Day: September 4, 2021

Sudan has strongly denied on Friday allegations its army was providing support to the Tigray rebels fighting against the Ethiopian government in northern Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian army stated that its forces killed some 50 fighters of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) who attempted to cross from Sudan.

The military statement added that the army captured anti-vehicle mines and various kinds of explosives rebels had planned to use to sabotage the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

For his part, Sudanese army spokesman Brigadier Al-Tahir Abu Haja swiftly turned down the “baseless accusations” in a statement on Friday evening.

“Sudan and its army do not interfere in the internal issues of neighbouring Ethiopia or other countries,” said Abu Haja before urging Ethiopia to not involve Sudan in its internal disputes.

“This statement reflects the harsh reality faced by the Ethiopian regime because of the continuing violations of the rights of the (Ethiopian) people,” he added.

Sudan and Ethiopia are at odds over the border area of Al-Fashaga. Also, the tripartite talks over the GRED are stalled as Sudan calls for a legally binding agreement ensuring a regular exchange of water data to protect its dams.

In November 2020, war broke out in the Tigray region between the federal army and the TPLF which ruled the northern part of Ethiopia.

In June 2021, the TPLF retook control of Tigray and expanded the conflict into the neighbouring regions of Afar and Amhara.

Ethiopia has rejected an initiative to mediate the conflict by the Sudanese Prime Minister who is also the IGAD Chair.

The conflict displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians as aid groups estimate that about 900,000 people in Tigray are already in famine conditions, and five million others are in dire need of humanitarian aid.

Source: Sudan Tribune

The South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) dismissed accusations that its fighters were behind insecurity and attacks along the Juba Nimule highway.

General view of Juba Nimule road leading to Nimule Park and neighbouring Uganda (Pinterest photo)On 30 August, President Salva Kiir accused the National Salvation Front (NAS), which is one of the alliance factions, of carrying out an attack on August 16 on civilians travelling on the highway that resulted in the death of several people including two catholic nuns.

In a statement extended to the Sudan Tribune on Friday, SSOMA rejected the accusation saying the attack was done by the South Sudanese government army and its security apparatus (SSPDF/NSS).

SSOMA further pointed out that on the day where the bloody attack occurred huge security forces were deployed along the highway to protect the presidential convoy as President Kiir and his deputy James Wani were travelling from Loa to Juba after attending Loa Parish Centenary celebration.

“Therefore, it is none other than elements of SSPDF and NSS who committed this heinous crime,” reads the statement.

The Community of Sant’Egidio has brokered a peace process supported by the United States aiming to bring the non-signatory groups including SSOMA factions to join the revitalized peace agreement of September 2018.

After accusing NAS fighters of the attack, President Kiir announced the suspension of his government’s participation in the process.

In response to this suspension, SSOMA said they were not surprised by the presidential decision.

“Kiir’s statement of ’pausing’ his regime’s engagement with SSOMA through the Community of Sant’Egidio is an indication of the regime’s usual lack of political will to end the suffering of the people of South Sudan and bring about sustainable peace and prosperity,” further said SSOMA.

The opposition alliance, nonetheless, reiterated its “unwavering commitment” to process and pursue the Sant Egidio brokered negotiations to reach a peaceful resolution of the conflict in South Sudan.

Source: Sudan Tribune