Foreign Embassies in Sudan – Memo to the African Union: “Status: Important and Urgent” (23.12.2018)

Sudan: Riots continues on its fourth day!

In Khartoum and elsewhere in the Republic, the riots against the state continues. This being against President Omar Al-Bashir and his party, which has controlled the state for over 30 years. The government have lacked financial control, as the bread prices are souring, the lack of fuel and also empty ATMs.

The dictatorship of thirty years, has during its recent four days shown it oppressive behavior. With leaked videos of the live-bullets against citizens. Today, there are even soldiers with machine guns doing shooting against the public. All of this shows again, that President Al-Bashir doesn’t care about other people’s lives. As he orders total destruction. Just to stay in power.

The official death number of today is 9, while other claims to 22 people who lost their lives.

We also know that the state is afraid of this riots, as the Universities are getting closed indefinitely as a result. The closure is to stop the youth and disembark them from the cities where the Universities are. However, the share size of the demonstrations and the people assembled, is from all walks of life, even police officers have dropped their uniforms to join in. As they are tired of the dictatorship itself.

We don’t know to much about the riots and demonstrations, as the state has slowed down internet, blocked social media sites and the biggest telecommunication company Zain has been blocked earlier in the week.

Still, with doze measures done by the state, still some vital information are leaked about the state activity and repressive acts against own citizens. However, this is not new, as the state under Al-Bashir has been violated human rights and crimes against humanity in Darfur, South Sudan and within South Kordofan. Therefore, that he would do such things to stay in power. Isn’t exactly new.

There is also reports of opposition leaders being arrested as a result of the continued riots, but that hasn’t been verified at this point. But that wouldn’t be dramatic or out of question. As the same state is shooting directly with machine guns against the demonstrators.

Time will tell how this one goes, but what we do know is that the people are rising and not accepting to be silenced. By the regime that has taken them for granted and thought they could spark fear in them. They are speaking up on the streets and saying what they feel is justified. It is about time.

President Al-Bashir, your time is up. Peace.

Sudan: The people are revolting against the government!

The Republic of Sudan is in flames, as the public is tired of the Omer Al-Bashir regime and his reign. As the lack of economic progress or stagnation as it is. The bread-prices are rising and the Sudanese Pound is weakening towards the US Dollar. Therefore, the public has had enough this week, as demonstrations and protest has erupted through the Republic.

We know the government is alerted, as they have killed just during the last 24 hours at least eight demonstrators in Khartoum alone. Who knows the real numbers or fatal occurrences, as the state has blocked social media and internet through ZAIN Sudan and other companies.

We know the situation is dire, when not only the bread prices are sky-rocketing, but the fuel prices too. While the government has not given higher salaries or secured the public for the added costs of living. The soldiers are also lacking basic salaries, therefore, the whole system from the top is defunct.

We know the state is serious, when the state has blocked WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, in a game of trying to black-out information from the Republic to the world. As the world has to anticipate the next moves.

While the death has occurred, thanks to the Authorities cracking down on the ground. The Spokesperson and Minister of Information Bushara Aror claims the Police Force have been civil in their duties. Surely, the public outcry says something else.

The demonstrations, protests or riots are not only in Khartoum, but all over the republic. Its been in Nuhood, Post Sudan, Atbara, Damar and Hasaheesa. That was on the 19^th December, but yesterday, it spread to Dongola, Kareema, Beber, Gadarif and beyond. Therefore, this a national protest against the state, not just the ones suffering in the capital, but in general.

This has to known, that the Sudanese are demonstrating against the decades after decades of reign for Al-Bashir, his cronyism and corruption, that his lack of respect for justice and rule of law. Is not under stated. That the man who has ruled with an iron fist. Is know seeing that the people are revolting against him. They have had enough. Peace.

Sudan: Pre-Negotiation Agreement for the Resumption of the Peace Process in Darfur (06.12.2018)

Joint United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) – Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) team deployed to assist families affected by mudslides in East Jebel Marra (20.09.2018)

Today, a joint team comprising United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) civilian staff and the Humanitarian Country Team, as well as 70 peacekeepers, including 30 Special Forces and six doctors, reached the affected area.

EL FASHER, Sudan, September 20, 2018 – The African Union – United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), have deployed a joint mission to provide emergency assistance to people affected by mudslides in East Jebel Marra, South Darfur.

Heavy rains in the area last week caused mudslides in Wadi Tuliba and Tagulei villages, resulting in the reported deaths of at least 19 people and the injury of 25 others, while an unspecified number remain unaccounted for and some families have lost their homes, according to official local sources.

Today, a joint team comprising UNAMID civilian staff and the Humanitarian Country Team, as well as 70 peacekeepers, including 30 Special Forces and six doctors, reached the affected area.

The team will conduct an assessment of the humanitarian situation and provide medical assistance, as well as non-food items such as tents and plastic sheets for shelter, kitchen sets, blankets and mosquito nets to the affected community.

UNAMID Joint Special Representative (JSR), Jeremiah Mamabolo and the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, Gwi-Yeop Son expressed their deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones during the disaster and pledged to assist the survivors within their organizations’ limited resources.

UNAMID calls for improved access to conflict-affected parts of East Jebel Marra (29.08.2018)

During the visit, Mr. Mamabolo and his delegation met the Deputy Wali of South Darfur, Mr. Taha Abdallah Hamid, the Commissioner of Mershing Locality, Dr. Al Sadig Mohamed Khamis and the State Security Committee.

EL FASHER, Sudan, August 29, 2018 –  UNAMID Joint Special Representative (JSR), Jeremiah Mamabolo, has concluded a two-day visit to South Darfur, during which he met leaders at the state and local levels and discussed access challenges affecting the Mission’s operations in parts of East Jebel Marra.

During the visit, Mr. Mamabolo and his delegation met the Deputy Wali of South Darfur, Mr. Taha Abdallah Hamid, the Commissioner of Mershing Locality, Dr. Al Sadig Mohamed Khamis and the State Security Committee.

He apprised them of UNAMID’s on-going reconfiguration process and the two-pronged approach to peacekeeping and peacebuilding that the Mission is currently implementing across Darfur.

Mr. Mamabolo also raised the issue of recurrent access denials to East Jebel Marra. He took the opportunity to remind Sudanese officials that UN Security Council Resolution 2429 (2018) obligates the Government of Sudan to facilitate access, thus enabling UNAMID to carry out its mandate of protecting civilians.

Mr. Mamabolo also visited UNAMID’s team site in Menawashei, Mershing Locality. Out of 14 access denials reported by UNAMID patrol teams across Darfur since July 2018, seven were recorded in Menawashei.

“I will continue to engage the state and local authorities on this issue and, in parallel, raise my concern with the authorities in Khartoum,” Mr. Mamabolo said.

The JSR was accompanied by senior UNAMID officials, including the Force Commander, Chief Security Adviser and the Head of the Joint Operations Centre.

Not a shocker: Sudan’s Omar Al-Bashir plans to stay in power, indefinably!

Not be shocked, the guy who has ruled Sudan since 30^th June 1989, the man who now has been in power in total of 10,634 days or 29 years, 1 month and 12 days to exact. That is the amount of time that Omar Al-Bashir have been in power in Sudan. This is because of his use of power, petroleum money and use of force. He has used ethnic battles and also tried to destroy groups in Darfur, the Blue Nile, South Kordofan and also in South Sudan. He has seen people die and used soldiers against his own people. The steady warfare is the reason for the internally displaced people in South Sudan and in Sudan, even refugees in Chad and in other nations as a result. There isn’t without reasons that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has a warrant for him, but the dictator-club of African Union are usually letting that one slide. Not following the Rome Statute, that is why he is not fearing criss-crossing the continent to visit fellow weapons-brothers.

I will first show the newest fresh release, that the guy taking power with a coup in 1989. That his “party” has renewed and allowed to him continue to rule. Secondly, a small extract from the article describing the coup, before showing his charge. As you can get a feeling of who this President is, and this isn’t all the horror stories from Dafur or South Sudan.

New terms for Al-Bashir:

“Khartoum, Aug. 10 (SUNA) – The National Shura Council of the National Congress Thursday evening approved amendments in its basic statute and amended article (36) of those who assume organizational tasks. According to this amendment, the National Shura Council has approved Field Marshal Omer Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir as its candidate for the position of the President of the Republic in the elections of the year 2020 and directed the concerned organs to adopt the required procedure for implementing this decision” (Sudan News Agency – ‘ National Congress Approves Omer Al-Bashir as its Candidate for 2020’ Elections’, 10.08.2018).

Al-Bashirs’ coup of 1989:

“The leader of the coup, a little-known officer identified as Brig. Omar Hassam Ahmed al-Bashir, announced on the official Omdurman radio that a new Revolutionary Council would rule the Sudan, Africa’s largest country and one of its poorest. He did not say anything about restoring civilian rule. In February a group of army officers presented Prime Minister Mahdi with an ultimatum demanding that he either find a political settlement to the civil war or give the military the means to seek a battlefield victory. At that time, Mr. Mahdi agreed to widen his Government and hold peace talks with the southern rebels. Brigadier Bashir did not say today whether the peace initiative would continue” (…) “Brigadier Bashir said he would become head of state, Prime Minister, Defense Minister and Commander in Chief of the armed forces. He announced the suspension of the Constitution, the dissolution of Parliament and the imposition of emergency rule. He also declared an overnight curfew. ‘Your armed forces have come to carry out a tremendous revolution for the sake of change after suffering that included deterioration in everything to the extent that your lives have become paralyzed,” Brigadier Bashir said today, according to reports monitored in Cairo” (Cowell, Alan – ‘Military Coup In Sudan Ousts Civilian Regime’ 01.07.1989, link: https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/01/world/military-coup-in-sudan-ousts-civilian-regime.html).

ICC Summary charge:

“.Upon investigation of crimes allegedly committed in the territory of Darfur, Sudan, on or after 1 July 2002, the Office of the Prosecutor (hereafter the “Prosecution” or the “Office”) has concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Omar Hassan Ahmad AL BASHIR (hereafter referred to as “AL BASHIR”) bears criminal responsibility under the Rome Statute for the crime of genocide under Art. 6(a); killing members of the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa ethnic groups; (b) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of those groups; and (c) deliberately inflicting on those groups conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction in part; for crimes against humanity under Art. 7(1) of the Rome Statute committing as part of a widespread and systematic attack directed against the civilian population of Darfur with knowledge of the attack, the acts of (a) murder; (b) extermination; (d) forcible transfer of the population; (f) torture and (g) rapes, and for war crimes under Art. 8 (2)(e)(i) of the Statute, for intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such, and (v) pillaging a town or place” (ICC – ‘SITUATION IN DARFUR, THE SUDAN’ 14.07.2008, link: https://www.icc-cpi.int/CourtRecords/CR2008_03987.PDF).

Because of the military coup d’etat in 1989 and is still in power, I doubt he would ever leave his reign. The party had to make amends and accept to change the constitution. Since everyone knows that the Omar Al-Bashir is going nowhere. He is staying and secure his position, a position he has consolidated and secured. The use of army and intimidation, as well as petrodollars has secured this pattern. The violence to control provinces and also show force. Because no one are supposed to question him or even challenge his rule. That is why newspapers, media-houses and journalists can get into trouble. Protest turns violent as the state security organizations brutally shuts them down, even when the state is putting higher prices on petrol and bread. That is just the way Sudan is ruled, especially under Al-Bashir.

He has no trouble forging militias to kill dissenters in Dafur, South Kordofan or in South Sudan. He has supported a Nasir rebellion in South Sudan, and surely made the crisis within Darfur much worse. This is deliberate acts to control by havoc, which he has gained support and massive strength by killing civilians. There isn’t without any reason, why the ICC has put charges on him and wants him on trial for the crimes against humanity.

What was news this week, that some even called breaking news, wasn’t really that. This is a man that used the guns to get power, continues to use the gun to stay in power and have no intent of giving way to others. If they are in his way, he will blast their heads off. Peace.

World Vision Statement Regarding our Past Engagement with Islamic Relief Agency in Sudan (31.07.2018)

World Vision has robust controls and screening processes in place and condemns any diversion of aid funding and strongly condemn any act of terrorism or support for those activities.

RANDBURG, South Africa, July 31, 2018 – World Vision’s work in Sudan is focused on improving the lives of the most vulnerable children. In 2017, our programs reached approximately 674,000 vulnerable people, 70 percent of these were children and women.  The work sub-granted to IRA in 2014 was a very small percentage of our significant program expenditures in Sudan, less than 1% of our total at that time.

In March 2014, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) approved World Vision’s grant proposal that clearly listed Islamic Relief Agency (IRA) as a proposed sub-grantee. At the time of selection, there was no indication that IRA had any possible ties to an alleged terrorist-supporting organisation.

There are several Islamic Relief organisations operating around the world which are not blocked, and when we searched the blocked parties lists for “Islamic Relief” in “Sudan,” the searches produced no results.  That is still true today on the website of the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

In May 2014, when WV applied to renew its registration with OFAC as a charity working in Sudan, it identified IRA as a sub-grantee in its application. OFAC approved the renewal in August 2014 without any comments or questions about IRA.

In November 2014, we informed OFAC and USAID that we had concerns about IRA in Sudan possibly being related to certain other organisations with “Islamic Relief” in their names, designated by the US government as organisations allegedly supporting terrorism.  Because of these concerns, we suspended further grant implementation by IRA pending clarification from OFAC.

In January 2015, OFAC responded that IRA in Sudan “appears to be the same entity” as the one on OFAC’s blocked parties list. The sub-grant by then had expired, it was not renewed, and we discontinued any future collaboration with IRA.  At this time, OFAC authorised us to pay IRA $125,000 for the humanitarian work that was verified to have already been completed under the grant.  The payment made to IRA was not a diversion of funds but payment for programming services of confirmed quality.

World Vision took its compliance obligations seriously, but respectfully asked permission to pay IRA money owing for legitimate humanitarian work (salaries, humanitarian aid and supplies for beneficiaries, travel etc.) already incurred. World Vision explained failure to do so could have exposed it to potential legal liability for breach of contract, resulted in the very real chance of Government expulsion from Sudan and as a consequence, the loss of a lifeline for tens of thousands of children and their families.

World Vision has robust controls and screening processes in place and condemns any diversion of aid funding and strongly condemn any act of terrorism or support for those activities.

We have no evidence that any of our funds have been used for anything other than urgent humanitarian work.

Sudan: The Troika Condemns Continued Clashes in Jebel Marra, Darfur (21.06.2018)

The civilian population continues to bear the brunt of this unnecessary violence, which has led to the burning down of villages, causing high numbers of civilian injury and Death.

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, June 21, 2018 – The Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States) condemns the ongoing clashes between the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid (SLA-AW) and Government of Sudan forces as well as inter-tribal violence in the Jebel Marra region of Darfur. The civilian population continues to bear the brunt of this unnecessary violence, which has led to the burning down of villages, causing high numbers of civilian injury and death, and the displacement of nearly 9,000 people.

It is unacceptable that the Government of Sudan has repeatedly prevented the African Union/United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and humanitarian actors from accessing the areas of conflict and displaced populations. The Troika strongly urges the Government of Sudan to immediately provide unfettered access to both UNAMID and humanitarian actors.

The SLA-AW leadership’s refusal to engage with the peace process obstructs the achievement of sustainable peace in Darfur and unnecessarily prolongs civilian suffering. The Government’s actions in military operations and its inaction in stopping the violence undermine efforts to achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict. There can be no military solution to the conflict in Darfur and the international community should consider imposing sanctions against those who continue to act as spoilers.

The Troika calls on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease all military engagement and hostilities, allow unfettered humanitarian access, and to meaningfully engage with the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) led peace process in order to reach a permanent ceasefire.

United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) deeply concerned about recent attacks on IDP camps in Central Darfur (25.05.2018)

These include increasing the number and frequency of patrols in and around the affected camps.

NORTH DARFUR, Sudan, May 25, 2018 – The African Union – United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) expresses deep concern about recent attacks on three different internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Central Darfur state, which took place between 21 and 23 May 2018, resulting in a number of civilian fatalities and injuries among IDPs.

Recent incidents were reported at Khamsa Dagaig, Ardayba and Jedda IDP camps.

The Mission reminds all parties involved that IDP camps are considered humanitarian space which should be free of weapons, where displaced people must not be subjected to threats, harassment, attacks or harm. Such actions could constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law.

“While the prime responsibility of protecting civilians rests with the Government of Sudan, UNAMID shall continue to collaborate with the relevant government authorities on protecting civilians and engage with them regarding this matter at all levels,” said Jeremiah Mamabolo, UNAMID Joint Special Representative.

Meanwhile UNAMID has taken several measures in response to these recent attacks. These include increasing the number and frequency of patrols in and around the affected camps, as well as dispatching integrated teams to verify these incidents and engage with the relevant local authorities in efforts to calm the situation and prevent further attacks.

UNAMID continues to monitor events and take appropriate measures, in line with its protection of civilians mandate from the United Nations Security Council.