Sudan's north accuses south of aiding Darfur rebels

ACCORDING to the below copied report from Reuters, Abdel Wahid Al-Nur, leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), one of Darfur's main rebel groups, will visit the southern Sudan capital Juba in the coming days, his spokesman said, and other rebel leaders have visited or reside there.

Mandour al-Mahdi, a senior official from the northern National Congress Party, told Reuters that the Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) had moved its forces to the south to receive training.

"If you are accommodating these forces in the south, you are supplying these forces with weapons, logistics, petrol and cars ... we think that this is a declaration of war against the north of the country," Mahdi said.

Reportedly, earlier this month the north accidentally bombed the south while fighting the JEM near the north-south border.

Full story below.

Sudan's north accuses south of aiding rebels
Source: Reuters - af.reuters.com
Date: Wednesday, 24 November 2010 12:19pm GMT

(Khartoum, Sudan) - Sudan's north said on Wednesday the semi-autonomous south of the country had declared war by supporting anti-government rebels from Darfur, just weeks ahead of a referendum on southern independence.

Sudan's north-south civil war ended in 2005 with a peace deal that shared wealth and power, enshrined democratic transformation and allowed southerners to vote in a January 9 plebiscite which most expect to result in secession.

Sudan's separate rebellion in Darfur -- which is part of the north -- began in early 2003 and numerous truces have failed to stem violence there. The International Criminal Court has indicted President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for war crimes there.

"If you are accommodating these forces in the south, you are supplying these forces with weapons, logistics, petrol and cars ... we think that this is a declaration of war against the north of the country," Mandour al-Mahdi, a senior official from the northern National Congress Party, told Reuters.

Abdel Wahed Mohamed el-Nur, leader of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), one of Darfur's main rebel groups, will visit the southern capital Juba in the coming days, his spokesman said, and other rebel leaders have visited or reside there.

Mahdi said the Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) had moved its forces to the south to receive training. Earlier this month the north accidentally bombed the south while fighting the JEM near the north-south border.

South Sudan's army was not immediately available for comment but denies aiding rebels from Darfur. The south has in the past hosted unity talks between the fractious rebels to try to help move the Darfur peace process forward. If the south separates, Darfur will remain part of the north.

The dispute marks a low point in north-south relations which have been tense in the build up to the plebiscite. Talks on resolving the status of the disputed Abyei region are deadlocked and little progress has been made on defining citizenship, the border or other post-referendum issues.

Mahdi said the south's support for Darfur rebels was affecting talks covering security arrangements after the referendum.

"They should expel these forces out of south Sudan ... overall I hope that we reach a settlement of this issue so as not to affect the referendum," he said.

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Officials: Sudan bombing won't renew conflict
Source: The Associated Press (AP) / www.guardian.co.uk
Author: Maggie Flick
Date: Saturday, 13 November 2010

(Malakal, S. Sudan) - A bombing on the disputed north-south border of Sudan heightened concerns of renewed conflict in the region, but a Southern Sudan army official says the attack was aimed at rebels, not the south, and observers doubt this one incident would lead to anything more serious.

Sudan has been high on the U.S. foreign policy agenda, with top officials working to ensure a January referendum that could split Africa's biggest country into two is held on time. They are also working to avoid renewed conflict between north and south Sudan, who more than five years ago ended a decades-long war.

The borders of Northern Bahr Gazal and Southern Darfur, where the bombing occurred, are in dispute and the 2005 peace deal required the border between Southern Sudan and the north be demarcated. That exercise, however, has also been fraught with delays.

Col. Philip Aguer, spokesman for the Sudan People's Liberation Army, which protects oil-rich Southern Sudan, said Saturday that north Sudan's military bombed a disputed north-south border area but the attack was not meant for the south.

Both parts of Sudan are allowed to keep separate armies under a 2005 peace deal that ended their 21-year war.

Aguer said north Sudan military officers consulted with their southern counterparts through a joint military panel after the Friday bombing by an Antonov plane and determined the bombs were launched in the north, but landed in Southern Sudan territory close by. The panel, called the Joint Defense Board, is part of the 2005 peace deal and is meant to help avoid misunderstandings between the armies of the north and the south.

"The bomb fell in our territory by mistake and the SAF (Sudan Armed Forces) admitted it was not intentional," said Aguer. He said the bombing took place in Northern Bahr Gazal State, located in the southwest of the country and part of Southern Sudan, but would not give a precise location. Aguer said there were casualties but declined to give details.

The top U.N. official in Southern Sudan, David Gressly, said casualties are in the single digits and a U.N. team is going to the area to assess the situation

Lazaro Sumbeiywo, the Kenyan retired general who mediated the 2005 peace deal, said that since signing the agreement, north and south had only fought once, in 2008, in a dispute over the oil-rich area of Abyei.

Sumbeiywo declined to comment on the Friday incident but said when he went to assess the general situation in Southern Sudan two weeks ago, he did not find the semiautonomous region tense.

"In the sense that both parties need each other. The south has the oil and the north has the pipeline. How do you kill the conveyor and expect to get anything?" Sumbeiywo told The Associated Press.

The Obama administration, however, is worried conflict may be renewed because of the referendum on Southern Sudan's independence scheduled for January.

Officials have said the White House holds at least three meetings a week on Sudan in an effort to avoid a new outbreak of violence and President Barack Obama gets a daily briefings on the situation.

Last weekend, Sen. John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with Sudanese leaders and presented them with a proposal from the Obama administration to remove Sudan from the terrorist list. The proposal is in addition to one made in September offering a range of incentives, including possible restoration of full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Sudan.

The U.S. offers follow conflicting statements from members of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's government that they may or may not recognize the referendum's results. It is widely expected that Southerners will vote in favor of separation come January.

Southerners fought a two-decade civil war against the Muslim, northern-dominated central government in which 2 million people died and more than a million headed north to escape the fighting. The independence referendum will be the culmination of the six-year transitional period that was part of the 2005 peace deal that ended that 20-year north-south conflict.

Aguer said that the north's military said they were targeting members of the Justice and Equality Movement rebel group, which has bases in Southern Darfur state bordering Northern Bahr Gazal. JEM is the most powerful of the Darfur rebel groups and has been fighting a rebellion in western Sudan's since 2003.

Several other rebel groups in the region have signed peace deals with the Sudanese government, but JEM remains one of the holdout groups.

On Thursday, the government's news agency reported that Sudan's intelligence chief called on Southern Sudan to arrest Darfur rebels hiding in the semiautonomous region. The agency also reported that National Security and Intelligence Service chief Lt. Gen. Mohammed Atta Almawla said some Darfur rebel leaders were in Northern Bahr Gazal state and two main towns in Southern Sudan. The report did not say which group the rebels belonged to.

Sudan: SLM’s Al-Nur arrives in Kenya - Darfur’s Minnawi distances himself from security arrangements accord? (Update 2)

NOTE to self. In my view, France-based Sudan Tribune and Netherlands-based Radio Dabanga* come across as anti- Arab, anti-Northern Sudanese and anti-Northern Government. Their websites seem to serve as megaphones for rebel news reports and other anti-Northern Sudanese propaganda. To be fair, the people behind the websites appear to work very hard and probably (but mistakingly) believe that the news they are broadcasting is unbiased and in the best interests of the Sudanese (except for the Northerners, which I think is grossly unfair, biased and racist, especially considering the fact that Radio Dabanga claims to promote professional and unbiased journalism). So far, I have been unable to verify the following reports published at Sudan Tribune and Radio Dabanga (reportedly run by Darfuris for Darfuris) but am filing them here for future reference along with several related reports for future reference.

*Excerpts from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, re Radio Dabanga:

Reporting
Radio Dabanga reports from inside Sudan and elsewhere. It produces independent news and relevant information for people of Darfur, including internally displaced persons and refugees. The editorial team operates out of facilities at Radio Netherlands Worldwide, a public radio and television network based in the city of Hilversum [1]. The radio station maintains correspondents in the field. Audience participation is another important source of information since listeners call the radio studios in Hilversum with their own stories and tips. Audience research conducted from September to October 2009 found that next to the state-run Radio Omdurman, Radio Dabanga was the most listened to radio station in all of Darfur [2].

Supporters
Radio Dabanga is a project of the Radio Darfur Network, a coalition of Sudanese journalists and international (media) development organizations, supported by a consortium of international donors, humanitarian organizations and local NGOs. Radio Dabanga is conceived, operated and facilitated by Press Now in the Netherlands [3]. The NGO Press Now maintains an informational website for its Dutch supporters and an educational website (in Dutch) featuring a game "On the Ground Reporter" about Radio Dabanga, with the aim of teaching about Darfur and efforts to support journalism there.

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SLM’s Al-Nur arrives in Kenya for consultations on peace in Darfur
Source: Sudan Tribune - www.sudantribune.com
Date: Monday, 22 November 2010

(Khartoum, Sudan) - Rebel leader Abdel Wahid Al-Nur arrived Sunday evening in the Kenyan capital Nairobi days before a consultative meeting on peace in Darfur he plans to hold in Paris.



Abdel Wahid Al-Nur

Speaking from Nairobi, the leader of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) told Sudan Tribune that he came to Nairobi because he needs to conduct wide consultations with many members from his group who cannot take part in the SLM leadership meeting.

"The discussions I have to hold here and in another African capital aim mainly to prepare Paris meeting," Nur said. "One can understand easily that all the leading members of the Movement cannot be there," he stressed.

Last week a SLM spokesperson and a IDPs representative told Sudan Tribune that consultations have been kicked off inside Sudan and abroad under the leadership of the SLM’s chairman and urged regional and international support to their efforts for peace in the restive region of Darfur.

The rebel leader who is based in Paris said he will return very soon to the French capital to achieve the ongoing preparations for a gathering that will debate on ways to reach a peaceful settlement to the seven year conflict in Darfur.

Abdel Wahid is the founder the first armed movement, SLM, which rebelled in February 2003. He refused to engage peace talks with the Sudanese government since the failure of Abuja peace talks in May 2006.

The rebel leader says he wants the government to provide security to the civilians in the troubled region by disarming the janjaweed militias and implementing a ceasefire agreement signed in April 2004. He also asks the return of IDPs to their homeland.

Nur, who used to meet regularly with the Joint Chief Mediators, met last July with the Qatari state minister for foreign affairs and pledged to consider the participation of his group in the peace process.

He also holds regular discussions on the need to achieve peace in Darfur with the French officials who recently accepted the organization in Paris of a meeting for the SLM leading figures.

Abdel Wahid said he is "very grateful for the French government’s" support to his efforts for peace in Darfur and allowing him to gather his group in Paris.

"I also call on all those who want to see a genuine and lasting peace in Darfur to support our efforts in this regard," he said. "We are peace lovers and we want a sustainable peace achieving the demands of Darfur people for security and development," he stressed.

He further dismissed reports that his trip to Kenya aims only to conclude new alliance with other rebel groups and Minni Minnawi in order to wage war against Khartoum with the support of southern Sudan ruling party, the SPLM.

"Military solution will not end the conflict," he said.

He continued to say that all his discussions with the head of southern Sudan president and the SPLM leader were only about peace in Darfur. (ST)

Copy of two comments posted at Sudan Tribune:

23 November 04:46, by Anyang
Hello Al-Nur,
You have to keep the necessary pressure on your enemy inorder to win the war no matter how hard and tedious its might be.
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23 November 06:56, by DASODIKO
Nur well done Its a time for the unification of the people of the margin after long been discorded by the centeral governemnts in Khartoum. We must come back to each other, those who are gainst our unification are those who want to steal the resources of our people and at last kick us out of Sudan to bring new settlers to change the social demography and establish Arab-Islamic nation in Sudan, which will be named land of children of Goreesh 2.
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Darfur’s Minnawi distances himself from security arrangements accord
Source: Sudan Tribune - www.sudantribune.com
Date: Tuesday, 23 November 2010

(Khartoum, Sudan) – The head of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) faction Minni Arcua Minnawi announced today his rejection of the security arrangements accord signed with Khartoum last month and accusing the government of seeking to disarm his forces in order to kill the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) signed in Abuja four years ago.



Sudanese former rebel leader Minni Minawi (AFP)

Minnawi told the independent Al-Sahafa daily by phone from Juba that the Sudanese government has only implemented 15% of the DPA with no progress on power and wealth sharing, Darfur-Darfur dialogue and security arrangements. He added that all these items had to be implemented simultaneously.

He accused the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) headed by president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir of refusing to abide by the terms of the DPA and further stressed that Khartoum is abandoning the peace agreement in favor of its new Darfur strategy.

There was no explanation for why SLM figures signed the security arrangements despite Minnawi’s disapproval.

Minnawi’s announcement drew strong rebuke from Khartoum.

The pro-government Sudanese Media Center (SMC) quoted the commissioner for security arrangements at the executive transitional authority of Darfur Lieutenant General Mohamed Mustafa Al-Dabi as saying that Minnawi has "betrayed" the DPA and is wasting time.

Al-Dabi said that the government is "very serious" about the DPA as evident by his presence in Darfur awaiting Minnawi and his troops to begin implementing the security arrangements.

"If the government wants to blow up the Abuja [Agreement] through the new Darfur strategy or the Doha negotiations as Minni Arcua says then what keeps me in Darfur to enforce the security arrangements?" he asked.

Darfur has been gripped by a civil war since 2003 that has killed 300,000 people and displaced another 2.7 million, according to UN figures. Khartoum says 10,000 people have died in the conflict.

Currently the government is negotiating with the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), an assortment of small dissenting factions cobbled together under Libyan and US auspices and led by Al-Tigani Al-Sissi. The two sides signed a ceasefire agreement last March and are now working on sealing a comprehensive peace accord.

However observers say that LJM has little presence on the ground and peace can only be achieved by bringing in the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) headed by Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Khalil Ibrahim. Both movements remain outside the peace talks in Qatar. (ST)

Copy of a comment posted at the article:

23 November 06:58, by Mach Achiek
Dear Darfuris,

Opportunity is in the making, in the event of South independent, you must unite all your ranks and wage a shaken up war to be granted a right for self determination not to become a sovereign state, but to choose either to remain in the North or join the newly independent South.

This strategy if adopted by the remaining Negroes of the North; then the self claimed black Arabs will be left with a small strip of land that exactly resemble Gaza. In this situation, we can unleash Rwanda94 against them overnight and a pure African state shall emerge.
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UPDATE 1 - Tuesday, 23 November 2010

Abdel Wahid Nour expected to arrive in Juba
Source: Radio Miraya FM - www.mirayafm.org
Date: Tuesday, 23 November 2010 21:18. Copy in full:

A highly reliable source from the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) Abdel Wahid Mohammed Nour faction has said that Abdel Wahid is expected to arrive in Juba on Tuesday.

Speaking to Radio Miraya, the source said that the visit aims at discussing the future of the SLM with the leadership of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) after separation, adding that the two sides will also discuss Darfur issue.

He added that the SLM is having strategic relations with the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM).

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Further Reading

Sudan's ex SLA rebel leader Minni Minnawi signed Darfur Peace Agreement security deal on Saturday, 30 Oct. 2010
Source: Sudan Watch - sudanwatch.blogspot.com
Date: Monday, 01 November 2010
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Nubia America: We can remove the Khartoum regime in ten hours
Source: SUDANJEM.COM website- www.sudanjem.com
Date: Monday, 22 November 2010, 9:40 am.

Arabic to English translation
Nubia America: We can remove the Khartoum regime in ten hours
And the great march in Washington on December 16, will be critical
America: The agencies / approved 15/11/2010

In the framework of the options open to the people of the Nuba Mountains / South Kordofan in the light of the current political and geographical arena of Sudan and the intransigence of the National Congress in the implementation of Brtakul the Nuba Mountains, and even mobilized tens of thousands of armies Almdhudp the latest weapons and the means of movement next to the militias as a violation of a clear and explicit arrangements for security in the province, and work the implementation of the extermination of other ethnic, especially after he fired the Khartoum regime with the people of the region the name of the southern neo-through an official letter was invited to recruit young heart to control them through the military orders, and pressure to displace the intellectuals and educated people of the province, with cut off all means of communication bout with the Diaspora.

After receipt of the fine details of the scheme of National Congress towards the Nuba Mountains held the sons of the Nuba Mountains, around the world and especially in America and Brtania, France, Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Canada, Australia and some Arab and African countries a number of calls about the report the fate of the people of the Nuba Mountains as an option or the state of western Sudan, or regime change as fast as they are to maintained by the Taliban and Saddam Hussein to preserve what remains of Sudan, after being assured that the desire of the sons of South Sudan in the separation and independence, as well as could the possibility of half the people of the Nuba Mountains and Darfur and Kordofan and eastern Sudan, Blue Nile and the Nubians and the rest of the marginalized as long as this system continues in power and the extremist mentality.

People of the Nuba Mountains through the big move, which led them in circles in America last October gave the National Congress until mid-December to fulfill the implementation of the peace agreement, including security arrangements and the withdrawal of troops from the province and the elections and the achievement of the popular consultation and the exchange office of the Governor and to bring war criminals to justice global and other issues, and have handed over official letters to the U.S. administration and Congress and the UN and the EU Summit and a number of human rights organizations about it, including the right to self-determination and have the responses were positive and very encouraging.

And in the grand march expected in Washington on December 16, 2010 and which Sttov of Foreign Affairs and the White House and Congress, which will include a large number of people from the Nuba Mountains of all the United States, Canada, and Aruba, and along with interviews important for policymakers and the perpetrators of U.S. decisions, and all groups pressure, will the sons of the Nuba Mountains, the proposal has been discussed before with a number of officials the need for U.S. military intervention direct-flights with specific goals and painted to hit the Khartoum regime, and stressed the readiness of the 2000 youth of the sons of the Nuba Mountains, the Americans training Kqguat especially for landing in the capital Khartoum after air cover over the plan to remove its in less than ten hours, and the alliance with all forces of the margin and Democrats to build a democratic Sudan of values and the human rights internationally recognized, and to provide junta National Congress of the trials of domestic and international, and it is a last resort in light of the intransigence of National Congress and prevarication in the application of all the consensus reached. The continuation of this status quo will lead to a worst Sudan from Somalia. And the sons of the Nuba Mountains said they would not have been fighting in the parties because experience has shown that the problem is and Mspbhe in Khartoum and must be the change from Khartoum. He also noted the sons of the Nuba Mountains countries of the Diaspora that they did not migrate applications in finance or roaming and to reflect the issue but their own people, who sacrificed himself in order to keep the Nuba Mountains, next to the education of their children to carry the banner of struggle until we achieve justice, freedom and democracy.

He also stressed the sons of the Nuba Mountains, the long silence dictated by their wisdom, which are characterized by and is one of the tops of courage possessed by the people of the Nuba Mountains, and here they are sending out a message to those who did not read the history and civilization, and boldly and tournaments the people of the Nuba Mountains or readers mistake or are not in-depth , they read or re-read the history of old and its middle and modern and contemporary, as announced by the sons of the Nuba Mountains the patience and silence within, and here they are Ielnoha Adap either built the rest of the Sudan the foundations of new and re-structuring of the state and its wealth and either the flood. This generation is the strain of the same heroes who founded the country’s shift the great later known as the Sudan and they are able to bring those glory days and as they are descendants of Abdul Latif and wonder, and Almiraoy and Gboc and Joseph Koh, who canceled the concepts of fear and cowardice of the manifesto struggle and killed and their heads held high.

On the other hand that the youth of the mountains that prompted the implementation of the peace agreement did not mean the procedures and elections a sham or fake and discuss the popular consultation to see the center, but must check the expectations required for the people of the Territory all Otnyate colors and nice political calling for international monitoring actors of the electoral process, and perhaps the reality of Blue Nile, fully reflects the total disregard of Khartoum in the implementation of the popular consultation, as the region was elected Governor and Legislative Council, the regional since last April and that the Commission entrusted with the negotiations center around the vision and the demands of the people of the region, but Khartoum has turned a blind eye in the creation of the commission, should be proceed in negotiations with the Office of the Blue Nile.

And on the other hand, called former U.S. envoy to Sudan Andrew Natios last month hit the air if the Khartoum regime’s intransigence in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, including the referendum for southern Sudan and Abyei and implementation of Bertokoly Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile. Also issued Sen. John Danforth and General Smboy two communities in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in a joint statement several months ago stern warning to the Khartoum government of the seriousness of the partial approach to the peace agreement and ignoring protocols is an important and Brtakul the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile and Abyei. He also urged last week, former U.S. envoy to Sudan, touch U.S. President Obama Pallaivae promise which he promised American voters in May 2008 put an end to genocide, ethnic in Sudan and make Darfur prohibited warplanes government and the implementation of all elements of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and urged him to intervene military and air real-time if called it.

According to analysts, and military and international security that the change of the Khartoum regime militarily would be much easier of the two regimes of Saddam and the Taliban if the system Etsitr on the capital Khartoum just a security and any loss and rally popular support in all regions of Sudan, especially the margin, in addition to the political powers North opposition stands against him in Khartoum and the sites influence the other, as the system is isolated internationally, including from the surrounding countries, whether Arab or African, and all of which have special relations with the West, especially America, and that the unresponsiveness of the system in to bring war criminals to the International Tribunal and non-implementation of the peace treaty, signed by manipulating the issue of Darfur and to repress freedoms, especially press, along with its status as a sponsor of terrorism will make the implementation of the idea to change the international first choice if the situation continues as it is now.

Therefore appealed to the sons and daughters of the Nuba Mountains, USA and Canada all to participate actively in this important historical event, which will open new horizons for the people of the region and puts an end to the genocide planned by the National Congress, and restore the region and its people to signed the historic leadership. Attention is also invited the sons of the Nuba Mountains, each marginalized from the east and Darfur, Kordofan and Blue Nile and the Nubians of Southern Sudan and all political forces calling for diverse and democratic Sudan to participate in this important event. It also commends the people of the Nuba Mountains, the initiative forces the margin of the signing of a document of a joint work in sync with the grand march, in addition to the approval of many human rights organizations and some activists and pressure groups, the U.S. and some jurists who have expressed their desire to participate actively to support the cause of the people of the Nuba Mountains. As many of you will Aleclat and various media coverage of this important event.
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DARFUR'S JEM CALLS FOR A DECENTRALISED FEDERAL "UNITED STATES OF SUDAN" AS THE ONLY SOLUTION TO SUDAN'S PROBLEMS

#Darfur's JEM calls for a decentralized federal "United States of Sudan" as the only solution to Sudan's problems.
http://bit.ly/bZeIzy (AR)
Source: Twitter - http://twitter.com/simsimt/status/5941388235505665
Date: Saturday, 20 November 2010 via Twitter for iPhone
Author: simsimt Usamah
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http://www.sudanjem.com/2009/archives/37966/ar/
الولايات السودانية المتحدة: المخرج للمشاكل المعقدة
Source: SUDANJEM.COM website - www.sudanjem.com
Date: Saturday 20 November 2010, 11:27 am
Copy in full:

الولايات السودانية المتحدة
المخرج للمشاكل المعقدة

لا يمكن الوصول لبقيتنا ووجهتنا الصحيحة إلأ بالخروج من نفق النفاق السياسي والإعتراف بشجاعة عن العجز والتقصير ، والإبتعاد عن التخبط فى إ رتجال ردود الأفعال الآنـية ، ولابد من إشراك جميع المواطنين فى صنع القرار بمنتهى الحرية والشفافية والتى من شأنها رفع شأو المواطن والمحافظة على الوطن من التقلم والتشرزم وذلك بغض النظر عن الإعتبارات العرقية والدينية والثقافية ، وكل مواطن حــر ما لم يضـر ، هو مواطن صالح سيستجيب للواجبات مادامت حقوقه مستوفاه ، من صحة وتعليم وخدمات وحرية تعبير تؤدي لإصلاح أو كشف فساد رقم مهم فى تنمية البلاد الإيجابية يجب المحافظة عليها والتشجيع عليها مع التحفيز.
ومن المستحيل عمليآ حل مشكلة المشاركة السياسية عن طريق الإنتقائية وتجزئة الديموقراطية فى وطن مثل السودان متباين الأعراق واللهجات والثقافات والأعراف ، ومعظم النقابات والمجالس المحلية والنيابية والنقابية والإتحادات الطلابية واللجان على تباينها مجردة من أي سلطة فعلية ومشاركة واقعية إلا أن تمر بمصفاة البيروقراطية الحاكمة بإسم الديمقراطية أو بإسم الدين وبعدها تمرحل وترحل القرارات ووجهات النظر فماوافق منها قبل وماخالف منها زجر ومنجاهر برأي صائب لايتوافق معهم نكل به 00000000000 أو قُتـل .
كما لم تعد هنالك فائدة تُرجـى بالإستنجاد بالسلطة لحل وحسم المشاكل الناجمة عن التعقيدات فى التباين والتداخل الإجتماعى ، ولذا كان من الضرورى والحتمي الحث والتشجيع لحماية الحريات العامة وخاصة حرية التعبير ، وإستبدال الأطر القديمة والإنفتاح على العالم بروح المصالح المشتركة ومواكبة التطور أفقيآ ورأسيآ ، وقد غابت العوامل الأساسية فى ظل الوضع الحالى ، ومنها على سبيل المثال إفتقاد القدره على الفهم والتفسير فى كل لحظة أين وصل التطور الإجتماعى وما هى التغيرات التى طرأت على المجتمع فى حركته الموضوعية ، وبالتالى ما هى التغيرات التى حدثت فى ميدان العلاقات السياسية وفى وعـى وإستيعاب المواطنين ومدى إرتباطها بالعالم الخارجى وتاثيرها إيجابآ والفوائد التى جنيناها منها وكيفية معالجة السلبيات فى حينها ، وإنطلاقآ من هذا التحليل يتوجب علينا أن نفهم ماهية الحقيقة لمكاننا ودورنا المحلى والإقليمى والدولي وتحديد سياسة سلمية على ضوء تلك النتائج .
إن حياتنا الإجتماعية فى السودان تتطلب وجود منظمات سياسية وإقتصادية وعمالية وإدارية وفنية وإعلامية وزراعية وهندسية وصناعية وتربوية وطبية وعسكرية وتكنولوجية متخصصة ، ومن زبدتها نستخلص المعنى الحقيقى للمشكلات الإجتماعية وأعنى الإجتماعية لأن إنسان السودان هو الهدف والمعني بالتقدم او التخلف الإستقرار أو الإطّراب التوحد أو الإنفصال ، والهدف من ذلك وضع دولة السودان وولاياتها المتحدة فدراليآ على بداية الطريق الديمقراطي الصحيح والذى بدوره يمهد لنمو الإقتصاد مما ينتج عنه تحسن دخل مستوى الطبقة البروتارية وهى الغالبه والمقلوبة على أمرها حتى نصل لمرحلة الإستقرار الإقتصادى والمتنامي كي تلتحم لحمة التعايش السلمى بالتمتع والمشاركة فى السلطة والثروة والقرار ، ولايتمذلك إلا فى ظل نظام سياسى منتخب بحرية ونزاهة ، لتمكين أسس ومبادئ الحرية والعدالة والمساواة على أرضية حكم فدرالى حقيقى .
وجل مشاكل السودان إقتصادية وسياسية ودينية ، ولايمكن حلها إلا بتطبيق النظام الفيدرالى بحيث تكون كل الولايات فى وضعها الحقوقى مستقلة إستقلالآ كاملآ وذاتيآ على أساس اللامركزية إذ تساهم هذه الولايات فى تأليف الإدارة القومية المشتركة فى السلطة الإتحادية المركزية وتمتاز بالصفات الأتـية
1/ ذات دستور وتتمتع بالشخصية الحقوقية وبالسلطة العامة.
2/ تتم الرابطة بين الولايات التى تؤلف إتحادآ فدراليآ بواسطة دستور إتحادى Constitution fedrate
3/ السيادة الخارجية تمثلها حكومة الإتحاد المركزية ويبقى لكل ولاية إتحادية الحق فى ممارسة السيادة الداخلية المطلقة وذلك فى كل النظم السياسية والإدارية والإقتصادية ويتم إنتخاب النواب والحكام والوزراء من غير وصاية أو تدخل أو تعديل من حكومة الإتحاد المركزية .
4/ يحق لكل ولاية عمل دستور وقوانين محلية تتناسب مع طبيعة مجتمع الولاية .
5/ أن تتألف السلطة التشريعية الإتحادية من مجلسين الأول يمثل الولايات بممثلين دائمين فى المركز وبصورة متساوية لهم نفس الحقوق وعليهم نفس الواجبات إزاء الإتحاد ، والمجلس الثاني نيابي ويمثل الشعب عامة فيكون تمثيل جميع الولايات السودانية المتحدة فدراليآ ، أو كونفدراليآ فيه
6/ السلطة القضائية الإتحادية تتجلّى بمحكمة عليا Superme court ، وتكون ذات إختصاص شمولى وداخلى ودستورى كي تفصل فى النزاعات التى تنشأ بين الولايات فى بعضها أو بين الولايات وحكومة المركزويكون لها الحق المطلق والدستورى فى إستدعاء الرئيس أو الوزراء أو النواب فى حال وجود مظالم خاصة أو عامة أو فساد إدارى أو مالى بالنسبة للرئيس والحكام والوزراء وكل من يشغل منصب حساس أو رفيع فى القطاع المدني والعسكري وما يشمل التلاعب بالمال العام وضياع الحقوق بالرشاوي وإستغلال المنصب ، مع رفع كامل الحصانة حتى يكون الحق له أو عليه
7/ ينطلق نظام الإتحاد الفدرالي السوداني إستنادآ على الرئاسي عن طريق الإنتخاب الحر النزيه والذى ينطلق من حيث التقاليد نظام الحكم الإجتماعية والأخلاق السودانية الأصيلةوالقوانين المرعية فيه .
8/ أي نظام حكم يتم بطريقة غير شرعية يعتبر حكمآ باطلآ ويتم وئده فى مهده بالعصيان المدني الشمولي ومحاكمة منفذيه .
9/ بالنسبة للثروة فلكل ولاية الأولوية فى ثروتها بالإكتفاء والتنمية الرأسية ، وفائضميزانية المركز تركز على الولايات الأقل نموآ لإستثمار ثروتها والإعتماد على نفسها فى شكل معونات مالية مستردة بغير فوائد والعائد من أرباح رأس المال يعود للولاية نفسها .
10/ يحق لكل الحكومات الولائية الفدرالية بعقد الصفقات مع الشركات العربية والأجنبية دون إستثناء وخلق قنوات إستقطاب لتدفق رأس المال الأجنبي للإستثمار فى تلك الولاية مع تبسيط قوانين الإستثمار المشجعة والمحفزة للغير .
11/ القاعدة الثابته فى التعيين لتولى المناصب السياسية والإدارية والتشريعية تنطلق من ثلاثة محاور
أ/ الكفآءة
ب/ الترشيح أو الإنتخاب المباشرمن الشعب
ج/ الولأء للوطن
12/ يعد غياب التنظيمات النسائية المتخصصة والتى هى شريحة مهمة وأساسية وحساسة فى تحريك دولاب الحياة برفوفها المتباينة ، يعتبر خسارة عظمى وتأخر للأمـه ، فإذا لم تحوز المرأة على حقوقها كاملة فليس هنالك إذآ مجالآ للحديث عن
الديموقراطية وحقوق النساء الإنسانية للوصول للتطور والمساواة .
13/ لغرب الوطن المنهك والمنتهك حقوقآ مسلوبة لم تؤدى إليهم فى مجالي السلطة والثروة وحريةإتخاذ القرار فى ظل معمعة الحلول الجزئية والمؤقتة ، ونطالب بحق ممارستهم الكاملة لحقوقهم الوطنية والإنسانية من غير وصاية أو إستقطاب أو ضغط ، للخروج من العمليات غير الإنسانية والإنطلاق لرحاب العدل والإيثار والمساواة ، وذلك لخلق أجيال آمنة مؤمنة ومواكبة للحضارة الإنسانية تأثيرآ وتطورآ .
14/ الإهتمام بتنمية الإنسان قبل تنمية الجيوب والنظام .
15/ نؤمن بأن السودان ملئ بالكفآءآت المخلصة من الجنوب والغرب والشرق والشمال فواجب دستوري ووطنى المحافظة عليهم وتكريمهم والإستئناس برأيهم كل فى تخصصه .
16/ أي نظام لم يستطع حل مشاكل السودانيين حلآ سلميآ وعادلآ فهو نظامآ فاشيآ وفاشلآ يجب أن يزول ويسلم كل زول .
17/ ندعو لسيادة القانون وحرية الرأي وإرجاع الحقوق التى سلبت بغير وجه حق لأهلها أو البدل المجزي لحياة كريمة .
18/ لضمان أن يكون جميع السودانيين مشاركين فى الحكم الرئاسى يتم إنتخاب رئيس للسودان كل أربع أو خمس سنوات من ولاية تمثل اهلها ويتم ذلك بالقرعة ، فمثلآ إذا وقعت القرعه للأربع سنوات الأولى على شرق السودان فيتم تعيين الرئيس منها
بترشيح المجلس النيابي ، وتكون القرعة التالية على ثلاثة أو أربع ولايات تمثل الغالبية وذلك على التوالى فتارة رئيس من الجنوب والغرب والشمال والوسط ، وبذا يكون جميع أهل السودان معنيين بتقاسم السلطة والثروة والتعايش السلمى تحت مظلة العدالة الشمولية .
19/ إلغاء عرف عفى الله عما سلف فى نهب المال العام ويتم إسترداده لخزينة الولايات السودانية المتحدة .
20/ والمتوقع فى حالة دفن الرءؤس فى الرمال سنجد السودان تجزأ الى خمس دول بفعل التهشيم والتعتيم، شئنا أم أبينا .
na_313@hotmail.com

تعليقات حول الموضوع

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From SUDANJEM.COM website - www.sudanjem.com
Copy of current About page:

The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) is a rebel group involved in the Darfur conflict of Sudan. It is led by Khalil Ibrahim. Along with other rebel groups such as the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), they are fighting against the Sudanese National Islamic Front government. The JEM is also a member of the Eastern Front, a rebel coalition formerly active in the east of Sudan along the Eritrean border. After the Eastern Front signed a peace deal with the central government, the JEM lost access to its funding from Eritrea.

The JEM traces its foundation to the writers of the Black Book, a manuscript published in 2000 that details the structural inequity in the country. JEM espouses an Islamist ideology, and the government links the group to Hassan al-Turabi, although leaders of the group and Turabi himself deny the claim.[1] However, al-Turabi blames the government for “aggravating the situation.”

On January 20, 2006, the Justice and Equality Movement declared a merger with the Sudan Liberation Movement, along with other rebel groups, to form the Alliance of Revolutionary Forces of West Sudan. However, the JEM and SLM negotiated as separate groups with peace talks with the government in May 2006.

In October of 2007, the JEM attacked the Defra oilfield in the Kordofan region of Sudan. The Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company, a Chinese-led consortium, controls the field. The next month, a group of 135 Chinese engineers arrived in Darfur to work on the Defra field. Ibrahim told reporters, “We oppose them coming because the Chinese are not interested in human rights. It is just interested in Sudan’s resources.” The JEM claims that the revenue from oil sold to China funds the Sudanese government and the Janjaweed militia.[2]

On the morning of December 11, 2007, Khalil Ibrahim claimed that JEM forces fought and defeated Sudanese government troops guarding a Chinese-run oilfield in the Kordofan region. Khartoum officials, however, denied that any oil fields had come under attack. Ibrahim said that the attack was part of a JEM campaign to rid Sudan of Chinese-run oilfields and stated that “[The JEM] want all Chinese companies to leave. They have been warned many times. They should not be there.”[3]

On May 11, 2008 JEM attacked the Sudanese capital of Khartoum. The government declared victory, saying that the attack had been repelled and leading members of the group had been killed, although the JEM said that the attack was successful. Eltahir Elkaki, the General Secretary of JEM’s legislative council, vowed that the war would henceforth be fought across the country, saying that “We haven’t changed our tactics. From the beginning, Jem is a national movement and it has a national agenda.”[4] Khalil Ibrahim declared that “This is just the start of a process and the end is the termination of this regime”.[5]

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UPDATE 2 - Wednesday, 24 November 2010

SLM chief travels to Kenya for meetings on Darfur peace
Source: Radio Dabanga website
Date: Wednesday, 24 November 2010

(NAIROBI) - Abdel Wahed Mohamed Ahmed Al Nur, founder and president of the Sudan Liberation Movement, held consultations with other leaders of his movement in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. Al Nur arrived there from Paris at the start of a tour to a number of African capitals, including Juba, to conduct wide-ranging consultations on the peace process and its future for Darfur.

The rebel leader told Radio Dabanga from Nairobi that the goal of the tour is to have meetings and consultation for peace and unity of the movement. He said that the consultations would also involve Sudanese political forces. He said that such meetings would culminate in a consultative meeting to be held in the beinning of next month in Paris.

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Interview: Minawi lashes out at NCP, proposes new Sudan regime
Source: Radio Dabanga website
Date: Wednesday, 24 November 2010

(Juba, S. Sudan) - Minni Arko Minawi, ex-rebel faction leader of the Sudan Liberation Army, lashed out at the National Congress Party and its leadership, describing them as corrupt and racist. The president of the Sudan Liberation Movement and the former chief aide to the president – a position he held as part of a peace deal – said the NCP wants to destroy Sudan and divide it into different states. Minawi called on all Sudanese to bring about the end of the National Congress Party and replace it with a new transitional government to save the Sudan. He proposed that the new government should consist of all parties and said that the task of this interim government would be to solve the problems of Sudan of development, form a new constitution for the country, and organize elections.

Minawi also replied to a group of ex-rebels, claiming to be from his faction, who had announced his ouster earlier this month. Those who issued the statement of his dismissal had already been separated from the movement, he said. They were prompted by their handlers in the National Congress Party and security services, he suggested.

In an effort to implement the security protocols of the Abuja Peace Agreement, SLM officials in El Fasher last month signed a deal with a government committee headed by Lieutenant General Mohamed Al Dabi. However, this week in an interview with the Al Sahafa daily, Minawi said he rejects the deal. He did not explain why his subordinates had signed it. He told Radio Dabanga yesterday that security arrangements should be the last items in the implementation of the Abuja Agreement, and not the reverse. He said the government and its forces did not stop fighting against the movement since the signing of the Abuja Agreement. He said that the movement will stand by idly if the government chooses to go in this direction [of force]. He also described the ‘model villages’ that the Arab League claimed to have set up in Darfur as mere lies.

Minawi was speaking to Radio Dabanga from Juba where he has taken up residence.

Minawi refuses to integrate troops unless by terms of DPA

West Darfur State warns ex-rebel movements to integrate forces

Minawi alleges corruption in Darfur Authority

Kenya's ICJ moves to court to seek Bashir’s arrest

NOTE to self for future reference. Weird timing on ICJ's part. Who is behind it and why? Today, this blog's parent site Sudan Watch has received quite a few visitors searching for news re tanks shipped by MV Faina. Check out Sudan Watch, 19 July 2009 - MV Faina cargo: 100 tanks were ordered by Government of South Sudan - and, at the end of the story, click on FAINA label to view a series of news reports filed 02 October 2008 - 19 February 2010.
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Kenya's ICJ moves to court to seek Bashir's arrest
Source: The East African - www.theeastafrican.co.ke
Author: Jillo Kadida
Date: Thursday, 18 November 2010 at 18:44

Photo: President Al Bashir arrives for the promulgation of Kenya's new constitution at Uhuru Park, Nairobi on August 27, 2010. His visit sparked outrage among Kenyan leaders and the international community. Photo/STEPHEN MUDIARI

The Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists has moved to court seeking a warrant of arrest against Sudan president Omar Al Bashir.

The commission filed a case at the High Court in Nairobi yesterday seeking a provisional arrest warrant against Al Bashir.

Mr Al Bashir has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for genocide crimes committed in Sudan. The court also issued two warrants of arrest which have never been effected.

The jurists’ organization says Al Bashir is likely to visit Kenya in November or near future and his presence in the country would be a violation of the law.

ICJ also wants the court to order Ministry of Internal Security to effect the arrest warrant when Al Bashir sets foot in Kenya.

The ICJ Kenyan Chapter blames the Kenya Government for failing to arrest Al Bashir when he visited Kenya on August 27 2010 during the promulgation of the new constitution.

The organization says the Government in utter disregard of its obligation under international law failed to arrest Al Bashir despite the existence of two warrants of arrest issued by ICC.

Last month President Al Bashir was expected to visit Kenya to attend the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) meeting but this was moved at the last minute following fears that he might be arrested.

The meeting was transferred to African Union headquarters in Ethiopia following a letter from the ICC to the government of Kenya.

In its letter the court called for arrest of Mr Al Bashir in the event he turned up for the conference.

A statement from the ICC Registrar, Ms Silvana Arbia, had said: “The International Criminal Court requested the Republic of Kenya to inform the Chamber, no later than 29 October, about any problem which would impede or prevent the arrest and surrender of Omar al-Bashir in the event that he visits the country on 30 October, 2010.”

Yesterday after hearing the case filed by ICJ High Court Judge, Nicholas Ombija directed that the suit papers be served on the Attorney General.

The parties will appear before him for hearing next Tuesday.

Kenya tells ICC why Bashir was not arrested

Kenya's Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang'ula told the President of the assembly of state parties to the Rome statute of the ICC, Mr Christian Wenaweser that Kenya was bound by African Union's decision not to arrest Bashir.



Photo: Kenya's Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang'ula

Kenya tells ICC why Bashir was not arrested
From Daily Nation (www.nation.co.ke) by Lucas Barasa
Sunday, September 19 2010 at 13:11

Kenya has explained to the International Criminal Court why it did not arrest Sudan President Omar Bashir when he attended the promulgation of new constitution.

Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang'ula told the President of the assembly of state parties to the Rome statute of the ICC Mr Christian Wenaweser that Kenya was bound by African Union's decision not to arrest Bashir.

“The minister clarified that the decision not to arrest Bashir was a resolution by the African Union, of which Kenya is also a member, and due to the complexity of the crisis in Darfur, AU was in agreement that arresting Bashir during this critical period towards a referendum would jeopardize the peace process,” a statement from Ministry of Foreign Affairs communication’s chief, Judith Ngunia, said.

The minister explained that following the issuance of the arrest warrant for Bashir, the AU, noting the complexity of the Sudan in relation to Darfur, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the relationship between the North and the South, invoked a clause of the ICC and asked the UNSC to suspend the warrant to allow the African efforts to resolve the crisis.

The UNSC never came back to Africa following which the AU summit in Sirte in July 2009, in Addis in January 2010 and in July Kampala 2010, took a decision that its member states were not obliged to cooperate on the case of Bashir, and invoked a Sanctions clause in the Constitutive Act, for non-compliance.

The AU position was also guided by recommendations of its Panel of Eminent Persons led by President Mbeki that urged the solving of the Sudan problem within a comprehensive framework of peace, security, justice and stability.

The minister who is attending a UN General Assembly in New York added that Bashir’s visit “was in the wider context of good neighbourliness and peace in the region as Kenya was a strategic partner of Sudan, and also the custodian of the comprehensive peace agreement and therefore had a mandate to safeguard the peace process towards a successful referendum in January 2011.”

The minister who met Mr Wenaweser in New York assured him of Kenya’s commitment in fighting impunity and that Kenya will defend the Rome statute as witnessed in the recent signing of the agreement with the ICC registrar in Nairobi.

The agreement gives the court independence to fully and efficiently discharge its mandate and fulfill its purpose within the country.

Mr Wenaweser is also the permanent Representative of Lichestien to the UN in New York.

He supported Kenya’s effort to continue engaging both parties in Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement for a successful referendum in 2011 and to ensure that peace, security and stability prevails in Sudan during and after the referendum.

Mr Wenaweser also supported the recent political developments in Sudan with regard to the CPA, and following talks between Presidents Kibaki and Bashir of Sudan in Nairobi in which the two parties agreed that the referendum must go on as scheduled for January 9.

Mr Wenaweser said Africa had the biggest membership within ICC and therefore should not be ignored, and pledged to support Kenya’s effort to have more funds directed towards peace keeping in the region and in particular in Somalia.
Mr Wetang'ula was accompanied by Kenya’s ambassador to Ethiopia Dr Monica Juma among others.

Kenya got a backlash from among others US President Barack Obama for hosting Mr Bashir during the promulgation ceremony.

Mr Bashir is wanted by the ICC over atrocities committed in Sudan’s region of Darfur.

AU in new legal thinking over Sudanese President Al-Bashir's visit

NOTE, the below copied article explains that:

"There is no single body that creates international law.

It is developed and agreed upon by those that make up the international community.

Sources of international law include, among other things, local custom, state practice (how states behave in practice), general principles of law, equity, and reason."

Kenya: African Union Dares the West in New Legal Thinking Over Al-Bashir's Visit
From Daily Nation On The Web - Friday, 3 September 2010
Op-ed by Peter Mwaura

Nairobi — Kenya and the African Union have challenged the world with new jurisprudence on the applicability of international law over Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's visit to Kenya. The legal thinking is grounded on the rules of conflict of laws.

The challenge should not come as a surprise to international law experts and jurists because there is no single body that creates international law. It is developed and agreed upon by those that make up the international community.

Sources of international law include, among other things, local custom, state practice (how states behave in practice), general principles of law, equity, and reason.

And international law must continue to evolve and must be applied, as the AU says, without "pretensions and double standards." Kenya and the AU, in their challenge to the world, are on pretty firm ground as they are using the same rules of legal reasoning used by Western jurists to settle conflict of laws.Conflict of laws occurs when two or more laws could apply to a situation.

In this case, there are two laws which are now in opposition to each other.

There is the Rome Treaty setting up the International Criminal Court, which obligates state parties to cooperate with the court. There is Constitutive Act of the AU, which obligates all AU members to comply with its decisions and policies.

Kenya is a member of both the ICC and the AU, and normally there is no conflict. A conflict has arisen because the ICC, which has indicted President al-Bashir on war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, has issued a warrant of arrest against him and obligates members of the ICC to arrest him.

The AU has appealed to the Security Council to defer the ICC proceedings against President al-Bashir for one year. The Union argues that arresting him would be counter-productive and would not advance peace in Darfur.

The Security Council has ignored the request. Consequently, the AU has passed a resolution obligating all its members to ignore the warrant of arrest.

Is the AU contravening international law? No, says the Union, it has adopted another law. If anything, it is a conflict of laws.And it has been resolved using the rules.

The rules have been developed to help decide which lawmaking body has the strongest interest in resolving a matter, and therefore which law applies. Leave aside the morality of inviting President al-Bashir to witness the 27 August promulgation of Kenya's new Constitution, notable for its protection of fundamental rights and human rights.

Kenya acted within international law using the rules of conflict of laws.When two laws are in opposition to each other, it becomes necessary to decide which law is to be obeyed.

Kenya chose the AU law, rightly so it might say. Darfur is an African problem. Sudan is Kenya's neighbour. As the AU said in its press release of August 29, Kenya has "an abiding interest in ensuring peace and stability in Sudan."

Peace, justice and reconciliation in Sudan can only be achieved through continuous engagement with the elected government of that country, the AU said.

Neighbouring countries do this as a matter of survival as they bear the brunt of instability or insecurity in neighbouring states, it went on to say. "Kenya as a member of IGAD and a guarantor to the peace process in Sudan, arising from the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the impending referendum in South Sudan, has a duty and obligation to continuously engage with President al-Bashir."

The AU argues that engagement with the elected leaders of Sudan is vitally and strategically essential and unavoidable for the countries of the region as well as the entire continent.

Because of their proximity to the problem, they are better able to understand and take into account the local realities and dynamics. The situation in Darfur is complex, says the AU.

It requires a fine balance between peace and justice and the AU "shall oppose any attempt to coerce African countries to undermine the common African position." And that is the new international law, for you, made in Africa.

(Hat tip AllAfrica.com)

Kenya allows the ICC to open office - China to support Kenya at the UN over Bashir

TODAY, according to a report just in from the Associated Press, Kenya granted the ICC immunity from legal challenges, tax exemptions and other privileges in a letter signed by Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula. The report says:

The move comes only a week after Kenya hosted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir during a ceremony for Kenya's new constitution.

The ICC registrar has been in Kenya since Wednesday to seek government assurances it will cooperate with the court and educate the public about how it operates.

Full story here below. Note the word I have highlighted in red and the following Quote of the Day from this site's parent blog, Sudan Watch, 21 July 2010 - Ocampo announces ICC's verdict before indictment:

"According to my understanding of the decision, the [International Criminal] Court did not find [Sudanese] President Bashir guilty of these crimes. Rather, it considered that there were reasonable grounds to suppose that he might be guilty. This is an important distinction. While the Prosecutor will argue, in court and in public, that Bashir is guilty, I am surprised that he is announcing a verdict of the Court before there has been an indictment (so far we have an arrest warrant — any indictment will follow a confirmation of charges hearing) let alone a trial." - Dr. Alex de Waal OBE, Making Sense of Sudan, 18 July 2010

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Kenya allows Int'l Criminal Court to open office
By TOM MALITI (AP) – Friday, 03 September 2010

NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya on Friday allowed the International Criminal Court to open an office in the country, a development that comes after Kenya's commitment to the court came into question when the nation hosted Sudan's indicted leader last week.

ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo is investigating top Kenyan leaders and businesspeople for their roles in the country's December 2007 to February 2008 post-election violence that killed more than 1,000 people.

On Friday, Kenya granted the ICC immunity from legal challenges, tax exemptions and other privileges in a letter signed by Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula.

The move comes only a week after Kenya hosted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir during a ceremony for Kenya's new constitution.

Al-Bashir faces charges of genocide and crimes against humanity at the ICC stemming from the violence in Sudan's Darfur region. Despite being a party to the statute that created the ICC, Kenya did not arrest al-Bashir, arguing that such a move would destabilize Sudan.

That decision provoked an international outcry, including words of rebuke from President Barack Obama, and it raised doubts about the country's willingness to hand over Kenyan suspects expected to soon be charged by the ICC.

The ICC does not have its own police to enforce arrest warrants and it relies on member states such as Kenya to execute them.
Kenyan Cabinet leaders, including Wetangula, met with ICC Registrar Silvana Arbia on Friday.

"We have agreed to comply with every aspect of the (ICC) request for the privileges and immunity which their officers require to be able to undertake their work," said Minister of State for Internal Security George Saitoti, who chairs the Cabinet subcommittee on the ICC.

"I trust that the government of Kenya will fully respect its obligations under the Rome Statute," which established the ICC, Arbia said after receiving the letter.

The ICC registrar has been in Kenya since Wednesday to seek government assurances it will cooperate with the court and educate the public about how it operates.

Moreno Ocampo has said he believes crimes against humanity were committed during Kenya's political violence.

The court allowed him to open an investigation in April and he has said he expects the investigation to conclude by the end of this year. Moreno Ocampo has said he expects to charge up to roughly a half-dozen people who allegedly directed the violence.

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China to shield Kenya at the UN over Bashir
Report from PPS Capital FM - 03 September 2010 - excerpt:

NAIROBI, Kenya - China on Friday declared support for Kenya's decision to invite Sudanese President Omar al Bashir to attend the promulgation of the new constitution in Nairobi last week.

During talks with President Mwai Kibaki, visiting vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Congress (NPC) Chen Zhili pledged China's support for Kenya if the country is subject of discussion at the United Nations Security Council over the issue.

"Kenya as a neighbor and guarantor to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) on the Sudan require the support and not condemnation by the international community in her efforts to broker peace between the Southern and Northern Sudan.", Ms Zhili said.

She expressed appreciation to President Kibaki and the Kenya government for the pivotal role played in brokering peace in Sudan and the horn of Africa.

Zhili who is also the NPC Chairperson of all Women's Federation, assured President Kibaki that China would provide the necessary support towards peace and stability in the horn of Africa. [...]

Kenya was perfectly right to invite Sudan's president - Bashir's arrival brought Kenya airport to a standstill

Quote of the Day

"It is clear that the attempt by the Pre-Trial Chamber and some of the UN Security Council members to create a controversy totally fails to appreciate the context of the Horn of Africa region." -Thuita Mwangi (Source: see op-ed here below)

Kenya:
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Nevada
Land: total: 3,477 km
Boundaries: border countries: Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km
Population: 33,829,590
Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages

Kenya was perfectly right to invite Sudan President Omar al-Bashir
The Nation (Kenya) - 29 August 2010 at 16:58
By THUITA MWANGI

In the last two days, a lot of heat has been generated around the visit of Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir during the promulgation of our new Constitution.

The unfortunate statements attributed to some members of the UN Security Council as well as the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber cannot go without a response. The statements, and the decision, assert that African Union member states have “a clear obligation to co-operate with the Court in relation to the enforcement of such warrants of arrest. . . .’’ to which Kenya is a State Party.

It is quite curious that the decision by the Pre-Trial Chamber was made strangely in respect of the “expected attendance of Omar Al Bashir at the celebration scheduled for Friday 27 August”. Anyone conversant with the proper role and mandate of the ICC must be dismayed by the manner in which this decision was arrived at, let alone the substance and implications.

It is clear that the attempt by the Pre-Trial Chamber and some of the UN Security Council members to create a controversy totally fails to appreciate the context of the Horn of Africa region. First, Kenya’s stability is linked to that of its neighbours and the region. Indeed, Kenya has an abiding interest in ensuring peace and stability there by promoting peace, justice and reconciliation.

This can be achieved through continuous engagement with the Sudanese Government. Kenya has remained seized with Sudan, supporting the process that led to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, as well as its implementation. Kenya continues to bear the negative consequences of the civil war that it helped negotiate to end.

For this reason, the country remains keen to pursue any measure that would encourage Sudan to attain sustainable peace. Furthermore, as a member of IGAD and a guarantor to the peace process in Sudan arising from the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the impending referendum in South Sudan, Kenya has an absolute duty and obligation.

The objective of having representation from the region, particularly Sudan, at Kenya’s most historic political event was therefore, to share a positive national development and to encourage Sudan as it moves towards its own historic referendum in early 2011.

The enthusiasm of the ICC to involve the UN Security Council is not only a reflection of its failure to appreciate the intricate reality on the ground, but also an indicator of yet another effort to force African countries to support the ICC.

This is irrespective of the complex dynamics that require striking a balance between peace and justice, which Kenya believes is not only necessary for Sudan, but essential for stabilising the region. In inviting President Bashir, Kenya is acting in alignment with the African Union decisions on this matter.

Interestingly, both the statements and the decisions grossly ignore the obligations of Kenya to the AU, arising from decisions of Assembly/AU/Dec. 245(XIII) adopted by the 13th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, wherein the Assembly “decide[d] that in view of the fact that the request by the African Union has never been acted upon (by UN Security Council), the AU Member States shall not co-operate pursuant to the provisions of Article 98 of the Rome Statute of the ICC relating to immunities, for the arrest and surrender of President Omar El Bashir of The Sudan”.

Also, the statements did not take cognisance of the obligations of AU member states arising from Article 23 (2) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which obligates all members “to comply with the decisions and policies of the Union”. To this extent, the decisions adopted by the AU policy organs are binding on Kenya.

Kenya strongly believes that sustainable peace and security anywhere must be underpinned by the three interconnected, mutually interdependent pillars of peace, justice and reconciliation.

It will be recalled that the repeated appeals to the UN Security Council by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union as well as the AU Peace and Security Council to defer the proceedings against President Bashir for one year, and to allow for the peace process to make irreversible progress, have never been acted upon by the UN Security Council.

Mr Mwangi is permanent secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Khartoum regime leader arrival brings Kenya airport to a standstill
eTurboNews.com - 02 Sepember 2010
By WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN

(eTN) - Last week’s promulgation of the new constitution in Kenya saw several heads of state grace the occasion with their presence, including Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and they all landed with full protocol at Nairobi’s main airport Jomo Kenyatta International. In stark contrast, however, the Khartoum’s regime leader, Bashir, snuck into Kenya through Wilson Airport from where he also left the country later on under a shroud of secrecy.

Air operators and passengers normally using Wilson Airport were reportedly irate over the closures of the airport for all traffic between arrival and departure of the tyrant, and three regular sources minced no words over this event - none of the comments, however, are fit to be repeated in the public domain, probably in itself a hint about how strong the sentiments were and what words were flying. Flights in and out of Wilson, East Africa’s busiest airport, were halted and then long delayed, scheduled flights to and from the national parks were disrupted, and charters had to be halted as passengers could either not get into Wilson Airport or because all commercial operations were grounded for the duration.

It appears that many of the leading politicians in Kenya did not know of his presence, and subsequently squabbles arose in Kenya’s political establishment over the wisdom of inviting an alleged war criminal and alleged genocidaire, wanted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague. Kenya is a signatory country to the ICC Convention and will be facing not just tough questions by the ICC but has already incurred the wrath of US President Obama and many other world leaders, who sharply condemned the invitation and presence of Bashir in Nairobi for the event. It is also understood that the ICC referred Kenya’s decision and behavior to the United Nations Security Council where the case is due to be discussed and a possible reaction and response will be prepared.

The ICC is also drafting indictments against perpetrators and promoters of the post 2007 election violence and instead of reveling in the newly-found world attention and spotlight, the day was by all accounts spoiled by Bashir’s presence. The alleged war criminal, brought to the venue by tourism minister Balala – a visitor Balala would also rather like to forget soon considering the negative publicity it brought to Kenya – had, according to a reliable source in Nairobi’s foreign ministry, secured guarantees beforehand that the arrest warrant would not be executed against him, and he only traveled to Nairobi after these assurances were given in writing. Subsequently, some government mouthpieces tried to defend the presence of Bashir in Kenya for the big day but were rubbished by the comments of many Kenyans posted on blogs and social websites, who openly questioned the sanity of the invitation.

The fallout has also reached the Southern Sudan, where regular high-ranking sources, on condition of strict anonymity, expressed their anger and disappointment with Kenya, having fully expected to see the First Vice President of the Republic of the Sudan, who is also the President of Southern Sudan, Gen. Salva Kiir, represent their country. In fact, some opinions proffered to this correspondent spoke of unspecified consequences for Kenya in their dealings with Southern Sudan. It appears that Gen. Kiir was all set to fly to Nairobi but was apparently told at the last moment that his presence would, after all, not be required as regime chief Bashir would travel himself.

Upon probing if they would have wanted Bashir, their former arch enemy, arrested, they were all the more guarded, with one claiming "it would not have helped us with the independence referendum" before adding "we know that hardliners in Khartoum and their backers abroad are not happy with Bashir for permitting us to move to independence. We are aware that there is [an]underground movement about this, but we hope all stays in place until January 9, 2010 when we will vote to become an independent country. After that the North can do what they want about Bashir, it is no longer our concern then."

Kenya’s "Second Republic" was launched with glitz and glamour in a grand ceremony at Uhuru Park, where in 1963 the late founder president Jomo Kenyatta took the oath of office as he led his then nascent and young nation into independence, but the presence of Bashir has shaken many international observers and friends of Kenya who now ask what, if anything, has really changed so far as several laws seem to have been broken by the Kenyans’ responsible for the invitation and with absolute impunity.

Tourism stakeholders meanwhile, while appearing somewhat unsettled over the huge controversy the Bashir presence caused in the country and worse for them across the world, were still jubilant over the fashion the referendum was held, the votes counted, and the new constitutional requirements are now unfolding, and that it will ensure lasting peace and reconciliation among leading political opponents, giving hope for free and fair elections in 2012 and allowing the tourism industry to prosper and grow, at last fulfilling Kenya’s enormous potential along the Indian Ocean beaches and in their national parks and game reserves.

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Kenya Watch - Editor's Note:
Who are the hardliners in Khartoum and their backers abroad?

New envoy to U.S. defends Bashir visit - Kenya's President Kibaki breaks silence on Sudan leader’s visit

Quote of the Day

If Kenya had arrested Mr Bashir, "Sudan would erupt in a civil war that is going to be bigger and more devastating than the civil war [that began] 20 years ago," Kenya's new ambassador to the U.S., Elkanah Odembo, declared. "I'm willing to put my money on it."

Source: see report below.



President Barack Obama participates in a credential ceremony in the Oval Office, Aug. 10, 2010. The President greets Ambassador Elkanah Odembo Absalom of Kenya. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Kenya: New Envoy to U.S. Defends Bashir Visit
Report from The Nation, Kenya (hat tip: allAfrica.com)
Wednesday, 01 September 2010
By KEVIN J KELLEY

In a talk in Washington on Tuesday sponsored by the international arm of the US Democratic Party, Kenya's new ambassador to the United States vigorously defended the recent visit to Nairobi by Sudan's indicted president.

Ambassador Elkanah Odembo did not explicitly say why President Omar al-Bashir had been invited to take part in the August 27 constitution promulgation ceremony.

But the envoy justified Kenya's willingness to let him travel unimpeded on the grounds that it conformed with Kenya's interest in promoting stability in neighbouring Sudan.

If Kenya had arrested Mr Bashir, "Sudan would erupt in a civil war that is going to be bigger and more devastating than the civil war [that began] 20 years ago," Ambassador Odembo declared.

"I'm willing to put my money on it."

Kenya's envoy, who presented his credentials to President Barack Obama six weeks ago, said "it is certainly important Sudan holds together" until southern Sudan decides in a scheduled January referendum whether to become an independent state.

"I say that as someone who condemns in the strongest possible way the crimes committed against the people of Darfur," Mr Odembo added.

President Bashir has been charged at the International Criminal Court with war crimes arising from the Sudanese government's actions in the country's Darfur region.

Kenya, as a signatory to the treaty establishing the ICC, is obligated to cooperate with the court.

The country's welcome to Mr Bashir drew criticism from President Obama and from human rights groups.

Ambassador Odembo noted on Tuesday that Kenya is the temporary home to many refugees from Darfur who have offered evidence to ICC prosecutors regarding atrocities in Darfur.

The envoy also said Kenya is playing a crucial role as guarantor of the peace agreement that put an end to the war between north and south Sudan that took an estimated two million lives.

He assured the audience at the National Democratic Institute that Kenya's defiance of the ICC in regard to President Bashir does not suggest that Kenya will refuse to cooperate with the ICC's investigation of those thought responsible for the post-election violence.

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President Kibaki is officially received by King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland on his arrival to the country for the 14th COMESA summit of Heads of State and Government. PHOTO / PPS

Kibaki breaks silence on Sudan leader’s visit
Report from The Nation, Kenya
Wednesday, 01 September 2010 at 22:00
By WALTER MENYA wmenya@ke.nationmedia.com

IN SUMMARY

President asks trade bloc and leaders to support country ahead of referendum

President Kibaki has pointed out that because of the fragile situation in Sudan ahead of the January referendum, the international community should embrace leaders of the oil-rich Eastern Africa state.

In an apparent response to criticism after Kenya hosted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir during the promulgation of the new law last Friday, the president asked the international community to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

“It is my wish that the international community would appreciate the delicate situation of Sudan and act proactively. We should not isolate the people of Sudan. Let us encourage them to play their rightful role in the community of nations,” President Kibaki told the 14th Comesa summit of heads of state and government in Ezulwini, Swaziland.

He added: “I call upon all Comesa member-states to support and encourage the people of Sudan to resolve the outstanding issues in the agreement as we look forward to the holding of a peaceful referendum in the Sudan.”

The president said he was impressed with the leaders in the Sudan – President al-Bashir and first Vice-President Salva Kiir — for agreeing to work together.

President Kibaki met Mr al-Bashir at State House Nairobi after the Uhuru Park celebrations where he asked him to stick to the January 9, 2011 referendum date.

And at a meeting with Kenyans living in Swaziland, the President said the new constitution would enable Kenyans in the diaspora enjoy dual citizenship.

Speaking at his Royal Villa presidential suite, President Kibaki said the new constitution would open up many opportunities for Kenyans both at home and abroad.

“Dual citizenship is good because it will enable Kenyans in the diaspora to enjoy the benefits of their country of residence while at the same time make their contribution in the development of their country of birth,” he said.

Kenyans in Swaziland, through their chairman, Mr Haroun Wambua, commended President Kibaki and all Kenyans for the historic promulgation of the new constitution.

Additional reporting by PPS

Sudan summons EU envoy over Bashir's Kenya visit

Sudan summons EU envoy over Bashir's Kenya visit
Report from Reuters - Tuesday, 31 August 2010 9:26pm GMT

(KHARTOUM) - Sudan summoned the EU ambassador on Tuesday to protest against a European Union statement criticising Kenya for hosting President Omar Hassan al-Bashir last week, Sudanese state media said.

The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Bashir for war crimes and genocide in Sudan's western Darfur region during a counter-insurgency campaign.

The African Union has told its member states not to cooperate with the warrant. ICC judges reported Kenya, which is a member of the court, to the U.N. Security Council because Kenya did not arrest Bashir who attended the signing of the new Kenyan constitution.

Sudan's foreign ministry said a statement by the EU's high representative for foreign affairs, Catherine Ashton, raising concern at Bashir's Kenya visit was "totally unacceptable".

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the EU to end its double standard of giving immunity from legal proceedings to certain nationalities while targeting African countries alone," state news agency SUNA said.

Relations between Sudan and Western nations which support the ICC have been strained since the warrant for Bashir was issued in March 2009.

Bashir's movements have been restricted to nearby Middle Eastern and African allies since the warrant was issued and he was forced to cancel a visit to Turkey last year after EU pressure on Ankara.

His visit to Kenya on Friday was his second to a full African member of the ICC and a media coup for Bashir. He travelled to Chad last month.

Rights groups censured Kenya which has its own case pending in the ICC over post-elections violence. South Africa and Botswana are among the few African nations who have defied the AU and said they would implement the ICC warrant. (Reporting by Opheera McDoom; Editing by Peter Graff)

Kenya in vigorous defence of Bashir's visit

Daily Nation - Njeri Rugene - ‎Tuesday, 31 August 2010

Kenya's minister for foreign affairs Mosses Wetangula addresses a press conferences at his office. The minister on Tuesday gave a spirited defence in ...

Al-Bashir visit to Kenya was in order, says AU

Daily Nation - ‎‎Tuesday, 31 August 2010

Hezron Njoroge | NATION Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir (centre) speaks to an aide after attending the historic promulgation of the new Constitution at ...

Kenya defends Bashir's visit

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation -

‎‎Tuesday, 31 August 2010

The government's commitment to cooperate with the Intrnational Criminal Court to prosecute post election violence suspects was put to question in parliament ...

Kenya, African Union defend Bashir visit

CNN International - ‎

- ‎‎Tuesday, 31 August 2010

By the CNN Wire Staff Al-Bashir, right, alongside Comoros President Ahmed Sambi Abdallah, center, and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, left. ...

Kenyan Lawmaker to Demand Answers about Sudan Leader's Visit

Voice of America - Peter Clottey - ‎22 hours ago‎

Photo: AP A Kenyan lawmaker told VOA he will demand answers from the foreign minister in parliament Tuesday about the controversial invitation of Sudan's ...

Sudan: UN Protests Over Al-Bashir's Visit to Nation

AllAfrica.com - ‎

‎‎Tuesday, 31 August 2010

The President of Sudan has committed crimes against humanity-crimes against Africans and yet the African Union is prepared to keep quiet about it. ...