The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sudan

  • Sudan hosts 140,000 S. Sudanese refugees

    Sudan hosts 140,000 S. Sudanese refugees

    The Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) said neighbouring Sudan’s White Nile State is now hosting 140,000, South Sudanese refugees.

    Mohamed Al-Sheikh, HAC commissioner in White Nile state, made this known while addressing newsmen.

    Al-Sheikh said: “The White Nile State has established eight camps to accommodate the continuing influxes of refugees from South Sudan.”

    He reiterated that local authorities are providing all services, including food, education, health and water, to the refugees.

    The official also said there were no security problems inside the refugee camps in White Nile, denying previous reports about spread of diseases such as watery diarrhoea because of the intensive presence of refugees.

    The White Nile State has been witnessing continued influxes of refugees fleeing the war and famine in South Sudan.

    Al-Alagaiya refugee camp of al-Jabalain locality, some 110 km south of Rabak, the capital city of White Nile State, is accommodating some 15,000 South Sudanese refugees.

    “About 5,000 South Sudanese families live in the camp making a total of around 15,000 refugees,” Abbasher Al-Nour, deputy chairman of Al-Alagaiya refugee camp, told Xinhua.

    “The HAC provides all necessary services for the population in the camp, where until now, matters are progressing well without any security problems.

    “There is a high level of coordination between all the security bodies, the HAC authorities, the commission of refugees, the UN and national organisations,” he noted.

    Meanwhile, Martha Simon, a South Sudanese refugee living in Al-Alagaiya camp, told Xinhua that her family are feeling at home at the camp.

    “We have been living in this camp for about three years. Everything is good and we do not feel like strangers because we were part of Sudan and we still feel like we are home,” she said.

    Adam Joub, another South Sudanese refugee, also expressed contentment.

    “We headed to Sudan which received us without any complications. We receive all the necessary services and security is available. Our children receive proper education. We thank the Government of Sudan for this generosity,” he said.

    On Monday, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said around 20,000 South Sudanese refugees arrived in Sudan’s border areas within one week to flee the violence at the Upper Nile area near Sudan’s White Nile state.

    “Nearly 20,000 South Sudanese refugees reportedly arrived in White Nile and South Kordofan states between April 29 and May 6,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its most recent report citing latest refugee figures by UNHCR.

    About 1,300 refugees arrive daily in White Nile from Shilluk area through Joda and Migainis areas in Upper Nile, according to the report.

    OCHA expected arrival of 180,000 new refugees in Sudan by the end of 2017.

    Sudanese authorities put the number of South Sudanese refugees in Sudan at about 600,000 and expect continued influxes from its violence-plagued neighboring country.

  • Minister urges Sahel-Sahara states to unite against religious extremism

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali , has called on Ministers of  Defence of Sahel-Sahara states to work closely in dealing with the growing threat of terror and religious extremism in the region.

    Dan-Ali made the made the call at the 6th annual meeting of the ministers of defence of Sahel-Sahara states in Abidjan, a statement by Col. Aliyu Gusau, his Public Relations Officer, said.

    The minister, however, noted that good governance was key to addressing security challenges across Africa.

    Dan-Ali, who also called for provision of job opportunities for youths to enable them have better means of livelihood, said this would check exposure to cyber crime which often made them potential recruits   for terrorists.

    He gave an assurance that Nigeria was committed to the realisation of the objectives of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States CEN-SAD.

    Nigeria also endorsed the establishment of Regional Counter Terrorism Centre with headquarters in Egypt, saying it would   support the   initiative.

    The CEN-SAD ministers also unanimously agreed Nigeria should host its 7th meeting in 2018.

    CEN-SAD, which was established in February 1998 by six countries – Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali, Niger and Sudan, now has   27 members.

    One of its main goals is to achieve economic unity through the implementation of the free movement of people and goods in order to make the area occupied by member states a free trade area.

     

  • Nothing has changed in US visa policy for Nigerians-Ambassador

    Nothing has changed in US visa policy for Nigerians-Ambassador

    The United States (U.S) government has allayed the fears of many Nigerians over the Executive Immigration Order.

    According to the U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington, no Nigerian will be discriminated against on the basis of the order.

    Trump had signed an executive order barring citizens from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Sudan from entering the country for 90 days and also suspended the admission of all refugees for 120 days.

    Symington stressed that the Nigeria-U.S relationship  is a strategic one that must be sustained; adding that the connection between our two countries has been strong today and will continue to be strong tomorrow.

    He however stressed that in granting of visas, the full process must be followed and not religion.
    The envoy therefore emphasized that should there be any rejection, it should not be construed to mean discrimination, as every single conversation will be part of the process.

    Symington who briefed newsmen on the Executive Order on ‘Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorists Entry into the United States’ said  relating to Nigeria, nothing has changed.

    He also said that contrary to the report making the rounds, U.S has not reduced the visa time frame for Nigeria, saying that the two years multiple entry visa policy is still in place.
    Besides, he said those with valid visas have nothing to fear, as the validity of the visa will remain until the expiry date.

    Also, for a Nigerian with dual nationality affiliation with the seven affected Muslim countries, the ambassador said  he or she would not be banned from entering U.S.

    “Security is not the job of only one country. Let me reassure Nigerians that every single action the US takes would be on the basis of legality and due process no one will be discriminated against. No Nigerian would be denied visas because he or she is from a particular region of the country.

    “The new order now is for the US government to cross check as many that are coming into the US before issuing visas; we will not discriminate on the basis of religion in issuing visas to Nigerians. The two years visa is still valid contrary to reports we have heard in the media.

    “Nigeria’s leadership role is crucial in the world and Nigeria cannot be blacklisted. The importance of Nigeria in the world is legal.”

    Meghan Moore, Head of Consular U.S Embassy, Abuja explained that, “the  idea of how the US government decide the duration of Visa issuance is based on Nigeria government treatment to US travelers to Nigeria.  The US government generally issues multiple entry non-immigrant visas  with a validity of two years to eligible individuals who are travelling with the Nigeria passport. We issue as a general rule a two year visa and that has not changed. There  can be some exception based on some specific individuals.”

    What has changed, according to her is the period for visa renewal.

    “It used to be 45 month for visas renewal before now, but as a result of the new order, it’s now 12 month to renew visas. If not, registration and visa interview has to be carried out,” she explained.
    “Nigerians can use the DHL renewal process if their visas expire within 12 month.  If not, they have to schedule another interview with the embassy,” Moore said.

  • Sudanese opposition leader returns from two-year exile

    Sudanese opposition leader returns from two-year exile

    Leading Sudanese opposition figure Sadiq al-Mahdi returned to Sudan on Thursday after spending two years in exile, telling his supporters that he has returned to achieve peace and democracy.

    Mahdi, who heads one of Sudan’s oldest political parties, was the country’s last democratically elected prime minister.

    He was overthrown in 1989 by an alliance of Islamists and military commanders that still form the nucleus of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s all-powerful National Congress Party.

    Sudan’s Government had accused Mahdi in 2014 of conspiring with armed rebels, a charge that could carry the death penalty, leading him to seek refuge in Cairo.

    “I have returned to the country to stop war, achieve peace and set up democracy and restitution of rights,” Mahdi said in a speech at a public square after leaving Khartoum airport.

    Around 6,000 of his supporters raised his party’s flag and chanted to welcome him.

    “I will work to fight Islamic extremist groups and revive moderate Islam,’’ he said.

  • Sudanese president leaves hospital

    Sudanese president leaves hospital

    Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir left hospital after undergoing a cardiac catheterization according to agency report on Friday.

    “The Presidency confirmed that Al Bashir has undergone an exploratory cardiac catheterisation at Royal Care hospital and the results were very reassuring,’’ a presidency official told the news agency,

    He said that the president left the hospital immediately after the procedure.

  • Sudan announces one-month ceasefire extension

    Sudan announces one-month ceasefire extension

    Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has announced a one-month extension of his unilateral ceasefire in fighting with rebels in the country’s war zones.

    The announcement, in an independence day speech on Saturday, comes after earlier short-term truces in June and October 2016, which were followed by a fall-off in fighting in the southern Blue Nile and Kordofan regions but continued clashes in Darfur.

    The latest outbreak of fighting between the army and rebels in Kordofan and Blue Nile broke out in 2011 when adjacent South Sudan declared independence.

    Conflict in Darfur began in 2003 when mainly non-Arab tribes took up arms against Sudan’s Arab-led government.

    However, talks to secure a lasting ceasefire in Sudan’s three warring regions under a road map for peace collapsed in August.

    In his speech, Bashir said: “We announce an extension of the ceasefire for one month only, except in cases of self-defence.”

    Bashir’s long war against various rebel groups coincides with a severe economic downturn. This year’s budget foresees a growing deficit and slower growth.

    Inflation approaching 20 per cent and government austerity have fuelled growing discontent and rare protests in recent weeks.

    Sudan’s economic problems have been building since the south seceded in 2011, taking with it three-quarters of oil output, the main source of foreign currency and government income.

    At the same time, Bashir is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

  • Drop death charges against six human rights activists, UN urges Sudan leader

    Human rights experts at the United Nations yesterday urged the Sudanese government to drop charges with death penalty against six human rights activists.

    Maina Kiai, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, said: “The charges brought against them appear to be directly linked to their work in the defence of human rights, while exercising their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association.

    “This sentence is likely to have a chilling effect among activists and human rights defenders in Sudan.”

    The six individuals were affiliated with a Khartoum-based human rights organisation, Training and Human Development (TRACKS). They were detained for three months without facing trial. After that, the State Security Prosecution Office charged them with criminal conspiracy, undermining the constitutional system, waging war against the State, espionage, and terrorism.

    All the charges carry the death penalty.

    “The death penalty is an extreme form of punishment. lf used at all, it should only be imposed after a fair trial that respects the most stringent due process guarantees as stipulated in international human rights law,” said Agnes Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. “I am seriously concerned that any trial of these six people would not uphold such principles.”

    The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has noted that for the past two years, the Sudan’s Intelligence and Security Service constantly targeted activists. They raid offices, confiscating documents, equipment, and passports.

    On several occasions, they also allegedly detained and tortured activists at the intelligence services office.

  • Nigeria, Sudan to deepen relations in culture, creative sectors

    Nigeria, Sudan to deepen relations in culture, creative sectors

    The Federal Government will deepen relations with Sudan in the culture and creative sectors for economic development of the two countries, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said.

    The minister disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja when he received the Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ibrahim-Bushra Ali.

    Mohammed said that Nigeria and Sudan, though not neighbours, were kindred and have cultural affiliation and exchange through education.

    He added that many Sudanese traced their origin to Nigeria and vice versa, while there were many Nigerians that studied and some still studying in Sudan.

    The minister said that the two countries would strengthen ties for economic gains, noting that “it is about time we change our concept on economic relations. It should go beyond the buying of oil, machinery and other physical items.

    “We must look at the creative industry as the area where both countries can improve relations to make up for the deficit in economic relations that we are complaining about.

    “After the global economic meltdown which led to decline in manufacturing and production industries, there has been significant increase in the export of creative goods globally.”

    The minister explained that Nigeria would work out a modality for the development of Sudanese films using the “Kannywood’’ (Hausa movies), which is very popular and acceptable in Sudan.

    Earlier, the Sudanese ambassador had told the minister that the relationship between Nigeria and Sudan was that of “kinship and blood’’ and there were more than five million Sudanese living in Nigeria.

    He said many Sudanese of Nigerian origin occupied sensitive and key positions in Sudan, adding that thousands of Nigerians were also studying in his country.

    Ali stressed the need for both countries to revitalise relations in the economic sector.

  • Buhari condemns increased global risk to journalists

    Buhari condemns increased global risk to journalists

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja condemned the increased global risk to journalists in the performance of their professional duties.

    The President spoke at the opening of the Congress of the Federation of

    African Journalists hosted by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president delivered a keynote address on the theme: ”The Political Change and the Safety of Working Journalists in Africa”.

    Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the risk came in the form of “harassment, arrests, detention and murder”.

    “According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 72 journalists were killed globally in the year 2015, the most recent information available in that respect. Eleven of the 72 who died in that year were killed in Africa.

    “The same year, out of 20 listed deadliest countries for journalists, five were from Africa – South

    Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo and Libya.

    “Also, 90 journalists are currently being detained in many countries.

    “It is, therefore, fitting that the safety of working journalists in Africa will be of concern to your organisation, the Federation of African Journalists, ” he said.

    The President said that journalists were targeted not only to restrict the free flow of information, but increasingly as leverage to secure huge ransoms and political concessions through sheer violence.

    He charged the Federation to work with the governments of their countries to remove the existential threats to media practitioners.

    He said the Federation could also work with other organisations committed to the protection of journalists.

    Such organisations according to him, include the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Federation of Journalists and the International Press Institute, to eliminate or reduce the risks to journalists

    “It is also important for media institutions to ensure the adoption of best safety protocols for their journalists.

    “They must develop and implement procedures and tools aimed at ensuring the physical and

    psychological safety as well as the digital security of journalists, ” he said.

    The President said his administration saw the media as a partner in progress, and “has never contemplated harassing, not to mention killing, any journalist” .

    “The media represents the eyes and ears of the world and attempt to

    silence it through the harassment, arrests, detention and murder of

    journalists, is akin to making the world go blind and deaf.

    “I can report to this Congress that not a single journalist is being detained or harassed in our country today.

    “The government of the day is not a threat to the media, and it is not about to stifle press freedom or deny anyone his or her constitutionally guaranteed rights, “he said.

    The president also noted that his Administration placed preference to security and welfare of its citizens.

    He declared the summit open and wished participants fruitful deliberations.

  • ITTF Africa Tournament: Edem escapes Algeria’s scare

    ITTF Africa Tournament: Edem escapes Algeria’s scare

    Nigeria’s Offiong Edem was stretched beyond the limit on Wednesday by Algeria’s Islem Laid in the quarterfinal round of the ITTF Africa Olympics Qualification Tournament in Khartoum, Sudan as the tournament ends.

    Similarly, after berthing in the last four of the competition, Edem will know her fate for a place in the Rio Olympic Games as the remaining players that will complete the continental quota emerge.

    Edem, who has not played against the Algerian before was made to work hard for every point in the quarterfinal encounter with both players given the fans something to cheer.

    Apart from having difficulty returning the service of the Algerian earlier in the match, Edem found it hard to control the spin in the pimples racket of her opponent.

    After winning the first game at 12-10, the Algerian grew in confidence by throwing caution to the wind to the advantage of Edem.

    Edem restored parity with 11-5 win but the Algerian claimed another victory in the third game at 4-11. But this win fired up Edem who began to dictate the game and within some minutes she recorded the needed victories winning three games in a row at 11-5, 11-9, 11-7 to berth in the last four which holds today to determine the finalists that will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics.