Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. United to End Genocide does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.

Sudan condemns renewal of US economic sanctions—Sudan Tribune

US President Barack Obama decided to renew sanctions against Sudan yesterday, eliciting an angry response from Khartoum.  The sanctions were first put in place in October 1997 because of Sudan’s record of supporting terrorist organizations and committing human rights abuses.  In 2003, additional sanctions were enacted in reaction to the Darfur genocide.  It is believed that the ongoing conflicts in Darfur, Blue Nile, and South Kordofan played a role in the President’s decision to renew the sanctions.

South Sudan wants investors for refinery—Reuters

South Sudan is seeking foreign investors to build an oil refinery. The oil refinery will give South Sudan greater independence from Sudan as their oil industries are still interconnected.  The interconnected nature of their oil industries makes it difficult for American companies to invest in South Sudan’s oil sector as US sanctions prevent US companies from undertaking any business that may indirectly aid Sudan.

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Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. United to End Genocide does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.

South Kordofan unrest: Sudan ‘kills hundreds’ of rebels—BBC News

Governor of South Kordofan, Ahmed Haroun claims that hundreds of rebels were killed in battles with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Teludi, South Kordofan. The rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) denied these claims, however, and said they killed many SAF soldiers in the battles and lost only two of their own. Sudan also accused South Sudan of supporting the SPLM-N, which South Sudan denied.

Three Darfuris detained since a year; press freedom deteriorating in Sudan—Radio Dabanga

For over a year three Darfuris have been detained by the Sudanese government on charges of ‘waging war against the nation’ and ‘threatening the Constitution’.  Abdelrahman Adam, Zakaria Yaqoub and Adam Al Nur were arrested after attending a youth forum and accused of working for Radio Dabanga. According to their defense team, they were supposed to be granted amnesty under both presidential decree and the conditions of the Doha peace agreement but the amnesties have been stalled.

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Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. United to End Genocide does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.

Some 80 killed in rebel attack in oil-rich South Sudan state—AFP

The South Sudanese army attacked the rebel South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA) in the town of Mayom in the Unity State. Eighty people were killed, of which 60 were rebels. The South Sudanese military admitted that at least 15 civilians were killed in the action when they were caught in the crossfire.

South Sudan rebels claim capture of Mayom town—Sudan Tribune

The South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA) claims that it captured Mayom town from South Sudanese government forces in the Unity State.  This report contrasts with South Sudanese government reports that announced that 60 SSLA rebels had been killed by the South Sudanese army in the battle for Mayom town.

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Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. United to End Genocide does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.

Hundreds more refugees flee Sudan’s Blue Nile for Ethiopia—UNHCR

Another two thousand Sudanese fled from Sudan’s Blue Nile to the safety of refugee camps in Ethiopia.  Most of the displaced are women, children, and the elderly.  The refugees are fleeing bombing raids by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).  There are also reports that residents of Blue Nile were warned by militias to leave the area, which suggests the possibility of a ground offensive.

Sudan to bring in foreign farmers—Sudan Tribune

The Sudanese ministry of agriculture has announced that the government will begin hiring foreign farmers to replace the Sudanese farmers that transitioned to gold mining.

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Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. United to End Genocide does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.

New weapons seized from South Sudan rebels—Sudan Tribune

Weapons seized from South Sudanese rebel groups loyal to Peter Gadet and George Athor are Chinese-made Type-56-1 assault rifles. This may confirm South Sudan’s suspicions that Sudan is arming South Sudanese rebels in an effort to destabilize the new country.  While Peter Gadet and his forces have since rejoined the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), Athor’s revolt is still ongoing.

South Sudan oil production seen shrinking by half: IMF—Sudan Tribune

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned South Sudan that they will see oil production declining by half within the next ten years as their known oil reserves dry up.  98% of South Sudan’s revenue comes from crude exports and the decline of oil production would be economically devastating.  The IMF suggested that South Sudan should put its oil revenue toward investing in the development of infrastructure, industries, and its people so that the economy is robust enough to handle the decline.

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Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. United to End Genocide does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.

Sudan’s President due to Kassala amid protests–Sudan Tribune

President of Sudan Omer El-Bashir arrived in Kassala for a summit yesterday with the President of Eritrea Isaias Afewerki as student protests in the city continue.  University students have been protesting rising costs of food and demanding political change since October 18th.

Sudan plans to hike oil production, minister says–Sudan Tribune

Sudan lost 75% of its oil production with the secession of the South. Before the secession Sudan produced 500,000 barrels of oil a day. Sudan now produces only 110,000 a day. As a result, Sudan is hoping to increase its oil production to 180,000 barrels a day by the end of this year and double production by 2016.  Sudan is still negotiating with South Sudan over the amount of money per barrel of oil they will collect for allowing South Sudanese oil to transit through their pipelines.
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Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. United to End Genocide does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.

Inside Sudan’s rebel territory, Anatovs are lurking—Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Bombing raids by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are continuing in Blue Nile where they are killing and maiming civilians.  The former elected governor of Blue Nile, Malik Agar was deposed by the Sudanese government when the rebellion in Blue Nile began is now leading the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) rebel group. Agar says the bombings has not undermined support for the SPLM-N, and has instead caused young men angry at the bombings to join their ranks.

The Man Who Stayed Behind—NY Times

Ryan Boyette travelled to the Nuba Mountains in Sudan with the humanitarian organization Samaritan’s Purse in 2003, where he married a Nuban woman, Jazira.  When the war in South Kordofan began Samaritian’s Purse tried to pull Boyette out of the area for his safety.  He refused to leave and instead pulled together a team of 15 people to investigate attacks on civilians in the area. Their reports have been sent to journalists and the Enough Project.

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Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. United to End Genocide does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.

Sudan army claims new gains near rebel stronghold in Blue Nile state—Sudan Tribune

Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) spokesman Al-Sawarmi Khalid Sa’ad claims that SAF has retaken the town of Sali from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) forces.  Sali is only 9 miles from the SPLM-N stronghold area of Al-Kurmuk.  An SPLM-N spokesperson denied these claims.

UNHCR moves Sudanese refugees away from volatile border area—UNHCR

Sudanese refugees who fled to Ethiopia from the fighting in Blue Nile are being transferred to a camp farther away from the Ethiopian-Sudanese border.  The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said the refugees are being moved away from the border area for fear that the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North rebels will spill over the border and put refugee lives at risk.

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Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. United to End Genocide does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.

Seven women burnt to death—Radio Dabanga

Seven women were reportedly burnt alive in their home in their village of Azban in North Darfur by government militias. According to relatives of the victims, the village of Azban had been the scene of a massacre the week before in which three people were allegedly killed. The women refused to leave their home after the massacre and were in it when the militias attacked the village.

Germany mulls relief of Sudan’s debt—Sudan Tribune

Germany’s deputy head of diplomatic mission to Sudan, Johannes Lehne, revealed that Germany has begun talks with the government of Sudan about ways Sudan can pay off its international debt. Germany has said that Sudan may be able to pay of its debt through the creation of internal development projects. The commencement of talks with Germany on debt relief is part of a greater effort by Sudan to receive debt relief. The World Bank has said that Sudan must enact economic reforms to qualify for debt relief.

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Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. United to End Genocide does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.

DUP backs Doha peace agreement—Radio Dabanga

The Democratic Unionist Party-Mainstream (DUP) led by Mohamed Osman al-Mirghani announced support for the Doha peace agreement. DUP made the announcement after meeting with the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), who has already signed the Doha Darfur Peace Document (DDPD).

US eases North Sudan trade regulations—Sudan Tribune

The US Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it will ease regulations on trade of food products to Iran and Sudan, both of which are designated State Sponsors of Terrorism.  Companies will be allowed to freely trade certain food products to these countries, whereas in the past they had to apply for one year contracts to do so. Still conditions will apply and companies will not be allowed to become involved with military enterprises. Whether the easing of regulations is offered as an incentive to the Sudanese government to end the conflicts in Blue Nile and South Kordofan is undetermined.

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