AU and IGAD to investigate claims of rebel support JUBA, July 2013 – The African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and the regional body, Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) today jointly launched an Adhoc Investigative Mechanism (AIM) to look into the allegations of rebel support between Sudan and South Sudan.
Launched in the Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa, AIM is comprised of three senior military officers namely, Brigadier-General Luis InacioMuxito, Defense and Security Advisor to the Chair of the Commission as Chair of the mechanism; Major-General (Retired) Julius Olakunle Sunday Oshanupin; and Brigadier-General Jean Baptiste Tine. The team is expected to complete its findings in six weeks. “The mistrust caused by such allegations has jeopardized the implementation of the Addis Ababa Agreements signed on 27 September 2013, as well as the normalization of relations between the two states”, the African Union noted in a press statement issued today. Mr. Thabo Mbeki, the chief mediator of the post independence talks between Sudan and South Sudan Another mechanism, the AU Border Programme’s determination of the centerline for the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ) between the two countries was as well launched to facilitate the full operationalization of the SDBZ and to address the security relations between Sudan and South Sudan. The machanism was proposed by the chief mediator and former South African President Thabo Mbeki. “The launch of these mechanisms underscores the seriousness with which the African Union and IGAD regard the relations between Sudan and South Sudan. Since 2010, Africa has been working tirelessly to promote two mutually viable states, and these current allegations threaten this objective, and in fact pose a threat to regional peace and security”, read the statement in part. The Commission and the Chair of IGAD called on both states to meet their international obligations and promote mutual cooperation for the benefit of their citizens.' The launch was presided over by the Ethiopian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tedros Adhanom, representing the Chair of IGAD, and the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ramtane Lamamra, representing the Commission of the African Union. Reported by Matata Safi Oil production reduced in anticipation for a possible shut down JUBA, 20 July 2013 - South Sudan has started a gradual reduction on its daily crude oil production to avoid possible environmental impact resulting from a back-pressure should Sudan go ahead and implement its decision to halt the country’oil exports. Mawien Makol Arik, South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs ministry spokesman told reporters on Wednesday that South Sudan through it’s embassy in Khartoum received notification from Sudanese government regarding its 60 days warning to effect an oil shutdown decision. "The reduction started yesterday [May 16], it is going to go down gradually until it goes off. This is a decision made by Khartoum, they are still accusing us of supporting their rebels, he said. South Sudan categorically denied the allegations in turn it says Sudan’s rebel accusations are a “rubber stamp” to cover their support to militia groups operating in South Sudan. Oil pipeline carrying South Sudan's crude oil to Port Sudan via Sudan [Photo: Reuters] Since resuming production early in April this year, South Sudan had reached production level of 200, 000 barrels of crude oil per day after shutting down its entire production of 300, 000 barrels more than sixteen months ago over a raw on transit fee with Sudan. In September last year, Sudan and South Sudan inked the cooperation agreement whose implementation was to see two viable states. The talks have been mediated by the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) headed by the former South Sudan’s President Thabo Mbeki. Sudan Mr. Arik said by the letter stressed it will shutdown South Sudan’s oil flow by August 7, next month. South Sudan and Sudan have been engaged in talks to defuse the tension caused by President Omar el Basir’s decision. South Sudan’s Vice President Dr. Riek Machar on June 30, led a high level delegation to Khartoum that met with President Basir, his counterpart Alli Osman Taha besides other senior government official. The two authorities reportedly reiterated their commitment to implement the cooperation agreement signed in the Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa in September. In a related development, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Nhail Deng Nhail on Thursday met with the Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of Norway Hanne Marie Haarstad to South Sudan and the duo discussed the country’s relations with Sudan particularly in regard to the sticky implementation of the cooperation agreement. After the meeting, Ambassador Haarstad reiterated the need for both parties to stick to the provisions in the agreement to address cases arising from its implementation. She said, “The international community is committed in seeing the full implementation of the cooperation agreement including the final status of contested Abyei region”. Reported by Lindri Godfrey Alex. President Kiir names the national football team, the Bright Star JUBA, 19 July 2013 - President of the Republic H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit has officially named the National Football Team as the Bright Star. The President unveiled the name at a colorful match between the National Team and their South Sudanese brothers from the Diaspora on Wednesday at the Juba football stadium. The match presided over by the President was part of the ongoing commemoration of the second anniversary independence celebrations. President Kiir shooting the ball [Photo: Thomas Keneth] The national Minister of sports Dr. Cirino Hiteng and many senior government officials joined the thousands of the sports lovers that braved the chilling evening at Juba stadium that saw the national team thrashing the visiting brothers 3 goals to 2. Addressing the players and participants, President Kiir, known to many South Sudanese as the “father of the nation” stressed on the importance of unity which he said is a precondition for the country’s development process. He underscored the role of sports the world over, saying it should be encouraged to foster unity among the people of South Sudan. The sports Minister Hon. Hiteng urged the team to abide by the sporting spirit and work hard to carry the name of the country high. President of the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) Charbur Goj hailed the presence of the President saying it shows government commitment in strengthening sports activities in the country. Reported by Thomas Keneth. “Implementing cooperation agreement offers Sudan a window of opportunity” IMF JUBA, 18 July 2013 – Implementing the September cooperation agreement with South Sudan offers Sudan a window of opportunity to bring about a much-needed turnaround in the country’s struggling economy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said. “The March 2013 agreement with South Sudan on oil and security matters is offering a window of opportunity for bold policy reforms to address the post-secession challenges and bring about a much-needed turnaround” said IMF in a press release yesterday, upon return of its mission led by Mr. Edward Gemayal to Khartoum for a two-week consultative meeting on its 2013 Article IV. Despite an initial package of corrective measures adopted in June 2012 for Sudan, the world financial body said Sudan continues to grapple with the macroeconomic impact of the July 2011 secession of South Sudan and its economic developments remain mixed. While inflation has shown recent signs of moderation, and fiscal performance in the first half of 2013 exceeded budget projections, IMF stressed further action [refering to its internal policies and implementing the agreement with south sudan] is needed to safeguard macroeconomic stability and support the needed recovery in the country. Progress on the implementation of the September peace pack has been faced with a bumpy road much due to what South Sudan calls as “dragging feet” by the government of Sudan to fully implementing the African Union (AU) mediated Cooperation agreement. Last month, Sudan threatened to block access of South Sudan’s crude oil into the international markets through its oil infrastructures on grounds that South Sudan is “supporting” rebels against his government. An allegation, South Sudan has rubbished. The mission, met with Sudan’s Minister of Finance and National Economy Ali Mahmood Mohamed Abdelrasool, Governor of the Central Bank Mohamed Kheir Ahmed Elzubeir, and representatives of the private sector, civil society and development partners. Reported by Matata Safi. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/SouthSudanKob/CAJb14orA-iO2tVpg3si2yjK5SV3819N61sXfTOg7KeygDY1zKA%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
