U.S. retains trade sanctions against Khartoum Government

The White House extended sanctions on Sudan citing that the later has not made any improvement that could convince the United States.

Barack Obama extended the sanctions imposed upon Sudan since 1997 for one more year. These sanctions block the ways for any trade relation and investment between the United States and Sudan. The imposition also include seizure of Sudanese assets.

US president offeredKhartoum government to improve the bilateral relations between the two countries by cooperating with the January referendum, according to which South Sudan declared its independence on July 9 this year.

Khartoum and the South Sudan government continue to fight over oil-producing border state of South Kordofan and there have been continuous clashes between the protesters and Khartoum government security forces for more than 6 months.

Blue Nile and Abyei states has remained amid violent conflicts and there is no peace in Darfur, where non-Arab protesters started violent rebel against Khartoum way back in 2003.

The United States and international community for committing genocide in crushing the rebels also criticized Khartoum government severely. The United States put Khartoum in the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Though on frequent requests by the Khartoum government, the United States had lifted control from export of agricultural products, yet it warned Sudan to improve the situation as soon as possible.

Sudan’s oil industry was also given exemption from sanctions but now the United States is advocating reimplementation of restrictions over oil trade between the two countries.

Niger fears dissent among locals in delievering Gaddafi son

Bereaved Libyan leaderMuammar Gaddafi’s son Saif Al-Islam has taken shelter in Niger.

The new government Transitional National Council [TNC] is facing severe critics from the human right activists over its treatment with Gaddafi in the last minutes of his life. The rebels humiliated and hit Gaddafi before shooting him. Saif seeks to fight against TNC supporters accusing them of war crimes. He also asks help from international communities in this regard.

Niger is located in West Africa, where Gaddafi’s son has taken fugitive owning to the support from nomad Tuaregs. However the country is also under pressure to handle Saif to the International Criminal Court as he is also accused of committing war crimes during Gaddafi’s rule in Libya.

Niger, however fears there might be violent protests from Tuaregs if it gives Saif to the ICC.

Libyan rebels have gained severe criticism due to their ill treatment with former dictator Gaddafi, who exploited the country and suppressed people’s freedom for 42 years.

The ICC issued an statement from Hague saying that Saif was interacting with officials to surrender for the trial against him.

However, Saif wanted to be assured for not to be handed over to Libyan rebels who killed his father mercilessly.

Niger has so far not declared officially about presence of Gaddafi’s son within its borders.

South Sudan protesters call on Warrap State to evacuate

Protesters in South Sudan threatened to overthrow the local government of Warrap state and appealed to the international bodies and civilians to vacate the area.

The South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA) asked UN staffs to vacate Warrap state within 3 days after the army attaked Mayom Town. The SSLA stated that people of Warrap state will be free from poverty and corruption after they dismiss the local government.

The army also clarified that they had asked residents of Warrap State to evacuate in order to keep them safe. The United Nations did not take any action, however, and did not remove its volunteers who are engaged in humanitarian works in South Sudan and providing food to people there.

South Sudan became an  independent nation following a peace deal with Khartoum government this year in July. This also ended the many decade-long civil war in united Sudan. Hoever, Northern Sudan is still facing tribal conflicts within its border that has taken thousands of lives so far.

According to officials of South Sudan, the SSLA attacked on Mayom Town killing many civilians and soldiers.

Philip Aguer, spokesperson of South Sudan military criticized the attack by the SSLA because it led to civilian deaths. He stated that Mayom was back under the control of government which the SSLA rejected. The SSLA also claimed to have captured Tomor Town and were now moving toward Bentiu too.

Sudanese protest to support Syrian rebels

Supporters of Syrians’ fights against autocratic government protested in Khartoum on Friday.for the protesters called on Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad to resign.

The Syrian protests began following the surge of revolution in the Middle East and neighboring countries which led to ouster of many dictators—as in Egypt, Libya and others.

Sudan that has been a good supporter of Syrian president Assad’s main friend Iran, is openly calling on people to demonstrate, In fact, the Sudanese police deliberately allowed protesters to gather and chant slogans against Assad.

The protesters overwhelmingly shouted “Oh Bashar, oh you coward, the Muslims are right here,” and appealed the Syrian president to give in power to the rebels.

Sudanese have strongly favored fundamentalist Muslims and they support Sunni rebels in Syria against autocratic government. Thus their support to Syrian protesters has religious grounds.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir gave full support to Libyan rebels in their fight against military dictator Col Mummar Gaddafi, who ruled Libyans ruthlessly for 42 years. However, al-Bashir suppressed anti-government protests in Sudan very diplomatically. Experts predict there might be further protests in Sudan too due to deteriorating economic condition and increasing inflation in the country.

Northern Sudan lost almost all its oil resources following its separation from South Sudan when the later declared freedom in July. Since then, the Khartoum government is facing economic crisis.

Pakistan agitated over BBC allegations of supporting Talibanis

Pakistani military has completely dismissed the report by BBC which accused the country of helping Talibanis in Afghanistan and providing them a safe heaven.

Major General Athar Abbas, spokesperson of Pakistan military called the report as biased. He said the report is one-sided and does not take into account the people who were “badly hit or affected” by it.

In the report, a Taliban commander has also been mentioned saying that Pakistan played important role in providing support, sheleter, and supplies to the Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. However, the credibility of BBC report was also questioned by Pakistani military.

The United States has been doubting Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI of supporting militants with vested interest of gaining influence over Afghanistan. The NATO combat troops are to leave Afghanistan in 2014 and this might be a reason for Pakistan to long for increasing its influence by supporting Taliban fighters in the country.

A top U.S. military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen,  had also accused of the ISI of supporting militants in their attack on US embassy in Afghanistan. Haqqani network, which is believed to have links with Al Queda is considered to have received strong support from the ISI.

Pakistan also denied all allegations made by the United States. Malik stated that it was true that the ISI had recruited intelligence personnel but did not support Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.

Malik made a counterattack by saying that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and Britain’s security service also maintained communication with the Haqqani network in order to get information about militants.

This is however, well known to all that Pakistan openly supported Talibanis in Afghanistan before 9/11 attacks on the United States and maintained diplomatic relations with them.

Pakistan refutes accusation of links with Taliban

Pakistani diplomats fiercely denied a report by BBC that alleges the country’s military has connections with Afghan Taliban and Al Queda and supplied weapons as well as protected them.

The report mentions in detail about statements of many Talibani commanders that clearly shows they enjoyed good support from Pakistan.

Rehman Malik, Interior Minister of Pakistan severely criticized the broadcast by BBC while on a visit to the United Kingdom. He stated that the Talibani leaders were trying to take advantage of Pakistan’s political crisis and strained relations with other nations.

He further added that Pakistan is a victim of war. The nation has lost more than 35,000 people including civilians, police and foot soldiers. Pakistan has always fought against militancy, stressed the minister.

Malik also clarified that Pakistani people are facing suicide bombers almost daily. Had they been trained by their countrymen, they would never kill their own countrymen. Meanwhile, an ex-Afghan intelligence chief also told the agency that Afghanistan had informed General Pervez Musharraf, former Pakistani president in 2006 about Osama bin Laden taking shelter in Pakistan, however, Pakistan took no action over this. Al Queda supremo was much later killed by US special forces this year in May in same area reported by Afghanistan.

Leading Mexican presidential contestant pledges to fight against drugs

Santiago Creel who is fighting for presidential polls in Mexico assured the nation to fight against drug gangs provided he win.

Former interior minister of National Action Party (PAN) of Mexico stated this while giving an interview. Surprisingly, the minister is a candidate from a ruling party, yet dares to talk about government’s failures.

Creel also stated that he would withdraw from current government policies and separate the army from fight with drug abuse.

Santiago expressed his dissatisfaction with President Felipe Calderon’s military strategy, and stated that the policy has already served its purpose and now needs to be changed.

Creel explained that the present policy is quite expensive and elaborate which was not needed now. Creel is right now leading as a candidate from PAN for presidential elections in 2012.

Drugs have led to many violent disputes in Mexico since President Calderon involved army since December 2006 after coming into power. This, however, damaged his reputation within his party. Involvement of army also strained Mexico’s relationship with the United States.

The United States backed his military approach to solve drug-related crisis but Calderon was severely criticized by Mexican diplomats and opposition leaders.

The violence has caused more than 44,000 deaths in Mexico.

 

US says bereaved Libyan president ‘missed’ to opt for democracy

President Barack Obama expressed his regret over Libyan autocratic leader Mummar Gaddafi’s reluctance to accept rebellions’ demand for democracy, which ultimately resulted in his ouster and death. The US president considers the story of Libyan revolution as a lesson to all dictators across the globe.

President Obama stated this while talking to Jay Leno in “Tonight Show” on NBC channel. He added that Gaddafi had terrorized his nation for 42 years with his ruthless suppression and supported terrorism too.

Obama said that “the Arab Spring” or surge of revolution among Libyans to get democracy provided a good chance to Gaddafi to accept a peaceful transition of power, but he missed it.

Gaddafi was captured and killed by the supporters of National Transition Council [TNC] of Libyan rebels and later on buries in a secret place on Tuesday.

There are many diplomats and human right activists raising questions over the ways he was mocked, beaten, abused before being killed, yet Obama stressed on the fact that the former dictator had to end up like this as people of Libya wanted freedom which he had denied.

At present, the US president is busy in campaigning for 2012 presidential polls for re-election. He attended the show in his busy schedules in western states—California, Nevada and Colorado.

Obama also mentioned that he was too busy to watch his political rivals’ debates when asked by the show host.

Tunisians opt for fair polls first time

Following the new wave of freedom and fight for democracy which is ravaging the entire Middle East, Tunisians too are busy in their own race toward fair polls.

Voters across entire Tunisia waited desparately in long lines to select their representatives in the hope to establish true democracy in the country for which they have been struggling throughout.

THorugh their posts on Facebook and other social media, the youth of Tunisia has been voicing their demand to elect a new government after fair polls and rewrite their distorted constitution. Voters – The country has a 217-seat assembly.

Political experts and diplomats are predicting that Ennahda, a party that supports moderate Islamic movements, may come on the top in these elections which may bring religious implications in Tunisia, which is otherwise considered almost a secular nation so far.

Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, who had been ruling Tunisia for last 23 years as a president, was thrown on Jan 14 after an uprising by people of the country. Tunisians were too fade up to bear his long autocratic and corrupt rule which gave them nothing but poverty, unemployment and suppression.

The elections have come up with extremely high turnouts showing the enthusiasm of Tunisians for electing a truly democratic government of their own choice. So far, there have been no conflict or violence during the poll. Tunisia was never expected to explode like this with the waves of revolution due to its usal peace-loving people.

Among the Mediterranean countries, Tunisia is favored by European tourists due to its beautiful sandy beaches and deserts. However, the recent uprising in Tunisia initiated a series of rebels in the entire Middle East that is known as Arab Spring across the world.

Libyan celebrate achieving freedom after Gaddafi’s death

Libyans are all overwhelmed with the spirit of celebration. The new rulers finally made an official declaration on behalf of Libya at Tahrir Square that the nation has got full independence.

After more than 8 months’ long bloody struggle against autocratic ruler Muammar Gaddafi, the National Transition Council [TNC] finally succeeded in snatching power from dictator’s hands and declared liberation after killing him. The death of Gaddafi ended his 42-year-long era of autocratic and exploitative rule over Libya.

International community, NATO-led coalition forces backed the rebellions with its full support and attacked pro-Gaddafi government military forces with air-strikes and other means.

However, the death of Col. Gaddafi after being captured has put the NTC under a pressure to probe.

A post-mortem of his dead body showed that dictator was shot in head.Gaddafi’s son Mutassim was also killed during fierce fights between Gaddafi-loyalists and rebellion forces. Mutassim’s body has also been put on public display along with Gaddafi’s in a cold storage in Misrata city.

The violent rebel and Gaddafi’s strong efforts to suppress the protest led to thousands of deaths. The conflicts started in February which gradually became a large-scale civil war.

By August, the protesters had captured Libyan capital city—Tripoli, however Gaddafi’s supporters continued reiterating their pledge to suppress the protests as the ruler refused to surrender depite international pressure.

Thousands of people in Libya celebrated with flags over the death of Gaddafi and end of a long era of exploitation.