Zimbabwe: Press Statement on Fees and Charges Levied by Government Ministers and Departments (31.05.2019)

Community of Bur and herdsmen resolve to share pastures and water in dry seasons (31.05.2019)

The feuding communities resolved to share pastures and water points and buried their differences.

JUBA, South Sudan, May 31, 2019 –  We have agreed together to hold anyone that will cause conflict between us accountable, like thieves of goats and cattle,” said Oburak Alex, the landlord of Bur who oversees all traditional rituals and land ownership disputes in the area.

The Bur community in Eastern Equatoria has frequently voiced concerns over aggressive behaviours displayed by pastoralists from Torit East. Incidents of rape, elopement, adultery and destroying crops by letting cattle graze on farm lands, are among the transgressions that have upset the people of Bur.

With indications that violence may have been about to escalate, the Civil Affairs Division of the United Nations in South Sudan decided to support an inter-communal forum aimed at resolving conflicts and strengthen traditional mechanisms to address disputes.

At the end of the two-day get-together, the feuding communities resolved to share pastures and water points and buried their differences, but with a few caveats.

“We are ready to receive them again and give them land to graze for their cattle to graze, but they [the herdsmen] have to come with their wives,” said John Okori Obi, one of the youth representatives in Bur, stressing the importance of immediately implementing the resolution agreed on to put an end to adulterous behaviour.

It was also decided that ambulating pastoralists will communicate their intended movements and appoint someone to speak on their behalf should crimes be committed.

“What you have done is commendable, so we encourage you to implement the resolutions,” said Leah Chan, a representative of the UNMISS civil affairs division in Torit.

Sudan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Immunities/45/1 – Unofficial Translation (30.05.2019)

Burundi: Ministere de la Justice et de la Protection Civique Parquet General de la Republique – Point de Presse (31.05.2019)

DPP’s Press Statement on Ruling of Deputy Chief Justice Philemona Mwilu Case (31.05.2019)

Communique Final sanctionnaut la remcontre tripartite Angola – Rwanda – Republique Demcratique du Congo tenue a N’Sele (Kinshasa) – (31.05.2019)

South Sudan: UN Arms embargoed renewed, but will it make a difference?

Well, I beg to question if the United Nations Security Council Arms Embargo on the Republic of South Sudan is functional enough or even good enough implemented. As there are already well known facts that a foreign force is on its soil, without the needed mandate. This being the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). The same army known for exporting arms, training SSDF/SPLA or the government army itself.

That is why I have little faith in the Arms Embargo. Not that I don’t want to see peace and prosperity in the Republic. To the contrary, that is what I want to see, but with the War-Lords, the tensions and the postponement of implementation of the recent Peace Agreement. You can wonder if this is yet another false-flag operation. Since there are little or no movement into peaceful territory.

There been some ceasing of violence, killings and rapes, but its still there. There is still questionable attacks on IDPs and others. Therefore, the army itself and the militias are still pursuing supremacy. It is just a matter of time, before something blows up. Like it did in the last go-around when tanks started moving in the middle of Juba and Dr. Riek Machar had to flee to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

That is why I am sceptical of a renewed arms embargo, as the porous borders to Chad, Uganda and Ethiopia gives way to further import questionable arms and ammunition. As long as there is possible use of petrodollar for that. It will happen, even if we wished it otherwise. To be spent on roads, schools and hospitals. Alas, that is not the case.

We can play around with fun and games, but when IGAD, CSTAM, JMEC and AMISOM are all there, but still not able to find the way through the hurdles. There are so many organizations and people eager for the spoils. You can wonder if they are playing for themselves or for their communities. You can wonder if they really believed in this peace process or only see it again, as a temporary cease-fire. Which I am afraid it might be, because the interests and the parties involved are very slow in implementing the vital parts of the agreement. Even trying to use US Lobbyist to not pursuit it even.

That is why the UN Arms Embargo is good in theory, but not in practice. Because, it seems splendid on paper, but as long as the UPDF get a hold and get products across borders. As long as there are options from elsewhere. The unregistered arms will end up in the battlefield. Because, someone wants to profit of the hurt. Peace.

Sudanese Professional Association – Open Call for Urgent Action: Risk of Escalating Violence in the Sit-in area in Khartoum (30.05.2019)

Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Ms. Gwi-Yeop Son, on the looting of humanitarian supplies in Kalma internally displaced persons (IDP) camp (30.05.2019)

Over the past month there were at least two other incidents of looting of humanitarian supplies in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Darfur.

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 30, 2019 – The Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) in Sudan, Gwi-Yeop Son, strongly condemns the attacks on humanitarian offices, assets and the looting of humanitarian supplies that took place on 28 May in Kalma internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Nyala, South Darfur.

“I condemn these acts and call upon the responsible authorities to launch a swift investigation and bring those liable to account,” Ms. Son said.

Over the past month there were at least two other incidents of looting of humanitarian supplies in IDP camps in Darfur.

It is particularly concerning that these acts took place in IDP camps, which are considered humanitarian space where displaced people and humanitarian organisations must not be subjected to threats, harassment, attacks or harm.

“Attacks against aid workers violate international humanitarian law (IHL), and jeopardize the  provision of life-saving aid to people in need,” Ms. Son stated.

Kalma IDP camp is one of the largest in Darfur, hosting some 128,000 people, according to humanitarian partners.

The humanitarian community in Sudan denounces all forms of violence and calls upon all stakeholders to respect, facilitate and protect the delivery of humanintarian assistance in Sudan.

In 2019, the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) partners aim to provide 4.4 million people in Sudan with humanitarian assistance.

National Railways of Zimbabwe: Circular to all NRZ Freight Customers (29.05.2019)