Presidency approves formation on new Government of National Unity
(Mirayafm)
The presidency, which comprises of the President of the Republic and his two deputies, has approved on Saturday the formation of the new Government of National Unity as agreed by the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) Joint Committee.
They also resolved to refer the agreement on the national parliamentary seats to the National Assembly to allow the National Elections Commission make necessary amendments to the Elections law to adopt the new apportions.
The agreement gives Southern Sudan 40 seats, Southern Kordofan 4 seats and Abyei 2 seats.
The presidency has also approved formation of the South Sudan Referendum Commission, which will be referred to the National Assembly for endorsement in accordance with the national constitution.
The joint committee between the NCP and the SPLM were also tasked to continue consultations to reach proposals on the formation of the Abyei referendum and Human Rights commissions.
The proposals will be discussed in the presidency's next meeting for final approval.
Salva Kiir, Taha Sworn in before the President of the Republic
(SV)
Lieutenant General Salva Kiir Mayardit and Ali Osman Mohamed Taha sworn in before the President of the Republic Field Marshal Omer Hassan Ahmed Al Bashir as First Vice-President and Vice-President in accordance with the presidential decrees issued by the President of the Republic.
Salva Kiir said, after his oath, that he was sworn in as first vice- president due to the confidence shown in him by the President of the Republic for the second time and for the next phase. Kiir added that they understand the challenges they face in the coming stage which he said, is not a short one indicating that they are confident of overcoming all the challenges and help President Al Bashir in the performance of duties in the best way pointing out that they should walk in the path to reform what is needed for the repair and they will work for reconstruction of Sudan to be able to move forward.
On his part, Vice-President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha expressed his thanks to the President for the trust to assist him in his constitutional duties in the next stage expressing his hope to be reconciled in serving the Sudan and meet the aspirations of the people in the new stage of political development of Sudan.
Taha affirmed that the challenges mentioned by the President in his speech before the Legislature Council represent the programme of the presidency in the next stage.
He congratulated Salva Kiir for his winning the presidential race in the South and becoming first vice-president expressing his hope to continue collaboration and cooperation in the coming stage to perform the duties of democratic transformation, implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and to achieve development and progress until the Sudan reaches high-standing among peoples and nations as united and strong, safe and stable country
Abdul-Halim: ICC Moves Attempt to Disturb Current Historic Developments in Sudan
(SUNA)
Sudan permanent envoy to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdul-Mahmoud Abdul-Halim, has described the acts of the so-called the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Sudan as a ridiculous and flagrant
attempt to disturb the current historic developments in the country, which are represented in the completion of the elections and the inauguration of elected President of the Republic.
Ambassador Abdul-Mahmoud said in a statement to SUNA that what was issued by the so-called the ICC, to coincide with the oath-taking ceremony of the President of the Republic, was not a coincidence but an intended action that was aimed to undermine the historic incident, explaining that this affirms that the movements of the ICC are sheer political ones and contrary to Justice.
He explained that the ICC must learn that the will of the Sudanese people is the one that counts.
UN missions in Sudan celebrate Peacekeepers Day
(Mirayafm)
The United Nations commemorates today Peacekeepers' Day in its missions around the world. The Spokesperson of the United Nations/ African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Noureddine al Mezni, said that the mission will reinforce its civilian protection mandate including for the internally displaced in Darfur. Speaking to Radio Miraya Al Mezni confirmed that the missions' forces have been ordered to use force to protect themselves against attacks in the region.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) marked the day with a celebration in Juba with great participation from citizens. The Head of Office of UNMIS in Juba, Winnie Babihuga, called on the citizens of Southern Sudan to support peace.
The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, said in his message for the day, that this year's celebration pays a special tribute to peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving for their missions.
He said that in the past 14 months the UN had sustained heavy losses among its peacekeepers citing as examples ambushes in Darfur, terrorism in Afghanistan as well as a plane crash and deadly earthquake in Haiti.
The UN deploys one 120,000 soldiers in its peacekeeping missions all over the world.
SPLA clashes with a renegade Colonel in Unity state
(ST)
A renegade Colonel in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) has clashed with the Southern Sudan army in a county called Abiem-Nhom in Unity state.
Colonel Gatluak Gai of SPLA, who was then transferred to Prisons Brigade, is reported to have been angered by the alleged elections rigging by the incumbent governor, Taban Deng Gai, in Unity state.
His declaration of violence on Friday is the second most serious incident following that of former army Deputy Chief of Staff, General George Athor Deng of Pigi county and David Yauyau of Pibor, both from Jonglei state. All the discontented voiced their rebellion on the “rigging” of the elections, though some officials in both the government and the SPLA had associated them directly with Khartoum or blame the whole issue on Khartoum.
The SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum Okiech had earlier said that there were evidences showing that Gen. George Athor had direct link with the Khartoum government.
Although the SPLA spokesman, Major General Kuol Deim Kuol, was not heard commenting about linking Athor’s rebellion to Khartoum, Kuol has however told Miraya FM radio that the recent attack by Colonel Gatluak Gai was carried out by a group of militias sent from Khartoum.
However, another SPLA military source close to Unity state who asked to remain anonymous however explained that Colonel Gatluak is a well known SPLA officer and had been an SPLA officer like Gen. George Athor and was not sent from Khartoum as alleged.
He said Gatluak’s movement with some of his loyalists within Unity state has been monitored by the SPLA for the last three weeks. On casualties, the source added there could be higher figure than officially reported.
"The attackers did not defeat our SPLA forces but only one soldier got injured at his head after heavy gunfire exchange between our army and militias," Kuol said.
Kuol accuse the National Congress Party (NCP) of having stood behind to send militias to disturb in Unity state.
The SPLA spokesman affirmed that “at 4:45, our SPLA base at Warpiny of Abiemnhom county was attack by the forces of militias under Colonel militias Gatluak Gai, the aim is to indentify our heavy weapon position – this militias colonel with his forces was sent by Khartoum government with aim to disturb security in Unity state – one soldier at our side was wounded in his head and we don’t have more detail from our attackers side,” continued the SPLA spokesman.
Kuol noted that "We did not capture one of them in our yesterday clashes, but the motive of aggressive militias’ daily attack in Unity state is to promote political objective of the NCP in Southern Sudan - they are supporting NCP agenda and we the SPLA will just sustain our position to protect our civilians in all territory of South Sudan."
Government of Southern Sudan is currently faced with a number of rebellions following the declaration of elections results. Earlier, the former senior advisor to President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Lual Ding Wol, was reported to have expressed his discontent with the government in Juba, saying he would not accept to be part of the next government.
Lual Ding comes from Northern Bahr el Ghazal and was supporter of Gen. Dau Aturtong who went to Khartoum after losing the gubernatorial elections as another independent candidate, prompting fears that something unpleasant could be brewing in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state.
However, Kuol in his recent statement refused to make comment on General George Athor violence against SPLA forces in Jonglei state.
SPLM Plain Testimony over CPA Implementation
(Opinion)
In his swearing in ceremony, Lt. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, stated in his speech after being inaugurated as GoSS President that a great part of the CPA items were implemented during the five last years of the agreement.
Kiir considered that the remaining period will not be enough to make unity attractive.
Nevertheless GoSS President affirmed that what is remaining from the CPA are but a few and could be accomplished.
This important testimony from the SPLM leaders deserves attention as it comes from the sole partner to the CPA.
The importance of the testimony comes in light of the fact that the SPLM remained repeating, on the tongue of its leaders all over the past five years, that the CPA items do not find the required concern from its partner (the NCP), thus it is broken down.
The SPLM Secretary-General, Pagan Amum, doesn’t leave any forum or occasion without stating that their partners are crippling the implementation of the CPA to the extent of threatening to return to war square to force the NCP to implement the items of the agreement.
Now, the SPLM chairman admitted the implementation of the CPA, a testimony which is not only in favour of the NCP but in favour of the national interest and building confidence between north and south.
Another drawing attention matter is that it is may be in the first time that the SPLM leaders spoke about breaching of promises which is an SPLM deep-rooted political complex, as several SPLM leaders were lurking their partners in attempt to breach the CPA to prove that the north does not commit to agreements.
But now these attempts are gone with the wind after the GoSS President admitted the implementation of most the requirements of the CPA.
What is remaining now and concerns all the Sudanese, not only the southerners, is the conduction of referendum on self-determination and its conduction as scheduled with the required fairness and transparency.
The referendum is considered one of the most important political stations, locally, regionally and internationally, as the peace process is going on very smoothly despite some difficulties and obstacles, and accordingly the peaceful power transformation is progressing, besides the widening of freedoms and democratic practices.
All these pave the way to build a balanced Sudanese nation where conflicts and violence come to an end.
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