Sudanese Online Reporter

Escape of US aid worker killers is contrived, it is Sudan's retaliation for US hard-handed positions

2010-06-11T05:11:00.000-07:00

Sudan today announced that the killers of US aid worker John Granville have escaped from prison.

Does the government think we are morons? Who’s going to buy this?

I am betting that this contrived escape is Sudan’s retaliation for the recent criticism leveled by the US Administration against lack of freedom and repression in the country, and could possibly be a response to Joe Biden’s meeting with Salva Kiir.

A report appearing on the pro-government newspaper Akhir Lahzah yesterday, 10 June, quoted insiders as saying that the government is mulling the US's recent hard-handed position on Sudan. It looks like Sudan has delivered the response.

Breaking news: Authorities arrest Grifina activists in Khartoum

2010-03-04T07:31:00.000-08:00

Authorities have arrested and detained three members of Grifina group after they staged a public gathering in central Khartoum to urge citizens to vote against the ruling National Congress Party.

The arrest took place about an hour ago in central Khartoum. According to my sources, the arrested members were first taken to the Khartoum North police station before they were later referred to the Khartoum North attorney-general. One of the arrested members is called Abdullah al-Mahdi.

Grifna, which translates in Arabic to “we’re fed up”, is a Sudanese youth movement that came to being on 30 October 2009. It started off as a Facebook-based group whose stated aim is “to topple the NCP in the general-elections”

The group recently started organizing public gatherings in central Khartoum to call on citizens to vote against the NCP.

NISS members suspected of killing Darfuri student in Khartoum - report and comment

2010-02-12T06:06:00.000-08:00

It appears that the National Intelligence and Security Services [NISS] in Sudan has committed another criminal act after Muhammad Musa, a young Darfuri student of Khartoum University, was found dead with his body bearing traces of torture.

The 25-year-old deceased student, according to blog postings on Sudaneseonline.com, is an active member of the United Popular Front [UPF], the student wing of the Darfur rebels Sudan Liberation Movement led by the France-based Abd-al-Wahid Muhammad Nur.

According to initial reports, he was taken from in front of the Education College of Khartoum University on Wednesday 10 February 2010 at 5:30 by a pickup veichle to an unknown destination. His dead body, which bore bruises and injuries sustained from torture, was found yesterday, 11 February, dumped at a school building in Omdurman.

My comment:

I am deeply saddened by this outrageous crime whose perpetrators must be brought to justice. The National Security Law that was passed recently grants wide powers to NISS members with no accountability for their actions. Civil society organization must act now to bring an end to the impunity enjoyed by NISS members.

From me to my readers

2010-01-09T07:41:00.000-08:00

Dear readers,

I am sorry I have not been blogging much recently. It’s really difficult to blog on daily basis when you have a full-time job that hardly leaves you any time to socialize and meet friends, let alone blogging.

As of today, I decided to devote more of my time to this blog. You’re in for a lot of important news and commentaries.

Best wishes
MO

2009-12-16T02:30:00.000-08:00

الحاج وراق

بعض ما لا يعرفه أهل الوسط

اطلق تشرشل (رئيس الوزراء البريطاني إبان الحرب العالمية الثانية) وصف (الستار الحديدي) على اوضاع تقييد الحريات, خصوصاَ حرية تدفق المعلومات، التي فرضها النظام الستاليني على الاتحاد السوفيتي وشرق اوروبا. ومن حينها، ظل هذا المصطلح- لصدقه في وصف الأوضاع القائمة في ذلك الجانب، ولطابعه الأدبي- أحد أهم مصطلحات وأسلحة الحرب الباردة بين المعسكرين – الغربي والشرقي. ولاحقا، بعد انتصار الشيوعية الستالينية في عدد من البلدان الآسيوية، وعلى ذات منوال تشرشل، صك أحد المختصين مصطلح (ستار الخيزران) ليصف اوضاع تلك البلدان

وفي بلادنا، حيث يسود نظام شمولي شبيه، ومنذ انفجار الأوضاع في دارفور عام2001م, وخصوصاً بعد تفاقمها منذ فبراير 2003، فرضت الأجهزة الأمنية رقابة مشددة على كل ما ينشر عن دارفور، وآخذين في الاعتبار الطبيعة الايديولوجية للنظام، يمكن القول بأن الانقاذ قد ضربت منذ ذاك الحين (نقاباً)- ستاراً من النقاب- للتغطية على الأزمة الإنسانية هناك، وعلى حرب من أسوأ الحروب فظاعة ووحشية، حيث القتل العشوائي، وحرق القرى، والقاء الاطفال في النيران المشتعلة، واغتصاب النساء- بما في ذلك العجزة والفتيات الصغيرات، وقطع الاشجار ودفن الآبار وتسميمها، اي التغطية على ما اصطلح على تسميته بحرب الجنجويد- او العفاريت المنفلتة، عن اي عقال، سواء دينياً او انسانياً او اخلاقياً او قانونياً

وفي حين تصدرت اخبار الفظائع في دارفور شاشات التلفزيون وصحف العالم المختلفة، فإن الرأي العام في البلاد، خصوصاً في الوسط، ظل جاهلاً بما يجري هناك، مما اتاح للإنقاذ، حتى بعد ازدياد الإهتمام الدولي وصدور قرارات من مجلس الأمن الدولي، مما جعل من المستحيل استمرار التغطية بالكامل على ما يجري في دارفور، الا ان عدم المعرفة الملموسة والحية بوقائع ماجرى لدى الرأي العام في الوسط، اتاح للإنقاذ مواصلة نهجها في التغطية والتبرير، ولكن بأسلوب جديد، فطورت ما اسمته بالمؤامرة الصليبية الصهيونية، كنقاب ايديولوجي، ينكر ما جري او يهوّن من حجمه ودلالاته، وبالتالي يعفي الانقاذ من أية مسئولية اخلاقية او انسانية او قانونية تجاه الضحايا، بل وبالركون الى تفسير (المؤامرة) فأن ضحايا دارفور يتحولون الى مجرمين,و بدلاً من التعاطف, يجدون الإدانة والتشنيع

وقد تأكدت شخصياً، بتجربة مباشرة، من كذب الدعاية الحكومية، حين زرت، ضمن وفد ملتقى منظمات المجتمع المدني، معسكرات النازحين في عام2005م، وقد حاول عدد من الرسميين الذين يتولون ادارة العون الانساني، كما يفعلون عادة مع الوفود الزائرة من الداخل والخارج، ان يقيدوا مصادر معلوماتنا وحصرها في سماع الروايات المرغوبة لدى الحكومة، بعزلنا عن الضحايا، او اعطائنا تبريرات زائفة, كمثل الادعاء بأن الضحايا لايفهمون معنى كلمة (اغتصاب) ويقصدون بها (غصب)- أي القسر والإكراه! ولكن شاءت الاقدار ان يتمكن الوفد من لقاء النازحين في معسكري (كُلما) و(عطاش)، وسماع مآسيهم التى تقطع نياط القلب. ولا أزال اذكر احد النازحين من منطقة شطايا، يحكي والدموع تطفر من عينيه، ان الجنجويد بعد ان احرقوا قريتهم، اسروا الرجال وقيدوهم جميعا- بمن فيهم هو-، ثم بدأوا في اغتصاب النساء, فاغتصبوا ابنته امام عينيه! وبعد ان اكملوا فعلتهم الدنيئة قذفوا نحوه بعملة معدنية، قائلين (خذ لأننا وجدناها فتاة)- يعنون بأنها عذراء!! وللدقة فقد استخدم الرجل لفظة (ركبوا) بدلا من (اغتصبوا)، فألجم الكذابين الذين يريدون انكار الفظائع بالتلاعب بالمفردات

ومن الوقائع الصلدة التي لا يمكن التغطية عليها او انكارها، حجم المتأثرين بكارثة دارفور، حيث تشرد 1.65 (مليون وستمائة وخمسون الف نازح داخليا) و203 آلاف لاجئ في معسكرات تشاد، اضافة الى 627 ألف متأثر بالصراع بطرق أخرى, أي أن المجموع يصل الى 2.6 مليون شخص، يشكلون ثلث سكان دارفور! (لاحظ ان الارقام تعود الى عام2006م، ومن حينها ازدادت اعداد المتأثرين!) واذا كان مجموع سكان السودان40 مليوناً فإن الكارثة الانسانية في دارفور – بالارقام المتواضعة لعام2006- قد طالت شخصاً واحداً على الاقل من بين كل عشرين سودانيا

وكذلك من الحقائق الصلدة التي لايتطرق اليها الشك تدمير600 قرية-على الاقل- تدميراً كاملاً! وتؤكد ذلك صور الأقمار الصناعية! بينما دُمّر جزئياً عدد اضافي يتراوح بين100-200قرية! وحصلت لجنة التحقيق الدولية على معلومات مفادها ان الشرطة السودانية قد وضعت تقديراً للدمار وسجلت عدد القرى المدمرة فبلغ اكثر من2000 قرية! وتفيد مصادر الحركات المسلحة بأن عدد القرى المدمرة- كلياً او جزئياً- يصل الى 4000قرية

وكذلك من الحقائق فقد آلاف الارواح, وقد صرح وزير الخارجية حينها- د.مصطفي عثمان اسماعيل- بأن القتلى حوالي5 آلاف شخص، بينما صرح لاحقا المشير البشير بأنهم حوالي1 0آلاف قتيل! هذا بينما تقدرهم لجنة التحقيق الدولية بـ70 ألف شخص- وقتها كانت العمليات لاتزال على حدتها، مما يشير الى وقوع ضحايا آخرين بعد ذلك، وتقدر منظمات حقوق الانسان القتلي بـ200ألف بينما تقدرهم حركات دارفور بـ500ألف. وعلى كلٍّ, في الحدود الدنيا، أي 10آلاف شخص، فان ضحايا مجزرة دارفور يفوقون ضحايا الاجتياح الاسرائيلي لقطاع غزة، بما يزيد عن اربعة اضعاف

وبالإنطلاق من الحقائق الصلدة، التي لايتطرق اليها الشك، اي حقائق مثل تشريد ثلث سكان دارفور، يمكن استنتاج حجم الفظائع التي دفعت بملايين الناس الى ترك قراهم والبحث عن الامان في معسكرات النازحين واللاجئين! فإما أن هؤلاء قد تعرضوا لعمليات ترويع واسعة- كما تؤكد شهادات الضحايا والوقائع على الارض (كحرق القرة) والتقارير المستقلة، او الاحتمال الثاني-كما تزعم الانقاذ- ان هؤلاء الملايين – دون أي اسباب عقلانية- قد قرروا الهروب بشكل جماعي من سكناهم، تاركين اراضيهم وممتلكاتهم ومستعيضين عنها بمذلة النزوح واللجوء!! مما يعني ان التفسير الوحيد المقبول لمثل هذا السلوك ان هؤلاء جميعا ً من المجانين! ولنفترض ذلك جدلاً، فيظل السؤال، ما الذي يدفع ملايين الناس الى الجنون؟! مما يحيل من جديد الى طبيعة النظام الذي يدفع واحداً من كل عشرين سودانياً الى الجنون!!

وهكذا فان المغالطات والإنكار، لا يُجديان، والحقيقة التي تحاول الانقاذ ضرب (النقاب) عليها، ان ملايين الناس في دارفور قد واجهوا حرباً من نوع جديد – حرباً بلا تمييز، اي بلا عقل، فلا تمييز بين المقاتل والمدني، ولا بين المقاتلين وبين العجزة والنساء والأطفال، ولا تمييز بين الأهداف العسكرية والمدنية، ولا تمييز بين الوسائل ولا مع تناسبها مع الغايات- كل شئ مباح!حرب بلا عقل،وكذلك بلا قلب، فلا تحدها أية قيم أو اعراف او اخلاق او اعتبارات دينية او قانونية – حرب الجنجويد- حرب اظلام العقل والوجدان

وقد توفرت لجنة التحقيق الدولية على دراسة ماجرى في دارفور، فقابلت الشهود، وحققت بواسطة خبراء واطباء شرعيين، وقابلت المسؤولين الحكوميين ووزنت شهاداتهم، ثم خلصت الى تقريرها، الذي يثبت الكثير من الوقائع التي تخزّ وجدان كل شريف، وأذكر أدناه بعضاً منها، حتى يكون الرأي العام في الوسط، على بينة من حقيقة ما جرى هنالك

ارتكب الجنجويد خلال الهجمات عمليات قتل متعددة، وقد تحققت اللجنة من حوادث عديدة من هذا النوع، فقد ادى هجوم وقع في موللي بغرب دارف ور في ابريل 2003م الى وفاة 63 شخصاً، من بينهم طفلة في السابعة من عمرها. وقد دفن الموتي في ثماني مقابر جماعية بمنطقة سوق القرية. ولاحظت اللجنة أمراً هاماً، هو ان الحادث قد ابلغ الى الشرطة وان سبعة اشخاص قد اعتقلوا واحتجزوا ثم اطلق سراحهم بعد ذلك بثلاثة اشهر

وهاجم الجنجويد والقوات الحكومية في ديسمبر2003م قرية نوري القريبة من بلدة مواني بغرب دارفور وهذا الهجوم سانده غطاء بطائرات الهيلكوبتر وقد قتل67 مدنياً عندما اطلق المهاجمون النيران عليهم عمداً وبصورة عشوائية… ودخلوا المنازل وقتلوا الرجال ثم جمعوا النساء في المسجد، وكان هناك نحو10رجال مختبئين مع النساء. وقد وجد الجنجويد هؤلاء الرجال وقتلوهم داخل المسجد. ثم ارغموا النساء على خلع المكسي (وهو ثوب سابغ يغطي اجسادهن بأكملها) فاذا وجدوهن يخفين اولادهن الصغار تحت تلك الثياب, قاموا بقتل الصبية..)!

واستطاعت اللجنة ان تجد عناصر مختلفة تثبت روايات الشهود وتؤكد حدوث عمليات القتل الجماعي للمدنيين على أيدي القوات الحكومية والمليشيات، وعلى سبيل المثال، زارت اللجنة قرية كيلك في جنوب دارفور، التي يسكنها أساسا أناس ينتمون الى قبيلة الفور، وتأكدت مما قاله شهود العيان للجنة. وهذه الحالة لا تصور فحسب حدوث عمليات قتل المدنيين بأعداد كبيرة، بل تصور أيضا عمليات الاحتجاز المخالف للقانون والمصحوبة بعمليات الاعدام العاجلة والاغتصاب وغير ذلك من التجاوزات .. وخلال الهجوم الاول المبين في الفرع السابق، دمرت تسع قرى حول بلدة شطايا، وقتل85 شخصاً، من بينهم خمس نساء وثلاثة اطفال، وبعد الهجوم توجه سكان المنطقة بأكملهم الى كيلك وكان الجنجويد لا يزالون موجودين في القرى المحيطة، وكل من حاول العودة الى هذه القريى تعرض للهجوم، وقتل البعض منهم. وعثرت اللجنة على عناصر تؤكد صحة التقارير القائلة بان 28 رجلأ أعزل حاولوا الإستسلام في مركز كيلك قد قتلوا باطلاق الرصاص عليهم جميعا- ولم ينج منهم سوى رجل واحد

ووقع هجوم ثاني في مارس2004م… وقد اطلقت النيران على كل الناس عندما اضطروا وقد عانوا من العطش الى مغادرة مخابئهم للذهاب الى نقاط المياه، وهناك تقارير متسقة تفيد بان بعض الذين ألقي القبض عليهم وبعض الذين استسلموا للجنجويد قد اطلق عليهم الرصاص فوراً وقتلوا . وزعمت امرأة انها فقدت17 شخصاً من افراد اسرتها في الجبل، وقد اطلق الجنجويد نيرانهم على شقيقتها وطفلها من مسافة قريبة. اما من استسلموا او عادوا الى كيلك فقد احتجزوا في ساحة صغيرة مكشوفة رغم ارادتهم لفترة طويلة (ربما لاكثر من خمسين يوما). وتعرض كثيرون لأفظع صور المعاملة، وأعدم الكثيرون منهم بصورة عاجلة. فنودي على الرجال الذين احتجزوا في كيلك واطلق الرصاص عليهم امام اعين الجميع او نقلوا بعيدا حيث اطلق الرصاص عليهم… وهناك تقارير تفيد بأن أناساً قد ألقي بهم في النار ليموتوا حرقاً. وهناك تقارير تفيد بأن أناسا قد سلخت جلودهم سلخا جزئياً، او أًحدثت بهم اصابات بطرق أخرى وتركوا ليموتوا

وأواصل بإذنه تعالى..
الحاج وراق

My take on the elections

2009-12-08T10:58:00.000-08:00

By Muhammad Osman

The chances of holding Sudan’s general-elections as scheduled in April 2010 are growing slimmer everyday as the two parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), continue to engage in futile brinksmanship and stall over laws.

Insiders have indicated that differences over divisive laws, namely the Referendum Act and the National Security Forces Act, have reached “a tense point”, according to Foreign Minister Deng Alor.

Attempting to seek answers to questions such as how did we reach this level of deterioration and why has the CPA failed is a waste of time, for the answers are well known to anybody following Sudanese politics since the signing of the CPA in 2005.

The trouble with the current situation is that it gives strong indication that the NCP and the SPLM might wash their hands in boredom and stage “a peaceful divorce” before the end of the transitional period. This of course raises fears of the possibility of a unilateral declaration of independence by south Sudan.

If this happens, the NCP will most likely go ahead with organizing the elections as they represent the only opportunity to gain legitimacy and salvage its head from the ICC gallows, even though that will not be the case.

In this case, what should the alliance of northern opposition do? In sum, boycott the elections. Here’s why I believe this should be the action to take.

The harbingers of the failure of these elections have already started to appear. Only three weeks after the voter-registration process kicked off on 01 November and the press is already rife with reports on widespread voter intimidation and rigging cases among many other irregularities committed by people suspected of ties to the NCP.

The NCP has even had no qualms about harnessing state capabilities to support its campaign for the registration. Many journalists have reported on state-owned cars being used to herd NCP supporters to the registration centers among many other fraudulent practices.

What we can deduce from all these widely-reported facts is that the ruling clique is resolved to accomplish the mission from the very get-going by tampering with the voter-registration records. This will undoubtedly prepare the ground for greater rigging in the coming poll.

Even the National Election Commission, the official regulatory body of the elections, has been accused by the opposition of lacking credibility and serving NCP interests. Similarly, it has been accused by the US-based Carter Center of putting hurdles in the way of international observation of the elections
Although the commission’s chairman, Abel Alier, has a good reputation but it is foolish to believe that an impartial body could exist in a single-party state.

The situation in the media arena, in terms of freedom of speech and impartiality of state-owned media, looks even worst. Broadcast-media is still tightly controlled by the NCP which means that no other political party could use it to campaign.

Opposition political parties remain hopelessly unable to operate freely due to restrictions imposed on their activities by the state security watchdog, the National Security and Intelligence Services. No opposition party is allowed to hold a rally without obtaining permission from the authorities.

Under these conditions, it makes sense to be suspicious about the intention of the NCP’s leadership. The party continues to give conclusive evidences that it is not interested in creating conducive environment for the elections.

It’s time to get tough. Northern opposition parties can no longer afford to sit on the sidewalk and wait as the NCP continues to prepare for its self-serving elections.

If the NCP does not agree to immediately lift restrictions on freedom of campaigning, open state-media, especially radio and television, to other political parties and facilitate movement of international observers, these sham elections should be boycotted without a single moment of hesitation. Otherwise the opposition would be throwing a lifeline to Al-Bashir and his party to gain legitimacy to help them confront international pressure.

Commentary published by the Sudanese English-speaking daily The Citizen on 01 December

Party headquarters besieged by police forces

2009-12-07T00:52:00.000-08:00

07 December
Breaking news

The headquarters of the National Ummah Party (NUP) in Sudan, in front of which dispersed protestors are trying to gather, has been completely sealed off and besieged by police forces, the Sudanese online reporter observes.

Opposition supporters have gathered in front of the headquarters and started chanting anti-government slogans. They also announced the arrest of Sidiq al-Turabi.

The police was however forced to lift the siege briefly to allow Maryam al-Sadiq, daughter of the party’s leader Al-Sadiq al-Mahdi, to reach the building where she joined other protestors.

The Sudanese online reporter notes that there is heavy police deployment blocking all roads leading to the NUP headquarters.

Sudan police arrests opposition leaders, cracks down on protesters

2009-12-07T00:34:00.000-08:00

07 December, Omdurman
Breaking news

Sudan's police has arrested opposition leaders and dispersed citizens protesting against outstanding laws near the parliament building in Omdurman.

In a scene witnessed by the Sudanese online reporter, police forces used metal sticks and tear gas to disperse protestors gathering in front of the parliament building in Omdurman this morning.

Dispersed protestors tried to re-gather and march toward the parliament but police forces cracked down again and fired tear gas.

Earlier this morning, police reportedly arrested SPLM's secretary-general Pagan Amum together with other SPLM members. There are also unconfirmed reports that Faruq Abu Issa, the opposition leading member, has been arrested.

Today’s protest was declared by the opposition against delays in passing democratic laws.

The possible scenarios of the census results

2009-05-22T00:24:00.000-07:00

Sudan yesterday announced the long-anticipated census results. The results put the total population of Sudan at only 39m, 8m of them live in the south. Clearly the SPLM, as it has already indicated, will not acknowledge these results and will see it as another attempt from its cunning partner to pave the way for rigging the next elections.
It is also known that the census operation was marred with many flaws such as the fact that the enumerators were unable to access many areas in the westernmost region of Darfur. I think yesterday's announcement marks the beginning of the most crucial stage, if the SPLM does not bow to accept these results, it means the inevitable delay of both, the elections and the referendum. The current stand off also introduces another frightening possibility, the declaration of early Independence.

Sudan Tribune hacked - Media observation

2009-01-21T03:04:00.000-08:00

Khartoum: Mohammad El-Tilib

The web-based Sudan Tribune has apparently been hacked. Attempts to access the site show a screen full of strange figures and question marks!

Will inform you with further information as we receive them.

SOR

Prominent Islamist Opposition leader calls on Bashir to "surrender" to ICC

2009-01-12T08:10:00.000-08:00

12 January
[Edited text of a report by Reuters]

The prominent Islamist opposition leader and former godfather of the current regime, Hassan Al-Turabi, has called on President Al-Bashir to hand himself over to the International Criminal Court, saying he should take responsibility for war crimes in Darfur.

According to Reuters, Al-Turabi told reporters Al-Bashir should surrender himself to save Sudan from sanctions and political turmoil that would follow if he defied the court and carried on ruling as a wanted man.

"There is no judicial justice in this country, As far as we are concerned there is no access to justice except through the international court," al-Turabi said in the Khartoum headquarters of his opposition Popular Congress Party. "It is up to the government to hand him over or for him personally to go for the sake of his country, to protect his country against any further sanctions against the government," he added.

Turabi also said that Al-Bashir should take personal responsibility for atrocities and war crimes carried out in almost six years of fighting in Sudan's west. "Politically we think he is culpable. He is responsible for all the crimes. In politics, whatever happens below a minister, for example, he will have to resign for it and assume responsibility” he said and went on "And he should assume responsibility for whatever is happening in Darfur -- displacement, the burning of all the villages, systematic rapes."

Turabi said he could not comment on whether Bashir had personally orchestrated war crimes in Darfur -- just that the president should take political responsibility for atrocities carried out under his leadership. The controversial opposition leader added he did not expect Bashir to take his advice. "Probably the government will not hand him over ... He will not surrender himself to save his country or to go and prove he is not guilty."

SOR notes it is not the first time Al-Turabi had hinted on his support for the ICC’s proposed indictment against Al-Bashir; however; he never expressed it so bluntly.

As foreseen, Al-Turabi was taken into custody by the security authorities few days ago. security sources leaked information that he might stand trial!

All Rights Reserved – The Sudanese Online Reporter - 2009

ICC crisis affecting foreign investment in Sudan, minister says

2009-01-11T10:54:00.000-08:00

11 January
Khartoum,
Muhammad El-Tilib

A Sudanese minister has said that the ICC issue is one of the biggest challenges affecting foreign investment in Sudan.

In a press conference held yesterday, the Minister of Investment Gorge Bouring said that foreign investment in Sudan had been affected by the ICC crisis as well as the warnings voiced by some on the possible collapse of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and added that these two issues were making foreign investors think that Sudan is not safe.

The minister further said that the investment in Sudan was faced with three challenges, the international financial meltdown, the global slump in the oil prices and most notably, the ICC crisis.

All Rights Reserved – the Sudanese Online Reporter - 2009

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

2008-12-22T09:20:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-14T03:34:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-12T10:55:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-12T03:40:00.000-08:00

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.

Sudan’s fate in the NCP’s hands

2008-12-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

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.

NGO convoy waylaid in South Darfur

2008-12-05T00:16:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-27T05:17:00.000-08:00

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.

2008-10-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-09-10T12:21:00.000-07:00

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.