Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. SDC/GI-NET does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.
The Sudanese government said that UN peacekeepers could be accepted in South Kordofan if local leaders sign an agreement welcoming foreign troops. UNMIS, which was preciously active in South Kordofan, has not been able to intervene there or report on the situation since their mandate expired on July 9th.
Idris Yousef Abdelrahman, a UNAMID employee arrested in April, has been charged with ‘undermining the constitutional system’ and ‘waging war against the state’. He is believed to be at risk of torture and ill-treatment.
Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. SDC/GI-NET does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.
The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) claims it has carried out a joint attack with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in South Kordofan. The JEM spokesperson claims they killed over 150 SAF and captured military equipment.
A UN report on the violence in South Kordofan says the actions of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and allied militias may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity and calls for a referral to the ICC. The report says both sides acted against civilians, the SAF actions were most egregious, including aerial bombardments, forced displacement, abductions, house-to-house searches, arbitrary arrests and detentions, targeted killings and summary executions.
Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. SDC/GI-NET does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.
Robert E. Whitehead, the US charge d’affaires in Sudan, met with presidential adviser Ghazi Salah Al-Deen to discuss the roadmap for normalization of diplomatic relations. Current criteria for normalization include complete implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, concluding post-secession arrangements and ending the fighting in South Kordofan.
The head of the United Nations Humanitarian Affairs is alarmed over reports of the Sentinel Project of mass graves in South Kordofan. However, she emphasized that it is not yet known whether there is any truth to the allegations and the Government of Sudan is preventing the UN from investigating.
On Wednesday June 14, President Tom Andrews and Senior Policy Analyst Dan Sullivan held a live webcast discussing their recent travels to Sudan, Rwanda and Kenya and answering viewer’s questions they submitted via twitter.
Each of these three stops had a symbolic purpose in regard to genocide and the international community. As Tom explained, Kenya served as an example of an effective and quick response from the international community. After the 2008 elections, violence escalated quickly into what could have been a tremendous disaster; however large scale atrocity was avoided thankfully due to the engagement of the international community. Rwanda, as many would guess, exemplified a conflict where the international community failed to react; sadly at the cost of 800,000 lives. In Rwanda, Tom and Dan met with a number of refugees from the conflict, a haunting reminder of the consequences of inaction.
The story of South Sudan, as Tom and Dan both described, was an example of both joy and horror. On one hand, the engagement of the international community led to the drafting of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and ultimately allowed South Sudan its independence. However, despite the joy that comes from this, we must not forget the multitude of lives that were lost and continue to be lost in regions such as South Kordofan and Abyei. The responsibility of the international community is far from over.
Tom and Dan both recalled the amazing energy and unbridled joy they were fortunate enough to share as South Sudan became an independent state. But just as Tom and Dan had unforgettable memories of this joyful state, they also had memories of horror stories told by the people of South Kordofan where more than 70,000 people have now been displaced. Due to violence, residents have taken to hiding in caves and hills and are now also facing cut offs in aid. As for the situation in Abyei, over 110,000 people have already been displaced when the Government of Sudan occupied the disputed region in May. Though the referendum was planned to take place along with the other back in January, it seems to have been permanently postponed.
Tom also recognizes that as individuals we can also show our support for peace by:
Calling 1-800-Genocide to hear talking point to tell the White House
Calling and meeting with Members of Congress so that they know the people of Sudan and South Sudan are a priority to their constituents
Participate in the Hunger Strike for Darfur from 12pm July 22nd to 12pm July 23rd
Attend a rally near you on July 23rd to protest the Bashir regime
Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. SDC/GI-NET does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.
Ethiopia has begun deploying troops to Abyei as part of the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA). The deployment of 4,200 Ethiopian troops was approved by the Security Council in late June to demilitarize the area and protect civilians.
Darfuris have reported that they are being targeted in Libya as a result of public accusations by the Sudanese government that they are fighting as mercenaries for Qaddafi. One individual reported being arrested by the Libyan rebels and witnessing about 25 other Sudanese killed.
Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. SDC/GI-NET does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.
The National Security and Intelligence Services (NISS) in Sudan claims it has released all detainees, as per the instructions of President al-Bashir. According to the Sudanese Media Center, 66 detainees were released. Sudan’s 2010 National Security Act gave NISS powers of arrest, detention, search and seizure, which activists say NISS abuses to arbitrarily arrest and torture human rights defenders, journalists and dissidents.
The UN humanitarian office in Sudan reports that heavy bombings continue in South Kordofan near Kadugli and in another town in the north-east. The Sudanese Government’s Humanitarian Aid Commission reports that the number of internally displaced persons has significantly decreased from the 73,000 reported by the UN. However, the UN has reported numerous recent aerial bombardments making the governments claim unlikely.
Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. SDC/GI-NET does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.
President Omar al-Bashir warned that any attempt by South Sudan to impose a unilateral solution in Abyei could lead to war with the north. Both states have pledged to continue negotiations to resolve outstanding issues.
Sudan and South Sudan are in the process of negotiating an oil deal, but international organizations have expressed concern that the agreement will not include guarantees for transparency.
Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. SDC/GI-NET does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.
The Government of Sudan officially recognizes the Republic of South Sudan and affirmed its commitment to resolve the remaining issues of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
On Saturday, Salva Kiir was officially sworn in as the first President of the Republic of South Sudan and signed the Transitional Constitution into effect. In his address he focused on unity in South Sudan. He granted amnesty to rebel militias who have fought against the government of South Sudan and encouraged them to cooperate in building the new nation.
The following is a summary of press releases and statements regarding South Sudan’s independence. We will continue to update this page. SDC/GI-NET does not necessarily support the views expressed in this post.
The AU commended the “outstanding leadership” of Presidents Omar al-Bashir and Salva Kiir Mayardit that brought about the successful implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The Council also paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the struggle for South Sudanese independence, including Dr. John Garang de Mabior, and looks forward to including South Sudan as the 54th member of the African Union.
The EU congratulated South Sudan on its independence and commended the successful implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The statement encouraged the newly formed government to lay the foundation for an inclusive and democratic society, and expressed the willingness of the European Union and its Member States to continue working with Sudanese leaders to promote peace and stability.
Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the UN, commended the citizens of South Sudan on achieving independence; he also emphasized that cooperation between the North and the South, supported by the international community, is vital to the development and stability of both nations.
Here is the daily roundup and summary of the major headlines coming out of Sudan. SDC/GI-NET does not necessarily support the views expressed in the articles in this post.
The South Sudan Legislative Assembly passed the Transitional Constitution yesterday. There are concerns among some South Sudanese and international actors that the constitution grants excessive power to the president. During the interim period a constitutional review committee will work on the permanent constitution.
President Omar al-Bashir has renounced the agreement that was to serve as a framework for a ceasefire in South Kordofan with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM)- North. He refuses to acknowledge the SPLM-North as a political party and instructed the Sudanese Armed Forces to continue military operations in South Kordofan.
