Breaking: JEM warns of "imminent attacks" on military positions in all Sudanese towns

Khartoum
22 December
[edited text of a report published by Sudan Tribune on 22 December]


The Justice and Equality Movement [JEM] has warned it will very soon launch attacks on the positions of the Sudanese government in all Sudanese towns and called on soldiers of the army to join them.

The JEM's deputy general commander, Sulayman Sandal, urged in a press statement released today the Sudanese people to remain away from the military positions in all the Sudanese cities and to stay at home because "our attack against these cities is imminent”. The statement went on to warn that this warning "extends to all diplomatic missions and embassies" so as to enable them to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of their employees and properties.

In a second separate statement, the JEM's Secretary for Political Affairs Ahmad Tugud called on the Sudanese soldiers to join the rebel movement adding "you are not our enemies." He also pledged to retain their salaries, rights and positions in the army.

SOR notes that rumors of imminent attacks by the JEM started to fly around since last week when the Sudanese media carried reports on correspondences exchanged between the government and the UNAMID on movement by JEM’s troops in North Darfur State.

All rights reserved - Sudanese Online Reporter 2008

Breaking: Sudanese military aircraft reportedly bomb water tank in North Darfur

Sudanese Online Reporter

15 December 2008

Muhammad El-Tilib, Abd-al-Mun’im Abu Idris

The Darfur rebel faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement [SLM] led by Abd-al-Wahid Muhamad Nur has alleged that a military aircraft belonging to the Sudanese Armed Forces [SAF] has shelled a water tank in North Darfur State.

The SLM's field-commander, Salah Pop, told the Sudanese Online Reporter via the phone from Darfur that an Antanov aircraft belonging to the SAF had shelled a water tank located to the west of Kutum area in North Darfur State at 5:30 pm local time. Pop further revealed that there were a number of citizens present near the tank when the aircraft attacked adding that they were yet to arrive at the scene of the incident to determine the damages caused.

The Sudanese Online Reporter has tried to contact the press officer for the Sudanese Armed Forces to verify the story; however; no one was available to comment.

All rights reserved – Sudanese Online Reporter - 2008

UNAMID warns of possible attack by JEM on major towns in Sudan

Sudanese Online reporter
Muhammad El-Tilib
Khartoum 14 December 2008



The UN-AU Joint Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has warned of a possible attack by the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) against one of the major towns in Sudan including Khartoum.

In an internal document of which SOR has obtained a copy, UNAMID said it had received information at 1900 hrs local time from the Government of Sudan on movements by the JEM's troops in Northern Darfur. According to UNAMID, the final destination of the troops is yet to be known; however; the UNAMID warned that there was a possibility that Al-Fashir, El-Obeid or Khartoum may be targeted.

All righst reserved - SOR

Breaking: Sudanese armed forces clash with local police in Abyei and the UN appeals for calm

December 12, 2008
Sudanese Online Reporter




Media outlets have carried a breaking story about clashes breaking out between the Sudanese Armed Forces [SAF] and units of the local police in the disputed oil-rich town of Abyei.

The news website Sudan Tribue quoted Luka Biong Deng, a senior official in the Government of South Sudan, as saying on Friday that the SAF had clashed with local police in Abyei town. According to Sudan Tribune, Biong further said tension was high after the deadly clashes; however; he was unable to provide further details about what caused the clashes.

As Sudan Tribune did not indicate any information whether the clashes have resulted in any casualties, Reurters; however, cited a UN official as saying that at least one person was shot dead in the fighting that took place between members of the joint north-south Sudanese army and police units in the town. According to the UN official, an unknown number of people were seriously injured and no information were yet available on whether the casualties were northern or southern.

UN appeals for pacification

The head of the UN Mission in Sudan, Ashraf Qazi, said the incident involved members of Abyei's military Joint Integrated Unit and its Joint Integrated Police Unit. Qazi released a statement saying he deplored the "violent incident" which had resulted in "the loss of life and injuries" and called on residents of Abyei and the nearby settlements of Diffra and Agok to stay calm.

All rights reserved - Sudanese Online Reporter - 2008

US president voices frustration at UNAMID deployment, warns Sudanese President

Sudanese Online Reporter
12 December

The US President George Bush has expressed frustration at the rate of deployment of peacekeepers in Darfur and stressed the necessity for the UN to expedite sending troops to the war-torn region.

Bush also warned President al-Bashir that “He cannot escape accountability” for the conflict in the region.

Following a meeting with Dr. Halima Bashir, a Darfuri woman who was tortured and gang-raped after witnessing government militia surrounding a school and raping dozens of girls and their teachers, the US president said "I am frustrated with the pace of activities" referring to the deployment process of UNAMID. Bush further stressed that the UN must expedite sending troops to the war-torn region of Darfur where an estimated number of 2.7 million people are displaced by attacks.

Bush also reaffirmed US support for the peace process powered by the UN-AU. "We support the mediation process by the AU-UN mediator,” Bush said and added “In other words, we recognize in order for there to be peace in Darfur that parties must come to the table in good faith and solve the problems."

The outgoing US President did not leave the issue of possible ICC indictment against Al-Bashir unaddressed. “It’s very important for President Bashir of Sudan to know that he cannot escape accountability and that if he so choose, he could change people’s lives, the condition of people’s lives very quickly.” He stressed.

SOR notes that the US’s special envoy to Sudan, Williamson, had previously warned that the US will veto any resolution to defer the indictment of Al-Bashir unless progress is made on the grounds in Darfur.

All rights reserved – Sudanese Online Reporter - 12 December 2008

Sudan’s fate in the NCP’s hands

Sudan’s fate in the NCP’s hands
By Mohammad Eltilib
10 December 2008

What does the next year have in store for Sudan?

The answer to this question is rather pessimistic; all prognoses indicate that President Al-Bashir will indeed be indicted by the ICC. Feverish efforts by the government to rally the countries in the UN’s Security Council to block the looming indictment seem to be of no avail so far.
I am supremely confident that neither Russia, despite its strained relations with the West in the aftermath of the Caucasus crisis, nor China would jeopardize their economic relations with the West by vetoing to defer the arrest warrant. The Chinese have already told the Sudanese government not to count on their veto.

The outcomes of this possible indictment would definitely include, among other things, the drastic fallback of ruling party the National Congress Party [NCP] to its old-time methods of petrifying the country and terrorizing the foreign presence in it as well as the total collapse of both the CPA and the already-stalled Darfur peace process. Moreover, the indictment would dissipate any hope for holding the elections which is slated for next year. How can a country that is faced with crises of the magnitude of Darfur and the ICC be able to hold fair election?

Realistic readings into the situation show that the Sudanese government has only two courses of action to take simultaneously on two pivots. On the ICC crisis pivot, the government has no choice but to extradite those for whom the ICC has already issued arrest warrants. I am specifically referring to the Militia Leader Ali Koshib and the State Minister for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Ahmad Harun. Handing over those two would send positive signs to both the International Community and the Darfur armed groups that the government is serious about achieving peace in Darfur; however; the government must in return demand that the international community provides solid assurances that the yet-to-be-issued arrest warrant for Al-Bashir would be suspended at least until the Darfur peace process comes through.

On the Darfur pivot, the government is also left with no choice but to execute a number of short-term actions in order to ensure that the rebel groups come to the negotiation table. These actions include strict abidance by the unilateral cease-fire declared by Al-Bashir and immediate halting of attacks on IDP camps, Secondly, the NCP and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement must concede to the plain fact that the Darfur peace process power can never succeed unless the power-sharing quotas stipulated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement are reopened for amendment. On the other hand, pressure must be exerted by the international community on the rebel groups to attend the Doha negotiations powered by the Qatari initiative which at the moment seems to be the only initiative accepted by all the concerned.

The worst case scenario is that the NCP persists in defying the international community and stalling the peace process. Doing so will not do the NCP any good and might very well lead to its end.

The real problem, in my view, lies in the persistence of the NCP’s leadership on reneging on its commitments, not implementing the peace accords and defying international justice. We, as Sudanese, can only attribute the dire prospect of this country’s future to the ruling party which only cares about perpetuating its reign. Owing to the persistent procrastination by the NCP’s leadership, almost three years have elapsed since the signing of the CPA and its implementation is continuing at snail-pace. The Darfur peace process is not better off either due to continues attacks by the government in the war-ravaged region.

The clock is ticking fast and the country is, quite simply, on the brink of what could turn out to be one of the most chaotic situations ever. All what we should be thinking about at the moment is survival. In my view, we can neither afford to wait for the election nor can we stand tied-handed in the face of the irresponsible attitudes of the NCP’s leadership. The NCP leadership has a historic opportunity to repent for all the atrocities of the past by stepping down voluntarily and paving the way for forming a coalition government to include all the parties with proportionate shares of power.

In conclusion, Sudan is at stake. If the NCP persists in its current attitude and react as violently as expected when the arrest warrant is issued in the upcoming months, the whole country will undoubtedly be catapulted to oblivion.

All rights reserved - Sudanese Online Reporter 2008

NGO convoy waylaid in South Darfur

Khartoum
Muhammad El-Tilib

Two unknown gunmen have waylaid a convoy belonging to international NGOs near Kalma IDP camp in South Darfur and robbed the convoy’s members before beating them up which caused three of them to be hospitalized.

The media director of the UNAMID, Kamal Saiki, told the Sudanese Online Reporter via the phone from Darfur yesterday that the incident took place at 9:30 am when the convoy, which consisted of four vehicles and six national NGOs staff, was waylaid by two gunmen carrying two Kalashnikov and grenades on the way from Nyala town to Kalma camp.

He added that the gunmen had robbed the convoy’s members of their financial belongings before they beat them up badly. Saiki further said that three of the convoy’s members, who were all Sudanese, were taken to hospital as a result of beating; however, Saiki later added that their lives were not in danger.

Saiki further pointed out that the gunmen had seized one of the convoy’s vehicles to escape but the vehicle was found later abandoned. “The assailants are yet to be identified; however, the incident seems nothing more than an act of banditry” Saiki concluded.

All rights reserved - Sudanes Online Reporter
05 December 2008

Sudanese authorities step up harassment against Human Rights activists

Khartoum - 27 November
Muhammad Eltilib

Three Sudanese human rights activists have been arrested and severely tortured by the National Security and Intelligence Apparatus. The three activists were arrested on 26 November for alleged leaking of information to the International Criminal Court. Two of the activists, Amir Suliman and Moniem Al-Jack, were released after several hours of tough interrogation and torture; however: it has just been reported that Moniem has been taken back in detention for further interrogations. the third activist, Osman Homidah, is yet to be released.

Three major Human Rights watchdogs criticized the action and called for the immediate release of the activists.

“The Sudanese government is well-known for having little tolerance for criticism,” said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch (HRW). “This is part of a wider pattern of trying to silence those who support justice and to suppress information about the human rights situation in Sudan.”

Amnesty International expressed concern for the health conditions of Hummida.

“Osman Hummida suffers from high blood pressure and asthma. Amnesty International fears for his health as reports received indicate that although he has been given access to his medicine, he has not been given access to a doctor while in detention” the UK based rights group said in a statement.

The following text is a statement issued by a group of well-known and reputable journalists aimed at refuting allegations published by the [pro-government, security] Akhir Lahzah on the receiving of funds and finances by those journalists from an American orgnization. My only comment is that the government, via its satllite papers, is stepping up its campaign against the pro-democracy and independant journalists by trying to tarnish thier image in order to mislead the public and keep them away from listening to the voices of freedom and democracy.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

بيان للرأي العام من مجموعة من الصحفيين

تابع الرأي العام عموما، والوسط الصحفي بالأخص، بالدهشة والقلق، ما نشرته صحيفة "آخر لحظة" في عددها رقم (789 ) بتاريخ 13 أكتوبر 2008، عن تلقي صحفيين سودانيين لتمويل ودعم من جهات أمريكية، وأرفقت الصحيفة مع صور وثائق التمويل العادية المقدمة من جهات ومراكز لمنظمة أمريكية، تقريرا ملفقا من أحد (الأجهزة) يحمل إشارات وصفات واضحة جدا تنطبق علينا نحن الموقعين على هذا البيان - ( ضمن ستة عشر اسما، مرموز لها بالأحرف الأولى من الاسم) - باعتبارنا المستفيدين من هذا المال.
ولا يخفى عليكم، كما لا يخفى على كل أصحاب الضمائر اليقظة، إن مثل هذا العمل يأتي في إطار حملة منظمة تستهدف الصحافة ومنظمات المجتمع المدني ومنظمات و نشطاء حقوق الإنسان وقيادات الأحزاب والقوى السياسية وحتى المواقع السودانية على شبكة الانترنت، بالتشويه والتخريب المتعمد والتعطيل ومنع حق الرد باستخدام كل الوسائل، وذلك عقابا على مواقف هؤلاء الأفراد والجماعات المعادي للديكتاتورية والفساد.
إن جميع العاملين في الوسط الصحفي يعلم أننا لا نملك أملاكا أو ثروة، ولم نحقق من عملنا بالصحافة شيئا إلا سمعتنا وتمسكنا بمواقفنا وبشرف المهنة، وإن ما نملكه هو قلمنا وضميرنا وشرفنا الصحفي الذي حافظنا عليه طوال سنوات عملنا لإيماننا أنه ثروتنا الوحيدة. وها هم يحاولون، بالأكاذيب والافتراءات، سلبنا الشئ الوحيد الذي نملكه وهو في نفس الوقت الشئ الذي لا يملكونه.
لقد كانت ولا تزال، لنا مواقفنا المعروفة دفاعا عن حقوق الإنسان والحريات العامة وحرية الإعلام والتعبير وحق الجماهير في المعرفة والمعلومة ومحاربة الفساد، وهو ما يضايق الأجهزة ، ويجعلها تتفرغ لحياكة المؤامرات القذرة وشن الحرب الكريهة ضدنا، مع تقييد حقنا في الرد والتوضيح بإحكام الرقابة على الصحف ونزع كل الردود التي توجهنا بها.
لقد تم منعنا من الرد على فرية "آخر لحظة" بصورة سافرة عن طريق الرقابة القبلية على الصحف بما يكشف عن مصدر الحملة، فيما أطلقت أيدي صحف الشمولية و كتاب الأجهزة في ذات الوقت لإعادة ترديد أكاذيب "آخر لحظة" على أوسع نطاق.
لقد أزعجتهم مواقفنا وعجزهم عن تحويلنا عنها أو شرائنا، فلجأوا للخيار الآخر المتمثل في أساليب اغتيال الشخصية المعروفة، باللجوء لتشويه سمعتنا ودمغنا بالاتهامات التي تنال من شرفنا وكرامتنا، لتسهل عليهم الدفاع عن تهم الفساد بأن الجميع ملوثون وفاسدون. وهذه حملة ممتدة ومعروفة ستتسع لتحاول النيل من كل الشرفاء أصحاب المواقف، في كل القطاعات.
وتوضيحا للمواقف ولجلاء الصورة أمام الرأي العام، نود نحن الموقعين أدناه التأكيد على الحقائق التالية:
- نحن الموقعين أدناه نؤكد وبصورة قاطعة أننا لم نتقدم مطلقاً بأي طلب تمويل للمنظمة المذكورة لأي نشاط صحفي ولم نتسلم فلساً واحداً نقداً أو عيناً أو بأي صفة أخرى لأجل أي غرض ورد أو لم يرد بالتقرير الأمني المرفق مع المادة الصحفية المنشورة في "آخر لحظة".
- لا يوجد أي تنظيم أو مكون صحفي أيا كان، يجمع بين الأسماء التي وردت الإشارة إليها في المادة التي نشرتها الصحيفة، ولم يحدث أن تلاقوا جميعا، رغم مشروعية هذا التلاقي، إلا في المواقف العامة من قضايا الحريات واللقاءات التضامنية التي جرت مع عدد من الصحف والصحفيين الذين تعرضوا للإيقاف أو القمع والمصادرة خلال العامين الماضيين، ولعل هذا هو مربط الفرس وسبب العداء الجماعي والاستهداف من قبل الأجهزة الأمنية والصحف المتعاملة معها.
-يؤسفنا أن نشير للتعامل غير الأخلاقي وغير المهني لصحيفة "آخر لحظة" مع المادة المذكورة ومع زملاء صحفيين قضى بعضهم في هذه المهنة أكثر من 25 عاما، وزامل بعض قيادات هذه الصحيفة لمدة طويلة، فقد حملت المادة المنشورة بالصحيفة عبارات التجريح و الإساءة والإدانة المحملة بكل الإسفاف والبذاءة الممكنة وغير الممكنة. والمؤسف أكثر أنها جاءت عنوانا رئيسيا للصحيفة واحتلت جزءا من الصفحة الأولى وصفحة داخلية كاملة، وبدون أن تحمل اسما أو توقيعا، مما يجعلها مسؤولية كل قيادات الصحيفة. كما أن الصحيفة، ومخالفة لكل الأعراف المهنية والأخلاقية، لم تحاول الاتصال بأي ممن ورد اسمه من الزملاء الصحفيين لتستوضحه أو تعرف رده وتعقيبه على المعلومات الواردة، بما يوضح و يؤكد أنها جزء أصيل من الحملة.
- كما يؤسفنا أكثر موقف المجلس القومي للصحافة والمطبوعات الذي سارع أمينه العام، وبعد ساعات قليلة من صدور الصحيفة، ليصدر بيانا يرسم به لنفسه دورا في الحملة، وهو موقف يجعلنا نصنف المجلس ومسؤوليه في موقف الخصم الصريح، بما يعطينا الحق في الرد عليه بالطرق المناسبة. لقد تغاضى المجلس عن ما أشرنا إليه من تجاوزات الصحيفة ليتبنى اتهاماتها الباطلة، بينما ظل يتجاهل ممارسات تخرق كل الأعراف والتقاليد الصحفية دون أن يتحرك أو يصدر بيانا أو تصريحا..! وكأن هذه الهمة والعجلة لا تصدر إلا إذا كانت هناك حملة منظمة من تلك الأجهزة.
-ونحن إذ نؤكد ذلك نؤكد لزملائنا وأصدقائنا وأبناء شعبنا أننا سنظل عند مواقفنا مهما كلفنا ذلك، ولن تفلح هذه الحملات، مثلما لم تفلح حملات سابقة، في إثنائنا عن الطريق الذي اخترناه طوعا واختيارا، طريق الحق والحرية والصحافة الحرة الشريفة التي لا تركع لأحد ولا ترحم ظالما ولا تجامل مفسدا ولا تنافق مسؤولا مهما علا موقعه ومنصبه. ونتقدم للزملاء والأصدقاء والقراء الذين اتصلوا بنا مؤازرين ومساندين بالشكر والعرفان، ونؤكد لهم أننا ندرك أنها ضريبة موقف لا بد من دفعها بين الحين والآخر، وأننا لها لمستعدون.
- إن التمويل الأجنبي للمنظمات الوطنية السودانية أمر متعارف عليه ولا توجد قوانين أو قيود تمنعه. كما أن الدولة نفسها وكثير من الجهات الحكومية والمراكز والمنظمات ذات الصلة بالحكومة والحزب الحاكم تعتمد عليه في كثير من المجالات الإنسانية والإغاثية والأنشطة الطوعية الأخرى. وبالتالي فإن من حق هذه المنظمات والمراكز الاستفادة من التمويل الأجنبي وفق التقاليد والإجراءات المرعية، ووفق الأعراف ونظم العمل المعروفة التي تقتضي المحاسبية والشفافية والنزاهة وخدمة المجتمع و الفئات المستهدفة عبر هذه البرامج. وهناك من القوانين واللوائح ما يتيح لأعضاء هذه الجمعيات ومنتسبيها حق الرقابة على البرامج والأنشطة والتمويل.
- أخيرا لقد تشاورنا مع كثير من الزملاء والزميلات ممن تمت الإشارة إليهم في متن التقرير المذكور، ولقد تباينت وجهات النظر، ففضل البعض الاتجاه لسكة التقاضي وحصر حركته فيها وحدها، بينما رأى آخرون عدم الرد باعتبار أن الموضوع معروف ومفضوح ولا يقتضي ردا، وينتظر آخرون التحقيق القانوني معهم من أية جهة كانت.
ومع احترامنا لهذه الخيارات، فقد قررنا نحن الموقعين أدناه أن نصدر هذا البيان التوضيحي للرأي العام، مع الاحتفاظ بحقنا في الاتجاه نحو القضاء للاقتصاص ممن حاول الإساءة إلينا وتشويه سمعتنا والحط من كرامتنا.

latest acts of censorship

Sudanese security apparatus yesterday censored a number of reports. these reports include a report attributed to UN agencies on a food crisis erupting in Al-Kurmuk area and resulting in the death of 69 children.

other censored reports included statements by a US official saying that the US will veto any resolution deferring the arrest of Al-Bashir.

stay up to date with the latest news reports with the SOR

Insights

by Mohammaed El-Tilib

Is there a way for the Sudanese press to resist the grip of censorship?

To say that the Sudanese press is at stake and at a crossroad is not an exaggeration. Ever since the reinstation of press censorship by the security authorities in the aftermath of the publishing of a controversial commentary on Al-Sudani newspaper in June last year, reports and commentaries that are deemed anti-government or tackling with sensitive issues such as Darfur have all been censored by the state's security apparatus.

Understanding how the situation of press in Sudan has arrived to this terrible point necessitates a background. Press censorship was declared null and void by the Khartoum government in 2006 following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement with the former southern rebels Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. As of that date, press censorship was exercised at minimum levels and newspapers enjoyed relative freedom. But this small margin of freedom was soon taken away when the government stepped up censorship following the publishing of a commentary entitled “Our Vehicles” by the well-known columnist Uthman Mirghani on Al-Sudani newspaper in June 2007. In that commentary, the columnist wondered about the fate of the money expended by the Sudanese government on supporting 300 the Chadian rebels with 300 veichles which to help them to advance on the Chadian capital N’djamena and depose Idris Dipi. That commentary gave rise to the worst wave of censorship the Sudanese press has ever experienced. The chief of security apparatus, Salah Gosh, held a press conference in which he lashed out at the journalists and went as far as accusing some of them of receiving money from “western embassies”. This press conference was the practical announcement of the return of press censorship. Many appalling events occurred after that, licenses of several newspapers had been revoked on flimsy excuses, intimidations of journalists became common practsie, a newspaper named Alwan was completely closed down and its properties were confiscated on the grounds of publishing a report on a weapons transaction for the army. This very approach in dealing with the press was one of the reasons that contributed to the failings of the Sudanese government in Darfur as well as other areas.
The question that I intend to address is what can Sudanese journalists do in order to counter infringements on their freedom by the government? I personally believe that we cannot rely on international pressure on the government to persuade it to loosen its grip on the press, so the solution can only stem from the Sudanese journalists themselves. History of civil struggle shows us that the only way to change situations and conquer oppression is unity and determination. Sudanese journalists will have nothing to lose if they unite against censorship. I am not hypothesizing a solution, I actually have some “practical” suggestions to put forward. It is beyond any doubt that neither the National Council of Press and Publications nor the Sudanese Journalists Union can be relied on as a body for the journalists to rally themselves under since they are both under the control of the government. So a creation of a new non-governmental body that advocates and defends the rights of journalists should be the first step. I also recommend that the newspapers stage an open-ended strike in order to put more pressure on the government. I know what I am suggesting might not be as easy as outlined but the way I see it, there is no other way for this to end except this.

The following report was censored by the Sudanese security appartus on 9 Sept. the report was supposed to be published on Al-Ahdath daily newspaper.

سيتيزن تعاود الصدور في الجنوب و المجلس ينتقد
الخرطوم: محمد التلب

استأنفت صحيفة ذي سيتزين الناطقة باللغة الانجليزية صدورها في جنوب السودان امس بعد ان طبعت في يوغندا متحديةً قرار المجلس القومي للصحافة و المطبوعات تعليق صدور الصحيفة لعدم التزامها بالقوانين. وصرح رئيس تحرير الصحيفة نيال بول في جوبا امس انهم حالياً يطبعون 5000 نسخة و ان الصحيفة ستصدر كل يوم اثنين و جمعة. واضاف بول انه سيرسل عدد 1000 نسخة للخرطوم كما انها ستوزع ايضاً في كل من ولاية شمال بحر الغزال، اعالي النيل و كل ولايات الاستوائية. وشدد بول على انه سيبقى على مكتب الصحيفة في الخرطوم و مدير تحرير الصحيفة عز الدين عبد الرسول في منصبه قائلاً ان لا شيء يستطيع اجبارهم على اقالته. ورداً على هذا صرح مسئول رفيع في المجلس فضل عدم الكشف عن اسمه "للأحداث" ان المجلس سيتعامل مع صحيفة السيتزين كمطبوعة خارجية و يطبق عليها القوانين الخاصة بهذا النوع من المطبوعات. وشن المصدر هجوماً شديداً على نيال بول متهماً اياه بالكذب فيما يتعلق بادعاءاته بان ايقاف الصحيفة قد تم لاسباب سياسية و اضاف ان بول لا يريد الالتزام بالقوانين خاصة المتعلقة بوجود محرر مقيم في الخرطوم. ووصف المصدر مدير تحرير الصحيفة بالخرطوم بانه دون المؤهلات المطلوبة.