Government announces new strategy on Dafrur peace process
(SV)
Vice President, Ali Osman Mohammed Taha vowed to take into consideration the visions and proposals of all political parties in the new strategy for the settlement of the Darfur issue.
In his address to the consultative meeting he held with political forces for solving the Darfur issue at the Friendship Hall, the Vice-president affirmed that the government focuses on and will take on board positive contributions and opinions for achieving peace in Darfur. "We shall take on board the opinion of the Darfurian people and all the political forces in any consultation that lead to a comprehensive solution ", he said. The Vice-president described talk about excluding Darfur insurgent factions in any solution is not accurate.
The consultative meeting was attended by more than 71 members representing 34 political parties, including the Ummah National Party, Democratic Unionist Party (the Original), SPLM (Democratic Change), National Umma Party, the East Front Party in addition to editors- in-chief of newspapers and media.  
On their parts, the political forces endorsed the government's new strategy for achieving comprehensive peace, security and development in Darfur. The political forces made some remarks on the strategy demanding that wide internal consultations should be made with the people of Darfur.
The Vice-president welcomed the participation of the political forces and their contribution to national issues.
On its part, the Emergency parliamentarian committee in charge of the Darfur file called on all the Darfurian political and social forces to support the new strategy for achieving peace in the region. The committee called for reconciliations, voluntary return of the displaced, development and the support of Doha Peace Negotiations.  
In a related development, Dr. Ghazi Salah Addeen, the Presidential Advisor and the in-charge of Darfur File has affirmed in the press conference he held at the conference room at the Federal Government Chamber that the new strategy for achieving comprehensive peace, security and development in Darfur is an attempt to pool the visions of all official and popular forces that can contribute to the solving of the Darfur problem. "The end of the problem will be a happy one despite setbacks", he said. Dr. Ghazi affirmed that the peace negotiation process in Doha is going on at an accelerated pace and that the new strategy is not a replacement of external peace talks.

Dr. Ghazi said that the objectives and priorities of the new strategy involve (1) the achievement of a comprehensive settlement (2); enhancement of security; (3) the establishment of a political process in Darfur(4); acceleration of voluntary sustainable return of the displaced; (5)  procedures to be taken by government for the execution of development projects; (6) and the organizing of viable consultations among the various components of the Darfurian society; (7) the implementation of justice for all; (8) the restructuring of humanitarian operations and directing them from relief aid to development; (9) the attraction of regional and international support; (10) the enhancement of reconciliation process amongst the people of Darfur; (11) working with our partners to conclude  a final and comprehensive peace agreements.
He added security is the real starting point for achieving peace, development and the resettlement of the displaced. "The positive development that has occurred during the last six months is that the Sudanese-Chadian relations have been restored to normality", he said. Dr. Ghazi added that the breakthrough in restoring relationship between the two countries has had its impact on the security situation. He affirmed that the government is keen to solve the displacement problem forever. Dr. Ghazi said that he had put the new strategy before the Darfur representatives at the National Assembly as well as the Darfur states' governments.      
Dr. Ghazi said that a copy of the strategy was handed over to General Salva Kiir, the First Vice-President of the Republic and President of Southern Sudan government and a copy will be submitted to the Council of Ministers. "It is a flexible strategy and not a rigid one and it can be amended according to developments", he said


State Minister at Ministry of Information: International Criminal Court is Tool of Neo-Colonialism
(SUNA)
The State Minister at the Ministry of Information, Ustaza Sana'a Hamad Al-Awad, stressed that the so-called International Criminal Court (ICC) is one of tools of the neo-colonialism that targets Africa. In the intervention she gave at the sitting of discussion in the Ministry of Information Tuesday about the book of the International Criminal Court, Europe and Guantanamo of Professor David Howel, Ustaza Sana'a said that Sudan became targeted because it has moved to the East and decided to depend on itself and its own resources
The minister referred to the greediness of the western countries to loot the resources of the African countriers, and Sudan especially
Ustaza Sana'a appreciated the book which denuded the reality of the so-called International Criminal Court and its objectives which do not include justice, but rather aim to serving political agenda
It is to be recalled that the External Information Council declared its pledge to translate the book of the International Criminal Court, Europe and Guantanamo from English into Arabic

South Sudan chief justice advises police to maintain professionalism
(ST)
President of the Supreme Court of Southern Sudan, Justice John Wol Makec on Tuesday advised regional police force to maintain professionalism and desist from all acts and behaviors associated with abuse of power.
While clarifying that detention of suspects through influence is not only a violation of human rights but can also be costly to the government, he lauded introduction of badges that distinguish public order police forces, commonly known as mobile force, from rest of the police forces.
“The over detention of suspects is not only a violation of human rights but can also be costly to the government. It also dents the image of our Police Service, which image you will be expected to continue to build and jealously protect,” the Chief Justice cautioned.
He also advised the police service to desist from engaging in politics to avoid compromising their careers. “Your part in politics is to provide an enabling environment through which politics can be played without players resorting to violence against each other. It is for this reason that the public, who are your employers, will expect you to be neutral and professional at all times,” he advised.
Talking of politics, he pointed out that police forces currently undergoing training service need to be properly orientated with rule of law so that by the time they are passed out, they shall have known what it means to be a professional police.
“I am told these forces will be passed [out] soon. If so, then, they will be passing out at a time when the nation seems to be already preparing itself for next year’s referendum on self-determination for [the] people of Southern Sudan,” he said, adding that as the country becomes embraced in the referendum fever, they will be required to enhance and intensify the element of professional and impartial policing.
The Inspector General, Lt. General Achuil Tito in his office also briefed the Chief Justice on the recent police training he among other senior police officers attended in South Africa on the rule of law and management. He returned on Friday last week.
The Inspector General told the Chief Justice that there was a culture of blaming the organized forces when things go wrong, adding that his police was working to correct such a culture.


GoSS recovers 6 million pounds paid to ghost employees
(Mirayafm)
The minister of Public Services in the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Awut Deng said that the ministry has recovered six million Sudanese pounds from government pay roll system that was paid to ghost employees since 2007.
Addressing GOSS press conference in Juba on Tuesday, Awut said that the ministry has already introduced electronic payroll system to reduce paying salaries to ghost employees

Western Equatoria declares war against all forms of corruption
(ST)
Western Equatoria state governor, Colonel Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro, has on Monday declared war against all forms of corruption by government officials and the entire citizenry.
Governor Bakosoro outlined his plan to fight corruption in a speech he delivered at the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop at Super State Hotel by the Government of Southern Sudan’s Anti Corruption Commission. He said no other issue threatens Western Equatoria’s future more than the continued, systematic corruption that has plagued state and local governments for five years.
"The old ways of doing business have gone on long enough. I am declaring a ‘War on Corruption’ in Western Equatoria. I ask the people of Western Equatoria to join me in the fight to save our state from the special interests who have ruled over a rotten system for years. It’s time to draw a line in the sand and say, ‘Enough is enough,” he said.
The workshop was attended by the state ministers, members of parliament, newly appointed County Commissioners and senior civil servants in the state.
Bakosoro said the citizens of Western Equatoria state have been longing to have Anti Corruption Commission in the state for the past five years. He added that "corruption is not only embezzlement of government money or resources but it takes several other forms.”
He lamented that, "it doesn’t have to be that way. The people of Western Equatoria deserve better. You deserve public servants who uphold the people’s trust. You deserve to have confidence that your government will serve your interests and not the special interests.”
The recent government change in Western Equatoria has brought a new level of transparency to state government, but, Bakosoro said Western Equatoria still has a far way to go to achieving true accountability in government.
GoSS Anti Corruption team arrived in Yambio on Friday last week headed by its Commissioner of investigation, Masha Said.
Masha said that "Anti corruption commission will recruit six staff to run the new Anti Corruption Office in Western Equatoria and render reports of corruption cases to the state governor and to the Head Office in Juba for further procedure.”

Welcome Ramadan
(Opinion)
God says: "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed to those before you in order that you may attain taqwa (God-consciousness)." Qur'an Al-Baqara: verse 183.
Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam when Muslims are required to fast. It is the month during which the Qur'an was sent down from Allah as a guide to mankind.
Ramadan is an important month for Muslims around the world. It is a time for devoting themselves more to worshipping Allah, and for devoting themselves to being better people.
It has spiritual meaning in helping people help others and being less selfish.
It helps people realize their ability to be good.
Abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset protects Muslims from sin and purifies our hearts and minds.
It forces people to come together as one and a half billion people are doing it together. It's very uniting. It gives more sense that you're not alone.
Fasting for Ramadan enhances spiritual growth.
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Fasting makes us more conscious of the world's countless poor and helps us see clearly our society's waste and extravagance.
When we are grateful for our sustenance and earnings, it is easier to simplify our lives. Fasting helps improve moral and spiritual character because it teaches patience and unselfishness.
Ramadan strengthens Muslim society because we are reminded to put others first, be kinder to family members, be good neighbors and better citizens.
Muslims are asked to elevate and have every single part of their body, even their conscience, to fast with them.
We have a reference from the word of the Prophet. Anger is from Satan, and Satan is made from fire. If someone gets angry, let him do an ablution wash. It will put off the anger in him. We believe water, when it is being used as a ritual of preparation for the prayer; it helps calm you throughout the whole day.
We urge our political leaders to seize the opportunity of holy Ramadan to practice elevation over the trivialities and work jointly for the good of the Sudanese nation.
Let us make Ramadan a season of tolerance, coexistence and impartiality.