SUDAN HOSTS SIGNIFICANT AND EDUCATIVE FORUM OF MEDIA STAFF WORKING ABROAD

THE Second Forum of the Media Staff Working Abroad was recently convened in Sudan under the motto : "Towards the advanced role in service of the homeland."

The State Minister at the Council of Ministers and the Chairperson of the High Committee for Organizing Forum, Kamal Abdulatif, addressed the opening sitting and welcomed attendees and participants by quoting verses of national poems indicating originality, enthusiasm of Sudanese citizens and their determination to defend Sudan's land.

The State Minister affirmed that the objective of convening the forum is to enable Sudanese media staff working abroad to be closely informed with developments occurring in Sudan.

He explained that the forum was open for all to express their opinions freely.

Further, he called on the participants to share their experiences and give advice to others in the homeland's interest.

On the other hand, the Minister of the Council of Ministers Kosti Manibe addressed the forum.

Also the chair of the sitting Zaineb Albadawi addressed the forum and expressed her gratitude for the invitation of the Sudanese Media Staff Working Abroad to participate in discussion concerns and issues of the homeland.

In conclusion, HE the Vice President of the Republic Mr. Ali Osman Mohammed Taha, addressed the participants and affirmed the importance of the media and its developmental noble roles.

He pointed out that the media staff should be conscientious in their professional responsibilities, and should shun an irresponsible mass media bent on spreading lies, misinformation and disinformation.

After a short break, the first work paper entitled (Strategy of media work) was presented by the State Minister at Ministry of Information and Communications Kamal Aibeid.

Also Dr. Taj Alsir Mahjob briefed the participants about the five –year plan. On the other hand HE the President of the Republic Omer Hassan Ahmed Albashir hosted the media staff at night in the Guest House open meeting where he answered their questions.

Taha: Rational Dealing with Media Machinery is Fundamental

Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha emphasized the importance of perceiving the informational dimension of media and the importance of responsible dealing with the media machinery.

Taha delivered the above statement when he was addressing yesterday the opening session of the Second Forum of the Sudanese Media Personnel Working Abroad.

His address stressed that doors are open for those media men and women to get acquainted with current national affairs, referring to what has been achieved in respect of Darfur issue peaceful resolution.

The VP views that the Forum offers an opportunity for objective deliberation on Sudan present issues.

Federal Minister of Information and Communications, Al-zahawi Ibrahim Malik, appreciated the open dialogue among the media cadres appreciating the effective function of the Sudanese media staff engaged with regional and global professional institutions.

On his part, Cabinet Affairs Minister, Kosti Manibe, reviewed the political developments in the county and ongoing preparations for the forthcoming national presidential and parliamentary elections.

In that regard, State Minister at the Cabinet, Kamal Abdelatif, reported that invitations for participation in the forum have been extended to government supporters and opponents alike for sake of fair and transparent orientation on the Sudan domestic political and social issues.

Therefore, he urged all media representatives to freely present their views and queries.

Abdelatif commended the official briefing of participants conducted by the Presidency, Ministry of Information and the National Security and Intelligence Service as well as the field trips to Meroe Dam project and North Darfur States.

Forum coming sessions are scheduled for debate on Sudan current political position, besides the international financial crunch consequences on the national economy.

The Media Woman in the Sudan Radio Service Rebecca Joshua called on the participants in the Second Forum of the Sudanese Media Men working abroad to focus on the issues of peace and development particularly after signing of the comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in the country. She said in statement to SUNA that the forum is a good chance for the gathering of the Sudanese media men from inside Sudan and abroad to deliberate about the media developments that took place in the country

The second forum of the Sudanese Media Staff continued its work progressively, with a highlighting session on the current political situation and the future challenges.

The session was addressed by both of Mr Peter Adock Kot Minister of Trade and representative of Sudan´s People liberation Movement SPLM and Dr Ghazi Salah EldinChairman of the Parliamentarian National Assembly bloc at the National Assembly.

The session was chaired by Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim who the Chairperson of election commission .

At the beginning of the highlight Mr Peter, touched in his speech, the conflict between the SPLM and the National Congress attributing the conflict to the view-point adopted by the national Congress in tackling political issues noting that the other challenges is the selectivity approach regarding the implementation of the CPA .

He further stressed the importance of completing the Aboja Agreement to include all the warring parties in Darfur .

The Minister also talked about the election that will be held next year which include the challenge of agreeing on the last population census .On his part Dr Ghazi Salah stated that the SPLM is to bear the responsibility for countering the challenges that face the country .

Dr Ghazi has outlined the steps taken for implementing CPA include the formulation of governance bodies to accommodate the CPA signed between the National Congress and the SPLM noting that the GoSS was handed six billion US dollars in the context of implementing wealth sharing , whoever these funds were not directed for development in the south .Regarding the passed laws to adapt to the CPA to pave the way for the democratic transformation in the country Dr Ghazi stated that sixty bills were passed including election laws ,police and the Bank of Sudan law .

Dr. Ghazi added that Sudan has witnessed strengthening in its relations with neighboring countries where land roads have been constructed to connect Sudan with neighboring countries for the first time in the history of the country.

Regarding the Sudanese– American relations he explained that the new American administration has appointed new special envoy to Sudan who visited the country two times to re-shape relations with the U.S.A .

He explained that Sudan's position will not change as regard to dealing with the U.S.A where Sudan can survive without it but Sudan does not mind to co-exist with the U.S.A .On the other hand he pointed out that the resolution of International Criminal Court about arresting the President of the Republic and conducting of trial of Sudanese citizens with allegations related to Darfur crisis have created unprecedented internal cohesion.

Sudanese media staff working abroad presented interventions about democratic transformation, comprehensive peace agreement , Darfur crisis and the right of Sudanese expatriates in participation in general election.

According to SUNA: The Minister of Information and Communications, Al-Zahawi Ibrahim Malik, addressed at the Friendship Hall the Inaugural sitting of the of Second Forum of Sudanese Media Men Working Abroad.

The minister said that convocation of the conference came in a very sensitive time in which the international justice has become farce and ridiculed by the selectivity and adoption of double standard policy.

He said that we are all bearing up abnormal responsibilities by their nature and extraordinary circumstances by their time, a matter that doubles the role and ...

Speech by HE State Minister before the 2nd Forum of the Sudanese Media Staff Working Abroad

Praise is to Allah, we pray Him to forgive us and guide us we repent to Him and resort to Him to forgive our evil souls and condone our wrong deeds.

Praise be to Allah for making us the sons of Adam and the Nation of prophet Mohammad may prayers and peace of Allah rest on him.

Praise be to Allah Who brought us all together to be seated here in this hall and made us unanimous on the love of our home-land and offered us the ability to call for our homeland and for our people and kinship.

Prayers and Peace rest on the most honorable messenger of Allah prophet Mohammad.

Excellency, The Vice President of The Republic

His Excellencies the Ministers:

Honorable Guests:

Brothers and sisters media staff, citizens of the Sudan who came to us from all-over the World. Allow me to greet you one by one and extend my hand to welcome you in your homeland and among your people and kinship on the glorious territory of your homeland which was quenched by the blood of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for defending this territory over decades and even thousands of historic heroic sagas of Baankhi, Tirhaqa , Amara Dongus, Bddie Abu Shuluokh , Ajeeb Al manjuluk, through the heroic stories of Nabta , Maroe Soba, , the Fur Sultanate, Toshki, Al-Nikheila , Karari, Tamie and Um Dibeikrat, through the modern liberation revolutions , the Revolution of 1924, October 1964 and April 1985.

Dear brothers and sisters, allow me to greet you and stretch my hand to you, the sons and the daughters of this dear homeland you are borne and brought up under diligent purified good ladies and in the territories of Sudan, and in its valleys you played in your childhood time the games of Elfat Elfat and shileil and you slept on the voices of the grand mothers telling the good tales of Fatima Al-Samha and her cousin the brave knight. You recited at the schools "my flag you are my hope" and Mangu "Short live for he who wants to separate us".

I greet you when you are spreading all over the world from Australia eastward to Alaska and Cape-town westward carrying the features and the pride of Sudan with the pens you write with which are made of Neem trees, with your kohled eyes you see stick of decency with blackness of elegant ebony while your minds you think with, are the minds of knowledgeable people who had built the pyramids of Kabosheya and the palaces of the royal families in the Difufa , Karma and Eldafar.

I greet my brothers and sisters and greet through you all prominent figures in our country and all the bright suns and the bright moons who created and inspired our country with joy and I greet through you the generations who lived in two epochs those who have passed away ( Mutwali Eid , Mohamed Khogali Salheen, Abul-Aziem, Bashir Mohamed Saeed, Ismail El-Atabani, Abdul-Rahman Mukhtar, Jadalla Jubara, Leila El-Maghrabi, Raga Hassan Hamid) and I greet through you those who are still alive and faithful ( Ali Shumu, Sid-Ahmed Khalifa, Taheya Zaroug, Ayoub Sidig, Mohamed Kheir El-Badawi , Hassan Abdul-Wahab, Mutwakil Kamal, Hamdi Bolad, Hamdi Badr-Eldin).

Your Excellency the Vice President of the Republic

Honorable brothers and sisters

After greeting you,

I swear to God that it is a pleasure to me to meet you here in Khartoum on the honor of the 2nd Forum of the Sudanese Media Staff Working Abroad to which we have invited more than 350 media staffers representing major press organizations , news agencies and the satellites such as the BBC, Voice of America and the Arab Broadcasting Radio in Beijing , the Guardian, Elmustagila , Elshrque El-Awsat, and the Qatari Raya , Aukaz, Jezira, MBC, Associated Press and Reuters ).

They represent media administrations in many countries and organizations including the United Nations. We invited them with their different specializations including editors-in-chief- news departments heads , journalists, photographers, directors, administrators, producers and others. We called them from Australia, Japan, Malaysia, China, London, Paris, Geneva, New York Washington, Riyadh, Doha, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Cairo, Dubai, Pretoria, Lagos, and Abuja.

We called upon them to come on a "pilgrimage" trip to their homeland individually and in groups. The come to Sudan from the far places to witness their benefits - and there are great benefits in our country - is there greater benefit than that of returning home after a long time of traveling and tiresome expatriation time?

We invited them hospitably and transparently without limiting their freedom or excluding anyone. We invited them although some people warned us that (you are taking a risk because such a step might inflame feelings via inviting your enemies and giving them the opportunity to take platforms and denounce you). Nevertheless, we welcomed such participants whether opponents or proponents because we are all in agreement with being loyal to our valuable homeland. We welcome condemners even before praisers because we are confident that any criticism which we see and hear was only in favor of this dear Country whose citizens are real patriots. So, essays of Talha Jibriel were not for the sake of getting personal gain, writings of Al-Batal were not for the sake of gaining livelihood, nor were criticisms of Siddig Meheisi an act of treason. Attitudes of Osman Mirgani were not personal nor were reservations of AlAfandi betrayals. Besides the (Sudanese Online) website was in fact a branch of the Graduates' clubs and a website for raising awareness of noble Sudanese people. No Sudanese citizen has ever been a traitor or a betrayer against his /her homeland. The Sudanese Media Staff Society, the Media Staff Association and the Sudanese Journalists Union in the USA are all loyal bodies that aim at reuniting Sudanese people without opposing any one or the Government. They were all original Sudanese organizations based on our morals and customs (hand in hand we can realize more goals) and sayings (Hadith) of the prophet (PBUH) (a wolf always kills isolated goats), so no way to make an enemy of such organizations; rather, we should support and strengthen them.

Dear brothers and sisters, Forum's participants:

Today we meet in the 2nd Forum of the Sudanese Media Staff Working Abroad coincided with our trend in the Secretariat of Sudanese Working Abroad to hold the 6th conference of expatriates in the beginning of next year, God willing. We are determined to convene a series of specialized forums in the different fields to pose issues and affairs of the various professional groups in details to conclude to recommendations and resolutions that will help in developing such professions as well as consolidating relationship of the respective professionals with their homeland. We are particularly keen to formulate a strategic plan to identify how to benefit from Sudanese citizens abroad in developing their Country and how to strengthen the relation between Sudanese citizens abroad and their kinfolks and relatives.

All these steps were taken in response to requirements of the decisive phase that our Country is experiencing. It is expected that our Country will witness a civilization revival in agricultural, industrial, health, educational, social and IT fields. We do not want our brothers and sisters abroad to miss such achievements and welfare. Yes, we will enjoy wealth and welfare of our Country in view of the fact that Sudan is taking steady steps towards take up an outstanding position among great nations and leading countries. We are a nation whom God created to take up a leading position and to obey Allah and guide others to do the same. We are a nation that its civilization has been maintained for more than 7 thousands years. Only one or two nations in the Globe are bestowed with such deed. We are great grandsons of a civilization that advanced in medicine and invented mummification which is still a mysterious secret up to this moment. Our nation has advanced in the engineering sciences, so we managed to build pyramids and palaces using bricks and pure Wheat. We are the only nation that neither Islam nor Christianity could invade or conquer. Yet, citizens embraced both religions via agreements and contentment, unlike old and contemporary countries. Why not?!! Our Country and nation inherited Andalusia after it had collapsed by emergence of the Kingdom of Sinnar. We equally inherited the Ottomans Empire upon emergence of the Mahadia State. We were the first country in the Sub-Sahara that attained independence; in addition we were one of the first countries that established the Nonaligned Nations Organization, the African Unity and the Arab League. Why not?!! We are the Sudanese people about whom the Prophet (PBUH) announced good news when he said: (Omer, our band will not be complete until we are supported by people of Sudan, the camel herdsmen, who believe that "there is no God but Allah"). Why not?!!, since We were the only people who defeated the armies of the British Empire and killed the greatest English officer in history, (Gordon Pasha). Why not/!!, since We shoulder other peoples' concerns, our Armed Forces fought at all regional battlefronts in Palestine, Karan, Al-Alamein Battle and Suez Canal. We also supported all African and Asian liberation movements. Even the poems of our poets, were not limited to their Country only, but they glorified free people everywhere, our poets composed poems for Sokarno, Nekroma, Jomo Kenyata, Jamila Bo Herid and Malaya. We chanted for Pandong and Damascus when its sanctity was violated. We also chanted Andalusia the (missing paradise) and Algeria. Why not?!! Since rulers who succeeded one another strived to boost our dignity, so Sultan Ali Dinnar alone assumed the annual covering cloth of the Holy Kaaba for many years. Khartoum organized the convening of the conference of the (Three NOs) 1967 amongst the most critical circumstances undergone by the Arab Nation. Why not?!! Since Our Country was always a factor of welfare and friendship. Sudan endeavored to prevent bloodshed in War of Yemen, Iraq & supported latter, and contributed in halting the war between FATH Movement and the Jordanian King in the seventieth of the previous century. Recently, our Government exerted considerable efforts in the Lebanese reconciliation, reuniting Palestinians, uniting the Somali factions and removing dissension between the Arab nationalists and Islamic groups.

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

You remember that this Forum is held subsequent to the first and second forums of the Sudanese personnel at International Organizations and Financing Institutions. It also comes as a natural outcome for the First Forum of Media Staff which was held in 2006. So, this Forum is not an attempt by the Government to make you serve its interests or to attract you for the favor of its parties. The Government does not want you to conduct a political demonstration against the ICC or to form a choral that chants

in the procession. It does not force you to applaud the Salvation Revolution or the National Conference Party. We invited you to serve the ultimate interest of the Country by telling the entire world about your beloved country, its favors, blessings and investment opportunities therein. We just want to attract you to membership of a party of unified, united, civilized and developed Sudan; do you mind that? We want to attract your minds, pens and cameras to draw bright pictures for your brilliant homeland and great people; is that shameful? Dear brothers and sisters we want to benefit from your expertise and experiences and seek guidance in your patriotism and love for your homeland which you put in pupils of your eyes, in the bottom of your hearts and inside your conscience. Do you close doors, windows and lower curtains? I shall answer this question on behalf of you and I am fully sure that you will not let me down in my answer because I know all of you as individuals and know your attitudes, therefore I shall answer this question confidently to say: No and one thousand No(s) because you are sons of Baankhy, Teheraga and Almahadi, grandsons of Alkandaka, Muhira Bit Abood, Rabiaa Alkanania, descendants of high honor who built lands wherever they settle. Your are associates of glory. Glory is proud when it is affiliated to you. You are descendants of people who ruled in justice for a long time. Does that time come back again?. "Time repeated their good reputation which continued for so long without defect or disgrace. You are defenders of girls and sons of genuine tribes. You suckled honor and dignity from your mothers therefore you will not refuse to serve your homeland and you will not close doors and windows because you were not brought up to act that way. I am sure you will not refuse to serve your homeland because you always sing: (My beloved homeland is inside my heart and watched by Allah), you repeat: (My homeland is so dear even if it treats me unjustly and my people are generous even they offer me nothing ), sing: (Oh, country of our ancestors we will protect you against misfortune and enemy and we wish you all sovereignty), sing : (I do love my homeland which is in the bottom of my heart), chant: (We are army of Allah and our homeland when caller urge people for sacrifice, we will not hesitate. "We defy death at time of adversity and we buy glory at the highest price. This land is ours therefore our Sudan will be signal among nations) and you learnt by your hearts the eternal anthem sung by Alatbarawi (My country included our achievements like paradises that flood favors and the Nile flows in its lands to provide livelihood).

Brothers and sisters:

You are light stands of these hall and its sky's stars. This forum aims at meeting you firstly and lastly even if there is no any dialogue or discussion between us and you. We endeavored to give you opportunity to see your homeland closely, read it with Sudanese blue eyes and to be briefed about political, economic and social movement. Also, we organized the Forum to convene dialogue sittings about media strategy of our homeland to monitor it, correct its trend and discuss your problems and issues in order to resolve them.

I request you not to refrain from granting us any advice even it is hard because "it is better to hear someone who makes you cry than to hear someone who make you laugh". Also I request you not to refrain from granting us any opinion even it is opposite to ours as long as it is good for our homeland and people because difference in opinions does not affect good relationship.

HE Vice President

Excellencies Honorable participants

Brothers and sisters, beloved citizens of this homeland and pride of its people:

We are very pleased to meet you and we thank Almighty Allah for the achieved success where the preparations procedures of the Forum started in a short time last February via forming preparatory committee which included Ministry of the Council of Ministers, Ministry of Information and Communications, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretariat of Sudanese working Abroad (SSWA), External Media Council and Sudanese Journalists Union. So far, the Preparatory Committee convened about 20 meetings where it started with listing Sudanese Media Staff all over the world and with their different specifications where the total number of them reached more than 350 media Staffers where each one of them represents extraordinary ambassador and commissioner for his/ her Country in the position or institution in which he works. In this listing process we realized amazing facts where we found that in any successful and developed international media institution the Sudanese represent its fuel and master minds. We found that they are leaders and officials in big international newspapers, greatest international channels, news agencies and even we found them in the top media administration of international organization. We found them in Australia in the Far East up to Canada in the far West crossing Asia, Europe and Africa. The Preparatory Committee invited all of them and the replies were unprecedented where more than 250 media staff kindly responded to the call and they do not focus on favor or interest nor afraid of any one but they courageously came because they listened to the call of sacrifice for their homeland and responded. I myself spoke with most of them via mobile phone and I was briefed with their firm position that opposes the existing feature of the governance in Sudan but they clearly said: (Our position will not refrain us from supporting our homeland and people). Thus, they came armed with their expertise. We welcome them in their homeland. Even those who could not come, I completely know that there are hard circumstances preventing them and they are very sad for not attending the Forum.

We invited about 140 media staffers from inside the homeland in order to achieve national connection in the greatest national media carnival not only in Sudan but in all neighboring countries.

My dear diligent sisters and daughters of Banona, Tajoj, BiT Misemis, Hawa Altagtaga, Suad Alfatih, Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim, Fatima Talib, Suaad Ibrahim Ahmed, sisters of Layla Almagraby, Suaad Abu Aagla, Muhassin Saif Aldin, Bakhita Amin, Amal Abass and Fatima Gazali.

Dear honorable brothers, sons of Ahmed Yousif Hashim, Arafat Mohamed Abdullah, Hussein Sharif and Rahmi Suleiman and brothers of Salah Al Din Al Fadhil, Mohamed Hatim, Awadh Jaddain, Al Hindi Ezaldin, Osman Shabona and Osman Merghani. Much welcome to this Forum whose programs are rich outreach

shall continue whereby we have selected the most prominent politicians, scientists and experts of the country in the fields of politics, economics and strategic planning to present scientific topics prepared in a way that suits your dignified ranks. The program comprises an open free meeting, yes an open and free meeting with no protocols, no security restrictions, and no diplomatic procedures. The President will be available to openly hear what you say in full courage and liberality. The program will contain the Sudanese genuine joy nights of ( Kabli's Ghurba, and his song Sukkar, Al Balabel return to the homeland of "Al Gamari" Dove, Hussein Shandi, " Getar Al Shawq metain tarhal tawadina" O train of love, when will you leave and take us back?, and Asrar Babeker and others. You are also going to meet the Director of the Intelligence Services in a friendly frank and sound conversation, so that you can speak about Pre- printing censorship, , Press & Publications Act, Security Act, Elections Transparency, then you will visit the Sudan's Greatest Pyramid - the Merowe Dam- the Darfurian Aroos Ar rimal "Sand Bride " Al Fashir" to visit IDPs camps there … and I promise you and confirm my promise once more and again that the Preparatory Committee will continue its work as a Follow Up Committee for the decisions that will emerge from your Forum to ensure prompt implementation of these decisions. We will not miss any thing; follow up will be close until the final point. We assure you that your decisions and recommendations will be a between honest hands and you will ask us about it in the Day of Judgment. Time will prove our good will, loyalty, devotion and keenness for your interest. I am sure that no harm will befall the Country from your side, and I am sure you will not withhold your experience and experiment from your country as your Country is in urgent need to you assistance as it is at cross- road, and needs your discreet opinions and sound proposals.

Finally,

Thanks and praise is to Allah the Almighty who created us to be Sudanese and not otherwise. We thank Allah for the grace of meeting you in the homeland and among your people; we also thank Him for this success. Thanks also go to HE the President for sponsoring this Forum and his continuous follow up. Thanks to HE the Vice President for honoring this Forum in the inaugural session, for being with us and encouraging and honoring us. Thanks to you for the suffering of travel and response to the invitation, thanks also go to every one who participated in convening of this Forum. The participants are so many that I can't mention them all in names. Some of them are brothers and sisters members of the Preparatory Committee and Sub –Committees and the staff of the satellite channels, media professionals, press and brothers from the Ministry of Finance & National Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Information & Communication, The supporting and Financing companies and charity people who strongly assisted us.

To conclude my words let us thank Allah and appreciate Him for his support Who says:

"On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater Than it can bear. It gets every good that earns, And it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray :) "Our Lord! Condemn us not If we forget or fall Into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou Didst lay on those before us;

Sudan. SPLM refutes NCP claims over censorship

SPLM has issued a statement dismissing NCP allegations that the current media censorship is imposed at the behest of the FVP Kiir, Al-Khartoum reports. "The State Minister forInformation and Communication Kamal Obeid´s claim at the opening session of the forum ofSudanese media practitioners abroad that the censorship is imposed at the behest of the FVP Kiir is another falsehood to be added to the NCP´s record of lies," the statement, signed by SPLM Spokesperson Yen Mathew Chol, said. "How can the FVP and SPLM Chairman approve of a censorship that block his own decisions and statements on many national concerns such as reconciliation, transparency, respect to the constitution and the CPA" the statement said. "SPLM categorically rejects the NCP-imposed censorship" it said. "It did not even occur to the FVP Kiir,let alone recommending censorship," the statement added. UN dispatches 120 personnel to Jonglei State Sudan Tribune website - The UN mission in Sudan announced today the deployment of some 120 personal in the affected counties of Jonglei state where thousands are taking shelter afterfleeing recent tribal confrontations.