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February 26-March 6, 2015

Domestic Media Monitoring Report for Sudan
Posted on March 6, 2015
Former opposition leader supports the self-governance of Akobo.
Independent Media

Former rebel official pushes for independent Akobo 26th February 2015, Sudan Tribune.

  • Lul Ruai Koang, former spokesperson for the South Sudanese armed opposition group, explained that the separation of the Aboko country from Jongeli will aid in resolving the conflict in this area.
  • This is expected to increase positive relations with external communities as well.
  • Koang explained that the sufficient population could create a local administration to reduce the internal security issues and be a permanent security force.
  • Koang used an example of Pibor who have successfully reduced internal corruption and security threats through this reorganization.
  • The success of this administration has been put down to the ownership they were rewarded and entrustment of authority in society.
  • Koang stepped down from the oppositional group at a conference in Nairobi last week. He deflected from the South Sudanese armed opposition groups which currently controls the Akobo country.
  • The government is yet to comment on the new administration proposal.
Public transport systems to be established between Ethiopia and Sudan
Domestic Media

Ethiopia, Sudan agree to start land transport service 27th February 2015, Sudan Tribune

  • A new design for public transport systems to link Ethiopia and Sudan have been agreed and now progress to a planning stages.
  • Technical committees from both countries met in Addis Ababa to discuss the development of the project and to resolve issues of concern from both sides.
  • Abelneh Agidew stated that in 45 days a transport link between the two countries would be created and in operation.
  • The objective of the new system is to produce stronger economic and social ties between the two countries.
  • The transport system project has developed since a rise in trade between the two countries. Currently 280 Sudanese companies are in incorporated into various parts of the Ethiopian economy with large investment capital.
  • The three major existing highways connecting the countries will be cultivated to facilitate this system.
  • This project has appealed to a pan-African audience as land locked countries look to reduce their dependency on Djibouti sea access for import-export business.
China probe United States sanctions proposal for South Sudan.
Independent Media

China questions U.S. Threat U.N. Sanctions on South Sudan 27th February 2015, Asiaone

  • As a permanent member of the Security Council, China has questioned the United Nations decision (pushed by The USA) to impose a sanctions regime on South Sudan.
  • These sanctions have been proposed to be applied during crucial negotiations between warring parties in South Sudan.
  • The UN ambassador for China, Liu Jieyi, has expressed his confusion at the United States draft of a UN Security Council resolution to impose sanctions at this delicate time.
  • The American draft proposes a temporary suspension of assets and travel on any individual disrupting peace negotiations from March 5th to April 1st by the IGAD.
  • China has major investments in south Sudan’s oil industry’s and contributed large numbers of aid workers earlier this year with more to arrive in April for South Sudan to help encourage peace talks.
UN Peacekeeping Missions Extended in Abyei
Independent Media

South Sudan: Security Council Extends UN Peacekeeping Force in Abyei through July 2015 26th February 2015, All Africa

  • The Peacekeeping missions in Abyei have been extended to protect the civilian populations and natural resources in this area.
  • Unanimous vote concluded the extension of the missions at the United Nations council this week.
  • In recent events these lands have been occupied by Sudanese troops who have militarized the area, creating instability in the region.
  • The resolution comes in conjunction with the necessity for Sudan and South Sudan to resume negotiations with the Abeyi Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC) to ensure the progress of peace negotiations and withdrawal of occupying troops.
  • The UN emphasized the need to establish a permanent stable police force to take control of the Abyei area and protect the civilians and oil infrastructures in the area.
  • These resolutions are all in support of finding and negotiating a sufficient and stable peaceful relationship between these two countries.
Leaked Documents Claim Intent for Mass Atrocities under Al Bashir’s authority.
Independent media

Leaked Document Alleges Sudan Planned Mass Murder 28th February 2015, Medium

  • New documents have surfaced which describe in lengthy detail of the countries civil wars and President Al Bashir's plan to resolve the situation.
  • The documents consists of minuets from meetings between Sudanese presidential and military officials in July 2014. The source has been debated to its authenticity however, the plans outlined in the document and the events which have occurred since this date have many parallels.
  • Internal and external relationships were discussed and how to deal with tensions in these relations.
  • South Kordofan was referenced with minister of defense, General Abdel Rahim Mohamed Hussein, instructing the Sudanese air force to bomb without digression of civilian populations in this area.
  • Since the New Year there have been several events of this type including the bombing of a Doctors without Borders hospital on the 22nd of January, forcing the NGO to abandon their humanitarian efforts in the area.
  • The document also expressed hostility towards NGO’s and humanitarian groups intervening in the civil war as they undermine the autonomy of the Al Bashir’s state.
  • The SPLM-N has infiltrated three areas: Nuba Mountains, Darfur and Blue Nile which have all seen acts of aggression against the Sudanese government.
  • The document reference a "Decisive Summer" offense to eliminate the SPLM-N threat. This offense has been a recurring aspect for multiple weeks in media reports and has speculated to be the cause of multiple attacks in this area.
  • Small Arms Survey has reported Sudanese activities in these areas which replicate the defense plan outlined in the document.
  • Another aspect included in the document was discussion of external relationships with neighbouring countries. Al Bashir described these relations as good and prosperous as well as his support for Islamist groups in Libya and rebellions in neighbouring African States.
  • These strong external relationships have led international groups to believe that they have allowed the Sudanese government to acquire modernized weaponry from countries such as Iran. These weapons are far more powerful than the rebel groups in their capacity to kill.
  • The document has not been clarified as authentic, however it does draw similarities between the outlined plans and actual events. The insight the document does give us is to a regime which is relentless, powerful and equipped militarily and politically.
Candidates resign from electoral positions in the upcoming elections.
Domestic media

102 Candidates pull out of Sudan’s elections race 2nd March 2015, Sudan Tribune

  • Sudan's National Elections Commission (NEC) confirmed that 102 candidates had resigned from the upcoming elections in April.
  • This comes after an announcement from the National Congress Party (NCP) which warned rival candidates that if they run independently they will be held accountable.
  • There has been a movement by the NCP to persuade individuals to withdraw. Hamid Mumtaz, political secretary for the NEC explained that the opposing candidates had followed the regulations and dropped out of the elections accordingly.
  • The final number of candidates has been confirmed at 1072 nominees for national constituencies and 2235 for regional legislative councils by the NEC. This is with 16 registered presidential candidates.
  • 1197 constituencies have been classified in the election race. Those who have withdrawn are from: Al-Jazira, Kassala state and the White Nile state areas immersed in violence in the previous weeks.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees implements ID card registration
Independent Media

Sudan Begins Issuing ID Cards for South Sudanese 3rd March 2015, All Africa

  • Identification cards have been distributed by the Sudanese government to secure an individual’s right to work and have access to services in Sudan’s society.
  • UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and the Sudanese Commissioner for Refugees and the Directorate General of Passports and Immigration signed an agreement to first issue 37,000 ID cards to the South Sudanese people.
  • So far 54,000 South Sudanese have been registered.
  • Civilians above five are given an ID card for their time in Sudan.
  • This enables the south Sudanese population living in Sudan to have access to the same rights, work, property and freedom of movement in the country, as well as access to social services.
  • Reports have estimated that half a million south Sudanese live in Sudan after continuous conflict since 2013.
  • The Sudanese government has expressed their commitment to recognizing the south Sudanese as citizens and that the ID cards will prove legal identity and permission to stay in the country without forced return.
  • UNHCR is the main patron of this project providing financial and technical aid to inscript south Sudanese in the ID card system.
  • 12 registration sites have already been established in Khartoum state with the White Nile State to be the next area where registration sites will be introduced. Currently 66,000 south Sudanese live in this area.
  • These two areas are the main focus due to the escalating crises in living conditions; hygiene and food supplies.
  • An 18 month period has been given to the project with mobile units involved to integrate arriving migrants into the registration system.
  • The system is to help the 2 million displaced personnel escaping the ongoing conflict. It attempted to help unify families, bring assistance and a sense of normality of life for these displaced populations.
Leave! Campaign terminated in Dongola by Sudanese Police.
Independent Media

Police raid Umma Party office in Dongola, northern Sudan 2nd March 2015, Radio Dabanga

  • The Sudanese police raided the National Umma Party (NUP) in Dongola on Saturday.
  • A convention for the Leave! Campaign taking place in Dongola was organized by the National Consensus Forces (NCF) a cooperative party of oppositional groups.
  • The police used violent methods to disperse the people inside the convention and prevented members from entering the premise.
  • The Leave! Campaign is forwarded by the NCF and supports an anti-elections position.
  • The campaign is orientated around gaining internal and external support to rid the current regime of all power after a prolonged administration of oppression and corruption.
  • The two main reasons given for boycotting the elections was due to the facade of democracy by Al Bashir’s presidential party and the estimated $800 million the election will cost.
  • The Leave! Campaign has become a target of the Sudanese police in the previous months through the detention of individuals involved with the movement.
  • International support has been expressed for the Sudan Appeal which outlines an agreement based upon the: cease of the civil war; creation of a multiple party political system and the reorganization of society built upon democratic and equal principles. The Sudan Appeal was signed by multiple opposition groups in Addis Ababa in December.
  • A further meeting was conducted last week in Berlin to unify the party’s position and discuss a national dialogue.
Peace negotiations fail between tribal groups in East Darfur
Independent Media

Merowe meeting fails to reconcile feuding East Darfur Tribes 3rd March 2015, Radio Tamazuj

  • In the Northern provinces there has been a consistent rivalry and violence between Arab tribes Rizeigat and Ma'alie in Merowe Town. The anticipated peace conference held this week failed to result in a peace negotiation between the groups.
  • Yusuf Ali Hamid, a Ma'alia tribal leader, spoke of the group’s lack of confidence in the peace conference before it began.
  • Hamid explained that the negotiation presented to the groups was lacking in clarity to land ownership and other aspects. The tribal leader further explained that he believed the government was to blame for the inability to conclude in a successful peace agreement.
  • Rizeigat tribal leader Mohamed Issa Aliu informed Radio Tamazuj that the peace negotiations had not concluded successfully due to the issues of land ownership and leadership.
  • Without a successful peace agreement concluded it leaves East Darfur in a detrimental position with a lack of security and consolidated leadership.
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