13-19 November, 2015

1. Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan

“Sudan: After four months without bombings, tense negotiations as fighting season looms. “ 17^th November 2015t, Nuba Reports

• This week talks between the SPLA-N and the Sudanese government are taking place, which could result in the extension of September’s ceasefire.
• The Nuba mountain area have been a primary victim of government bombings in the previous year.
• The negotiations will determine whether this village in particular will celebrate a harvest or suffer more violence in the coming months.
• In 2014, 800 bombs were dropped in the Nuba Mountain area.
• Cluster bombs have devastated these communities and taken the lives of many civilians.
• Drone attacks have also been used. 

2. Darfur

Domestic Media

“South Darfur camp leader killed don farm “ 17^th November 2015, Dabanga Radio

• A leader at an El Salam displaced persons camp was killed on Monday evening.
• Pro-government militia rode on camels and terrorized farmers grazing stock, 5km outside the camp.
• Women and children were also assaulted during this violence.
• The militia forces destroyed local crops and livestock which provide necessities and a means of income for displaced people.  

“Darfur civil society rejects 2016 referendum” 17^th November 2015, Dabanga Radio

• The Darfur Civil Society Organization has rejected the proposed deadline of April 2016 for the Darfur referendum.
• The referendum will decide whether Darfur will remain with the five current states.
• The referendum was supposed to be held a year after the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur 2011.
• South Darfur state governor has spoken against the deadline proposed by President Al-Bashir.
• In recent weeks the government have been criticised for their sudden urgency surrounding the referendum and lack of transparency in political processes.

“Darfur: Militiamen rape, terrorise Jebel Mara residents” 12^th November 2015, Radio Dabanga

• Militiamen have carried out attacks on villages in East Jebel Mara.
• Two women were raped several times by various members of the militia.
• A village close to Tabit was attacked by militiamen wearing military uniforms.
• These men pillaged the village and stole the livestock of the local farmers.

Foreign Media

“Up to 166,000 people displaced in Sudans Darfur in 2015: UN” 16th November 2015, AFP

• The western region of Darfur has been in consistent conflict since 2003.
  166,000 people are estimated to be displaced by the conflict.
  The conflict has been fueled by the marginalization of African ethnic groups.
  Although the number of displaced individuals has increased since 2014, the violence has not ceased or is close to being resolved.
  Government violence has continued despite the ceasefire confirmed by President Al Bashir.
  
  

“UN peacekeeping force turn blind eye to mass rape in Darfur, victim say. “ 9th November 2015, the Independent

• A year after Human Rights Watch conducted their research on the mass rape in Tabit, violence still destroys this region and UNAMID forces have failed to enforce security the victims of Tabit, who remain without justice.
• The rape and assault of young girls by militia forces wrecked the town for three nights.
• As reports emerged the government security was increased around the town. No aid workers were allowed into this area and a new garrison commander guaranteed that no individual would speak to outside sources.
• Checkpoints and heightened security remain in this area. A further 49 reports of rape have been filled in the past year.
• Waging Peace, a UK NGO, released a report this week estimating that 77% incidents of rape are not reported in the Darfur region.
• UNAMID remains removed from these issues. Underfunding has led to lack of impact of UNAMID and disputes over its mandate from the AU and UN.
• This hasn’t been helped by a lack of cooperation by the Sudanese government.
• All reports by Waging Peace have been submitted to the International Criminal Court to aid the investigation into Sudanese President Al-Bashir.
• A recommitment to protecting and bringing justice to the Darfur victims has to be made by both the AU and UN to resolve violence in this region. 

3. Humanitarian Affairs

Domestic Media

“Switzerland donates $3 million for humanitarian aid in Sudan” 19^th November 2015, Sudan Tribune

• Switzerland committed $3million to the Sudan Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF) 
• The donation will be split into two parts. $2 million for the use of UNHCR and $1 million for the use of World Food Programme (WFP).
• Since 2013 the Swiss government have donated $11 million to the CHF.
• The UNCHR has announced that the money will be directed to help refugees and asylum-seekers in Sudan.
• The intake of these displaced people have doubled in the previous two years the majority seeking refuge from the conflict in South Sudan and Eritrea. 
• The WFP has committed the $1 million to guarantee security of food deliveries and strengthen security and well begging programs in vulnerable areas. 
• Women and children have been the focus of humanitarian aid as they are the most vulnerable of the 5.4 million people in need of life-saving assistance. 

“Khartoum says ready for humanitarian deal with SPLM-N rebels “ 19^th November 2015, Sudan Tribune

• A Sudanese government spokesperson announced that President Al-Bashir’s party, NCP, is ready to sign a humanitarian agreement with the SPLM-N.
• This statement renews the commitment of the government to ending hostilities between the rebel group and government forces.
• Since the New Year a process of talks have taken place. All were unresolved due to the governments want to control the negotiations.
• The SPLM-N have also rejected previous agreements as they suspected government security agents would infiltrate the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) team.
• The SPLM-N are focused on negotiating safe travel routes for humanitarian aid to enter the regions of the Blue Nile state, Kodorfan and Darfur, the most vulnerable villages. 

Foreign Media

“Sudan: UNICEF Reports children starving in Eastern Sudan” 17^th November 2015, All Africa

• Malnutrition and disease have caused an escalation in infant mortality in the Darfur region.
• However, overall the mortality rate in Sudan has decreased from 83% to 68%.
• Sudan is allocated $130 million for UNICEF resources which only covers half of their necessities.  
• A director from the Sudan Foreign Ministry explained that the sanctions on Sudan prevent education and youth programs from developing.
• The ministry has appealed to the international community to lift these sanctions so sufficient networks of support can develop for children and youth.
• UNICEF has announced it plans to open a relief center in eastern Sudan.
• The center will be designed to strengthen relief presence. This center would provide necessities such as vaccinations to displaced populations.
• 1 million Sudanese children under five are clinically malnourished.
• 2 million children suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition.

4. National Dialogue and Peace Talk

“Reduction in Sudan’s national dialogue sessions causes drop in attendance” 18^th November 2015, Sudan Tribune

• Reforms in the format of the national dialogue process has discouraged attendance by 50%.
• Boycotts by opposition parties and rebel movements have slowed the national dialogue down.
• Preparatory meeting were supposed to take place in early October.
• A representative of the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) explained that the changes to the format were not communicated to the other participating parties.
• The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) have also reported that the NCP have threatened their representatives for supporting the transitional government proposal.
• The lack of transparency and threats issued by the government forces have reduced attendance to the dialogue process.
• The failure to create a common platform of participation and continued violations of conduct by the NCP have delayed the national dialogue process further.
• Talks were scheduled to take place on Thursday 19^th November 2015.

“Sudan’s security arrangements talks delayed for 24 hours “ 17^th November 2015, Sudan Tribune

• AU administrative readjustments have caused the security talks to be postponed until Thursday.
• Several changes have been made to the participants of the debates.
• Ibrahim Mahmou, aide to President Al-Bashir has been posted as head of the negotiating team in conjunction with the Sudans People Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N)
• The head of Darfur peace implementation office, Amin Hassan Omer, will lead the government’s delegation in the talks with Darfur rebel groups.
• Women participants would represent on the Blue Nile State government team.
• If a ceasefire agreement is reached the Sudan Revolutionary Forces (SRF) and the National Umma Party (NUP) will hold talks with government forces to further peace negotiations.

Foreign Media

“Sudan: The Sudanese Rebels' National Agenda Is Causing Local Harm” 19^th November 2015, African Arguments

• As talks between government and rebels forces advance, the focus on national issues is preventing the resolution of issues in the south Kodorfan and Blue Nile areas.
• The talks so far have been focused on agreeing a ceasefire and plans for humanitarian aid to reach troubled areas.
• These talks will be held between the government and the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF)
• A second meeting will be held to discuss the arrangements of the national dialogue.
• The National Umma party (NUP), Sudanese Consensus Forces (SCF) and National Congress Party (NCP) will all participate in these talks.
• Several obstacles have arisen which will complicate these negotiations.
• The undecided chairman of the SRF has complicated organization of the Sudan Call Alliance.
• Another issue is how civil society will be represented in the talks.
• Rebel forces have had numerous issues with creating an intragroup consensus of opinions.
• Similarly to the NCP’s issues with poor voter turnout in the April election and the ongoing dispute of their transparency in the National Dialogue.
• All these issues have created hostile relationships between the multiple parties involved in the dialogue.
• The economic situation in Sudan has complicated relationships further. The US sanctions currently imposed on Sudan are crippling the economy.
• With plans to eliminate subsides and increase prices by 50%, the reaction of civil society could be another factor which jeopardizes the success of these talks. 

5. Other

“Sudanese security arrest opposition figure upon return from Paris “ 16^th November 2015, Sudan Tribune

• The leader of the National Consensus Forces (NCF) was detained at Khartoum airport on Sunday.
• The NCF official was returning from Paris where he had attended an opposition meeting.
• The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) seized the official’s passport and forced him to sign an agreement to return to the NISS offices a week later.
• This is another incident in many reports of NISS abuses and increased censorship in civilian life.
• Several opposition officials have had their passport seized, with many still in the NISS possession.
• These detention and seizure of property are a violation of Sudanese constitution.
• These actions also undermine the government’s commitment to hold a national dialogue to discuss collaborative and prosperous future for Sudan.
• The Paris meeting was attended by representatives from the NCF, National Umma Party (NUP), Sudan Revolutionary Forces (SRF) and Civil Society Initiative (CSI).
• The meeting discussed organization within the Sudan Call coalition and issues of regime change in Sudan.

“Khartoum protests against Paris hosting of Sudanese rebels .“ 18^th November 2015, Sudan Tribune

• Paris has become the base for Sudan Calls, a coalition of opposition parties, to hold their meetings.
• The parties meet to discuss methods of achieving peace in Sudan.
• A French delegate was in Sudan this week to discuss how the two nations could cooperate to achieve peace and security in Sudan.
• The foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour states that Frances accommodation of the Sudan Calls parties is harbouring against progressing this peace.
• Both representatives agreed to a consultation meeting early in 2016 to pursue bilateral relationships.

Foreign Media

“15 Sudanese migrants killed at Egypt-Israel Border, Officials Say “ 5^th November 2015, the New York Times

• 15 migrants crossing from Egypt into Israel were shot on Sunday.
• Human rights NGO’s have seen large numbers of Eritrea and Sudanese migrants coming from east Africa through Egypt into the Sinai Peninsula and Israel.
• The Egyptian border police have been accused of killing these migrants. The fifteen were killed as they crossed the border fence and others of the group have been detained in Egyptian custody.
• Egyptian security officials explained that the migrants were casualties of violence between Bedouin smugglers and Egyptian authority.
• The migrant issue on the Egyptian-Sinai Border has escalated over the last ten years.
• Egyptian authorities have developed a reputation for putting migrant through torture, sexual assault, and abuse from traffickers.