Day: March 25, 2022

A protester was shot dead and dozens wounded on Thursday in fresh protests across the country rejecting the military coup that isolated the country against and aggravated the economic crisis in Sudan.

Following a two-day blockade of the Sudanese capital streets, thousands of protesters gathered in Khartoum city before heading to the Republican Palace chanting pro-democracy slogans.

In Khartoum, the security forces used excessive force to disperse the protesters and prevent them from reaching the headquarters of the military-led Sovereign Council. Also, they arrested several protesters and took them to an unknown location.

While in Madani, capital of the Al Jazirah state, in central Sudan, a protester was killed by a cartridge weapon that the security forces use more and more to disperse the protests.

The independent medical group Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD) said he was hit in the chest area, between the neck and the abdomen by a cartridge weapon at close range.

The death toll from the bloody crackdown on anti-coup nationwide protests rose to 90 on Thursday, March 24, 2022.

“The coup (leaders) continue to use lethal violence against peaceful protesters who remain committed to non-violence, which has proven its strength against bullets and the security arsenal,” said the CCSD.

Despite the excessive use of violence, the military leaders have failed to quell the protest movement that has begun with the coup of October 25, 2021.

This failure recently opened the door for rumours about another coup to end the “constitutional vacuum” and to appoint a government that would impose martial law ending protests.

In an opinion published in the Assayha newspaper on Thursday, Abdallah Mursal, a former minister in the al-Bashir regime called on al-Burhan and his deputy Hemetti to take a series of drastic measures to prevent attempts to overthrow their rule.

Source: Sudan Tribune

The head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Nicholas Haysom has urged all signatories to the revitalized peace deal to respect provisions of the accord that ended the civil war.

The call comes days after the armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) suspended participation in the security mechanisms in protest of attacks allegedly carried out by government forces on its positions in Upper Nile and Equatoria regions.

“The decision by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) to suspend its participation in the security mechanisms of the peace agreement is deeply worrying,” said Haysom in a statement.

“However, we acknowledge some of the concerns raised by the SPLM-IO, especially the alarming spike in violent conflict in Upper Nile and the Unity States, that has directly impacted their cantonment sites as well as innocent civilians,” he added.

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) also expressed concerns over the consequential violence regarding ongoing defections among the ranks of stakeholders, calling on all parties to comply fully with the letter and spirit of the revitalized peace agreement.

“Less than 12 months of the transitional period remain; it is crucial that all parties continue their best efforts to sustain the ceasefire and work towards implementing all outstanding benchmarks so that free and fair elections can take place,” stressed Haysom.

He added, “There is no military solution to the conflict in South Sudan. I encourage all political parties to put aside their differences in the larger interest of peace, progress, and prosperity. UNMISS stands ready to extend its full support in this regard”.

The UN mission, Haysom further said, continues to engage with communities and authorities in all volatile locations to prevent further escalation, and to support humanitarian partners in delivering aid to the conflict-affected.

Source: Sudan Tribune

South Sudan’s army and the armed opposition forces (SPLA-IO) traded multiple accusations on Thursday, each blaming the other for violating a ceasefire agreement in Upper Nile State counties.

The clashes, which started in Maiwut County over the weekend between 19 March and 20 March 2022, spread to Longechuk County on Thursday.

South Sudan’s army spokesperson, Major Gen. Lul Ruai Koang claimed the armed opposition led by First Vice President Riek Machar have officially declared the war with the military, pointing to attacks in several places.

“SPLA-IO is officially at war with SSPDF and SSPDF at the general headquarters would like to inform our ranks and files, people of South Sudan, region and the international community that our peace partner, SPLA-IO is officially at war with SSPDF, the national army”, said Koang in a statement announcing an attack to have taken place in Longechuk. Today, March 24, 2022, at dawn, SSPDF forces under the command of Major General James Khor Chuol Giet, in Malual-Gathoth, Maiwut, Upper Nile State, came under deliberate attacks”, said Koang.

He added: “The attacking forces are under the overall command of Lt. Gen Duit Yiech. By the time this brief was posted, active combat was ongoing. SSPDF General Headquarters, Bilpam, will keep you updated.”

The army official, in a separate statement, said armed opposition fighters were also preparing to attack other areas like Pagak, Maiwut and Turru.

He dismissed reports that SSPDF carried out attacks on the positions held by armed opposition fighters, citing verbal threats to declare war on the government forces on many occasions and they have now actualized.

Source: Sudan Tribune

South Sudan’s Vice President for services cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol on Thursday held talks with the force commander and acting chief of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), Major General, Benjamin Olufemi Sawyer.

The talks centered on the need to enhance the protection of the civilians and to ensure no armed personnel carries weapons in to Abyei region.

Akol commended UNISFA for maintaining order and providing security.

Olufemi said UNISFA is committed to work with all the parties in Abyei.

“General Sawyer, however, decried the deteriorating security situation in the Abyei Area since the beginning of February and assured the people that the mission will ensure there are no security gaps despite the troop withdrawal and reconfiguration of the mission,” UNISFA said in a statement.

Olufemi, according to a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Friday, stressed the need to promote dialogue between the two communities and avoid activities that will upset peace and security in the disputed area.

“He [Olufemi] encouraged them to accept the establishment of Community Protection Committees [CPC] and the activation of the early warning system (EWS),” it further stressed.

The UNISFA force commander also met and exchanged views with the Misseriya traditional and community leaders led by paramount chief Muktar. The leaders called for more development in northern Abyei and underscored the importance of complying with the June 2011 agreement between Sudan and Southern Sudan as the only legitimate agreement on Abyei.

“In Todach, General Sawyerr met with representatives of the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka traders operating in the Amiet Market. He charged them to live in peace with one another and avoid conflicts, stressing that as traders, they needed a peaceful environment to carry out their business activities without interruption,” the statement said.

Also present at the meeting were the deputy UNISFA force commander, Brig. Gen Syed Mohammod Abu Bakir, UNISFA Police Commissioner Violet Nasambu Lusala and the Mission’s Chief of Staff, Alexander Rose.

Source: Sudan Tribune