Sudan Wants Compensation from South for Oil

One of the main sources of tension between Sudan and South Sudan is oil, and as violence between the two nations continues to rise, so do the arguments over the much coveted resource.  The latest report coming from the region is that Sudan is demanding $15 billion from the South in order to recoup the money that was lost when 75% of the oil production was given to the South when the country split in two earlier this year.  A figure of about $5 billion was recommended by the IMF and African Union, but President Bashir and Sudan are apparently not satisfied with that number.  Instead of allowing these outside parties to become involved, Sudan wants negotiations to occur directly with the South.  Realistically, this means that violence at greater greats is soon to follow.  Splitting in half has left little positive impact for the Sudanese, and uniting in true peace is a concept that still remains unattained.

David

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-23/sudan-demands-15-billion-in-compensation-for-lost-southern-oil.html

New developments with Iran

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle11.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/November/middleeast_November457.xml&section=middleeast

The UN passed a new resolution against Iran and development of nuclear weapons. It seems to be a threat, authorizing action but not requiring it from signatories.


-Rebeca

SPLA-N Leader dissappointed in UN Secretary-General

After the united front created by Sudan's four biggest rebel groups coming together on November 11th, United Nations Secretary-General denounced the unification, as it would further acerbate relations with South Sudan. The SPLA-N leader has responded, saying Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon is, "Siding with the murders."

William Ragan

http://www.sudantribune.com/SPLM-N-regrets-statements-by-UN,40753

Western Darfur Worker Protest

Workers for a Chinese company in Western Darfur are protesting low wages, over working, no sick leave, and poor working condition. Furthermore, the workers are protesting blatant racism as workers from Khartoum enjoy benefits like higher pay, housing, and health services. The Dafuri workers will be appealing to Khartoum to address this inequality.

William Ragan

http://allafrica.com/stories/201111180835.html

Pressure for Change effecting Bashir?

Its no surprise to anyone that the spirit of the Arab Spring has swept into Khartoum. Today, President Omar al-Bashir dismissed his cabinet in order to form a new government, with the Democratic Unionist Party involved. This is done under the pretext that the new government will address, "the change and direction that the people want." This remains to be seen, but those who have studied or watched Bashir should be skeptical.

William Ragan

http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-s-NCP-stressed-desire-for,40757

Bashir's Posturing Decieving?

In the recent weeks, there has been a massive increase in the heated rhetoric used by President Bashir of Sudan, and Kiir of South Sudan. However, is the rhetoric deceiving? Hereward Holland reports that the as long as the profitability of oil is an option, neither side has an incentive to wage a war. Nevertheless, Sudan and South Sudan continue to wage constantly denied, hit and run proxy wars with different rebel groups on all sides of the border. Whether this develops into a complete war remains to be seen. For now, war is expensive and Bashir is broke, so continuing the flow of oil is an extreme disincentive to war.

William Ragan

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/18/us-sudan-south-idUSTRE7AH0RE20111118

China, Sudan pledge to boost military ties

China and Sudan have pledged further military cooperation. This compliments the already substantial political, economic and military cooperation between the two states.

Interestingly, Sudan has pledged to continue its support of the "one China" policy, which does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state.

China's defense minister, Liang Guanglie, stated that China and Sudan "always" support each other in international affairs. Clearly, that is a bold statement which aims at showing political solidarity between the two states.

The announcement of further stated cooperation between Sudan and China must heighten tension between South Sudan and Sudan.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-11/16/c_131251165.htm

Stephen Phelps

The Hague takes action against Sudan again.

The International Criminal Court will be seeking an arrest warrant against the defense minister of Sudan, Minister Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein. This will be the fourth case dealing with Darfur, as Hussein served as interior minister and was a representative of the president of Darfur between 2003-2004. The investigators at the prosecutor's office have been collecting evidence against Hussein for a few years now and the case will be submitted to pre-trial judges as soon as an indictment is announced.

Bree Roozen

Malawi Explains to The ICC Why it Did Not Arrest Bashir

The International Criminal Court (ICC) asked Malawi for an explanation as to why the country had not arrested Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir during his visit to Malawi last month. Malawi explained that although it continues to commit itself to the Rome Statute the government found that because Sudan is not a party to the Statute, Malawi could not waive any immunities under Article 27 that it would otherwise provide to the Heads of State. Malawi further argued that it agreed with the position of the African Union that no African leader should have to be brought to the Hague and should otherwise be tried in Africa. The Malawian President would see the act of bringing Bashir to the Hague as undermining the African judicial system. President Mutharika is arguing that the ICC should not be given jurisdiction of the case because courts in Africa are able and competent. However, this case was referred to by the United Nations, in which case the ICC is given jurisdiction. There is a definite need for the international community to cooperate with the ICC and adhere to the jurisdiction it is given in order to give the court a chance. Efforts made by Western countries to take a stance on the issue is important to set an president for what is expected and to add legitimacy to the ICC. Some western countries have already pulled around $1 billion of aid from Malawi for its own human rights abuses and for hosting Bashir, a known wanted war criminal. It is important for the United States to also suspend aid to show that it will not tolerate Malawi's allowance of immunities to Bashir, but it is of further importance that other countries outside of western governments take a stand so to orchestrate a more universal acknowledgment of the ICC and its jurisdiction.

To read more:http://www.sudantribune.com/Malawi-explains-to-ICC-why-it-didn,40711

-Kathleen Fultz

EU Earmarks 200 Million Euros for Health, Infrastructure in South Sudan

The Europen Union has promised South Sudan 200 million Euros in an effort to help the newly founded nation get on its feet. Because of the war that ravaged South Sudan for a long period of time there is a very low degree of infrastructure present in the nation. The money is intended to build roads, hospitals and schools in order to better the lives of the people and stimualte the economy and the people. As long as this money is spent in the appropraite manner it will truly help this new nation evolve into something great. Especially, with the great potential it has and resources.

Matt Boguslawski

Sudan Backs Syria's Removal from Arab League

A resolution has passed that suspends Syria's inclusion in the Arab League, with Yemen and Lebanon the only countries voties against the resolution. The fact that Sudan was one of the countries voting for Syria's removal is one that was not ignored by Syrian diplomats.

Up until this vote, Sudan has been a strong supporter of the Syrian government, with President Bashir being quoted last month as saying that the issues in Syria (where some 3,500 people have been killed over protests in the last year), were nothing more than a foreign conspiracy aimed at attacking a nation with strong Arab beliefs. Even more irritating for Syria's diplomats is that they were one of the loudest voices backing President Bashir when he was indicted by the International Criminal Court for the Sudanese governments involvement in Darfur. And not only did Sudan vote yes for Syria's removal, but according to diplomatic sources speaking to Reuters, they convinced Somalia and Mauritania to vote yes as well. All of this being said, it is still not all that surprising that Sudan would act this way. Syria's government seems to be standing on its last legs, and with the situation playing out as violently as it is, it is not shocking that Bashir and Sudan would pull this move, regardless if Syria was quick to help them in the past.

David Johnson

http://www.sudantribune.com/Shame-on-you-Syria-tells-Sudan,40708

Talks Unlikely due to Sudan Conflict

Talks between Sudan and South Sudan are unlikely due to recent violence along the border regions, but the prospect of war is doubtful. According to President Salya Kirr of South Sudan, the South is not willing to further place its people in danger for the sake of fighting with the North. He stated he does not want the North infringing upon the sovereign rights of South Sudan. Subsequently, the northern army conducted two cross-border air strikes on both a refugee camp and a ground attack in the states of Unity and the Upper Nile. Khartoum rejected these charges claiming that Juba was “supplying the southern-aligned SPLM-North rebels that the Sudanese armed forces (SAF) claims to have defeated in Blue Nile state but continues to battle in South Kordofan.” Those analyzing the situation, claim the violence in the tense border regions are going to worsen the situation for Juba and Khartoum where disputes over allocating oil revenue and other post-secession issues.

http://news.yahoo.com/sudan-conflict-undermines-talks-war-unlikely-analysts-202213516.html

Taryn Vaughan

Rebel Alliance Forms to Overthrow Khartoum Regime

Rebel factions headquartered in Darfur as well as the southern border states have joined forces in a more concentrated effort to overthrow the Bashir regime in Khartoum and replace it with a democratic system. The Justice and Equality Movement combined forces with two elements of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army in the past several weeks to create the Sudanese Revolutionary Front. "This is a military and political alliance. We will co-ordinate fighting to end this government which wants no peace," said Ibrahim el-Hilu, a spokesman for one faction of the Sudan Liberation Army. In response, government spokespersons have accused South Sudan of continuing to support these rebel groups even after the split between Sudan and South Sudan. Analysts see this move as a signal of increasing violence in the near future both in the north and the south as the alliance is the most credible threat to the Khartoum regime that has emerged in recent memory.

By: Nick McGuire

South Sudan October Inflation Jumpsto 71.7 pct

Due to a rise in cost of food goods, inflation in South Sudan has increased over 10%. The rise in food cost is mainly due to the rocky relationship between Sudan and South Sudan. The lack of banking and travel agreements has further increased the headache that is trade between the rivals.

In addition, the Sudanese bombing of a South Sudan refugee camp is complicating matters further.

The level to which South Sudan relies on its former master is causing problems. Coupled with difficulties in the export of oil, South Sudan is going to find it increasingly difficult to balance its economy.

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFLAE36281320111113

Stephen Phelps

Disease in Africa: Good and Bad news

Scientists find big chink in in malaria's armor, headlines Khaleej Times. Research into how the disease enters the blood cells has led to a possible way to block all known strains of malaria from entering them, allowing scientists a specific path for which to look in the search for a vaccine.

However, another article suggests that climate change may allow insects that carry and spread diseases such as sleeping sickness, yellow fever, and malaria to propagate with greater intensity which would cause the diseases to become more common and wide-spread.

Now the question is, would a vaccine be a positive change or merely counter balance the increase in malaria and other insect-carried diseases?

-Rebeca

South Sudan Delays Program to Root Out Unqualified State Workers

A new program set up to root unqualified state workers in South Sudan is being delayed with concerns of who the it will affect. The Southern Sudan feel these public jobs are entitled to them after enduring a brutal civil war and battle for independence. I can't blame them!

It is estimated that as many as 65 percent of state workers may have falsified their credentials or are unqualified. Public- service jobs are seen as just reward for people who fought in a two-decade civil war that led to South Sudan’s independence on July 9, said Deputy Information Minister Atem Yaak Atem. 42 % of this years budget (98% of which comes from oil production) in South Sudan will go to paying salaries of these workers. Other governments are encouraging South Sudan to look into the issue but nothing has been done thus far..

By: Liz Hasseld
Bloomberg

South Sudan has a Limo! And growing pains.

Trying to be serious, it is true that the South now has a single limo, which is often rented out by the up-and-coming for weddings and other big events. In some parts of the south, wealth is springing up out of the dust. Humvees and Range Rovers have replaced UN aid vehicles and upscale living and shopping districts are replacing decrepit shanty-towns. This optimistic growth has even provided opportunities for citizens of other nations, as Ugandans, Kenyans, and Eritrean people are flooding in to start hotels and high-end restaurants.

This wealth and prosperity is still a dream for most South Sudanese though, as thousands of refugees from the north are still flooding in and facing dire poverty. Some people already have concerns of drugs and corruption overtaking the new country, as some fear that the Southern government may one day be a mirror of the north.

Bree Roozen

Bahir Has Visited Kurmuk

On Sunday, Bashir visited Kurmuk, a town that was recaptured by his army in the mountainous region of the Blue Nile. Bashir wanted to reiterate that the army will continue their offensive approach in the region until the rebels are crushed. Bashir also urged the townspeople that had fled during the violence to return and he said as a result of the recapture the area will be given rehabilitation and reconstruction programs. Bashir wants this effort to come from the government, not a foreign provider. Since Kurmuk is close to the border of Sudan and Ethiopia, the president does not want anymore people fleeing to Ethiopia and hopes that by establishing rebuilding programs the population will return.

To read more: http://www.afriquejet.com/sudan-omar-el-bashir-2011110626789.html

-Kathleen

Iran nearing nuclear weapon capability

Khaleej Times released an article stating that the IAEA, the UN oversight agency for nuclear power usage and distribution, had found evidence that Iran's nuclear program had reached a level that would allow the state to create nuclear bombs.

-Rebeca

UN peacekeeper killed in Darfur

One UN peacekeeper from Sierra Leone was killed in Darfur. Two others were injured in the attack on a patrol station. According the the UN-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID) 33 peacekeepers have been killed in Darfur since the force began its mission in 2007 in an effort to end hostilities between rebels and the Khartoum government. It has not been determined who was responsible for this particular attack and it was not immediately confirmed by Sudanese officials.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack (which took place near Nyala) and put his faith for the government of Khartoum to "swiftly bring those responsible for this reprehensible act to justice,"

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h54EpZoOmA_2Gm9UolIZmuaLbARw?docId=CNG.c6eb16defd83bb49882e3187c9eea39e.731

By: Liz Hasseld

South Sudan Rejects Sudan's Complaint to UN over Rebels

In two border regions of Sudan where there is great conflict South Sudan denied assisting insurgents with arms when Sudan brought the case to the United Nations. In July, South Sudan became a new country, but there is still plenty of conflicting occuring in the border region. Both countries continue to debate on issues like how to control the oil industry. Khartoum brought its second complaint to the attention of the Security Council because South Sudan suposedly provided various armaments and military machines (including anti-aircraft missiles) to Sudan People's Liberation Army. South Sudan denied this accusation, stating that they are not providing supplies to anyone and said the South is trying to mask their support for rebels in the south. South Sudan claims to not even have anti-aircraft missiles. There are many SPLA-N fighters' who have uniforms still with the flag of the former rebel group that won independence. Today they control South Sudan.

http://news.yahoo.com/south-sudan-rejects-sudans-complaint-u-n-over-151231408.html

Taryn Vaughan

U.S.$480 Million Spent On Darfur Peace Strategy

To this date it is estimated that over $480 Billion has been spent in order to try and reach a peace strategy in the Darfur region of Sudan. This aid coming from a myriad of countries is said to not be reaching and making the significant impacts that many would think they would. It seems that a large portion has fell into the hands of the corrupt and not distributed to those in need, a common theme with aid money in Africa. This is especially serious due to the fact that in the southern part of Darfur violence and strife is still occuring. The seccession of South Sudan is a burden on Southern pastoralists who can no longer travel freely.

Matt Boguslawski

South Sudan to Use English for Education

The government of South Sudan has announced that the nation will use English as the primary language of instruction throughout its schools in an effort to make South Sudanese students more competitive from a global perspective. This move would effectively halt the use of Arabic as the primary language of instruction. Information Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin stated, “We will soon be teaching English for subjects like Mathematics and Science and Arabic and the same goes for all other subjects. Arabic will be taught only as a language subject." This move comes as part of the Higher and General Education Bill which was passed recently. Many in the fledgling nation hope that the use of English will serve as a unifying force in an area that is currently home to as many as 60 different spoken languages. It would also strengthen ties to other east African nations that similarly use English throughout their educational systems thereby creating opportunities for South Sudanese students to attend universities outside of the country.

By: Nick McGuire

South Sudanese fear impact of farming deals

South Sudan is allowing foreign investment groups to buy large tracts of land. The stated goal of the investment groups is to bring agricultural development to South Sudan.

Egypt's Citadel Capital has set up a farming operation in South Sudan's Unity State. However, this agricultural operation is staffed by laborers from Zimbabwe, not South Sudan. Further, the crops harvested on this land will be sold to the government of South Sudan. This is raising fears that the food will go to the army, which is still taking up a huger percentage of the South Sudanese governmental budget.

Coincidentally, the land which Citadel Capital has leased lies within the oil-rich Unity State. Obviously, this fact has raised fears that the motives of Citadel Capital and other investment groups may lie beneath the land they are leasing.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dde59072-061e-11e1-a079-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1cyAlWaCc

Stephen Phelps

Sudan Files UN Complaint against South

The Republic of Sudan has sent official complaints to the United Nations that claim that South Sudan is arming rebel groups that are attacking Sudanese troops and villages. The complaints, directed towards the U.N. Security Council, claim that rebel groups are being given ammunition, landmines, and anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles by the South, while the South has responded by saying that they don't even have anti-aircraft missiles for themselves, let alone to deploy to rebel groups in up north.

The bloody battles occurring along the disputed North-South border are unfolding in similarly inhumane ways as have occured in the past in Sudan. The separation of the North and South into two different entities has done little to solve any problems, and if anything it has caused an escalation in violence and struggle. The sad irony of Sudan complaining that South Sudan is arming rebel groups in the north is that Sudan's government is undoubetdly doing the same thing with rebel groups in the south. There are still many territorial and economic issues that stand unresolved from when the country split in two, and with the lack of strong governments in place, this split will continue to cause increasing amounts of violence unless something is done to stop it.

David Johnson

http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE7A500320111106pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true

Bashir Promises 'liberation' of Southern Cities

Today in Khartoum, Bashir spoke of an imminent attack on rebel strongholds in the Blue Nile state. He claims the SPLM-N forces are on the outskirts of towns in the Blue Nile, and that his forces will be performing prayers for the holiday Eid al-Adha this Sunday in those same towns. Residents fear escalation of violence and many are fleeing the state, some claiming that their towns were bombed by the infamous air-raids the Sudanese government has employed in the past. UN numbers estimate already 27,500 refugees fleeing to Ethiopia just since the fighting broke out.

Bree Roozen

US Extends Sanctions on Sudan

Economic sanctions first imposed in 1997 on Khartoum's government have once again had their repeal denied despite promises by the United States government to remove some sanction contingent on the 2011 Referendum's success.
Although the referendum is seen as having gone off fairly well, fighting continues in the contested regions of Abyei and the Blue Nile region causing US hesitation to remove long-promised change in the United States position in Sudanese politics. On Tuesday, President Obama extended the sanctions for another year stating "Khartoum's policies had not yet improved enough to warrant their removal."

Some small steps have been taken to reduce sanctions on farm equipment on the Sudan's crippled agricultural production in the wake of massive price inflation in struggling food markets. However, it has yet to remove Sudan from the list of State sponsored terrorists which is contingent on the continuing conflict in Darfur which Khartoum's government refuses to recognize as a genocide.

Economic sanctions against the South Sudan have been lifted by the United States to hopefully help foster economic development in the newly created country, but sanctions remain on oil exports as the economy of the South and Sudan are still greatly connected by this revenue.

By: Gina Fazio

Student Protests in North Sudan

Four Hundred students at the University of Kassala in eastern Sudan (in the North) held protest demanding the chancellor be dismissed.

A day earlier, the students were holding demonstrations protesting the rising cost of living and high education fees. Police fired tear gas to break up the protests. Protests has been happening over the past three weeks and this was the first time the police intervened. Since the intervention even more students have showed up to continue the protests.

Sudan’s annual inflation rate stood at almost 21 percent last month, the Khartoum-based Central Bureau of Statistics said on Oct. 7.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-10-31/sudan-university-student-protests-in-east-enter-third-week.html

By: Liz Hasseld

Ugandan border moves into South Sudanese territory

Reports have emerged from South Sudan that unilaterally the southern border the country shares with Uganda was moved as defined by Global Positioning Satellites suddenly giving the country some territory that belongs to Southern Sudan.

Border relations between the world's newest country and Uganda have been a continuous problem as Ugandan Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) has had a significant presence in the border regions in search of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) which they had perused across the border into South Sudan. Sources assert that the LRA "is no longer in the area".


By: Gina Fazio

UNESCO Reprimands South Sudan on Education Reform

On saturday, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)called for the newly formed nation of South Sudan to allocate more resources towards its extremely limited educational system. According to the organization, South Sudan has some of the worst indicators for education levels in the world. These comments were made during a ceremony which welcomed South Sudan as UNESCO's newest memeber and happened only two days after the fledgling nation had completed the procedures necessary to ratify the agency's constitution. Irina Bokova, UNESCO's Director-General, pledged to stand by South Sudan throughout the process of educational advancement but stated that the nation still faced 'immense challenges'. One startling statistic presented by the organization stated that only eight percent of women in South Sudan know how to read and there are estimated to be only 400 girls in the last grade of secondary school within the entire country of 8 million people.

By: Nick McGuire

Chinese Firm Wins Contract for S. Sudan's New Capital

Currently in the new nation of South Sudan the capital city is Juba. However, it has been decided that a different capital is wanted by the people and government and is to be located 60 miles from Juba. With this information there have been amount of dealings being done for the construction rights of the building of the new capital. The contract has been awarded to a Chinese firm for an undisclosed amount. This sort of dealing is following what has been seen in Sudan and all of Africa with a strong Chinese pressence for construction in return for access to natural resources.

Matt Boguslawski

The UN Decides NATO Mission Has Been Accomplished in Libya

The UN security council has decided that Nato’s mission in Libya will formally be over on Monday. This mission was first launched to protect Libyan civilians by any means necessary following Gaddafi’s violent assault on protester. In the process, Nato was able to get rid of Gaddafi and his control network. Although Libya’s National Transitional Council has asked for NATO to stay because of continued security needs the security council decided that the passed mandate to protect Libyan citizens has already been achieved. Any further military action mandated by the UN will need to be voted on separately. Even though the UN will no longer have a strong military presence on the ground, western countries have continued to keep advisors in Libya to try to keep the stockpiles of weapons found in the country from entering the wrong hands.

to read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15516795

-Kathleen Fultz

Students Lead Anti-Government Protest in Sudan

Students organized an anti-government protest in the eastern Sudan town of Kassala today, centered on poverty and overall inflation in the country. The protest, which included hundreds of young Sudanese, is a promising step for the people of Sudan. Though small in scale, hopefully increased pressure will continue to be put on a regime that has severly lacked accountability in its actions for over 20 years. Even before the North-South split that cut deeply into the North's oil revenue stream, the Sudan government has never really shown any sort of fiscal responsiblity, or responsibility of any sort for that matter. Now as the country tries to diversify its trade assets, corruption and the lack of governmental planning are chief reasons why the economy is regressing and the people are suffering at even greater rates. Protests like these need to amplify so the government feels enough pressure to reform and improve, or so it can be replaced by (hopefully), a brighter and less morally reprehensible government.

http://af/reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL5E7LU0LC20111030

David Johnson

Un urged to Monitor Government moving Militia

On October 29, the UN's head of peacekeeping stated that the peacekeeping mission in Darfur has no mandate to monitor the government and the flying on Janjaweed members from Darfur to the Blue Nile State. UNAMID is a one billion a year peacekeeping effort in Darfur. Susan Rice was asked if monitoring the Sudanese government and their activity of transporting militia members, she stated, shed have to take a closer look at the recent mandates. Then she was asked if the UN has an abiding duty to stop war crimes. Her response was, " I dont think its specifically mandated"

I think this is important because of our discussion of genocide and if it determines a states legal obligation to do something when they label human rights violations as genocide. It is similar because although there is no legal obligation there should be some sense of obligation because of the facts, and the knowledge of human rights violations, instead of sitting by and watching them occur.

http://www.innercitypress.com/unamid1mandate102911.html

Katie Kruse

S.Sudan dismisses rebel warning of looming advance

An armed rebel group the South Sudanese Liberation Army (SSLA) has said they captured the town of Mayom in the oil rich Unity State and were poised to attack Warap. The SSLA has said they will liberate the people of South Sudan from corruption and poverty.

South Sudanese government sources claim that there is no threat and the SSLA is not in control of Mayom. Military leaders in South Sudan also claim there is no significan security threat to Mayom.

The SSLA has given NGO and aid workers three days to leave Warap, their reported next target.

It will be interesting to see if the SSLA are able to hold up their threat. Further, it will be important to see if the South Sudanese government and military is actually aware and in control of their own state.

It will be curious to see how groups such as the SSLA will effect the economic and political development of South Sudan.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h8nWpT0OZBfXYzNbXTsR0ePy8gSQ?docId=CNG.22bf39aaf6fbe6d2d020bdb834fe727f.01

Stephen Phelps

Sudan distributes 50 additional Gold Exploration Licenses

Recently, Sudan which produces African gold, has distributed fifty more licenses to firms to search for gold as well as other minerals. In response to all the oil reserves lost to South Sudan which became independent in July, increasing production of African gold is one way Sudan hopes to replenish what it has lost.

The licenses permit these firms to search for gold in the eleven states. Thus far, Sudan has distributed about 200 gold exploration licenses in total. Minerals Minister, Ahmed, stated the plan for next year is to create a refinery that can hold 150 tons of gold and 30 tons of silver. Sudan estimates in 2011, it will produce approximately 70 tons of gold. It’s estimated that 6-7 tons of gold will derive from ordinary mines while the remaining is produced by over 200 local Sudanese that were drawn to the gold rush.

http://news.yahoo.com/sudan-hands-50-more-gold-exploration-licenses-181820762.html

Taryn Vaughan

Rebels Attack South Sudanese Town

Rebels from the Southern Sudanese Liberation Army (SSLA) have attacked an area in South Sudan particularly rich with oil. According to BBC, the SSLA is reluctant to accept the SPLM, another rebel group, as leaders, citing corruption and underdevelopment. The SSLA encouraged UN workers to leave the state.

-Rebeca

Music in the Streets of Sudan

On Monday, a famous Sudanese singer dedicated a new song to peace in Darfur at a UN Day event. The celebration took place in the northern Darfur capital El-Fashir, and had a strong political message to the government of Sudan and their actions in the Darfur. Lyrics referenced the displacement of people, the death of children, and that the women of Darfur shouldn't suffer from the actions of violence. At the celebration was peace envoys from 18 countries throughout Europe, Africa, and the Americas, and all present strongly enforced the message that it was time to stop the internal violence in the Sudan.

Being the third-largest installation of UN personal in the world, following New York and Geneva, there was also a memorial for those killed in the recent attack on UN troops by rebels.

The song isn't up on youtube yet either, I checked. But I'm sure it's catchy.

Bree Roozen

A Media Forum in South Sudan Talks About Press Freedom

On the 22nd of October, South Sudan hosted a media forum in Juba, urging the news media to be unbiased and deliver objective journalism as the country starts to mature out of their new independence. The country is trying to initiate an independent media base that is not pressured by the government officials. The chairman of the Union of Journalists of Southern Sudan Oliver Modi spoke to the Committee to Protect Journalists to raise concerns over the eight attacks against the press in 2011. This forum was set up to ease the fears of journalists that are nervous about reporting criticism about the South Sudanese government. Topics discussed included press freedom and making the media independent from the government. The next step will be to pass clear legislation on media by the South Sudanese government to establish the place of journalism in this new country.

To read more: http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-media-forum-calls-for,40507

Title of the artice: South Sudan Media Forum calls for Objective Reporting

-Kathleen Fultz

Sudanese Military Claims Control of Sali

According to the Sudanese Government, the city of Sali has been taken over by the army. Sali is the stronghold of the SPLA in the Blue Nile region. The Sudanese Government claims that the battle had only lasted 12 hours and it was an easy victory. However, the leader of the SPLA in the city of Sali claims that the Sudanese army has not even yet entered Sali and that three Sudanese helicopters have been brought down in the fighting, according to them the battle is not yet over. The fact that fighting is occuring is evidence of the fighting and escalating violence in the southern part of Sudan.

Matt Boguslawski

Sudan, Rebel Groups Report Attempts to Work Towards Peace

News reports coming from Khartoum indicate that the Sudanese government hopes to improve peace relations with rebel groups out of Darfur, including main groups such as the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). The Doha peace deal signed months ago that was suppossed to serve as a peace accord for Darfur, included only the Liberation and Justice Movement rebel group as a signatoree, and did not involve the SLM or JEM at all. It was also stated at the time by the Sudanese government that if a deal had not been reached by October with the SLM or JEM, that insurgence could be carried out and violent means taken to essentialy eradicate the groups. But this new announcement included a suspension of sorts on that timeline, and indication that peace will be welcomed at any point by the government. This does not change the fact that peace is rarely legitmately sought out by any of the players (government, rebel groups), and that violence and atrocities continue while the government offers these hollow words and empty statements. The Doha Darfur Peace Document has thus far shown to be another half-hearted attempt at achieving stability in the region, and Darfur and its people are still waiting for any type of meaningful and long-lasting action regarding peace.

David Johnson

www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-says-ready-for-peace-with,40498

Ahmadinejad meets Sudan, India and Ivory Coast new ambassadors

http://www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1875804&Lang=E

On Saturday Ahmadinejad met with the new Sudanese ambassador,Mir-Ghani Ababakr, to Iran. His comments addressed issues of establishing justice and peace in the world. Iran hopes their relations will grow as they are two countries rooted in the Islamic tradition. After meeting with several other African leaders, Ahmadinejad stressed the importance of strong relations between Iran and Africa to fight off the hegemonic powers who have carried out great injustice toward the nations across the world.

“The first obstacle is the hegemonic powers’ will to prevent boosting cooperation amongst the independent countries that Iran has crossed it, the second one is the existence of redundant and voluminous bureaucratic structures that should be won by holding different joint conferences between the economy and industry activists and also advancing the relation on banking and customs, ”Ahmadinejad noted. The friendship between Iran and Sudan is sadly predictable.

By:Liz Hasseld

Humanitarian Situation in South Kordofon and Blue Nile

The government representative for the United Special, Princeton Lyman wants Khartoum to allow international organizations to evaluate the humanitarian situation in border states of South Kordofon and the Blue Nile. Lyman met with Osman, the foreign ministry undersecretary, in an attempt to accomplish a plan of action to settle disputes in the border region of Abyei. Osman’s response was that the situation in Abyei was political not humanitarian and is irritated the North and South have not had meetings regarding security issues.

Fighting occurred earlier this year in the two border states of South Kordofon and Blue Nile region. Both of these states were allies to South Sudan during the civil war but became a part of the North when the South gained independence. Marawih, the foreign ministry spokesperson explained that Osman accused the SPLM for the animosity because it did not withdraw forces from South Kordofon and Blue Nile, according to the 2005 Peace Agreement. The Sudanese government is not open to the SPLM-N troops staying. The government has tried to disarm the SPLM in the two states. The international community was blamed for making it a humanitarian circumstance putting more stress on Khartoum instead of the party responsible for the fighting.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201110230018.html

Taryn Vaughan