BY VENERANDA LANGA

LEGISLATORS in the National Assembly on Tuesday expressed concern over the public’s poor attendance during hearings on important Bills.

Some of the participants in the public hearings also seemed not to understand the issues or Bills being discussed, the MPs noted.

For instance, during public hearings on the Maintenance of Order and Peace Bill (MOPA), which will replace the unconstitutional Public Order and Security Act,
some contributors in Harare raised issues around the economy and people with disabilities.

In Chitungwiza, less than 10 people attended the public hearing on MOPA.

Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya (MDC Alliance) raised a point of order with the Speaker, Jacob Mudenda, saying that Parliament must change its advertising
strategies of public hearings and also support MPs with constituency information centres.
He said this would enable MPs to distribute copies of Bills and explain their provisions to the public before hearings to enhance their understanding and
contributions.

Section 141 of the Constitution entails that before any law is crafted in Parliament, citizens should be consulted first for their input.

“I attended public consultations on the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency Bill and MOPA Bill in Kwekwe and the attendance was very poor,” Chikwinya said.

“There is generally very poor attendance on most Bills and we (Parliament) now need to have administrative introspection of how we call for these public
hearings because the majority of people expect MPs to distribute these Bills and discuss them in advance.

“Parliament must be able to capacitate parliamentary constituency information centres so that MPs market these public hearings for many people to attend, or
even to provide MPs with posters to inform people to attend.”

However, attendance is usually high on Bills which have a political interest such as the Electoral Law Act amendments, with political parties bussing their supporters to go and contribute.

But in the case of the Education Amendment Bill, chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, boasted of
very high attendance during public hearings on the Bill.

She told the National Assembly that more than 600 people attended per sitting.

The Education Amendment Bill was highly supported by child rights non-governmental organisations, which assisted to explain the Bill and mobilise people to public hearings.

Parliament’s development partners that include the Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust, have been pivotal in supporting Parliament public hearings on
Bills.

BY FORTUNE MBELE

FORMER Highlanders midfielder Richard Choruma believes Bosso will be highly motivated to win against rivals Dynamos on Sunday since it is the only accomplishment they can attain this season.

Choruma, who won titles with Bosso, believes Highlanders are already out of the title race and unless the Zifa Cup is reintroduced this year, a win over Dynamos will be their only accomplishment.

With this in mind, the former Warriors midfielder has tipped the Madinda Ndlovu-coached side to prevail on Sunday.

Choruma, who has a number of cup and championship medals with the Bulawayo giants, yesterday said if Highlanders employ the same approach as in the Uhuru Cup
in April in which they beat Dynamos 2-0 at the National Sports Stadium, they will prevail again on Sunday.

Bukhosi Sibanda, yet to make a mark in Bosso colours and Tinashe Makanda were on target against Dynamos in the Independence Cup.

“Highlanders will win on Sunday. That is all they have to fight for this year unless the Zifa Cup will materialise. Beating Dynamos will be their only
accomplishment this year after a bad start to the season. I don’t see them competing for the league title and the only thing that will make us their supporters
happy is beating Dynamos. I watched Highlanders beat Dynamos in the Independence Cup and if they play the same way they did that day, they will win,” Choruma
said.

Choruma, now at ambitious Zifa Central Region Division One side Filabusi United, where is director of football, however said Highlanders should be wary of Dynamos’ gaffer Tonderai Ndiraya, who he says is a shrewd tactician.

“Ndiraya is a good tactician and Highlanders can only under -estimate him at their own peril,” he said.

Both sides have had a bad start to the season, with Highlanders having only won two games in 11 outings while Dynamos have won four and the two giants are
separated by four points in the bottom half of the league table.

Choruma said the spark that characterised the yesteryear Highlanders and Dynamos’ games is still there but company-sponsored teams like league pacesetters
Chicken Inn, champions FC Platinum and Ngezi

Platinum are gradually taking over the big teams tag and community-based teams Bosso and DeMbare have to up their game.

“The glitz is still there but the company teams are slowly taking over. That is a wake-up call for Highlanders and Dynamos. Imagine for example, of late in
Bulawayo Chicken Inn has been sending a number of players outside some of whom are in the national team and what does that say about Highlanders. Most players
these days want to join Chicken Inn. Dynamos and Highlanders must change their approach.”

BY RICHARD MUPONDE

A POLICE officer, who allegedly led a heist at former Gwanda mayor, Knowledge Ndlovu’s Ettrick Mine and allegedly stole gold ore worth thousands of United States dollars, was reportedly arrested after a high speed chase.

The incident reportedly took place on Saturday night in Colleen Bawn, about 20km outside Gwanda.

Reports say the cop, Bhekimpilo Moyo, who is stationed at Gwanda Police Station, and his accomplices went to the mine when Ndlovu was milling some gold ore.

The gang came across the former mayor’s employees guarding some gold ore, which was waiting to be ferried to the stamp mill, and they attacked them.

Fearing for their lives, the employees reportedly fled from the mine, leaving Moyo and his gang behind. It is alleged that the gang then loaded the gold ore into their truck and left
the scene.

The workers phoned their employer, Ndlovu, who rushed to the mine and intercepted the gang as they were leaving the mine.

The cop and some of his accomplices were apprehended after a 10km high speed chase.

They were handed over to the police.

Contacted for comment, Ndlovu said he could not comment because it was now in the hands of the police.

“The matter is in the hands of the police. I can’t comment on the issue. It could jeopardise investigations,” he said.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele yesterday also declined to comment on the matter.

Last month, another police officer appeared in court accused of illegal gold panning and stealing gold ore from Gaika Mine in Kwekwe.

Donemore Nyashanu (33), of Mazvikite village under Chief Mposi in Mberengwa, a Support Unit operative, connived with five other members of the joint taskforce, who were tasked with guarding Gaika Mine, to conduct illegal mining activities and steal gold ore.

BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA/KENNETH NYANGANI

Two Chitungwiza women who were part of a gang allegedly involved in a spate of armed robberies across the country were each sentenced to 25 years by a Chivhu magistrate.

Idah Muyambiri (28) and Ruth Tarupihwa (30) were charged alongside their male accomplices Charles Mutize (34), who was given a similar sentence while gang leader Benisa Mutsvangwa (35) was sentenced to 35 years in jail after he was convicted on two more armed robbery counts.

The two women and Mutize will, however, serve an effective 20-year jail term each after five years were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while Mutsvangwa will spend the next 28 years behind bars.

According to court papers, on May 24, at around 4pm, Etina Chikero (33) was offered a lift by the accused persons in a Honda Fit from Murambinda to Chivhu.

After travelling about five kilometres, the four told the complainant that she had boarded a vehicle belonging to armed robbers.

They then pulled off the road and drove towards Dauramanzi Farm.

The accused pulled out knives and threatened to kill Chikero.

They then took her laptop, cellphone and cash before tying her to a tree. Chikero captured the vehicle’s registration details before the accused fled the scene
towards Chivhu.

She managed to free herself and reported the matter at Chivhu Police Station.

A roadblock was mounted and the vehicle was intercepted at the 136km peg along the Harare-Chivhu Highway.

Police searched the car and recovered all the property stolen from Chikero. Also recovered was a wallet with national identity cards and driver’s licences
belonging to other victims.

Police also recovered eight kitchen knives in the vehicle. The police also found out that the car had been stolen in Marondera.

Investigations linked the accused to seven more armed robbery cases involving stolen vehicles and properties.

The total value of stolen goods was put at ZWL$27 965 and only ZWL$20 681 worth of property was recovered.

Mike Choto represented the State.
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old Mutare woman appeared in court facing eight counts of stocktheft after she allegedly stole 22 cattle.

Priscilla Chinyowa from Zimunya was granted ZWL$400 bail and remanded to June 26 by magistrate Tendai Mahwe. According to prosecutor Chris Munyuku, on an
unknown date in March and August last year, the accused, in the company of the late Paul Manyasha, stole the livestock from the Arda Transau grazing area in
Odzi.

Documentary requirements for Transfer Pricing

On May 10, 2019, the Government gazetted the country’s final Transfer Pricing regulations under Statutory Instrument (SI) 109 of 2019. This SI specified the documentary requirements from a transfer pricing perspective.

With the SI, Zimbabwe formally introduced a transfer pricing regulatory regime and documentation requirement into Zimbabwean tax law. This article is intended to lay down the key elements of the new transfer pricing regime in Zimbabwe and our comments on the areas that companies’ management ought to deliberate to adhere in terms of the regulatory transfer pricing compliance.

Attribution of profits to a permanent establishment

Specific provisions have been introduced, which apply to any non-resident who has a permanent establishment (PE) that carries on a trade, profession, or business in Zimbabwe. The guidance on attributing income/loss to a PE is based on the Authorised OECD Approach.

ZIMRA has clarified that its long established source based principle of taxation will continue to apply to determine the chargeability of income or profits to Zimbabwean tax. Therefore, this provision will not limit or alter the conditions for charging profits tax, which means that only those attributable profits that have a Zimbabwean based source will be subject to tax in Zimbabwe.

The definition of PE for tax treaty countries is based on the PE article in Zimbabwean existing tax treaties, whereas for non-tax treaty countries, the definition is based on the OECD’s recommendations under BEPS Action 7.

Particular relevance to financial institutions, banks, and insurance companies that often maintain Zimbabwean branches, since the PE in Zimbabwe, was not specifically compensated in the past.

With the application of source based rules, only the sourced based profits (and not off-shore) related to the operations of the PE in Zimbabwe will be chargeable to tax. In other words, the application of the Authorised OECD Approach (AOA), in conjunction with the source based rules, may result in more profits for the entity that is subject to tax in Zimbabwe.

ZIMRA started implementation of this provision in 2016 when the Transfer Pricing regulations were put in place and reliance on anti-avoidance provisions set aside.
Arm’s Length Principle (ALP)

ZIMRA has been empowered to impose transfer pricing adjustments on either income or expense arising from non-arm’s length transactions between associated persons that lead to a potential Zimbabwean tax advantage.  However, Zimbabwean legislation is unique in that it also encompasses the domestic related-party transactions in as far as they lead to tax differences; and are used for tax avoidance. The rules are effective from assessment year starting 1 January 2016.

Importantly, the applicability of the ALP is independent of the applicability of transfer pricing documentation. Therefore, transfer pricing arrangements of all the taxpayers, irrespective of documentation threshold that are inconsistent with the ALP, will have to be corrected.

Additionally, the ALP applies to all types of tax, including income tax, capital gains tax, and payroll tax. Zimbabwe adopted a source based income tax system, which is different from the comprehensive income tax regimes of several overseas’ tax jurisdictions whereby all the sources of income are aggregated for assessment purposes (resident based).
Treatment of intangibles

ZIMRA could impose a tax on the Zimbabwean taxpayers if they have carried out value creation activities, such as development, enhancement, maintenance, protection or exploitation (DEMPE) functions in Zimbabwe that contributed to any intellectual property (IP) held by an overseas related party.

The rule is applicable to assessment year starting January 1, 2016 and the Transfer pricing policy document is required to be in place at the statutory tax return’s next filing date (Annual Income Tax return, 30 April 2020). The taxpayers should ensure compliance with the arm’s length principle and properly document the transfer pricing position of their IP strategy in view of the potential tax uncertainties that arise.

Transfer Pricing Documentation Requirements (SI – 109/2019)

Zimbabwe has not adopted the OECD recommended three-tiered documentation structure, comprising master-file, local-file and country-by-country (CbC) reporting. Zimbabwe has focused on the local-file for reporting purposes only excluding the other two files for now.

Also of note is that the Zimbabwean legislation does not include any exemptions with regards to who is supposed to prepare the Transfer Pricing Policy Document (TPPD) like what other countries have put across.

Considering the costs involved in preparing a TPPD, it would have been prudent for the tax authority to exclude small or insignificant transactions or rather basing their exemption on the turnover of companies.

TPPD -Local File (LF)
The LF is to be prepared in the English language and must be retained for a period of at least three years. Documentation shall be required to be provided to the Commissioner within seven days of written request being duly issued by the Commissioner.

The obligation of the taxpayer to provide this documentation is established without prejudice to the power of the Commissioner to request additional information that in the course of audit procedures the Commissioner deems necessary to carry out his or her functions.

Conditions for exemption from preparing TPPD under the Transfer Pricing regulations:

Advance pricing arrangements

The advanced pricing arrangement (APA) regime, which allows for unilateral, bilateral, and multilateral APA applications, is still to be put in place.

Penalties and non-compliance

If a taxpayer has adopted non-arm’s length pricing for its related-party transactions and is unable to demonstrate that it has exercised reasonable effort to determine the arm’s length price for such transactions, ZIMRA is empowered to impose a penalty by way of additional tax not exceeding 100% of the amount of the tax undercharged. The penalty for transfer pricing matters is less or equal to that imposed for incorrect.

Penalties for contravening transfer pricing documentation requirements

Offence Penalty
Evidence that the avoidance, reduction or postponement of the tax liability was a result of fraud 100% of shortfall
Lack of TP documentation to support related party transactions giving rise to an amended assessment 30% of the shortfall
Non-compliance with TP guidelines 30% of the shortfall
Taxpayer complied with the above but an assessment has been raised 10% of the shortfall

Dispute resolution mechanism

As jurisdictions, including Zimbabwe, begin to focus on the enforcement of transfer pricing laws and regulations, it could be reasonably anticipated that the result would be more disputes and double tax issues that would need resolution. To ensure effective resolution of these disputes, the regime provides for a statutory dispute resolution mechanism whereby:
• Any taxpayer can present a case to the tax authority and/or arbitration under a relevant tax treaty; and
• ZIMRA must give effect to any agreement reached with the other tax authority concerned in the course of arbitration.
It is, therefore, important for Zimbabwean entities to be well-coordinated with its related counterparts, to monitor the issues and progress of each other’s transfer pricing audits and to ensure that the concerned competent authority is duly notified. This would help in soliciting their involvement at appropriate moments for speedy and amicable resolution of disputes.

The deadline for applying for corresponding adjustments is not stated in legislation. However the Commissioner, shall after a request is made by the person resident in Zimbabwe, examine the consistency of that adjustment with the arm’s length principle provided for under section 98B of the Income Tax Act [Chapter 23.06], consulting as necessary with the competent authority of the other country.

If the adjustment proposed or made by the other country is consistent with the arm’s length principle both in principle and as regards the amount, the Commissioner shall make a corresponding adjustment to the amount of the tax charged in Zimbabwe to that person on those profits, in order to eliminate the economic double taxation that would result from the inclusion of the same profits in the taxable income of both that person and the associated person.

Issues to consider

It is expected that the tax authority will focus on transfer pricing in the coming years and the taxpayers are recommended to consider the following:

• Review the existing related-party transactions that may be subject to the new transfer pricing rules and revisit the existing transfer pricing policies, particularly for services that have not been compensated at arm’s length in the past;

• Maintain contemporaneous and robust transfer pricing documentation within the applicable deadlines.

Given the above, there does exist uncertainties as to the interpretation and practical application of the aforementioned transfer pricing provisions emanating from the regulations. Furthermore, the guidance is expected in the coming months from ZIMRA through a Transfer Pricing manual, which would provide further clarity.

Way forward 

With the introduction of the transfer pricing rules and enforcement of various tools to measure BEPS, the multinational enterprises operating in Zimbabwe we will have to be better equipped in terms of a robust documentation, which is not only accurate but also represents profits being in sync with the value chain.

With tax authorities having access to significant information, the challenges arising due to detailed scrutiny have a far-reaching impact on the multinationals. Companies should involve various stakeholders to revisit transfer pricing policies and tax structure positions with respect to their supply chains and use of IP.

Furthermore, the related-party transactions undertaken need to meet the arm’s length criteria to ensure compliance with local laws and plug any probable issues that may arise in future on account of PE.

Cultivating a savings culture is always ideal, but is never easy. Saving entails a commitment to starving oneself off certain pleasures, and that takes discipline. Most people wish they could save, but just a few successfully save at the end of the day.

Saving is important to the economic progress of a country because of its relation to investment. If there is to be an increase in productive wealth, some individuals must be willing to abstain from using up their entire income.

With most lending institutions unable to avail funding, the local capital market is left to lead the way in providing capital to resuscitate the various sectors of the economy in order to create jobs whose trickle-down effect will be an improvement in the general standards of living for the ordinary person.

Currently, most Zimbabwean households lack the culture of saving. Resultantly, this prejudices the capital markets sector of funds that can be availed to productive sectors, the majority of which are still struggling to be competitive, owing to lack of funds to recapitalise.

Capital markets on their own cannot create capital, instead they facilitate the creation of wealth by being a marketplace for capital and securities. This underscores the need to promote a culture of saving in the country.

The million dollar question is how can one save and invest in an economy like ours which is not the easiest to operate in.

There are some who hold the view that saving is for the rich and well-off.

This view emanates from a lot of misinformation, something that can easily be corrected by rolling out relevant awareness and education programmes.

Every individual and corporate must be made to be cognisant of the importance of saving in the body economic of the country.

Further, the financial education provided should extend beyond savings.

There seems to be an information gap which should be covered on products offered and incentives attached by the financial institutions. Citizens need to be empowered with the knowledge, to help them create generational wealth.

The onus is also on financial institutions to provide individuals with full information about the products they offer and incentives attached.

Saving is not entirely hinged upon the income an individual or corporate generates.

C-TRADE has introduced investment clubs which are aimed at bringing the traditional cooperative clubs to the stock market and enhance financial inclusion.

While co-operative clubs are well known for promoting savings, they have lagged in encouraging investing to earn more from the saved funds.

This is where the C-TRADE investment club platform comes in. By dialing *727# across all mobile platforms and selecting option 8 a group of people can form a club, pool funds and start investing and earning from shares.

There is the potential that the synergy of investment clubs can translate into higher returns than one may not achieve on their own.

Through trading of securities in groups, C-TRADE aims to help individuals grow their wealth and increase income at the push of a button as all this is done electronically.

Investment clubs generally have more buying power as opposed to the case with individual investments thus more shares can be purchased at a given time which in turn increases the chance of getting quicker matches and hence, increasing investor satisfaction and in turn confidence in the system.

BY AFRICA NEWS

Stakeholders accept demands

Ghana and Ivory Coast on Wednesday announced that they had won concessions from stakeholders in the cocoa industry, including acceptance of a $2,600 floor price for a tonne of cocoa.

The two nations had threatened to stop selling their production to buyers unwilling to meet a minimum price.

Following a two-day meeting called by the two top cocoa producers who together account for over 60% of the world’s production, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, chief executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board, told a news conference that their demands had been accepted in principle by the participants.

Over the years it has been the buyers who have determined the price for the suppliers.

“Ivory Coast and Ghana have suspended the sale of the 2020/2021 crop until further notice for preparation of the implementation of the floor price,” he said.

Calling the move “historic”, he said that “this is the first time when the producers have called consumers and the first time whereby suppliers have called buyers to come and engage on price,” he said.

“Over the years it has been the buyers who have determined the price for the suppliers.”

Aidoo added that there would be a follow-up meeting to work out how to implement the agreement.

The world’s chocolate market is worth around $100 billion, of which only $6 billion go to cocoa producers.

AFP

Ghana, Ivory Coast suspend sales

Ghana and Ivory Coast, who are the world’s top two cocoa growers on Tuesday suspended the sale of cocoa beans to the open market under the 2020/2021 crop season until further notice.

The suspension, announced to stakeholders in the cocoa value chain, including traders, processors and chocolate manufacturers, is part of efforts by the two countries to get a fair price for farmers, according to news channel, Graphic Online.

The two countries had earlier proposed a floor price of $2,600 for every tonne against the International Cocoa Organisation’s price that is averaging $2,436.

Ghana and Ivory Coast who account for 65% of global cocoa supplies, argue that the current pricing structure that makes cocoa producers price takers does not reflect their contribution to the sustenance of the cocoa industry.

A formal decision on the floor price is expected on Wednesday, as the two producers take on almost 300 representatives of stakeholders in the cocoa value chain, by categorically agreeing that neither Ivory Coast nor Ghana will sell their produce in the international market below the agreed minimum price.

BY AFRICANEWS

The umbrella body for Sudanese protest groups, the Forces for Freedom and Change, FCC; have said they will only restart talks with the ruling junta in the presence of a third party.

The Arabic Al Hadath outlet quoted the FCC as saying in a Wednesday press briefing that despite agreeing on resumption of talks, ,direct talks were out of the question.

“We have communicated to the Ethiopian Prime Minister our unwillingness to engage in direct talks with the TMC.

It has fallen, we won.

“The TMC did not follow through on its promises to protect protesters and transfer power to civilians,” FCC added whiles rejecting the junta’s probe of the violent dispersal of a sit-in in the capital Khartoum on June 3.

“We reject the one-sided investigation conducted by the TMC on the dispersal of the Khartoum sit-in.” The incident led to the suspension of talks by the military. Not even a U-turn hours later stopped a civil disobedience that lasted three-days till a successful negotiation by Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed’s Special Envoy.

June 4: Junta “will fall no matter what” – Protest leader

In an interview with Reuters on Tuesday (June 4), a leader of the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces (DFCF) Khalid Omar Yousef said the military “regime will fall no matter what”, and suggested the protest movement would escalate after the Eid holiday.

Omar said the Transitional Military Council (TMC) Head Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan had not “learned from the lessons of history”, adding that the military rulers were perpetuating the old regime of ousted leader Omar al-Bashir.

The DFCF leader also told Reuters he was optimistic about the success of the protest movement, saying strikes had led to Khartoum being a “ghost city” where “movement is completely hindered”.

At least 35 people were killed on Monday (June 3) when security forces stormed a protest camp outside the Defence Ministry in central Khartoum, according to doctors linked to the opposition.

Sudan’s opposition on Tuesday (June 4) rejected a plan by its military rulers to hold elections within nine months, a day after the worst bout of violence since Omar al-Bashir was ousted as president in April.

June 2: Junta planning to forcibly disperse sit-ins

The Sudanese Professionals Association, SPA, one of the main groups under the protest leadership in the country have alleged that there is an active plot by the Transitional Military Council, TMC, to break up sit-ins in parts of the country.

“SPA has reason to believe that the military council is systematically planning and working towards dispersing the peaceful Sit-in using excessive force and violence,” the group said in a tweet posted on Saturday, June 1.

Reports indicate that multiple protesters had been shot near the Khartoum sit-in with most analysts claiming that counter-revolutionaries were infiltrating the ranks of the protesters.

Earlier this week, a junior military officer had warned that the continued sit-ins were a threat to the country’s stability.

Removing the roadblocks around Khartoum and quitting the streets had been a point of contention at a point during transition talks that had been deadlocked since late last month.

The military that ousted Omar Al-Bashir and protest groups have agreed a legislative framework for a three-year transition but they are yet to agree on the composition of a sovereign / governing council.

May 31: UK ambassador condemns violence

Irfan Siddiq the British ambassador in Sudan has condemned clashes that led to deaths around a protest site in the capital Khartoum.

The clash that led to the deaths are blamed on the military who have since the fall of long-serving Omar Al-Bashir have failed to convince protesters to remove barricades mounted across the capital.

The ambassador further called for transition talks towards a civilian government as per protesters demands to be urgently pursued “to avoid further instability.”

His tweet on Friday morning (May 31) read: “Condemn killings and injuries as a result of live fire around the protest site in Khartoum over the last two days. Sudanese security forces must ensure no further violence.

“Need for swift agreement on civilian led transition becoming ever more urgent to avoid further instability.”

Transition talks between the junta that deposed Bashir and protest leaders has failed to produce an agreement at the level of the governing council of a three-year transition whose legislative component has been agreed upon.

220 people are talking about this

May 24 – 26: Junta leaders visit regional powerhouses

The weekend was a busy period for leaders of the Sudan Transitional Military Council, TMC, as they made trips to three countries in the region perceived by protesters as meddlers in the affairs of Sudan.

The TMC’s second in command was late last week in Saudi Arabia on official visit during which occasion he met with the King of the Kingdom, King Salman.

On Saturday, TMC head Abdul Fattah Burhan also made a trip to neighbouring Egypt where he held talks with the Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. Egypt has held a conference on Sudan a month ago with Sisi presiding – in his position as sitting African Union president.

From Egypt, Burhan flew to the United Arab Emirates where he was received by Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi.

“During a meeting today with Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s Transitional Military Council, Mohamed bin Zayed affirmed the UAE’s support in preserving Sudan’s security and stability,” the Crown Prince wrote on Twitter.

Saudi and UAE have been supportive of efforts to alleviate Sudan’s economic crisis with deposits of monies into the central bank’s vault. Political watchers have however classed their actions as ways to exert more influence in a post-Bashir Sudan.

Protesters have also serially been seen chanting anti-Saudi, UAE and Egypt meddling in the sovereign affairs of Sudan.

May 24: TMC spokesman in Saudi with Hemedti

At a time that transition talks are ongoing between the Sudan junta and civilian coalition, social media is buzzing about how the junta’s spokesperson is out of the country.

The Transitional Military Council’s spokesman Lt. Gen. Shanseldin Kabbashi was part of the delegation of deputy TMC head Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” who is currently in Saudi Arabia.

The deputy TMC head is in Saudi to attend a summit called by Saudi over Iran. Kabbashi who has been the main interface between the press and the TMC in relaying information from the talks was seen along with him which kept some people asking on social media if the talks were on hold till he returned.

May 20: Eritrea stands with Sudanese people – Afwerki

Eritrea stands in solidarity with the Sudanese people was the crust of a message transmitted by a delegation that was sent on Sunday by President Isaias Afwerki to Khartoum.

“President Isaias’ message further stressed Eritrea’s confidence in the ability of the Sudanese people to find solutions to their own issues. The President of the TMC, General Alburhan, welcomed Eritrea’s initiative and briefed the delegation on developments in the country.

“Both sides affirmed their readiness to put Eritrean Sudanese relations back on track. Eritrea’s delegation is on a two-day visit to the Sudan,” the information Minister said in tweets on Sunday.

Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and Presidential Adviser Yemane Ghebreab met the leader of Sudan’s Transitional Military Council, TMC, General Abdulfetah AlBurhan, for talks on Sunday. The same day talks resumed between the generals and the protest leaders – Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, FDFC.

As at Monday, they also held a meeting with the second in command of the military junta and leader of the Rapid Support Forces, General Mohamed Hamdan Hamedti.

Eritrea is the second neighbour to send a delegation to Khartoum since Bashir was deposed. Ethiopia PM days after Bashir’s ouster issued a statement stressing that Ethiopia stood with the resilient Sudanese protesters.

Abiy’s deputy has visited Khartoum as has the Foreign Affairs chief earlier this month. South Sudan president Salva Kiir also recently expressed support for the protesters tasking meddlers to stay off the affairs of sovereign Sudan.

Eritrea diplomacy hits top gear: Delegation visits Mogadishu, Cairo, Riyadh

May 16: British ambassador urges resumption of talks

Irfan Siddiq, the British ambassador in Sudan has asked the military junta to quickly resume talks with protest leaders. He said the parties risked losing progress made in the transition talks with the situation.

He tweeted details of a meeting with the Abdul Fattah Burhan-led Transitional Military Council, TMC, that deposed Omar al-Bashir on April 11.

His full statement is as follows:

Met with TMC today for their explanation of the suspension of talks. TMC claim environment not conducive given escalation: expansion of roadblocks, blocking of railway line, worsening security and hostile statements from FFC.

Urged TMC to resume talks asap. Progress made was significant and it seemed strange to suspend at this point and risk losing all gains made. Delay also creates a vacuum that could lead to further instability. Rollback of roadblocks had begun, should continue and was welcome.

Also stressed absolute need to avoid further violence. No amount of provocation justifies shooting protestors. Pressed for results of investigation into recent killings and injuries ASAP.

“Protesters caution military junta over suspension of talks”: https://www.africanews.com/2019/05/16/sudan-protesters-warn-confused-junta-over-suspension-of-talks/

May 13: Special forces disperse protesters in northern Khartoum

Special forces believed to be from Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces have dispersed protesters in the capital on Monday, media reports have shown.

The forces dispersed protests and removed road blocks in parts of the city’s north. Tear gas was used in the process, the reports further added. Incidentally, the action comes on the day talks resumed over transition.

The military junta that deposed Omar al-Bashir remain deadlocked with protest leaders calling for a transfer of power to a civilian-led transition team.

A sit-in outside the army headquarters in Khartoum, however, continues with roadblocks being regularly reinforced. Protesters are spending the Ramadan in the streets where they spend the entire day – observing the fast.

May 7: UN, AU support civilian-led transition

The African Union and the United Nations say they are supporting a civilian-led transitional government in Sudan following last month’s overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir.

AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat told reporters after meeting Monday with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres there is no question of sustaining the military council that assumed power after al-Bashir’s ouster, saying “it is not acceptable.”

But he said military members could be part of a civilian government.

Protesters have called for a swift transition to civilian rule, and the AU initially gave the military 15 days to hand over power but extended the deadline to 60 days. Mahamat said talks are underway.

The U.N.-AU communique welcomes and supports “AU-led efforts to facilitate a consensual and civilian-led transition, in close coordination with the U.N.”

May 3: Military rejects civilian majority in joint council

A protester was killed in Sudan’s Darfur region after security forces shot at a group of protesters on Saturday. Media reports said nine people were shot and injured at a sit-in with hospital authorities in the town of Nyala, confirming the casualty.

Reports on Saturday said the military had tried to break the sit-in leading to the clashes and the subsequent incident. The sit-in is part of the nationwide action by protest leaders to push for a handover of power to civilians.

Around 5,000 protesters marched peacefully from the Atash camp for the displaced to a military installation housing the 16th Infantry Division, SUNA said, citing South Darfur’s governor. Sudan has seen frequent protests near military buildings.

The agency said protesters attacked military personnel and tried to seize military vehicles in the town, some 1,100 km southwest of Khartoum.

However the Sudanese Professionals’ Association (SPA), which spearheaded protests that led to the ouster of president Omar al-Bashir last month, said the protesters were peaceful, and made no mention of casualties.

South Darfur Governor Hashim Khalid Mahmoud said four military and Rapid Support Forces personnel were injured, SUNA reported. He said the joint forces fired live ammunition into the air and used tear gas, but said no demonstrators were hurt.

The Transitional Military Council, TMC, is currently holding power having ousted long-serving Omar al-Bashir in April. Talks with civilians have failed to reach an agreement.

The junta are however under pressure from the international community and the continuing sit-in that has crippled movement in key parts of the capital and other cities.

The TMC is currently led by Abdel Fatteh Al-Burhaan who was sworn into office about two days after Bashir’s fall. His predecessor was one Ahmed Ibn Auf – Bashir’s last defense minister who resigned after a little over a day in charge.

Bashir is currently being held in solitary confinement at Kobar, a maximum security jail in Khartoum. He is the subject of a judicial probe over possible money laundering and terrorism financing.

May 3: Military rejects civilian majority in joint council

A member of Sudan’s Transitional Military Council has told the BBC that they were only willing to split representation on a proposed joint transition team with civilians.

Lt-Gen Salah Abdelkhalek said they had rejected a civilian majority in the proposed council with the Alliance for Freedom and Change who led the protests that led to the ouster of ex-president Omar al-Bashir.

Roadblocks are still mounted across the capital Khartoum where a massive protest was held on Thursday calling for a civilian administration. Protest leaders early this week said the junta was not serious about reaching a deal.

“The red line will be not a majority of civilians, they will not accept this… maybe half and half, this is the last point. This is the top point.”

Asked about a team of say seven civilians, seven soldiers he responded: “Maybe, maybe: I can satisfy my soldiers, my officers, we are not alone.”

April 20: Sudan investigating Bashir after large sums of cash found at home- source

Sudan’s public prosecutor has begun investigating ousted President Omar al-Bashir on charges of money laundering and possession of large sums of foreign currency without legal grounds, a judicial source said on Saturday.

The source said that military intelligence had searched Bashir’s home and found suitcases loaded with more than $351,000 and six million euros, as well as five million Sudanese pounds.

“The chief public prosecutor… ordered the (former) president detained and quickly questioned in preparation to put him on trial,” a judicial source told Reuters.

“The public prosecution will question the former president in Kobar prison,” the source added. Relatives could not be immediately reached on Saturday for comment about the investigation.

Bashir, who is also being sought by the International Criminal Court over allegations of genocide in the country’s western Darfur region, was ousted on April 11 by the military following months of protests against his rule and had been held at a presidential residence.

April 18: Bashir’s brothers detained

The Transitional Military Council in Sudan has arrested two brothers of ousted leader Omar al-Bashir. It is not know over exactly what charges they are being held.

A military spokesperson said the move was part of efforts to uproot symbols of the former regime. HE added that militia and armed groups loyal to Bashir had been brought under police or military control.

Bashir was arrested after his overthrow last week and transferred to prison custody earlier this week. The military is under pressure from protesters and the diplomatic community to handover power to a civilian transition team.

Meanwhile, neighbouring South Sudan on Wednesday (April 17) offered to mediate in the crisis. The government has sent a delegation to Khartoum to meet interested parties.

“The president has offered to mediate the ongoing negotiations among various groups in Sudan with the hope that the new transition will usher in a new day in Sudan…,” a statement by President Salva Kiir’s office said.

Statement: AUC chair meets military delegation in Addis Ababa

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, today (April 16) received a Sudanese delegation led by Lieutenant-General Jalal Alsheikh Altayeb, member of the Military Transitional Council (MTC), who conveyed a written message to from Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairperson of the MTC.

Recalling the communiqué adopted by the Peace and Security Council at its meeting held on 15 April and his own earlier communiqué, the Chairperson reiterated the African Union’s commitment to work with all the Sudanese stakeholders towards a consensual and inclusive transition that meets the aspirations of the people and ensures the stability of the country.

As part of the continental solidarity and the search for African solutions to African problems, the Commission of the African Union will continue to closely monitor the situation and interact with all the Sudanese stakeholders, with the view to helping them overcome the challenges confronting their country.

Standing with Sudan

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the TMC, received phone calls from the Saudi king, UAE president, Qatari emir, Ethiopian prime minister and South Sudanese president, SUNA said on Monday. They expressed support for the TMC in “this delicate and historic stage” and their concern for the security and stability of the country, SUNA said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for “a rapid transfer of power to a civilian transitional government,” in a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

“This must be followed by a credible, inclusive political process that meets the expectations of the Sudanese people with regard to economic and political reforms,” her office said in a statement.

Sisi meanwhile reiterated Egypt’s support for “the brotherly Sudanese people’s will” and said Cairo would “not interfere in its internal affairs”, according to a presidential statement.

AU issues ultimatum to Sudan military

In a communique on Monday, the African Union’s Peace and Security Council called for Sudan’s military to transfer power to a “transitional civilian-led political authority” within 15 days or face suspension from the AU.

Lieutenant General Jalal al-Deen al-Sheikh, a member of the TMC, met Ethiopia’s prime minister in Addis Ababa, where the AU is based, and said, “We are already in the process of choosing a prime minister” for a civilian government, according to the Sudanese state news agency SUNA.

“So we are initiating this even before having this session with the African Union. This is our conviction and this is also the way forward to peace, but also, we respect it and we are committed to the decision of the Peace and Security Council.”

SPA makes demands

The Sudanese group that led protests against deposed President Omar al-Bashir called on Monday for the transitional military council that has taken power to be disbanded and for a new interim civilian ruling council to be formed.

Representatives of the Sudanese Professionals’ Association (SPA) piled pressure on the military commanders who have taken over, issuing a long list of demands for deeper and faster change to end repression and a ruinous economic crisis.

If their demands were not met, the group would press on with protests and not join a future transitional government, Ahmed al-Rabie, an SPA member, told Reuters.

The SPA held its first news conference since Bashir, who ruled with an autocratic hand since seizing power in a coup 30 years ago, was ousted by the military on Thursday following months of street demonstrations.

A new interim civilian body should be given full executive powers, with the armed forces having representation, and the Transitional Military Council (TMC) that took over last week should be dissolved, the SPA said.

“If our demand for the formation of a civilian transitional council with military representation is not met, we will not be part of the executive authority, the cabinet, and we will continue the mass escalation and the sit-ins to fulfil our demands,” Rabie told Reuters.

SPA representatives also renewed calls for the head of the judiciary and his deputies and public prosecutor to be removed. They demanded the dissolution of Bashir’s National Congress Party and said they received affirmation from the TMC that the party will not participate in a transitional government.

The SPA also called for the seizure of the party’s assets and the arrest of its prominent figures.

It demanded the dissolution of paramilitary groups that were loyal to the old government, and of the National Intelligence and Security Service’s (NISS) operations authority, and called for an end to Sudan’s press law and the public order law, which the SPA has said restricts freedoms.

April 15, 2019: Protesters assured of security, ex-govt members arrested

Some members of the erstwhile government have been arrested by the transitional military council, reports from the country has suggested as at Monday morning.

There has been no mention of the reasons why they were picked up and who exactly had been picked. Ousted Omar al-Bashir is currently in detention and is likely to face trial in Sudan.

Protesters who are holding an adamant sit-in entering two-weeks have also been assured of security by the military. As of Monday morning, protesters have block efforts by soldiers to remove road blocks according to reports.

The sit-in at the army headquarters in the capital, Khartoum, was the last straw that forced the military to oust President Omar al-Bashir last week.

Protesters have refused to leave until the military hands over power to a civilian-led transition team. The military high command has offered the protest leaders the opportunity to name a prime minister, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday.

The military council in charge of Sudan has asked activists to nominate an independent candidate for the position of Prime Minister in the transitional government, Al Jazeera reports.

The portal’s journalist covering the Sudan uprising confirmed that on day two of military – protester groups talks, the military said it was only interested in two security related portfolios.

“He said the military council only wants two positions, the defence and interior ministries. That’s because, in his words, they want to maintain order and security in the country,” Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan reports from Khartoum.

Morgan reported further that there were some disagreements among political parties in the duration and the shape that some of the measures expected to he undertaken.

“Now the political parties themselves are divided. Some of them want a two year transitional period, others want four. There’s also disagreement over how to deal with the national intelligence and security services. Some want it completely abolished while others want reforms,” she added.

Sudan’s new transition leader

Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Abdelrahman is a military commander believed to be more ready to talk to the protesters.

He was the third most senior general in the Sudanese armed forces and is little known in public life. As head of Sudan’s ground forces he oversaw Sudanese troops fighting in the Saudi-led Yemen war and has close ties to senior Gulf military officials.

In his first televised address, Burhan said he was also canceling a night curfew ordered by his predecessor and ordered the release of all prisoners jailed under emergency laws put in place by ousted President Omar al-Bashir.

A coalition of groups leading the protests said it had accepted an invitation by the armed forces to meet on Saturday to discuss a new civilian government.

The main protest organiser had earlier on Saturday urged people to keep marching to demand a civilian government after the defence minister and the intelligence chief stepped down.

Intelligence chief resigns

Sudan’s security and intelligence chief quit on Saturday, state media reported, a day after the defence minister stepped down abruptly as interim leader following the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir and protesters kept up demands for change.

Salah Abdallah Mohamed Saleh, known as Salah Gosh, who headed the National Intelligence and Security Service and was once the most influential person in the country after Bashir, was held responsible by protesters for the killing of demonstrators demanding an end to military rule.

The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which has been leading protests to demand a civilian government, called for more demonstrations on Saturday.

“Today, we continue the march to finish the victory for our victorious revolution,” the SPA said in a statement.

“We assert that our revolution is continuing and will not retreat or deviate from its path until we achieve … our people’s legitimate demands of handing over power to a civilian government,” it said.

Defence minister resigns

Sudan’s defence minister stepped down abruptly on Friday as head of the country’s transitional ruling military council after only a day in the post, as protesters demanded quicker political change following President Omar al-Bashir’s ouster by the armed forces.

Hours after the military council sought to calm public anger by promising a new civilian government, Defence Minister Awad Ibn Auf said in a televised speech he was quitting as head of the council.

Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Abdelrahman will be the new head of the council, Ibn Auf said. He also said Chief of Staff Kamal Abdelmarouf al-Mahi was relieved of his position as deputy head of the transitional military council.

“In order to ensure the cohesion of the security system, and the armed forces in particular, from cracks and strife, and relying on God, let us begin this path of change,” Ibn Auf said.

News of the change sparked joyful celebrations by many thousands in the streets of Khartoum as people chanted, “The second has fallen!” in reference to Bashir, witnesses said.

“What happened is a step in the right direction and is a bow to the will of the masses, and we have become closer to victory,” Rashid Saeed, a spokesman for the main protest group, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), told Reuters.

“We are committed to our demands that we submitted to the army,” he said. “We call on the masses to stay on the streets until all the demands are met.”

16 killed during protests against military council

At least 16 people were killed and 20 injured by stray bullets at protests and sit-ins on Thursday and Friday, a police spokesman said.

Government buildings and private property were also attacked, spokesman Hashem Ali added.

Worshipers packed the streets around the Defence Ministry for Friday prayers, heeding a call by the SPA to challenge the military council.

The numbers swelled in the afternoon and a Reuters witness estimated hundreds of thousands of protesters thronged areas around the ministry, which was guarded by soldiers.

Hashem Ali asked citizens to help ensure safety and public order.

Military council pledges civilian government

Sudan’s ruling military council on Friday promised the country would have a new civilian government, a day after the armed forces overthrew President Omar al-Bashir after 30 years in power.

The council, which is now running Sudan under Defence Minister Mohammed Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf, said it expects a pre-election transition period it announced on Thursday to last two years at most or much less if chaos can be avoided.

The council also announced that it would not extradite Bashir to face allegations of genocide at the international war crimes court. Instead he would go on trial in Sudan.

Friday’s announcement of a civilian government by the head of the military council’s political committee, General Omar Zain al-Abideen, appeared aimed at reassuring demonstrators who took to the streets to warn against imposing army rule after Bashir’s overthrow.

‘Protesters, not army have solutions’

Abideen pledged that the military council would not interfere with the civilian government. However he said the defence and interior ministries would be under the council’s control.

He said the military council had no solutions to Sudan’s crisis and these would come from the protesters.

“We are the protectors of the demands of the people,” he said. “We are not greedy for power.”

Earlier on Friday, thousands of Sudanese demonstrators camped outside the defence ministry to push for a civilian government, defying a curfew and calling for mass prayers.

Demonstrators who have been holding almost daily anti-Bashir protests have rejected the decision to set up a transitional military council and vowed to continue protests until a civilian government is established.

Activists called for mass Friday prayers outside the defence ministry compound, a focal point for protests.

At the compound, large tents were put up and people brought in food and handed out water as the crowd swelled, a Reuters witness said. Ahmed al-Sadek, a 39-year-old trader, said he had not slept at his home since the sit-in began on Saturday.

Activists wearing yellow vests controlled traffic around the compound on Friday morning and managed foot traffic to and from the sit-in, a Reuters witness said. They also blocked a major bridge in central Khartoum.

Bashir, 75, had faced 16 weeks of demonstrations against him.

What next for protesters?

Thousands of people flocked to an anti-government protest outside the defence ministry on Thursday, while huge crowds took to the streets in central Khartoum, dancing and shouting anti-Bashir slogans. Protesters chanted: “It has fallen, we won.”

Demonstrators called for a civilian government and said they would not accept an administration led by military and security figures, or by Bashir’s aides.

Omar Saleh Sennar, a senior member of the Sudanese Professionals’ Association, one of the main protest groups, said it expected to negotiate with the military over a transfer of power.

“We will only accept a transitional civilian government,” Sennar told Reuters.

Names of Bashir’s possible successors that have been circulating include the defence Minister, an ex-military intelligence chief, also an Islamist, and former army chief of staff Emad al-Din Adawi.

Adawi is said to be favoured by regional neighbours at odds with Bashir over his Islamist leanings.

Bashir detained, military council takes over

Sudan’s defense minister said on Thursday that President Omar al-Bashir had been detained “in a safe place” and that a military council would run the country for a two-year transitional period, confirming a long anticipated coup by the armed forces.

In a statement broadcast on state TV Defense Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf said there would be elections at the end of the transitional period.

Seated on a gold-upholstered armchair, Auf announced a three-month state of emergency, a nationwide ceasefire and the suspension of the constitution. He also said Sudan’s air space would be closed for 24 hours and border crossings shut until further notice.

Sudanese sources told Reuters that Bashir was at the presidential residence under “heavy guard”. A son of Sadiq al-Mahdi, the head of the country’s main opposition Umma Party, told al-Hadath TV that Bashir was being held with “a number of leaders of the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood group”.

The defence minister made an appeal to the citizens, asking them to tolerate security measures that will be put in place. He also pledged that human rights will be observed throughout the transition period.

Political prisoners released

Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Service has announced the release of all political prisoners across the country, state news agency SUNA reported on Thursday.

The announcement came after Sudanese sources said President Omar al-Bashir had been forced to step down after three decades in power.

Shortly after the announcement, Twitter users circulated photos showing former detainees being welcomed by protesters as they joined demonstrations against Omar al-Bashir.

One of those released was Mohammed Naji Elasam, a spokesman for the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), the main organiser of protests being held across Sudan since December, witnesses said. Elasam had been detained for more than three months.

Protesters vow to protect revolution from Bashir’s allies

The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which has been leading protests that have lasted over three months, has urged the armed forces to ‘handover power to the people’, according to what they described as ‘the declaration of freedom and change’.

‘‘We assert that the people of Sudan will not accept anything less than a civil transitional authority composed of a patriotic group of experts who were not involved with the tyrannical regime,’‘ read part of a statement issued on their website on Thursday.

Omar Saleh Sennar, a senior member of the SPA said the group was waiting for a statement by the army and expected to negotiate with the military over a transfer of power away from Bashir.

Soldiers raid Bashir’s party headquarters

A Reuters witness says soldiers raided the headquarters of the Islamic movement led by Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir in the capital Khartoum on Thursday.

The Islamic movement is the main component of Sudan’s ruling party. Government sources said Bashir had stepped down and consultations were underway to form a transitional council.

Minister says Bashir has stepped down

Embattled Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has stepped down and consultations are under way to form a transitional council to run the country, government sources and a provincial minister said on Thursday.

The minister of production and economic resources in North Darfur, Adel Mahjoub Hussein, told the Dubai-based al-Hadath TV that “there are consultations to form a military council to take over power after President Bashir stepped down”.

Sudanese sources confirmed the report and told Reuters Bashir was at the presidential residence under “heavy guard”.

Military to make announcement soon: state media

The military will make an announcement soon, state television said as troops were deployed in Khartoum.

“The armed forces will present an important statement shortly. Be ready for it,” the announcement on state television read, without giving further details.

The army and security services deployed troops around the defence ministry and on major roads and bridges in the capital as thousands of people flocked to an anti-government protest outside the ministry, a Reuters witness said.

Tens of thousands of Sudanese took to the streets in the centre of Khartoum in jubilation, dancing and chanting anti-Bashir slogans.

Protesters outside the defence ministry chanted: “It has fallen, we won.”

State television and radio played patriotic music, reminding older Sudanese of how military takeovers unfolded during previous episodes of civil unrest.

REUTERS

BY BBC

A top German court has ruled that it is still lawful for poultry and egg producers to kill unwanted male chicks.

The ruling, by Germany’s Federal Administrative Court on Thursday, backs companies on a temporary basis until an alternative can be found.

Mass-culling of boy chicks is common practice in industrialised farming around the world.

After being sexed, billions of the baby birds are killed shortly after birth – usually by grinding or gassing.

Officials say this means about 45 million male chicks die every year in Germany alone.

Why was there a court challenge?

In 2013, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia issued a decree banning hatcheries from killing chicks. Two egg hatcheries in the state then appealed against this.

Paragraph one of the Germany’s Animal Welfare Act states that: “No one shall inflict pain, suffering or harm on a pet without a reasonable cause”.

A lower court ruled that killing for food production constituted “reasonable” grounds, leading to the latest high court challenge.

The German Minister for Agriculture, Julia Klöckner, has described the practice as “ethically unacceptable” and called for its ban.

But on Thursday the high court in Leipzig confirmed it will remain permissible until alternative methods of sex determination in eggs are introduced.

The ruling means that economic reasons alone do not constitute “reasonable” grounds – but stops short of immediately banning the practice.

Friedrich Ostendorff, a spokesman for the German Green party, said he was “surprised and disappointed” by the court’s decision.

How widespread is male chick culling?

The mass-killing of male chicks is common practice in food production around the world.

For the billions of hens used in egg and poultry farming every year, a similar number of male chicks are killed shortly after birth.

Male chicks are viewed in the industry as commercially useless, because they grow more slowly than hens so are deemed unsuitable for meat production.

After sorting, the most common methods of killing involve asphyxiation by gassing or maceration in high-speed grinders.

The UK-based Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) says that maceration can actually be considered more humane than gassing because, if carried out correctly, it kill chicks within a second while asphyxiation may take two minutes.

The mass-culling of male chicks has long been a focus of animal rights activists who say the practice is unethical.

What are the alternatives?

Scientists in a number of countries have been trying to find a solution.

After years of research and millions in government funding, a German company called Seleggt started to sell the first “no kill” eggs on the market last year.

They developed a non-invasive way to determine chicken embryo sex, from about seven days after fertilisation, by extracting fluid and detecting hormones.

The method allows them to bring females to full maturity and discard males prior to hatching – turning them into high-quality animal feed.

The eggs, labelled Respeggt, are currently available in more than 200 shops in Germany, with hope the technology will become more widespread soon.

BY BBC

Dozens of crew members have been rescued after abandoning two oil tankers hit by explosions in the Gulf of Oman.

Iran said it had rescued the 21 crew members on board the Kokuka Courageous and the 23 on the Front Altair.

The cause of the explosions in one of the world’s busiest oil routes remains unclear and both vessels are still afloat.

The incident comes a month after four oil tankers were attacked off the UAE.

Oil prices rose as much as 4.5% from a near five-month low following Thursday’s incident, Bloomberg reports.

What do we know about the explosions?

The cause has not been confirmed.

The Norwegian-owned Front Altair had been “attacked”, the Norwegian Maritime Authority said, leading to three explosions on board.

Wu I-fang, a spokesman for Taiwan’s state oil refiner CPC Corp, which chartered the Front Altair, said it was carrying 75,000 tonnes of naphtha and was “suspected of being hit by a torpedo”, although this has not been confirmed. Other unverified reports suggested a mine attack.

The ship’s owner, Frontline, said the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel was on fire but denied reports on Iran media it had sunk.

The operator of the Panama-flagged Kokuka Courageous, BSM Ship Management, said its crew abandoned ship and were rescued by a passing vessel.

The tanker was carrying methanol and was not in danger of sinking, a spokesman said.

It is currently located about 80 miles from Fujairah in the UAE and 16 miles from Iran. The cargo remains intact.

ANALYSIS BY FRANK GARDNER

This is the second serious incident in a month involving tanker shipping close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which at least one-fifth of the world’s oil passes.

In May, four tankers were hit by explosive devices close to a port in the United Arab Emirates. A report presented jointly by the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Norway last week to the UN Security Council concluded they had been placed there by frogmen, but did not assign blame to any country.

But in that incident the damage was minor, there were no fires and no-one was evacuated. This is far more serious.

Both of the stricken Norwegian and Japanese-owned tankers on Thursday were under way and moving out of the Gulf of Oman, prompting questions as to what could have caused so much damage that the crew needed evacuating. Iran has said it is suspicious this incident took place just as it was hosting Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Who came to the rescue?

Iranian state media said Iran had rescued the crew members and they had been taken to the port of Jask.

The initial reports of the blasts came through the Royal Navy-linked UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) safety group, which issued a warning, urging “extreme caution” in the area.

The US 5th Fleet, based in Bahrain, said it had sent the USS Bainbridge to assist.

Spokesman Josh Frey said in a statement: “US naval forces in the region received two separate distress calls at 06:12 local time (03:12 GMT) and a second one at 07:00.”

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Why is this so sensitive?

The Gulf of Oman lies at one end of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and this incident will further increase tension in a vital shipping lane through which hundreds of millions of dollars of oil pass.

The US sent an aircraft carrier strike group and B-52 bombers to the region at the start of May in response to what it said was an unspecified plan by Iran-backed forces to attack US forces in the area.

President Donald Trump has taken a hard line towards Iran, accusing it of being a destabilising force in the Middle East.

Iran rejected the claims and has accused the US of aggressive behaviour.
Those tensions rose markedly after the 12 May limpet mine attacks in the UAE.

The UAE blamed an unnamed “state actor”. The US said that actor was Iran, an accusation Tehran has denied.

The EU called for “maximum restraint” following Thursday’s incident.

Paolo d’Amico, chairman of the tanker association, Intertanko, said the two vessels had been attacked, and expressed concern about dangers to other crews.

“If the waters are becoming unsafe, the [oil] supply to the entire Western world could be at risk,” he said.