Eritrean Education officials visit Sudan

Asmara — A delegation from the Ministry of Education comprising senior officials headed by Minister Semere Russom conducted a working visit to Sudan from March 7 to 21. During its stay, the delegation held talks with various senior officials of the Sudanese Education Ministry on enhancing the existing relations in the domains of education and culture, besides sharing experience on the provision of educational opportunities to youths who failed to attend classes at the right age due to nomadic pattern of living.

Also in a meeting with the Sudanese Education Minister, Dr. Hamid Ibrahim, the delegation pointed out that the Eritrean government is giving top priority to the task of ensuring educational opportunities in remote areas of the country. It further indicated that 64 schools have been constructed with a special aim of providing educational opportunities to youths who failed to enroll in school at the right age due to nomadic life style.


Following discussion on the tasks that need to be accomplished on a priority basis, the Sudanese Ministry of Education expressed readiness to foster cooperation in the development of the Arabic and English languages, as well as upgrading curriculum.

The delegation that began its tour in Kassala zone visited a number of schools in various Sudanese towns, as well as the curriculum development institute, Beket A'Ruda.

Also in the course of the tour, the delegation visited historical places in Al-Ubeid town in morthern Sudan, besides exchanging views with the heads of the country's teachers association.

Meanwhile, the delegation from the Eritrean Education Ministry conducted discussion with the respective Sudanese officials on the objective situation in the Homeland. The Sudanese officials lauded the Eritrean government's role in promoting peace and stability in the region in general and the Sudan in particular.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201003240705.html
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To Bedawie radio adverts not allowed in Kassala

Kassala State bans campaigning in local dialects
Salah Barkin, the Beja Congress’ candidate for Governor of Kassala State, has slammed as “unconstitutional” a Kassala State ban on campaigning in local dialects, Ajras Al-Hurriya reports. The local state radio had turned down requests to air his campaign message in the local dialect saying it had to be recorded in Arabic.
Barkin maintained that this was a show of disrespect for the local dialects of eastern Sudan and a continuation of “policies of cultural hegemony” meted out on them and on others by the central government.

UNMIS media report. March 23, 2010.

http://unmis.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=4074&ctl=Details&mid=3931&ItemID=7922
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Beja crowd supports Bashir in song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5nKqBbI0KI

Darfur cease fire - peace at last?

 -- The Sudanese government signed a framework cease-fire agreement Thursday with a rebel group from the country's war-torn Darfur region, according to state-run media


read the CNN report here

Eritreans visit Kassala region to talk

Asmara — An Eritrean government delegation headed by the Administrator of Gash-Barka region, Mr. Mussa Rab'a, is currently on a working visit in the Sudanese Kassala zone.
During its stay, the delegation would visit a number of institutions in the zone, in addition to holding talks with pertinent officials.

It would also observe endeavors being made to connect the two countries through electricity and road. Moreover, the delegation is expected to conclude agreement with the Kassala Zonal Administration regarding agricultural development and public transportation.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201003180640.html

UPDATE. March 20: Agreement signed


Asmara — In line with the growing relations between Eritrea and Sudan, the Administrative regions of Gash-Barka and Anseba concluded co-operation protocol agreement with the Sudanese Kassala region.

The agreement on strengthening Eritrean-Sudanese ties in the political, economic and cultural domains in general, as well as between the Administrative regions of Gash-Barka and Anseba and the Sudanese Kassala region in particular was signed by, Mr. Mussa Rab'a, Administrator of Gash-Barka region, on the Eritrean side and Eng. Ali Awad Mohammed Mussa, Administrator of Kassala region, on the Sudanese side.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Kassala town on March 17, Eng. Ali Awad Mohammed Mussa pointed out that Eritrean-Sudanese relations are both historical and people-based. He further stated that the Administration and people of Kassala region would exert the necessary effort to ensure the realization of the objectives envisaged by the leadership of the two counties.

Also speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mussa Rab'a, who headed of the Eritrean delegation in the visit to the Sudanese Kassala region, pointed out on his part that the Sudanese people in general and East Sudan in particular stood on the side of the Eritrean people since the days of the armed struggle for independence. He went to say that the visit is aimed at putting into effect the goal of closer ties in accordance with the agreement reached between Presidents Isaias Afwerki and Omar Hassen Al-Beshir. Mr. Mussa Rab'a also underlined the need to further enhance the strategic Eritrean-Sudanese relations for mutual benefit.

The Eritrean delegation which includes Mr. Mussa Rab'a, Administrator of Gash-Barka region, Mr. Gergis Girmay, Administrator of Anseba region, Ms. Tsgereda Woldegergis, Administrator of Northern Red Sea region, and Brig. General Tekle Kiflai, conducted a visit to the Sudanese Kassala region from March 15 to 17. During its stay, the delegation visited the Kassala fruits processing plant, printing and publishing corporation, Kheshmelgirba Dam, Jedida halfa agricultural project and a sugar factory, as well as tourism and cultural centers, among others.

Reports indicated that the Eritrean delegation was accorded warm welcome on the part of the Administration and people of Kassala region.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201003190430.html

Policies about religion differ

“It is imperative that we prove logically and ideologically that Islam unites and does not divide the people of one nation,” Al-Raed quotes VP Taha as saying at a symposium in Khartoum on Renaissance.

The Vice-Presidemt  called upon the people to advocate against the establishment of a secular Sudanese state. Taha said youths have to be guided and encouraged to adhere to the preaching of religion especially against the background of the external factors.

COMMENT; Why was there a civil war?

Source UNMIS media report- March 8, 2010

Active forum on Sudan - with many photos!

It's over at Skyscraper City. Lots of conversation - about the election, about development, about specific building projects. All over the country. Take a tour through various cities, looking at photos that registered users post to the forum.
There's a discussion forum [below] and two forums [above - click through]  covering photos of Sudan, and projects and construction.
City focus includes sections on Kassala and Port Sudan.
Have fun.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2204
http://www.to/Oyju4
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Rare interview with President Afwerki of Eritrea

By AlJazeera, this 23 minute interview in English shows the president's calm response to a variety of tough questions.
Are Iranian arms being supplied to Palestinians through Eritrea? Is Eritrea supplying  arms to Somalia to create a border war with Ethiopia? Why are so many Eritreans trying to leave the country to seek asylum elsewhere, Are Eritreans suffering from hunger due to the drought in the Horn of Africa?
Interview done on February 22, 2010.

http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/talktojazeera/2010/02/201021921059338201.html%29


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Sudan Embassy demonstration - video

A remembrance of the Beja people who died in Port Sudan on January 29, 2005. This demonstration was a call for justice from the Sudan government, represented by their embassy in Washington, DC, USA.


In a previous post, the reasons for the demonstration were explained.
http://adroub.blogspot.com/2010/01/beja-congress-press-release.html
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Elections Quiz - Take the test today!!

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Can you get inside the head of the Beja Congress? Think you know their responses to 30 key issues in Sudan? What do you want to see happen?

Go ahead. Try the quiz. See which party your answers best match. And you can click through on the results page to discover what each party thinks for each question - compare your answers!!
Very nicely done.

Mind you I've come across some people [at skyscraper city, where I found this link] who have laughed at the policy answers, since they believe the parties would give any answer, and if elected, would do what they want...

http://www.electionnaire.com/index2.php
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Election violence - Beja Congress supporters attacked

Al-Sahafa reports that bloody clashes erupted yesterday between a group loyal to Presidential Assistant Musa Mohamed Ahmed and militias loyal to the NCP leader Suleiman Ali Beetai of Hamishureib [Hamishkoreb] Religious Schools. Seven of the Beja Congress’ supporters were wounded, one seriously.

Beja Congress Party spokesperson Salah Barkuein said a delegation from the party visited “Talkuk” area for elections campaigning but they were ambushed by the Beitai’s militias commanded by his son Mahmoud Beitai, SAF captain.

COMMENT: What we have here is a failure to understand the democratic process. This process is supposed to work because everyone has an opportunity for free speech, to say what they want. Decisions about what people say are made at the ballot box. The Beja Congress team was there to do some elections campaigning. Good for them. However, a military man loyal to the political party that is also the current governmental party has decided that alternative voices calling for alternative policies are unwelcome, and further, that these unwelcome voices need to be silenced through physical intimidation.

This brings shame upon the NCP, and might actually increase the desire to hear the Beja Congress policies, if they are so threatening to the current regime.

Telkuk is in Red Sea State, about 60 km southeast of Tokar, and about 20 km from the Eritrean border.

Source UNMIS media report, Feb 23, 2010

UPDATE [from Feb 24 UNMIS media report] It turns out that four of the Beja Congress fellows who were attacked were candidates!!

"Kassala says security measures to prevent poll-related incidents
The Kassala State High Elections Committee has downplayed a recent attack by NCPsupporters on four Beja Congress candidates in the state, reports Akhir Lahza. The headof theState Security Committee, Mohamed Abdelmoneim, described the incident as “normal”. He said his committee took measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents."

UPDATE : March21. Beja Congress releases Press Release railing against election vilolence.
The Beja Congress calls upon all national parties, and all the forces of democracy and civil society organizations to join together and unite ... to topple ... darkness and tyranny and arrogance ..., and [to develop] the construction of united democratic Sudan enjoy the freedom and human dignity, prosperity and stability ...
Source http://sudannewseast-begaor.blogspot.com/2010/03/blog-post_21.html

Flights launched between Port Sudan and Asmara, Eritrea

 Last Thursday (Feb. 18, 2010) the Red Sea state governor, Dr. Mohammed Tahir Ella, and the Sudan Airways general manager inaugurated a new flight connecting Port Sudan with Asmara.
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Kassala State is the poorest in Sudan, says UN

18 February 2010 - (Kassala) - The United Nations Refugee Agency, the UNHCR, says Kassala state is one the poorest states in Sudan because it has been neglected by both the government and the international community.

In an interview with SRS in Kassala town on Wednesday, the Head of UNHCR’s Kassala office, Dr. Mohamed Dualeh explains why he thinks Kassala is the poorest state in Sudan.
[Dr. Mohamed Dualeh]: “Kassala state is one of the poorest in Sudan. It is poorer than some parts of Darfur and a lot of the south. But, if you look at all the indicators, it is a neglected part of the country. Neglected by the international community, neglected by the UN, neglected by UN agencies, there was little aid coming in as a peace dividend after the signing of the Eastern Peace Agreement. Therefore, I think there is no justification now not to provide the assistance the east needs. We are waiting to see it happen. Not just words, but action. Action from the UN, action from the donors, and action from the government.”
Dr. Dualeh describes the indicators that he says suggest that Kassala the poorest state in Sudan.
[Dr. Mohamed Dualeh]: “Maternal mortality is very high, child mortality is very high and illiteracy is also very high. I think 57% of people who live in Kassala state do not read and write. Unemployment is very high but at the same time, this is a border state. In the last few years the rains were very erratic, there were less rains. Therefore, there is a drought looming. If there is a failure in terms of agricultural production as well as unemployment, with all other indicators, I think we may run into emergencies in the long term unless we can prevent it now.”
Comparing life in Kassala state with life in the refugee camps, Dr. Dualeh claims that refugees in camps in Eastern Sudan receive better services than the host communities.
[Dr. Mohamed Dualeh]: “Refugees receive better services than the neighboring Sudanese villages. They receive better water systems, they receive better education, they receive better health care than the neighboring villages and I think if we want to do justice, we should be doing justice for those Sudanese living in the surrounding villages. I wish you had gone to Umgargora Refugee camp and the next village, Karkora they are identical villages. Umugargora receives everything, the other one does not receive anything. Therefore, if you want to do justice, I think we should be doing justice for the local population in the area.”
Dr. Mohamed Dualeh was talking to SRS in Kassala.
Sourced from http://www.sudanradio.org/kassala-state-poorest-sudan-unhcr
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Fish canning plant to be built on Red Sea Coast

Sudan Vision reports on Thursday Feb 11, that The Federal Ministry of Industry has announced launching of first project for fish-canning project in the region of the Red Sea. It is to be operational next May at estimated cost of $4.3million as a pilot project.

Engineer Ali Ahmed Osman, State Minister for Industry, said in a statement to Sudan Vision that the project would kick off as a result of efforts and coordination with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), affirming that the project will be extended to various regions in Sudan. Halfa Al Jedidda comes second priority, then the experience will be transferred to south Sudan as the region abounds in fish resource.
 

The state minister added that the project aims to meet the home need for fish before export, affirming that fisheries in Sudan have not seen development over the past years due to civil wars in the country.  

http://bit.ly/dct1eJ 

While we generally think of Beja as camel herders, or as labourers or marketers in urban areas or along highways, there are many Beja who fish -- sometimes using nets in shallow water, sometimes from small wooden boats.

Beja fisherman returning with nets
http://www.pbase.com/travelling_terry/image/71271280
from a longer page with more pics
http://www.pbase.com/travelling_terry/the_red_sea_sudan
this pic