipeline fees for transportation," said Amum.
"We may be paying a transit fee because now Northern Sudan is going to be a different independent state from the south," he added.
http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Su...ring-oil,38009
And so comes the dirty tricks for who will get the kids#:
Quote:
Sudanese company suspends oil supply to Ethiopia
Sudan Petroleum Company has temporarily suspended the agreement signed on fuel supplies to Ethiopia, after the Sudanese oil firm closed its refinery earlier this month, Sudan Tribune has learnt.
The agreement signed in 2010 between Ethiopia and Sudan Petroleum Company (SPC) was to import 80 percent of its total oil demands from neighboring Sudan. The three-month suspension is likely to cause a hike in oil prices due to Ethiopia’s lack of oil reserves.
http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudanese...ends-oil,38007
But where the battle is raging on it's...
South#?
Quote:
Abyei belongs to South Sudan – SPLM official
"There is no question that Abyei is part and parcel of south Sudan. The people of Abyei are Dinka and there is nowhere Dinka are found in Sudan a part from South Sudan. So, it is no question that Abyei is for the South and we are Dinka", said Miyen Alor Kuol a senior member of the southern Sudan ruling party in the region.
http://www.sudantribune.com/Abyei-be...dan-SPLM,38024
Sharing the house... part 2
In Jonglei#?
Quote:
South Sudan accuses north of arming rebels
South Sudan's ruling party accused northern authorities on Wednesday of arming rebels since the region's landmark independence vote last month, including renegade troops behind clashes that killed more than 200 people last week.
Pagan Amum, secretary general of the Sudan People?s Liberation Movement (SPLM), said renegade southern general George Athor had received supplies from Khartoum since the 9-15 January referendum in which the south voted to break away.
"Supplies were brought to George Athor even after the referendum, and this definitely must stop," Amum said.
The north dismissed the accusation and renewed its own charges that southerners were backing Dafur rebel groups.
"The charges are a justification by the SPLM to give unconditional support to the Darfur rebels who continue to launch their attacks from positions south of the 1956 (north-south) border," northern army spokesman Sawarmi Khaled Saad said in a statement.
"All groups who do not heed the calls for peace, the government of southern Sudan will be forced to engage them."
Meanwhile, a one-day meeting began in Juba on Wednesday between leaders of all the south?s parties, the start of a consultation process to draw up a constitution for the new nation.
A larger conference involving civil society groups is to follow but no date has yet been set.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110216...dansouthunrest
Quote:
Spokesman of Sudan Armed Force Colonel Khalid Sa'ad al Sawarmi rejected allegations issued by Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) accusing SAF of supporting General Athor.
In press statement, al Sawarmi said that SPLM is accusing SAF so as to cover its support to Darfur armed groups, adding that insurgents from Darfur managing their hostile work from within south Sudan southwards to 1956-borders. The statement renewed SAF commitment not to supporting any insurgents affiliating to neighboring countries, pointing out that taking geographical factors into consideration, it is impossible to accuse SAF of supporting Ator practically. He added that investigations have approved that the helicopter taken as evidence against SAF belongs to Russian company, adding that investigations approved that there is no link between SAF and Athor.
http://www.sudanvisiondaily.com/modu...icle&sid=69628
Or Darfur#?
Quote:
Darfur MPs Demand to Diminish the Role of Foreign Organizations in the Region
Posted on Thursday, February 17 @ 00:00:00 UTC by admin
#
Khartoum- (SMC)
Darfur MPs in the National Council called Darfur called on the government concerned authorities for working to reduce the foreign presence of organizations in Darfur, accusing it of exceeding its mandate through the provision of logistic support to the armed movements and some activities that are contrary to the mandate.
The Chairman of the Darfur MPs block, Hassabo Mohamed Abdul Rahman said that the stability of the security in the said region justify the dimensions of organizations beside that the national organizations have been able to enforce humanitarian and voluntary work if find the necessary support stressing the importance of strengthening the African, Arab and Islamic presence to work with national organizations.
Abdul Rahman said that the foreign organizations have become renewed its accusations against the Sudanese government besides tarnishing the image of Sudan through misleading and fabricated reports expressing his fear of opening a new front in Darfur by those organizations after the secession of the south, adding that the government is now in the process of confidence building through the strategy put forward to solve Darfur issue.#
http://www.sudanvisiondaily.com/modu...icle&sid=69599
Quote:
Sudan expels French aid group from Darfur
KHARTOUM, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Sudanese authorities on Monday expelled French aid group Medecins du Monde from a state in the Darfur region, accusing it of spying on the government and helping rebels.
U.N. sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Sudanese security officials raided the group's compound and arrested staff in south Darfur's capital Nyala on Thursday.
Sudan, highly suspicious of foreign intervention, has had a tense relationship with the aid groups that poured in to help hundreds of thousands of people displaced by Darfur's eight-year conflict between government troops and rebels.
Workers from four humanitarian organisations, who asked not to be named, told Reuters there had been a recent increase travel restrictions and worsening security conditions.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/...ent&RSS20=18-P
What seems to be clear is, now that South started to crush its internal rebellions with an international blessing, Khartoum seems to have free hands to do the same in North.
What ever is the out come of the actual offencive against Athor, the collateral damages in Darfur are to be monitored.
Difficult in deed for the international community to support South repression and criticise North about political freedom:
Quote:
Khartoum University students arrested in Sudan security services raid
February 15, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese security authorities employed heavy force to disperse and arrest students protesting at Khartoum University against the dismissal of their colleagues for failure to pay tuition fees.
Security agents supported by students affiliated with the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday afternoon raided the veterinary faculty of Khartoum University and forcibly dispersed nearly 300 students participating in a sit-in to protest the university administration’s decision to prevent five students from sitting for exams because they could not pay tuition fees.
Five students were arrested after security authorities drove into the campus with their vehicles and started beating protestors.
Two of the arrested students are affiliated to the northern sector of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), which released a statement on Tuesday condemning their arrest and threatening retaliation.
Last month Sudan used force to squash anti-government protests organized via the internet by youth groups encouraged by the revolts in Tunisia and Egypt that forced the resignation of both the countries presidents. Egypt’s president Hosni Mubarak was ousted on Friday after 18 days of public protests.
Two minor protests were held this week in Khartoum by the mothers and relatives of those detained following last month’s protests.
http://www.sudantribune.com/Khartoum...students,38004
Quote:
Sudan says US denied its diplomat statement on “changing state structure”
Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said it had requested “clarifications” from the U.S. on statements allegedly made by the U.S. Consul General Barrie Walkley during a meeting with leading figures from the Sudan people Liberation Movement (SPLM), which controls South Sudan.
According to a report carried by Sudan Media Center (SMC), a website closely linked to Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), the U.S. diplomat met with SPLM secretary general Pagan Amum, head of SPLM Northern Sector Yasir Arman and the SPLM’s leader in the Nuba Mountains Abdel Aziz Al-Hilu.
The website reported that Walkley had told SPLM officials that the U.S. strategy towards Sudan aims at "changing the structure of the Sudanese state," and that Washington would not abandon the issues of Abyei, Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains (South Kordofan) in light of their importance in the context of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
The official spokesman of Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Khaled Moussa, on Tuesday said that the ministry had received a response from the U.S. embassy which reaffirmed commitment to implementing the understandings made between U.S. and Sudanese officials to maintain security and stability between North and South Sudan.
Moussa warned that the ministry and other state apparatus would nevertheless continue to monitor any activities that negate the understandings made in this regard and would take necessary measures whenever the occasion demands.
The U.S. Administration this month started a process to remove Sudan from its list of states sponsoring terrorism as a reward for implementing the CPA, but some Sudanese officials cast doubts on the seriousness of the U.S. to follow through on its promises.
http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-sa...diplomat,38003
People freedom is still limited to their strategic importance and the stability of high level political processes... Wind of freedom can blow anywhere but in Sudan at the momment. What happened in Egypt and Tunisia is not possible today in Sudan. And is most probably not wanted by many if not all international actors in North.
Now, the SPLA has to win its military campaign against Athor with a high level of respect of populations (minimal civilian cusualties). Otherwise, international community will face grave difficulties to criticise anything happening in Darfur. It is needed to prevent that what ever happens in South becomes a justificational cover for Khartoum.
After the butterfly effect, the time delay effect
Quote:
Sudan’s Bashir not standing for re-election
Feb 21st, 2011
by AfricaTimes.
KHARTOUM Sudanese President Omar Hassan
al-Bashir will not stand at the next election as part of a
package of reforms aimed at democratising the country, a senior
official of the ruling party said on Monday.ù
Bashir took power in a bloodless coup in 1989. In April 2010
he won presidential elections which many opposition parties
boycotted, citing fraud.
“(Bashir) announced that he will not enter the coming
elections to compete for the presidency,” Rabie Abdelati, a
senior National Congress Party official, told Reuters.
The next presidential elections are due in four years.
Bashir is the only sitting head of state to be indicted by
the International Criminal Court, for war crimes and genocide in
the war-torn Darfur region. He denies the charges.
Last week Bashir hinted to youth members of his party that
he would retire if the NCP adopted a retirement age of 60 for
political posts .
The opposition belittled the move, saying the NCP was trying
to head off mass protests and feared contagion from popular
uprisings which have ousted the Tunisian and Egyptian
presidents.
Abdelati said Bashir had also offered to step down as head
of the NCP, a move he said was part of a wider strategy to
democratise the country.
http://www.africa-times-news.com/201...r-re-election/
For a good news, that’s a good news. A little unexpected as his friend Kadaffi is not that willing to say good bye but Bashir did play it smart.
He first mobilized his supporters via facebook and twitter (I do not know if that did really work but it is to be noticed as an interesting tactical initiative).
And now he is “leaving power” but takes time to get achieve what he/we want.
Basically he achieve what Mubarak couldn’t.
I might give it too much importance but after the freedom wind that blew all over the Arab world following the “disaster” of Sudan referendum (On the arab side), it did finally hit Sudan; probably its starting point. Better late than never. :D
Does not mean that everything has changed and that Sudan does not play any role into nuclear weapon smuggling or Palestinian fight… But still.