IGAD Executive Secretary’s Statement on Attempted Assassination of H.E Abdalla Hamdock, Prime Minister of the Republic of Sudan and the Chair of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government (09.03.2020)

March 9, 2020 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti): The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, condemns in the strongest terms the assassination attempt on H.E Abdalla Hamdock, Prime Minister of the Republic of Sudan and the Chair of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government, following a car bomb attack on his official convoy at the Cooper Bridge in capital Khartoum today.

The Executive Secretary conveys his relief that Prime Minister Hamdok was unharmed in this appalling incident and calls for an immediate and speedy investigation in order to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.

This incident seeks to reverse the people-driven democratic gains that have been witnessed in the Republic of Sudan. The IGAD Executive Secretary emphasises that the “interests and the aspiration of the people of Sudan will reign over all acts of terror”.

He further adds that all parties must adhere to the continuation of open, comprehensive and inclusive political dialogue as the only avenue to ensuring long-term stability, peace and prosperity.

IGAD calls upon the international community to stand with the people and the government of the Republic of Sudan by extending the requisite political, diplomatic and material support during this transitional period to ensure that the foundations of peace, security and stability are firmly established as the people of Sudan chart the path to their future.

Sudan: African Union Peace and Secuirty Council 913th Meeting – Communique (03.03.2020)

Communique of the Sectoral Ministerial Meeting on the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons in the IGAD Region, 26th February 2020, Khartoum, Republic of Sudan (26.02.2020)

Opinion: GERD negotiations without Ethiopia is an imperialistic move by the US…

The United States Administration holding meetings with the other parties of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). However, the main party was holding separate meetings with the ones whose touched by the GERD, but not the one operating nor owning the dam. That is question of sovereign. Something, the US should understand, but they only understand it when it inflicts themselves.

The two statements from both parties shows the indifference from the United States, while the Ethiopian are answering it with a respectable tone. Even when the US is acting rogue on the matter. They even used the US Treasury on this and not the US State Department, which is weird in itself. Secondly, it was Mnuchin who was involved and not Pompeo. Which is very weird and seems like someone whose not knowledgable or having the capacity to understand the questions remaining in this matter are indirectly trying to negotiate it.

Just look!

Ethiopian Statement:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia noted with disappointment the Statement issued by the United States Department of Treasury on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) released on 28 February 2020, following a meeting held without Ethiopia’s participation. Ethiopia had notified Egypt, Sudan, and the US that it needed more time to deliberate on the process” (…) “Ethiopia as the owner of the GERD will commence first filling of the GERD in parallel with the construction of the Dam in accordance with the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization and the causing of no significant harm as provided for under the Agreement on the Declaration of Principles (DoP)” (Amare Asrat – ‘Ethiopian Government Statement on GERD negotiations’ 29.02.2020).

United States of America Statement:

Washington, DC – On February 27-28, 2020, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin participated in separate bilateral meetings with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Ministers of Water Resources of Egypt and Sudan. The United States facilitated the preparation of an agreement on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) based on provisions proposed by the legal and technical teams of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan and with the technical input of the World Bank” (…) “The United States reaffirms its commitment to remain engaged with the three countries until they sign the final agreement” (US Treasury – ‘Statement by the Secretary of the Treasury on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam’ 28.02.2020).

With this final statement by the US, the observer role is dead. They are indirectly interfering and also using their financial powers to get the Ethiopian partners to succumb to a final agreement. Even when the Ethiopian are saying they need more time, the GERD is built by them and on their soil. It is their waters that is filling it up. They are not doing anything illegal by doing so, they are only friendly neighbours by trying to make sensible deals with Egypt and Sudan. That is what the US should understand.

I wonder if they we’re thinking of revamping the Nile Waters Agreement of 1929, a relic of the colonial era. If not, maybe the US thought they could push the 1959 treaty as well. Just because they have the power, but that was before the GERD and it was other regimes in place in Sudan and Egypt. The US shouldn’t push for this ones. Especially, when the US is not involving the owner and operator in talks. Which is disappointing, but also revealing their allies.

Egypt and Sudan needs to cooperate with Ethiopia. They should do so directly to seek their grievances, not work in direct tandem with Washington D.C. especially when Ethiopia is not part of it. That shows the three parties isn’t working together, but trying to score brownie points with the US.

This is not sincere. The approach not to be configured, if there shall be trust between Addis Ababa, Khartoum and Cairo. GERD need another approach by all parties. Especially the US should act sincere, because this talks with others are of no good. The Ethiopian side needs to be listen too, since they are the owner and operator. Not some fool with no vision.

Sudan and Egypt should play ball with Addis, not make love stories with Washington. That is not how these sort of diplomatic negotiations should go. They should know this, unless they wants to be puppets of the US. Peace.

Sudan: Fresh protests escalates as the TMC promotes itself, while revolutionary officers get dismissed!

In Khartoum today, the people again went to the streets to demonstrate. Because, the Sovereign Council has decided to retire the army officials who was in support of the revolution last year. The Transitional Military Council (TMC), the armed wing of the transitional government have decided to purge the army and also elevate itself. This causes outrage, as this is yet another soft takeover and not a promising step towards a civilian government, which was the whole idea behind the revolution in the first place.

Today, the authorities have used live bullets, violence and massive amount tear-gas to rid of the new surge of revolutionaries in the streets. Also, injuries are being made to the civilians and again random arrests of the ones protesting. Surely, this is back ot the old days.

The news that sparked this:

In a statement released on Tuesday, the army spokesman Amer Mohamed al-Hassan said the retirees’ list has been done with high professionalism” His statement was published after the circulation in the social media of three separate lists seen by Sudan Tribune with “top secret” including 15 sub lieutenants, 29 lieutenant commanders and 35 colonels. Among the 15 sub-lieutenants appears the name of Mohamed Siddiq Ibrahim Ahmed, who was the first military officer to join the protesters outside the army headquarter during the first week of April before al-Bashir’s ouster” (Sudan Tribune – ‘Sudanese army retires junior-rank officers’ 18.02.2020).

While that has happen. The Transitional Military Council (TMC) of the Sovereign Council has promoted themselves. On the 19th February 2020, this was reported:

Former head of General Intelligence Agency (GIS) Abubaker Damblad has been promoted to Lieutenant General.

Member of the Sovereignty Council, Yassir Al-Atta has been promoted to Lieutenant General.

Member of the Sovereignty Council, Shams El-Deen Al-Kabashi has been promoted to Lieutenant General.

Head of the General Intelligence Agency (GIS) Jamal Abdelmajeed has been promoted to Lieutenant General.

Head of the Sovereignty Council, Abdulfatah Al-Burhan has been promoted to Marshal.

This is surely again a sign of troubling time ahead. As the TMC wing of the Sovereign Council have been working to consolidate power. They wouldn’t have done that this way, if they didn’t believe they could sustain it now. The agreement of the trial period of three years would give the TMC time to change and also get more power by softly making decisions. Which they have now done by getting rid of the ones who supported the revolution. While promoting the ones whose loyal to the new leadership and who will follow Al-Burhan. That is the message of the acts made.

This is why people are going into the streets, as the revolution wasn’t made for the army and their ranks, but for the public and their will for a civilian government. Seems like the TMC forgot that piece of information or neglected it. Because, power is enticing and rewarding. Peace.

Sudan: The Sovereign Council serves Al-Bashir to the ICC

The Sovereign Council, the transitional government in Sudan has finally done the big act of sending their former head of state for 30 years and former dictator, Omar Al-Bashir to answer his charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague.

Now his final reckoning. Even after being charged with grand corruption in December 2019. This after being overthrown on the 11th April 2019. That after months of demonstrations and continued protests, a revolution where the public had the slogan “We’re All Darfur”. Meaning they are all victims of the atrocities and genocide in Darfuf, which Al-Bashir and his henchman did on his orders. All those years of violence, killings and looting. The President had his end.

Now, 9 months since his fall from power. His been charged and detained. The Sovereign Council partly with military cadres of Al-Bashir and technocrats from the Forces of the Freedom and Change Declaration (FFC) are now ending his “quarantine” and limbo. They are sending their former master to the lions. The ones whose collected evidence and charged him. The ones who has hunted for him and wanted him for years. They have even condemned other nations for hosting the President and Head of State. As they violated the charges and the ICC arrest warrant on him.

Now, nine months after they are doing this. Surely to get some goodwill. You can beg to question: Why now? Are the banks empty again? Are the Sovereign Council running out of fiscal cash and needs some foreign exchange to run government?

Because, giving away and sending him to the ICC. Would give international goodwill. Would be a leap of progression. That would be deemed as a positive step in respecting international law, but also co-operate with an entity respected across the globe. However, it adds questions, which is unresolved.

It also begs the ICC, will they indict and give arrest warrants for people connected with Al-Bashir in the Sovereign Council or the Janjaweed (Rapid Support Force)? Because that would make sense. That the other men who followed orders and on their watch did the atrocities in Darfur and Blue Nile State would answer for it. Not only the Head of State alone in the Hague.

Al-Bashir was a tyrant and a grand dictator. However, he didn’t do this acts a vacuum and alone. He did it with the people around him. That was done deliberate by him and his security organizations. If that was NISS, RSF or anyone else. They did that to enemies, activists or anyone else who dared the regime.

Therefore, his day of reckoning is here now. The Sudanese is sending him to the lions. The big-man, the former leader of men, will be court-side and answering for his actions. He will be humiliated further and even beg for mercy. Only if the ICC does technical glitches or doesn’t follow protocol he will win. Also, only the Sudanese doesn’t comply and intimidate victims and witnesses. Than Al-Bashir will get of the hook.

Nevertheless, it is a historic day. That the man ruling with an iron fist and with a trigger happy army , his now awaiting a new trial, a new court and answer for his misgivings. Which is about time. Who wonders what will happen with the charges in Sudan itself. If they will be followed and actually followed through.

What we do know, is that one man is down and his lost it all. The Sovereign Council has lifted one of their burdens. Maybe there is a pay-off, but that is just mere speculation for now. Peace.

Sudan: Prime Minister Abdalla Hamadok letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (27.01.2020)

African Union: The 906th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council on the situation in Sudan (05.02.2020)

Opinion: Trump wants a White AmeriKKKa

In 2017 the Trump Administration banned 7 countries and their citizens from immigrating to the United States. After a while, one of them got dropped, but the rest still persisted. This being Yemen, Somalia, Iran, Libya, Sudan and Syria. From these week again Sudan was targeted after been released for a little while. While they have now added Burma (Myanmar), Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania.

We can see what type of countries the Trump Presidency picks. However, what is more outrages about a few, is where the United States has bombed the places to pieces and still they will help the ones in need. This being Libya, Somalia and Yemen. The first ban of 2017 was called the Muslim ban. Now, people don’t even flinch.

The Trump Administration might talk security and their own sovereign safety. But, we can all bullshit on that one. Trump is only doing this to Whiten the population and stall more people to enter. Just like with the recent stop of birth-tourism ban too. It all follows a pattern. Where the certain type of people is picked out and they are barred from entering.

President Trump is the man of the Klan. His the man of the White Supremacist. Picking out Sudan again, taking Tanzania, Nigeria and Eritrea. While also stopping Burma (Myanmar) where the genocide on a Muslim is going on. Clearly, the US tries stifle them from entering, because they are from the “wrong” nations. That is the initial drive.

It is not about the capacities of people, this is not about education standards or anything else. This is a precondition of where they have resided and statehood before entering the Republic. Than, you know the credentials are quit clear. That its only set-up like this because of their colour and ethnicity.

Trump Presidency can play that off and act a fool. This is clearly aimed at firing up the base and lifting their spirit ahead of the elections. That is all, by also closing the borders for yet another group of nationalities. Which is very simple by just another Executive Order. Because, its not like he could have pulled this one through Congress. The President knows that, as he cannot govern like a President should.

The suspension and limitation is striking. The aim is there and the ones denying that is either naive, if not they are part of the Klan themselves. That is just the way it is.

We all know the drill. This is a tool for re-election. Nothing else, a racist motivated targeted, using migration and immigrants as a pawn in the game for a populistic approach. Nothing else. Which the President has done all along. With his child-separation at the Southern Border and so-on. There is nothing human about these policies, only a cynic racist motivated approach to win the white supremacy base in the United States.

The extreme Alt-Right, which combined with the far-right evangelicals doesn’t care that they are electing a crook and drifter at the White House. As long as they are getting a few of their songs played on the radio, now and then. Peace.

Violence in Sudan’s Darfur forces thousands to flee (28.01.2020)

Clashes in El Geneina, in Sudan’s West Darfur State, have forced more than 11,000 people to flee as refugees into neighbouring Chad since last month.

GENEVA, Switzerland, January 28, 2020 – This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

Clashes in El Geneina, in Sudan’s West Darfur State, have forced more than 11,000 people to flee as refugees into neighbouring Chad since last month. Four thousand of them have fled during last week alone and it is estimated that the clashes have displaced some 46,000 inside the country.

Most of them were already internally displaced people and when attacks happened in West Darfur in late December 2019, including on displacement camps, people fled and found temporary refuge in schools, mosques and other buildings in El Geneina.

With El Geneina only 20 kilometers from the border, thousands of refugees crossed into Chad, a number UNHCR anticipates could reach 30,000 in the coming weeks as tensions persist. UNHCR teams on the ground are hearing accounts of people fleeing after their villages, houses and properties were attacked, many burnt to the ground.

In Chad, the refugees are currently scattered in several villages along a line that spans nearly 100 kilometers near the border, around the town of Adré, in the province of Ouaddaï which already hosts 128,000 Sudanese refugees. The conditions are dire. Most are staying in the open or under makeshift shelters, with little protection from the elements. Food and water are urgently needed, while health conditions are a concern.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, its Government counterpart and humanitarian partners are on the ground and coordinating the response to this emergency, registering refugees and providing lifesaving aid including food, water, relief items. Refugees needing special care, including unaccompanied children, are being identified and assisted.

However, the rate of refugee arrivals risks outpacing our capacity. More resources and support will be required to bolster the response.

Together with the Chadian government, UNHCR is in the process of identifying a new site further from the border, where the refugees can be relocated and receive the security and assistance they desperately need.

Meanwhile in West Darfur, UNHCR and other humanitarian actors are also rushing relief items such as blankets, sleeping mats and jerry cans to assist displaced men, women and children at over three dozen gathering points. In the past week, trucks with additional relief items arrived from UNHCR’s warehouses in other Darfur states, with more aid on the way.

UNHCR continues to seek international community’s support for the transitional government of Sudan in addressing the root causes of the conflict in Darfur. Restoring security will be key for peacebuilding. This will also allow much needed development assistance to support sustainable solutions, including the return of Sudanese displaced inside the country and living as refugees, once conditions are conducive.