Bashir threatens to block S Sudan oil - Africa - Al Jazeera English
Bashir is fiurious and will he do what he siad.
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
Sudan and chad once was one country .
Sudan and Chad Affirm Keenness to Maintain Cooperation
Addis Ababa - Sudan and Chad have reiterated their keenness to maintain the ongoing cooperation between them for securing the joint border area through the Joint Sudanese - Chadian forces and provide a unique model of the cooperation in this regard which is to be followed by all the African states.This was assured at a meeting held Sunday in Addis Ababa between the President of the Republic, Field Marshal Omer Al Bashir, and the President of Chad, Idris Deby, on the sidelines of the Ordinary Summit of the African Union.
In press statements after the meeting, held at the residence of President Al Bashir in Addis Ababa, the two Presidents stated that their meeting came in the context of the continuous consultations and cooperation between Sudan and Chad and their work to encourage the exchange of interests between the two countries for the benefit of the two sister peoples.
Presidents Al Bashir and Deby indicated that they discussed progress of the relations between Sudan and Chad as well as issues of mutual concern and the cooperation, especially in the security and trade fields.
It is to be recalled that President Al Bashir also met on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa with the Presidents of Kenya, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Somalia and the Chairman of the African Union's Implementation Panel for Sudan and former South African President, Thabo Mbeki
Kenana Sugar factory.
Editorial :Yes for Upgrading .. No for Selling
The sugar industry in Sudan, generally, is one of the pioneering industries in the framework of resources replacement; just like other vital industries for self-sufficiency and food security.
Sugar has, over the years, become a commodity as strategically important as advanced weaponry and technology industries.
Those who own the sugar commodity can control one of the most important markets in the globe.
Despite the success of sugar industry in the country and its covering the demand, we hear that the government plans to sell stakes in four state-owned sugar plants to attract partners.
We believe that Sudan should keep these factories in the framework of the government's ownership essentially or; if necessary, in the framework of transitional, not permanent, partnerships.
It is not convincible from our officials to say that the government would not completely withdraw from the firm, because it is commendable to add more sugar factories considering the tangible success of the existing plants.
It goes without saying that our sugar plants have highly qualified experts and technicians; so why do we think of selling such successful institutions. Why shouldn't we instead opt for exploiting some of the millions of acres of fertile agricultural land and install new sugar plants where partners own stakes transitionally?
The Sudanese are looking forward to the completion of the new sugar factories to join a number of highly successful sugar projects such as Kenana and White Nile sugar factories; but selling already productive plants is not something they await.
Most countries round the globe are exerting all possible efforts to be able to grow sugar cane and produce sugar whose price doubles every day considering that most of the modern industries rely on it.
Sudan has been trying to improve the efficiency of the Sudanese Sugar Companies, and Kenana, in particular, plans to increase production by doubling its sugar output to one million tons by 2015, so why do we resort to such a defeatist idea?
The idea of selling any successful company is a basically a malicious and hardly sage idea unless our officials convince us otherwise.
To sum it up we say that selling sugar plants will be one of the big mistakes which will be recorded against the government.
We call for upgrading the existing sugar factories and to plan the implementation of more to ensure turning Sudan, where sugar is concerned, into the African Cuba or Brazil.
Sugar has, over the years, become a commodity as strategically important as advanced weaponry and technology industries.
Those who own the sugar commodity can control one of the most important markets in the globe.
Despite the success of sugar industry in the country and its covering the demand, we hear that the government plans to sell stakes in four state-owned sugar plants to attract partners.
We believe that Sudan should keep these factories in the framework of the government's ownership essentially or; if necessary, in the framework of transitional, not permanent, partnerships.
It is not convincible from our officials to say that the government would not completely withdraw from the firm, because it is commendable to add more sugar factories considering the tangible success of the existing plants.
It goes without saying that our sugar plants have highly qualified experts and technicians; so why do we think of selling such successful institutions. Why shouldn't we instead opt for exploiting some of the millions of acres of fertile agricultural land and install new sugar plants where partners own stakes transitionally?
The Sudanese are looking forward to the completion of the new sugar factories to join a number of highly successful sugar projects such as Kenana and White Nile sugar factories; but selling already productive plants is not something they await.
Most countries round the globe are exerting all possible efforts to be able to grow sugar cane and produce sugar whose price doubles every day considering that most of the modern industries rely on it.
Sudan has been trying to improve the efficiency of the Sudanese Sugar Companies, and Kenana, in particular, plans to increase production by doubling its sugar output to one million tons by 2015, so why do we resort to such a defeatist idea?
The idea of selling any successful company is a basically a malicious and hardly sage idea unless our officials convince us otherwise.
To sum it up we say that selling sugar plants will be one of the big mistakes which will be recorded against the government.
We call for upgrading the existing sugar factories and to plan the implementation of more to ensure turning Sudan, where sugar is concerned, into the African Cuba or Brazil.
Monday, 27 May 2013
50 years of AFRICAN UNITY.
This is Africa’s time, Dr. Dlamini-Zuma Says as OAU-AU Celebrates 50 Years of Existence26/05/2013 12:08:00
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Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission at her opening speech
Africans from the five regions of the continent and the Diaspora as well as guests from around the world on Saturday, May 25 converged at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) now the African Union (AU), established in the same city on May 25, 1963. The celebration featured intellectual debates on the theme: “Pan Africanism and African Renaissance”, followed by a cultural evening in the presence of current and former Heads of State of the Union as well as former Secretary Generals of the OAU and former Chairpersons of the AU. The United Nations Secretary General was among the guests. Former President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, who was present at the signing of the OAU Charter in 1963 animated the cultural evening with a message to the new generation and a song in honour of women that aroused a lot of emotion and determination from the crowd. Mr. HaileMariam Dessalegn, Chairperson of the African Union and Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, stressed the importance of this day saying that it is an occasion to honour the founders of the continental organisation who created the OAU 50 years ago, with a resolve to pursue the quest for African Unity in earnest, inspired by the ideals of panafricanism. In her commemorative address at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission called on all Africans to galvanise efforts and contribute to the Agenda 2063, so that Africa takes its destiny into its own hands and occupies its rightful place in the world arena. “We pay tribute to the pioneers of Pan-Africanism, on the continent and in the Diaspora, and to the Founders of the OAU for their wisdom and foresight to lay the foundations for the unity and solidarity of Africa”, she noted. These early generations, she said, embodied the Pan African values of selflessness, solidarity and service to the people. Referring to the Oath taken by Amilcar Cabral in 1969, Dr. Dlamini Zuma said, “I swear that I will give my life, all my energy and all my courage, all the capacity that I have… until the day that I die, to the service of my people, of Guinea and Cape Verde... and to the service of the cause of humanity… This is what my work is.” She reiterated the need to promote the image of Africa “We are proud to be African. In this great task, let us think like men and women of action. And act like men and women of thought….We pledge to take our destiny into our own hands, because power resides in hard work, scientific investigations, in intellectual curiosity, in creative greatness and freedom, in the fullest exploration of our human powers, and in the truest independence,” she emphasized. Underlining her immediate priorities in achieving the Africa 2063 vision, the AUC Chairperson underscored that, “as we start the journey of the next fifty years, we are clear about the task before us: to educate our populace, and ensure healthy bodies and minds; to modernise and expand Africa’s infrastructure and connect our peoples and countries.” She added that other tasks in front of the AU are, “to grow our agriculture and agro-businesses so that we can feed ourselves and the world; to use our natural resources to industrialise and grow our shared prosperity; to invest in science, technology, research and innovation as enablers of rapid progress; and finally to empower women and youth as the drivers of Africa’s renaissance”. During the jubilee celebration at the Millennium Hall, several Heads of State took the floor to express their vision on Panafricanism in today’s context and renaissance through the 2063 agenda. They reiterated their support and encouragement to ensure the implementation of this development project. Musical bits and dances by different artists representing the cream of the African society crowned the OAU-AU jubilee which marking the beginning of year-long celebration of the 50 anniversary of the OAU-AU anniversary. |
LOOK HOW THEY CLING
Green Red and light red.....LOOK HOW THEY CLING......one language ...... and chare boarders.
Libya, Sudan and Egypt Agree on Developing Southern Border Region25/05/2013 02:08:00
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In a meeting held in Tripoli on Thursday 23 May, Libya, Sudan and Egypt agreed to work together to develop the border triangle and establish free trade zones that help improve living conditions of their peoples in the region.
A final communiqué stated that three countries underline the need to link electricity networks and the use of alternative energy source in the process of developing the border triangle, the Libyan news agency reported on Thursday. It also said it would take measures to improve the road network in order to facilitate the passage of goods and people between these countries. They called on businessmen to establish a joint council for businessmen to oversee the free trade zones and the establishment of joint holding companies for the development of investments in the region. The statement stressed the need to develop cooperation in the fields of telecommunications, information technology and activating the electronic link system and the exchange of information to regulate the flow of people and goods within Libya, Egypt and Sudan. The meeting which was a follow up of another that was held on the sidelines of the Arab Summit in Doha on 24 March was attended on the Libyan side by Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Said Alkhtali, the Director of Arab Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jamal Sheikh on the Egyptian side and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Sudanese Foreign Ministry for Technical Affairs Mr. Moa’yed Al-Dhala’ai. |
Friday, 24 May 2013
From Al Hayat
Khartoum Steps Up Military Operations
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Sudan’s government launched a large-scale military campaign in areas controlled by the Darfur armed movements and rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N ) in the Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. This comes amid reports that the authorities are anticipating surprises from the rebels in the northern and central parts of Sudan.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said that his country “strongly and firmly continues its actions until the armed forces — which will get all the support and backup to liberate every inch that is contaminated by the rebels — achieve victory.” He told employees at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs that “all the forces of evil in the world have conspired against Sudan; however, Sudan will emerge from the conspiracy stronger, more resolved and determined than before.” Bashir added that “Sudan is a country of principles. The forces of evil have targeted our fundamental principles and political positions. Yet, we will preserve our principles and positions. We successfully fought and overpowered them, and have endured conditions more difficult than the current ones.”
Spokesman for the Sudanese military Al-Sawarmi Khaled Saad promised [to achieve] “a major victory” over the Sudan Revolutionary Front, and emphasized that “victory will be crushing. We will destroy the rebels who committed crimes and atrocities against unarmed civilians and innocent people.”
He added, “The decisive moment is very near in all locations where the SPLM-N rebels, and other agents and mercenaries, thought that they will stay for long. The Sudanese people will very soon hear good news.” He continued, “The army continues its efforts to rid the country of every rebel, and we are telling them that the moment of truth is near.”
Defense Minister Abdel Rahim Hussein and Director of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Mohamed Atta visited Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State. The visit came following information stating that the rebels are planning an attack there. Hussein confirmed that the government forces “work in total coordination, and accurately implement their security plans, which have led to a positive security situation in Nyala and other cities.”
Hussein noted that during their visit to South Darfur state, they reviewed the authorities’ arrangements to secure the city of Nyala and its surrounding, “which positively reflected on the situation in the region.” He also mentioned that the army, police and security services are coordinating to control the situation in Nyala. He said, “The situation is stable in the city, the citizens’ activity is normal, and security situation is continuously improving in the state.”
The governor of North Darfur state, Osman Yusuf Kibir, confirmed that the military surrounded the rebels of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in Um Katkoot, the mountains of Um Karkoor and the surrounding area in the central part of the state. He said that he discussed the JEM rebels’ activity in the state and their movement toward the state’s southeastern areas with Tijani el-Sissi, head of the Darfur regional authority.
Kibir pointed out that “the rebel forces are currently stationed in the central part of the state.” He stressed “the military’s ability to deal with and defend against the rebels.” He also expected an ethnic conflict to erupt within the JEM, led by Jibreel Ibrahim, after Mohamed Bashar and his deputy Suleiman Arko were recently assassinated. Bashar is the leader of the group that signed a peace agreement in Doha with the Sudanese government.
Ibrahim al-Khodor — governor of the northern state, which is adjacent to the Egyptian border — stressed that his state “is ready and prepared for all possibilities. The rotation of guards is conducted by security authorities at the city’s entrances, and security forces are patrolling the desert.” Following closed security meetings — which were attended by parliament Speaker Ahmed Ibrahim al-Tahir, who made a tactical visit to the state — Khodor told reporters that “the meeting’s attendees were satisfied with security arrangements, as well as political and military preparations in the state’s provinces, and the camps to train volunteers on weapon handling.”
He denied the presence of rebel rallies along the state’s border with North Kordofan and Darfur. Khodor explained, “It seemed likely that rebels were present in Hour Valley in North Darfur. Yet, the patrols that we sent did not find anything.” He added, “They [the rebels] probably heard that the state forces were coming, so they went back to where they came from.” Khodor noted that there is no evidence that an attack is being planned in the state.
In Khartoum, semi-official reports revealed that security services recently observed “some groups that intended to carry out acts of sabotage in the city center of the capital. They intend to take advantage of [the existing] crisis, and incite people to protest in a way to spark chaos and confusion in the center of Khartoum.”
The reports added that “the Khartoum state security committee developed plans to secure the capital, and activate security services to observe, identify and eliminate any anti-government cells.” They stressed that “the security services — which are thoroughly searching all areas, especially the peripheral areas, via joint security teams from the police and security services — are vigilant. “
On the other hand, the Central Khartoum Court re-detained former NISS director Salah Abdallah Ghosh and four others until next Sunday. This came at the request of the inquiry commission to re-interrogate those suspected of taking part in an attempt to overthrow the regime, which the authorities had announced they thwarted in November 2012.
Nabil Adeeb, the attorney heading Ghosh’s defense team, said that “so far there is no legal evidence to convict him,” and described the case as “a political rather than legal issue, that has not gotten to the trial stage yet, given that the inquiry commission has yet to bring any charges against him.”
He said that “the inquiry commission is trying to find a charge,” and asserted that the defendants “did not commit any acts that violate the law, and there is no evidence against them.” He added that the prosecution “will not be able to bring any legal charges against Ghosh and his group,” and described the measures as “a storm in a teacup.”
Bashir had issued a decree to pardon members of the military and security services regarding the attempted coup. This is after two courts convicted them and issued a ruling to imprison them and expel them from the military.
About This Article
Summary :
In an effort to eradicate rebels throughout the country, the Sudanese government has increased military operations in areas where rebels maintain a significant presence.
Publisher: Al-Hayat (Pan Arab) Original Title: Sudan: Large-Scale Military Campaign Against Rebels Author: Al-Nour Ahmad Al-Nour First Published: May 22, 2013 Posted on: May 22 2013 Translated by: Joelle El-Khoury |
Spokesman for the Sudanese military Al-Sawarmi Khaled Saad promised [to achieve] “a major victory” over the Sudan Revolutionary Front, and emphasized that “victory will be crushing. We will destroy the rebels who committed crimes and atrocities against unarmed civilians and innocent people.”
He added, “The decisive moment is very near in all locations where the SPLM-N rebels, and other agents and mercenaries, thought that they will stay for long. The Sudanese people will very soon hear good news.” He continued, “The army continues its efforts to rid the country of every rebel, and we are telling them that the moment of truth is near.”
Defense Minister Abdel Rahim Hussein and Director of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Mohamed Atta visited Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State. The visit came following information stating that the rebels are planning an attack there. Hussein confirmed that the government forces “work in total coordination, and accurately implement their security plans, which have led to a positive security situation in Nyala and other cities.”
Hussein noted that during their visit to South Darfur state, they reviewed the authorities’ arrangements to secure the city of Nyala and its surrounding, “which positively reflected on the situation in the region.” He also mentioned that the army, police and security services are coordinating to control the situation in Nyala. He said, “The situation is stable in the city, the citizens’ activity is normal, and security situation is continuously improving in the state.”
The governor of North Darfur state, Osman Yusuf Kibir, confirmed that the military surrounded the rebels of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in Um Katkoot, the mountains of Um Karkoor and the surrounding area in the central part of the state. He said that he discussed the JEM rebels’ activity in the state and their movement toward the state’s southeastern areas with Tijani el-Sissi, head of the Darfur regional authority.
Kibir pointed out that “the rebel forces are currently stationed in the central part of the state.” He stressed “the military’s ability to deal with and defend against the rebels.” He also expected an ethnic conflict to erupt within the JEM, led by Jibreel Ibrahim, after Mohamed Bashar and his deputy Suleiman Arko were recently assassinated. Bashar is the leader of the group that signed a peace agreement in Doha with the Sudanese government.
Ibrahim al-Khodor — governor of the northern state, which is adjacent to the Egyptian border — stressed that his state “is ready and prepared for all possibilities. The rotation of guards is conducted by security authorities at the city’s entrances, and security forces are patrolling the desert.” Following closed security meetings — which were attended by parliament Speaker Ahmed Ibrahim al-Tahir, who made a tactical visit to the state — Khodor told reporters that “the meeting’s attendees were satisfied with security arrangements, as well as political and military preparations in the state’s provinces, and the camps to train volunteers on weapon handling.”
He denied the presence of rebel rallies along the state’s border with North Kordofan and Darfur. Khodor explained, “It seemed likely that rebels were present in Hour Valley in North Darfur. Yet, the patrols that we sent did not find anything.” He added, “They [the rebels] probably heard that the state forces were coming, so they went back to where they came from.” Khodor noted that there is no evidence that an attack is being planned in the state.
In Khartoum, semi-official reports revealed that security services recently observed “some groups that intended to carry out acts of sabotage in the city center of the capital. They intend to take advantage of [the existing] crisis, and incite people to protest in a way to spark chaos and confusion in the center of Khartoum.”
The reports added that “the Khartoum state security committee developed plans to secure the capital, and activate security services to observe, identify and eliminate any anti-government cells.” They stressed that “the security services — which are thoroughly searching all areas, especially the peripheral areas, via joint security teams from the police and security services — are vigilant. “
On the other hand, the Central Khartoum Court re-detained former NISS director Salah Abdallah Ghosh and four others until next Sunday. This came at the request of the inquiry commission to re-interrogate those suspected of taking part in an attempt to overthrow the regime, which the authorities had announced they thwarted in November 2012.
Nabil Adeeb, the attorney heading Ghosh’s defense team, said that “so far there is no legal evidence to convict him,” and described the case as “a political rather than legal issue, that has not gotten to the trial stage yet, given that the inquiry commission has yet to bring any charges against him.”
He said that “the inquiry commission is trying to find a charge,” and asserted that the defendants “did not commit any acts that violate the law, and there is no evidence against them.” He added that the prosecution “will not be able to bring any legal charges against Ghosh and his group,” and described the measures as “a storm in a teacup.”
Bashir had issued a decree to pardon members of the military and security services regarding the attempted coup. This is after two courts convicted them and issued a ruling to imprison them and expel them from the military.
Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2013/05/sudan-military-campaign-against-rebels.html#ixzz2UC8H0tX4
Thursday, 23 May 2013
Allaban abou lei beh ..... Jertig and other traditions are via in Sudan for modern life.
Changing times: Sudan’s wedding traditions in flux
KHARTOUM - Generations of Sudanese have marked their marriages with the bride standing naked in front of female relatives or with the bridal couple sprinkling each other with milk, traditions that are increasingly being shelved by young people.
The jirtig (wedding ceremony) traditions include drinking milk and the bride and the groom sprinkle milk on one another.© Yasser Hamdi
Hanan Abdurrahman, a 21-year-old bride, ascended the high jirtig bed without looking at the dozens of women who had gathered around the bed to stare at her and cover her with perfume and oil.
The traditional ceremony involves cutting her raht, a short skirt or underwear. According to Sudanese traditions, a bride wears only a raht. Beads of candy or date are connected to the leather pieces which make a belt.
When the groom pulls a strand, the raht falls and the bride is left standing naked in a room of female relatives, from both her and her groom’s family. According to tradition, everyone admires her before the groom covers her with a velvet dress.
Hanan said she was not happy about this custom, even though she was among the modern brides who remain fully dressed during the ceremony. Her grandmothers, however, had stood completely naked.
With her head bowed, Hanan sat still as her grandmothers and aunts applied a mixture of perfumes and oils on her head and some parts of her body. They asked her to stand on the middle of the bed so that everyone could see her beauty and adornment, then her groom cut her raht, which she was wearing over her long dress. The raht beads were thrown at the reception later, since it is said that single women who catch the beads will be the next to get married.
In articles he wrote in the mid 20th century, Professor Abdullah Tayeb said the jirtig and raht parties used to be held “at the noon following the wedding night” and that “the groom goes to his mother’s house, then his sisters and female cousins and neighbours go with him to the bride’s house”.
The groom sits on the decorated and incensed bed, then “stands raising his sword covered with crocodile skin and his whip made of rhinoceros skin, and his best man also holds a sword and a whip.”
Then the celebration begins and women start dancing. The bride dances covering her face with her right hand while her left one is on her buttock. The groom holds her hand to prevent her from falling.
Some of these traditions are fast disappearing, sparking mixed responses.
While some see it as a bad habit dating back to pre-Islamic ages, others stand by the tradition. A seventy-year-old woman who herself had taken part in the custom on her wedding night, commented: “That a bride stands naked suggests her good health.”
The jirtig and raht parties are only attended by female relatives, especially grandmothers, mothers and aunts of both couples. The event usually takes place at the bride’s house. The groom is the only man allowed to attend.
Tayeb said some social traditions used to be practiced along or near the Nile over the past century. “Some of them are still practiced in some parts of Sudan, especially in the countryside,” he said.
Social acceptance of these customs and rituals have been slipping over decades. Awatef Muhammad Muhey Eddine, a 50-year-old woman from a well-known family in Omdurman, recalls that during her wedding she was wearing a raht, but wore it beneath a dress. “That was in contradiction to the prevalent customs,” she explained.
She says she did not see anything wrong in practicing such customs which were prevalent back then. “My mother stood completely naked and so did my grandmother and she even danced according to the traditions of her generation,” she added.
One of the jirtig rituals is that the groom gives his bride a handful of corn already planted and grown in her house, then the bride gives them back to him. This process is repeated seven times between them as a sign of optimism that their marriage will be blessed and prosperous.
The couple also drinks milk, sprinkling some on to each other, as a proof of loyalty between them. This process is repeated three times and the one who sprinkles the most is deemed more loving and loyal. This takes place amid encouragement and jibes from the respective relatives. These rituals are accompanied by singing from the older women.
But not even older generations are convinced of the merit of these time-tested traditions. “I do not believe in the jirtig rituals and did not want my daughters to follow them,” said 70-year-old Nabawyia Muhammad Ali. “I did so to meet the desire of some, but I only put on perfumes and drank milk.”
For many girls, the jirtig and raht parties have morphed into a social occasion -- without rituals of bygone years.
Hanan Abdurrahman, a 21-year-old bride, ascended the high jirtig bed without looking at the dozens of women who had gathered around the bed to stare at her and cover her with perfume and oil.
The traditional ceremony involves cutting her raht, a short skirt or underwear. According to Sudanese traditions, a bride wears only a raht. Beads of candy or date are connected to the leather pieces which make a belt.
When the groom pulls a strand, the raht falls and the bride is left standing naked in a room of female relatives, from both her and her groom’s family. According to tradition, everyone admires her before the groom covers her with a velvet dress.
Some foreigners are also attracted to the jirtig (wedding ceremony) traditions, April 11.
© The Niles | Umniya AbbasHanan said she was not happy about this custom, even though she was among the modern brides who remain fully dressed during the ceremony. Her grandmothers, however, had stood completely naked.
With her head bowed, Hanan sat still as her grandmothers and aunts applied a mixture of perfumes and oils on her head and some parts of her body. They asked her to stand on the middle of the bed so that everyone could see her beauty and adornment, then her groom cut her raht, which she was wearing over her long dress. The raht beads were thrown at the reception later, since it is said that single women who catch the beads will be the next to get married.
In articles he wrote in the mid 20th century, Professor Abdullah Tayeb said the jirtig and raht parties used to be held “at the noon following the wedding night” and that “the groom goes to his mother’s house, then his sisters and female cousins and neighbours go with him to the bride’s house”.
The groom sits on the decorated and incensed bed, then “stands raising his sword covered with crocodile skin and his whip made of rhinoceros skin, and his best man also holds a sword and a whip.”
Then the celebration begins and women start dancing. The bride dances covering her face with her right hand while her left one is on her buttock. The groom holds her hand to prevent her from falling.
Some of these traditions are fast disappearing, sparking mixed responses.
While some see it as a bad habit dating back to pre-Islamic ages, others stand by the tradition. A seventy-year-old woman who herself had taken part in the custom on her wedding night, commented: “That a bride stands naked suggests her good health.”
The jirtig and raht parties are only attended by female relatives, especially grandmothers, mothers and aunts of both couples. The event usually takes place at the bride’s house. The groom is the only man allowed to attend.
Tayeb said some social traditions used to be practiced along or near the Nile over the past century. “Some of them are still practiced in some parts of Sudan, especially in the countryside,” he said.
Social acceptance of these customs and rituals have been slipping over decades. Awatef Muhammad Muhey Eddine, a 50-year-old woman from a well-known family in Omdurman, recalls that during her wedding she was wearing a raht, but wore it beneath a dress. “That was in contradiction to the prevalent customs,” she explained.
“My mother stood completely naked and so did my grandmother and she even danced according to the traditions of her generation.”
Awatef Muhammad Muhey Eddine
The traditional ceremony involves cutting her raht, a short skirt or underwear. According to Sudanese traditions, a bride wears only a raht. Beads of candy or date are connected to the leather pieces which make a belt.
When the groom pulls a strand, the raht falls and the bride is left standing naked in a room of female relatives, from both her and her groom’s family. According to tradition, everyone admires her before the groom covers her with a velvet dress.
Some foreigners are also attracted to the jirtig (wedding ceremony) traditions, April 11.
© The Niles | Umniya AbbasHanan said she was not happy about this custom, even though she was among the modern brides who remain fully dressed during the ceremony. Her grandmothers, however, had stood completely naked.
With her head bowed, Hanan sat still as her grandmothers and aunts applied a mixture of perfumes and oils on her head and some parts of her body. They asked her to stand on the middle of the bed so that everyone could see her beauty and adornment, then her groom cut her raht, which she was wearing over her long dress. The raht beads were thrown at the reception later, since it is said that single women who catch the beads will be the next to get married.
In articles he wrote in the mid 20th century, Professor Abdullah Tayeb said the jirtig and raht parties used to be held “at the noon following the wedding night” and that “the groom goes to his mother’s house, then his sisters and female cousins and neighbours go with him to the bride’s house”.
The groom sits on the decorated and incensed bed, then “stands raising his sword covered with crocodile skin and his whip made of rhinoceros skin, and his best man also holds a sword and a whip.”
Then the celebration begins and women start dancing. The bride dances covering her face with her right hand while her left one is on her buttock. The groom holds her hand to prevent her from falling.
Some of these traditions are fast disappearing, sparking mixed responses.
While some see it as a bad habit dating back to pre-Islamic ages, others stand by the tradition. A seventy-year-old woman who herself had taken part in the custom on her wedding night, commented: “That a bride stands naked suggests her good health.”
The jirtig and raht parties are only attended by female relatives, especially grandmothers, mothers and aunts of both couples. The event usually takes place at the bride’s house. The groom is the only man allowed to attend.
Tayeb said some social traditions used to be practiced along or near the Nile over the past century. “Some of them are still practiced in some parts of Sudan, especially in the countryside,” he said.
Social acceptance of these customs and rituals have been slipping over decades. Awatef Muhammad Muhey Eddine, a 50-year-old woman from a well-known family in Omdurman, recalls that during her wedding she was wearing a raht, but wore it beneath a dress. “That was in contradiction to the prevalent customs,” she explained.
“My mother stood completely naked and so did my grandmother and she even danced according to the traditions of her generation.”
Awatef Muhammad Muhey Eddine
She says she did not see anything wrong in practicing such customs which were prevalent back then. “My mother stood completely naked and so did my grandmother and she even danced according to the traditions of her generation,” she added.
One of the jirtig rituals is that the groom gives his bride a handful of corn already planted and grown in her house, then the bride gives them back to him. This process is repeated seven times between them as a sign of optimism that their marriage will be blessed and prosperous.
The couple also drinks milk, sprinkling some on to each other, as a proof of loyalty between them. This process is repeated three times and the one who sprinkles the most is deemed more loving and loyal. This takes place amid encouragement and jibes from the respective relatives. These rituals are accompanied by singing from the older women.
But not even older generations are convinced of the merit of these time-tested traditions. “I do not believe in the jirtig rituals and did not want my daughters to follow them,” said 70-year-old Nabawyia Muhammad Ali. “I did so to meet the desire of some, but I only put on perfumes and drank milk.”
For many girls, the jirtig and raht parties have morphed into a social occasion -- without rituals of bygone years.
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
BANK OF SUDAN.
CBOS Confirms the State's Keenness to Improve Investment Environment
Khartoum - Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS), Badr Al-Din Mahmoud Abbas stressed that the state is doing its best through the financial and economic policies to improve the investment environment in Sudan, believing the role of the private sector in leading economic activities and achieve food security.
He said that there are more efforts to stabilize the exchange rate and implementing the initiative of the President of the Republic on food security. Abbas pointed to the need of addressing the obstacles that hinder investors, emphasizing the importance of providing the necessary facilities for investments that use modern technology. He reiterated that the stability of monetary and banking policies are one of the requirements of investors, adding that the CBOS is making efforts in this regard, pointing to the stability of the exchange rate. Abbas ensured on the importance of reducing the deficit and inflation, besides commitment of the economic program and reduce imports of marginal goods to rationalize the demand for foreign exchange. He pointed out that the state will host in next December the meetings of the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League, which will discuss topics related to agriculture and Arab food security.
By Staff Writer, 14 hours 41 minutes ago
Salah Gosh!!!
Sudan’s ex-spy chief declines to plea for mercy
May 21, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s former director of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Salah Gosh refused to plea for mercy; while the investigation committee found no evidence of his involvement in the attempt..
Salah Gosh, former special security adviser to President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir (Reuters)
Sudanese authorities announced last November that they have arrested 13 suspects in connection with the coup plot including ex-spy chief Salah Gosh and Brigadier General Mohamed Ibrahim Abdel-Galil who at one point served on Bashir’s security unit.
While military officers stood trial and later pardoned by president Omer Al-Bashir, those who were part of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) including Gosh have yet to be prosecuted.
Sources with knowledge of the ongoing investigation into the recent coup attempt have told Sudan Tribune that Gosh and the four security officers detained with him refused to demand the presidential pardon as it was done by the military.
On the other hand, judges have given NISS one week to bring evidence proving involvement of Salah Gosh in planning to overthrow the government along with other security and army officers.
Khartoum central court’s judge said that he would release Gosh and the other four NISS officers if evidence of their involvement in the coup was not presented to the court within a week.
The court had renewed detention of the accused officers until next Sunday upon a re-interrogation request made by the investigation committee.
Nabil Adeeb, a member the defence team, said he expects his client to be released next week, stressing that NISS’s evidence against Gosh is weak.
Adeeb further said that the detained officers called for allowing them to have family visits as well as giving them access to their defence lawyers.
Gosh’s arrest marked the downfall of the once powerful spy chief who is better known for his deep cooperation with the United States on counter-terrorism following September 2001 attacks in Washington and New York.
He was surprisingly dismissed from his position in 2009 before being appointed as a presidential adviser for security.
In 2011 he was abruptly sacked by president Bashir from the position following an imbroglio between him and the powerful presidential assistant Nafie Ali Nafie over dialogue with opposition parties. He was later stripped of his position within the NCP and only maintained his seat in the Sudanese parliament.
The Sudanese parliament recently revoked Gosh’s parliamentary immunity to allow for his prosecution
APARTHIDE OF THE ITALIANS...?
In Italy the Blaks are struggling to get thier way like Black Americans of 1960.
It is shamfull that the Italians say they have civilization but it is only false words that they are telling other nations see that France have neutralized Afro and they became Ministers and also North Africans almost 36 ministers since the beginning of the 1900 century.
What I think of Italy it is like South Africa and more worst.
The Minister of Integration refused to greet an Italian Cittizen of Lega North and I think she did the best of it.
It is shamfull that the Italians say they have civilization but it is only false words that they are telling other nations see that France have neutralized Afro and they became Ministers and also North Africans almost 36 ministers since the beginning of the 1900 century.
What I think of Italy it is like South Africa and more worst.
The Minister of Integration refused to greet an Italian Cittizen of Lega North and I think she did the best of it.
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
AFRICAN CITIZENSHIP.....WAW.
Let's Have Common Citizenship in Africa - Thabo Mbeki
President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa will, this evening at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, receive the Daily Trust African of the Year Award 2012 for his work last year in bringing peace to Sudan and South Sudan. In this recent interview in South Africa with Professor Tandeka Nkiwane, Member, African of the Year Advisory Committee, he comments on his panels work, the challenges it faced, unfinished matters in Sudan as well as South Sudan, issues facing heterogeneous African states, and how his ANC background prepared him for a lot of the work he is doing today on the continent. Excerpts:
First of all Mr President on behalf of the advisory board of the Daily Trust African of the Year Award, I would like to congratulate you on being our 2012 award recipient. First of all for the purpose of an audience primarily external to South Africa, we will perhaps begin by telling the audience a little about yourself, perhaps something we won't find in Wikipedia.
You know many of us here grew up during the period of the struggle against Apartheid. So, I think that to understand people like myself, I think you have got to put us in that context, because the system of Apartheid was so pervasive, affecting all elements of life. It really was inevitable that we should grow, really into the struggle, and therefore that's what happened. I think what formed us is that involvement to end the system of Apartheid, which fortunately succeeded, and then, of course, came the task after that, which was what to do with this freedom. In other words, the task of reconstructing South Africa, as a non-racial democracy. So that's what I would say about myself, and that, really largely defines what people of my generation would be. We were born into an engaging struggle against Apartheid, and afterwards to help to rebuild South Africa.
Your leadership of the ANC, and your leadership of South Africa, to what extent did this background influence your work in terms of mediating in Sudan?
I would imagine, not directly. At a certain point the regime understood that it could not defeat the ANC. It could not defeat the liberation movement, and that the Apartheid system itself was in deep crises, and therefore agreed with what ANC had been saying for many years, that it was possible to find a peaceful, negotiated resolution of the conflict. So, in the end the regime agreed with this, because it could see that it was being defeated in a sense, and therefore that meant we then had to engage in quite a long process of negotiation with people who were by definition, our enemies. But in order to make peace, to save lives, to create this possibility, for South Africa to transform itself into a non -racial democracy, it became necessary to engage in those negotiations.I suppose that that experience would have helped with regard to the work we were to later help to facilitate, that is, the resolution of various conflicts on the continent, including the conflict in Sudan. I imagine that that experience would have helped somewhat. But of course, you are dealing with different sets of circumstances, in terms even of the negotiations. Here in South Africa, we were negotiating among ourselves, but with regard to the rest of the world, and these other engagements on the continent, we were facilitating negotiations,not only between us and other people, but among the belligerent forces in each of these countries in which we had engaged.
First of all Mr President on behalf of the advisory board of the Daily Trust African of the Year Award, I would like to congratulate you on being our 2012 award recipient. First of all for the purpose of an audience primarily external to South Africa, we will perhaps begin by telling the audience a little about yourself, perhaps something we won't find in Wikipedia.
You know many of us here grew up during the period of the struggle against Apartheid. So, I think that to understand people like myself, I think you have got to put us in that context, because the system of Apartheid was so pervasive, affecting all elements of life. It really was inevitable that we should grow, really into the struggle, and therefore that's what happened. I think what formed us is that involvement to end the system of Apartheid, which fortunately succeeded, and then, of course, came the task after that, which was what to do with this freedom. In other words, the task of reconstructing South Africa, as a non-racial democracy. So that's what I would say about myself, and that, really largely defines what people of my generation would be. We were born into an engaging struggle against Apartheid, and afterwards to help to rebuild South Africa.
Your leadership of the ANC, and your leadership of South Africa, to what extent did this background influence your work in terms of mediating in Sudan?
I would imagine, not directly. At a certain point the regime understood that it could not defeat the ANC. It could not defeat the liberation movement, and that the Apartheid system itself was in deep crises, and therefore agreed with what ANC had been saying for many years, that it was possible to find a peaceful, negotiated resolution of the conflict. So, in the end the regime agreed with this, because it could see that it was being defeated in a sense, and therefore that meant we then had to engage in quite a long process of negotiation with people who were by definition, our enemies. But in order to make peace, to save lives, to create this possibility, for South Africa to transform itself into a non -racial democracy, it became necessary to engage in those negotiations.I suppose that that experience would have helped with regard to the work we were to later help to facilitate, that is, the resolution of various conflicts on the continent, including the conflict in Sudan. I imagine that that experience would have helped somewhat. But of course, you are dealing with different sets of circumstances, in terms even of the negotiations. Here in South Africa, we were negotiating among ourselves, but with regard to the rest of the world, and these other engagements on the continent, we were facilitating negotiations,not only between us and other people, but among the belligerent forces in each of these countries in which we had engaged.
Thursday, 16 May 2013
SIR WINSTON CHURCHEL in Sudan 2nd september1898.
La battaglia di Omdurman -KARARI
LA BANDIERA DEL SUDAN QUANDO ERA COLONIA anglo-egiziana ma erano l'INGLESE A COMMANDARE.
CHURCHILL, THE BYLINE YEARS
Before politics, Winston Churchill’s early-life adventures turned him into a multimedia star
Written by:
Allen Packwood, Director, The Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, University of Cambridge
Speak the name Winston Churchill and you conjure up images of the larger-than-life British war leader, a master of wit and oratory, with his eccentric all-in-one zipper suits and his omnipresent cigars. But the Churchill of 1940 was the product of an already extraordinary life and career. He first burst onto the world scene in the dying years of the 19th century, and it was as a young man that he acquired the power of words and learned how to use his writing to advance his career and his causes and to manage his image and reputation.
From 1895 to 1900 Churchill saw action as a young cavalry officer. He came under fire on his 21st birthday while accompanying Spanish forces in Cuba against local guerrillas; he rode against the Pathans in what is now Afghanistan; he charged with the 21st Lancers against Dervish warriors at the battle of Omdurman in the Sudan; and, having been captured by the Boers in South Africa, he made a daring escape and then rode into liberated Ladysmith with the South African Light Horse Regiment.
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Sudan and Chad against Darfurians!!
Chadian troops cross into Darfur heading to rebel positions: JEM
May 14, 2013 (LONDON) - The Justice and Equality movement (JEM) said Chadian troops have crossed the border into Darfur region and warned president Idris Deby from the consequences of his involvement in the Sudanese conflict.
Chadian soldiers hold up their weapons as they cheer next to tanks and army vehicles ahead of their deployment in Mali, on January 30, 2013. (photo Reuters/ Alain Amontchi)
JEM spokesperson Gibreel Adam Bilal told Sudan Tribune that Chadian soldiers left their basis in Abéché on Monday and are now heading into the positions of JEM combatants in North Darfur.
He called on the African Union United Nation Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) to keep away these troops and force it to return back to Chad, warning of dire consequences should Chad insist on continuing its aggressive approach.
"If they don’t [withdraw] then the Justice and Equality Movement is prepared to engage in war with Chad which will complicate security and humanitarian situation in Darfur more than how it already is", Bilal said.
Following the killing of the leader of a dissident faction Mohamed Bashar and his deputy Suleiman Arko last Sunday, his group accused JEM of attacking his convoy inside the Chadian territory. But the Sudanese rebels said they clashed with the splinters inside Darfur.
Deby facilitated the peace talks between the dissident group and the Sudanese government. The two parties signed a peace agreement in Doha on 6 April.
On the other hand, relations between the Chadian president and JEM deteriorated since three years ago when Ndjamena barred the entry of Khalil Ibrahim in May 2010, late leader of the rebel group, and prevented him from crossing into Darfur.
When Ibrahim was killed in December 2011 after his return from Libya different reports speculated that foreign countries were involved in his assassination, but JEM refused to accuse any side.
However, JEM spokesperson accused on Tuesday the Chadian president of taking part in this operation saying "We disclose for the first time that Idriss Deby participated with the Sudanese government and other regional partners in the assassination of Dr. Khalil".
Bilal added they have intelligence confirming that the Chadian president plans to assassinate the leaders of the Justice and Equality Movement and warned they will "hold Idriss Deby responsible for the assassination of any of JEM leaders in the coming days".
The rebel official further accused Deby of being involved in the war crimes committed in Darfur region during the past years, stressing they have evidences proving this accusation.
He further vowed to work with human rights activists to provide all these evidences to the International Criminal Court.
The chairperson of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma condemned on Monday the killing of Mohamed Bashar terming it as a "cowardly act, aimed at dissuading the hold out groups in Darfur from joining the peace process."
JEM political secretary, Suleiman Sandal, in separate statements to Sudan Tribune slammed Dlamini-Zuma statements saying the regional body had to investigate the circumstances of the incident before to issue such "partial statements".
He expressed JEM readiness to explain its position on the conditions of the incident.
Sandal asserted that Bashar and his fighters returned from Chad equipped with vehicles and weapons provided by the Chadian president to attack them.
He added that JEM combatants repulsed an attack carried by the splinter group inside the Sudanese etrritory, insisting that Bashar and his deputy were killed during the clashes.
Regarding the other members of Bashar group that JEM holds since Sunday, Sundal pointed out they will be tried before JEM courts.
"They are not prisoners of war as it is said they are members of our movement and will be tried for treason and disloyalty", he added.
Sandal underscored that the leaders of the splinter group had been arrested in the past for attempting to assassinate the founder and late leader Khalil Ibrahim when he had being in Libya but were released after a pardon by the current leader Gibril Ibrahim.
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