Day: June 3, 2022

Khartoum state on Thursday announced the closure of bridges in the Sudanese capital ahead of planned demonstrations to commemorate the third anniversary of the bloody raid on a pro-democracy sit-in.

Some 130 people were killed on June 3, 2019, according to rights activists, when the security forces attacked a sit-in outside the army general command in Khartoum. But the authorities said only 87 were killed.

In advance of a planned demonstration on Friday, the Khartoum state issued a statement announcing the closure of all bridges except for Al-Halfaya and Soba bridges.

This decision is “part of the measures taken by the authorities to maintain the security and safety of the citizens of Khartoum state and preserve their property in anticipation of possible violence and vandalism alongside the marches announced tomorrow ” reads a statement released by the state.

After the October 25, coup, the ruling military authorities used to take a series of measures including Bridge closure, internet shutdown, and road blockade to prevent protesters in the three cities of capital from holding unified rallies or reaching the presidential palace in Khartoum city.

Troika calls for justice

The Troika countries issued a statement on the third anniversary of the “brutal massacre” calling to try the perpetrators of the attack.

“The Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States) stands in solidarity with the survivors and victims and joins Sudanese in calling for the prompt resolution of the government-appointed investigation into the massacre and disclosure of findings to the public”.

“We urge the military authorities to bring those accountable for these horrendous crimes against peaceful civilian protesters to justice,” further stressed the statement.

The three countries, in addition, called for further confidence-building measures to support the political process facilitated by the trilateral mechanism and to refrain from the excessive use of violence against protesters.

Source: Sudan Tribune

The head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Nicholas Haysom has urged parties to expedite the implementation of key provisions of the peace accord, before it elapses.

He remarked this during the 22nd plenary meeting convened by the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) in Juba on Thursday.

“To underline our main concerns, the government and the parties must work with a sense of urgency to; pass the constitutional making process bill, Graduate the first batch of the NUF and progress the 3 April agreement,” said Haysom.

He added, “The parties should work with National Constitution Amendment Committee (NCAC) to expedite the National Elections Bill process and agree on a roadmap to exit the transitional period with free, fair, and peaceful elections”.

Haysom, also the Special Representative of the Secretary General in South Sudan, said UNMISS’s presence in all 10 states shows its willingness to support the consolidation of accountable and responsive government structures.

“I welcome the progress made on Chapter 2 by means of the April 3 Agreement on the Command Structures and subsequent appointments. While long overdue, I congratulate the parties for their courage in reaching a compromise and I thank the Government of Sudan for its facilitative role,” he observed.

Haysom cited signs of progress made in Chapter 5 of the peace agreement regarding the Commission for Truth Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH).

“It is encouraging to see that the public consultation process has begun in earnest through dispatching members from the technical committee of the Commission to different states,” he remarked, adding “This process provides the platform to realize the rights to truth, justice, reparation and the guarantees of non-recurrence by addressing root causes of past trauma.”

The Special Representative of the Secretary General pointed out that the recent mandate extending the National Constitutional Amendment Committee and the passing of the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill by parliament are examples of promising results of demonstrating political will.

“The resumption of the NCAC supports the legislative process and in particular allows for the review of the National Elections Act 2012. This in turn will provide the legislative framework for launching the electoral process, including the reconstitution of the National Elections Commission,” stressed Haysom.

He further added, “This process is fundamental for South Sudan to exit the transitional phase. The pace with which the parties pass the electoral bill and reconstitute the NEC will demonstrate their commitment to the timelines for conducting free, fair, and credible elections.”

The body monitoring South Sudan peace agreement (R-JMEC) earlier expressed concerns that the implementation of the September 2018 revitalized peace accord is far behind schedules earmarked for a transitional period.

Source: Sudan Tribune

South Sudan’s security advisor, Tut Kew Gatluak has emphasized the importance of peace and stability in neighbouring Sudan.

Speaking during a press conference at Al-Salam Rotana hotel in Khartoum on Wednesday, Gatluak said Sudan’s stability benefits neighboring nations.

“It is our concern that the people of Sudan shall sit down to solve issues in a Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue,” he said, stressing the need for reconciliation.

Gatluak, who heads South Sudan’s mediation team to Sudan’s peace process, said the initiative taken by President Salva Kiir aims to solving the Sudanese crisis because South Sudan is interested in Sudan’s stability.

He said Juba’s initiative is purely a national one to resolve the crisis in Sudan.

According to Gatluak, the mediation team discussed with the Sudanese forces the way of governance in Sudan and the need for a Sudanese – Sudanese dialogue, stressing that, “Sudan is now in difficult circumstances, and we are all its sons and we are striving to return it to its normal situation”.

He, however, acknowledged that it is important that all the parties in Sudan shall unite their rank, gather all the initiatives in one initiative and hold a general conference to determine how Sudan will be governed and define a successful transitional period that will lead to free and fair elections.

On Tuesday, the South Sudanese official met members of the Higher Council of Sufi Sects to discuss Juba’s efforts towards resolving the Sudanese crisis.

He hailed the Higher Council of Sufi sects’ initiative for realizing peace and stability in neigbouring Sudan and their understanding of the nation’s issues.

For his part, Al-Sheikh Hashim Al-Tayeb Sheikh Qariballah, a member of the Higher Council of Sufi Sects, commended Juba’s efforts to solve Sudan’s crises, stressing that Sudan and South Sudan are one people in two states.

Source: Sudan Tribune