Sudan qualified to resolve South Sudan conflict : Obama administration

[sudan]

President Barack Obama has regretted the deteriorating situations in South Sudan due to the conflict broke out in December 2013 by a clash between forces loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar, an ethnic Nuer, and President Salva Kiir, a Dinka.

The fighting has spurred a humanitarian crisis that threatens the country’s survival just four years after its inception and resulted in so many deaths, is something that requires urgent attention.

During his visit to Ethiopia, President Obama has tried to press the African leaders to salvage South Sudan from its catastrophe.

Some observers are pessimistic about the prospects for a deal, saying the two sides are indifferent to the plight of the South Sudanese people.

Obama’s concern has raised many questions about Washington’s coming strategy towards the future of the newborn state.

Before arriving in Khartoum, US envy has warned the two warring parties in South Sudan that US’s patience faded away and that it was the last chance to stop fighting.

Later, it was revealed that US is planning to involve Sudan to settle the dispute after it become certain that Sudan keeps at distance from the two warring parties.

Moreover, US is confident that that neither the ruling SPLM Party nor the rebels are capable to honor peace deals sponsored by the IGAD.

Engaging Sudan indicates that Sudan is neutral and doesnt side with either of the warring parties as Juba claims.

 

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Repartition Could Split Sudan Yet Again...

South Sudan Repartition Could Split Country Yet Again
October 08, 2015 — South Sudanese President Salva Kiir says he will repartition the country into 28 states, up from the current 10. Opponents say taking such unilateral action is a violation of the recently signed peace deal, and is the latest sticking point on the path to peace.

Kiir says splitting South Sudan into 28 states will help reduce the size of the national government and distribute more resources to the rural population. But rebel leader and ousted vicepresident Riek Machar says the president should have consulted the opposition first, per the terms of a peace agreement signed in August to end nearly two years of fighting. Machar spoke Wednesday with VOA’s "Straight Talk Africa" host Shaka Sali. “We ourselves in the SPLM/SPLA declared 21 states, and we tabled this at the negotiations. We wanted to resolve this matter once and for all, but he was not ready. [Shaka Sali asks: He rejected it?] He rejected it. Even the mediators were on his side. They rejected it. Now we are surprised. Five days ago, he made this declaration,” said Machar.

An order published on October 2, 2015 by South Sudan President Salva Kiir increases the number of states in the country from 10 to 28, renames almost all the states and redraws internal boundaries.​

The European Union delegation to South Sudan and the "Troika" countries of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States are urging Kiir to wait for a permanent constitution before constructing new states. But Zacharia Diing, senior policy analyst with the Sudd Institute in Juba, said Kiir doesn't have to wait. “You have the government of the Republic of South Sudan, which has a president and the party that is in power right now, that can make decisions on the country. Until the transitional government is in place, I think it is far-fetched to say that there was a need on the part of the president to consult Mr. Machar at this point,” said Diing.

Vukasin Petrovic, the head of Africa programs at Freedom House, believes this current point of contention is just a distraction. "And I would say, at any different point, in the future, the decentralization would make sense for South Sudan and splitting the country into more manageable units, would make sense. At this stage, it absolutely does not … both parties in South Sudan conflict are just looking for reasons not to achieve peace deal,” said Petrovic.

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Looks like we're finally smartening up and not playin' their silly-assed game anymore...

US to Dial Back Peace Efforts in South Sudan
April 25, 2016 - The United States is set to take a back seat in peace negotiations between the government of South Sudan and rebel leaders following failures on both sides to fulfill an agreement to form a transitional government.

On Saturday, the government denied landing permission for a plane carrying opposition leader Riek Machar because the rebel leader made an “arbitrary demand” to bring with him more weapons and troops than the two sides had previously agreed upon, U.S. Department of State spokesman John Kirby said in a statement Sunday. “Given the actions by both sides to prevent or delay his return, it is now time for the parties to assume primary responsibility for facilitating the return of Riek Machar to Juba to form the [transitional government] and to demonstrate that they are genuinely committed to peace,” Kirby said.

Moving forward, the scope of U.S. involvement in helping South Sudan confront security and economic issues will “depend on the parties demonstrating commitment to work together to implement the agreement,” he added. In August, South Sudan President Salva Kiir and Machar signed a peace deal that would unite the two sides to run a national government with Machar serving as the vice president. He had previously served as vice president before Kiir accused him of plotting a coup in December 2013.

South Sudanese rebel soldiers raise their weapons at a military camp in the capital Juba, South Sudan​

The accusations launched a civil war in the country that has killed tens of thousands of people and forced more than two million people from their homes. Machar fled the country when the war broke out, but was set to return April 18 after the two signed the peace deal. He missed that deadline and several more.

Machar is now scheduled to return to Juba Monday - the third time in a week he has been scheduled to return - but U.S. special envoy to South Sudan Donald Booth warned that the country could face increased sanctions from the United Nations if the two sides do not fulfill their agreement. "They are definitely on notice," he said. "The entire world is expecting them to live up to their word and to implement the agreement that they signed last August." The U.N. Security Council will meet Tuesday to discuss the crisis and potential repercussions.

US to Dial Back Peace Efforts in South Sudan

 

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So. Sudanese to be given money if they behave...

US pledges $90m to South Sudan but warns of sanctions should peace fail
Friday 29th April, 2016 - Arms embargo also a possibility if transitional government fails to deliver, says US envoy, as funds are promised for safe water, healthcare, food and shelter

The US has promised almost $90m (£60m) of extra aid to South Sudan but warned its newly reconciled leaders that failure to engage properly with the peace process could result in sanctions or an arms embargo. Hopes that the country’s two-year-long civil war may finally be drawing to an end rose this week after the former vice-president, Riek Machar, returned to the capital, Juba, to resume his role in a transitional government of national unity led by his opponent, President Salva Kiir.

South Sudan, which won independence from its northern neighbour in 2011, has been consumed by conflict since December 2013, when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup. The conflict split the country along broadly ethnic lines, pitting Kiir’s Dinka against Machar’s Nuer. Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the fighting, more than 2 million displaced, and some parts of the country brought to the brink of famine. The fighting has also been marked by widespread atrocities that may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.

On Wednesday, the US – a key advocate of South Sudan’s independence which has provided an estimated $1.6bn of humanitarian assistance since December 2013, according to US State Department figures – announced more than $86m of additional aid. The new funding is earmarked to provide safe drinking water, emergency healthcare, food, shelter and training to the most vulnerable families and communities.

But the US said it wanted to see a renewed commitment to the implementation of the peace agreement and a “fundamental shift” in the relationship with the humanitarian community. “Specifically, we expect the transitional government to adhere to core humanitarian principles and to change past policy and practice to ensure aid reaches those in need without regard to ethnic or political discrimination,” the US State Department said. “We furthermore expect the transitional government to take action to prevent the extortion, theft, and physical harm of aid workers. Leaders must also allow full freedom of movement for all civilians.”

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Riek Machar returns to South Sudan, sworn in as first VP
Thursday 28th April, 2016 – Rebel leader Riek Machar has reportedly returned to South Sudan and has been appointed Vice President.

Reports have said that Machar was flown in on a United Nations aircraft from Gambella, Ethiopia. The rebel leader reportedly landed at Juba International Airport to flying doves and ecstatic crowds and was immediately led to the presidential palace to be sworn in as Vice President to President Salva Kiir.

According to reports, the process is part of a peace deal that requires a two-year transitional government of ministers from both Ethiopia and South Sudan before the new elections. Reports added that the return of Machar is being looked at as a new chapter of peace in South Sudan’s violent history, and his appointment as Vice President is expected to bring under control the civil war that has killed thousands of people over the past two and a half years.

Machar told reporters in a statement at the International Airport upon arrival that he was happy to be back, and that they “need to bring our people together so that they can unite, reconcile, heal the wounds, the mental wounds that they have.” U.N. peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous, however, has reportedly expressed his doubts about the situation despite Machar’s return, and added that it was important to change the political and security scenarios within the country.

Riek Machar returns to South Sudan sworn in as first VP

 

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Looks like all hell gonna break loose in Sudan again...

Darfur Regional Authority officially dissolved
Tuesday 14 June 2016 - Sudanese government Monday, announced the official dissolution of Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) and Darfur Peace Office, indicating that the implementation of peace agreement in Darfur region.

The DRA was established in line with the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), which was signed in July 2011, by the Government of Sudan and former rebel Liberation and Justice Movement, and the Justice and Equality Movement-Dabajo in April 2013. The regional body had a four-year mandate to implement the framework peace document. However, the DRA term was extended up to July 2016, by a presidential decree in 2015. The dissolution was announced following a meeting of the High Committee for Peace in Darfur attended by First Vice President, Bakri Hassan Saleh, DRA Chairman, Tijani al-Sissi, DRA member, Bahr Abu Gaurda , the head of Darfur Peace Office, Amin Hassan Omer, and some DRA ministers.

However, the meeting agreed to maintain the High Committee for Peace in Darfur headed by President Omer al Bashir and the International Committee for DDPD Implementation Follow-Up headed by Qatar. JEM Dabajo political advisor, Nahar Osman Nahar told Sudan Tribune that the meeting decided to dissolve the DRA officially. Nevertheless he added that DRA commissions and funds that didn’t yet finish the implementation of their projects will be continue their activities under a new body to attached to the presidency. “So, the DRA commissions will be directly supervised by the Presidency of the Republic. As for, the (former) DRA Chairman Tijani al-Sissi, the government will find a solution for his situation later,” said Nahar.

One the fate of DRA staff members, Nahar said they will be financially compensated based on years of service. Also some of them will be incorporated in the civil service in Darfur states and the central government while others will be absorbed in the newly established regional institutions. “This marks the official end of the DRA, and some of its commissions will continue working most probably for one year,” added Nahar. For his part, the Chairman of Darfur Peace Office, Amin Hassan Omer, told the media that the meeting concluded to establish a body at the presidency to oversee the DRA five commissions, stressing that the composition of the council of Development and Reconstruction Fund will be reviewed. The head of DRA was accused in the past of controlling this vital fund and appointing the majority his supporters to its board.

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