
South Sudan Human Rights Observatory – “UNMISS’ handling over suspects to authorities taht will torture and violate their rights is very wrong” (27.01.2018)



The IGAD Council of Ministers held its 60TH Extra-Ordinary Session on January 27, 2018 in Addis Ababa under the chairmanship of H.E. Workneh Gebeyehu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers. The session was attended by H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti; H.E. Amina Mohamed Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic Kenya; H.E Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia; H.E Dr. Matin Elia Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the Republic of South Sudan; H.E. Professor Ibrahim Ghandour, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan;H.E. Sam Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda; and; H.E Hirut Zemene, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
H.E. Festus Mogae, Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC); H.E. Mahboub Maalim, IGAD Executive Secretary and H.E. Ismail Wais,IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan were also in attendance.
The Special Envoys of the AU, UN, EU and Troika (Norway, UK, US) as well as representatives of China, Co-Chairperson of the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF) were also present at the meeting and made statements at the opening session.
After listening to the Progress Report of the IGAD Special Envoy on the steps taken to date on the Implementation of the outcomes of the first phase of the High Level revitalization Forum (HLRF)of the ARCSS, preparations to convene the second phase of the High-Level Revitalization Forum of the ARCSS and following exchange of views on the matter;
The Council;
Takes note with appreciation the reports by the Chairperson of JMEC, H.E Festus Mogae and the report of the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan and endorses the recommendations therein.
Welcomes the progress made so far in the implementation of the High Level Revitalization of the ARCSS and in particular the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement on December 21, 2017.
Notes the achievements gained so far and the preparations put in place to convene the second phase of the High-Level Revitalization Forum and commends the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan and his task force for a job well done and while affirming the Council’s full support and commitment, encourages the Special Envoy to continue with his efforts, in collaboration with the partners until the process of the revitalization is completed in the shortest time possible.
Expresses its profound appreciation for the solidarity and firm commitment manifested by the AU, UN, Troika (Norway, UK, US) IPF, EU, and China to the process initiated by the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government in June 2017 to Revitalize the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS), and calls upon the partners to continue and enhance their political support, financialand otherassistance to the IGAD initiative.
Express its full support for the commendable task that CTSAMM has embarked upon based on its renewed mandate under the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and fully endorses the reports of violation incidents that CTSAMM has submitted to the IGAD Council of Ministers.
Condemns in the strongest terms the violators of the Agreement on the CoH of December last year and similar prior agreements, and holds them accountable for the loss of lives and human rights violations that they continue to cause in many parts of South Sudan and calls upon CTSAMM to proceed with urgency and carryout further investigations, identify individual violators and parties of the CoH Agreement based on which Council will take all necessary measure including targeted sanctions against individual violators and spoilerssuch as travel ban, asset freeze and recommend to the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to carry out further targeted sanctions and other punitive measureson parties and individuals as appropriate.
Expresses its concern at the pronouncements made by high level government officials of the Transitional Government of the National UnitySouth Sudan and SPLM-IO (RM) against the letter and spirit of the CoH agreement and issued unwarranted attacks againstCTSAMM only because it issued reports on violations as per its mandate. Further reminded that CTSAMM was created by IGADto assist the implementation of the ARCSS. Council expresses its resolve that such acts shall not continue with impunity and individuals and groups shall bear consequences for their action of violation of the CoH Agreement Encourages the parties to cooperate with CTSAMM.
Notes with deep regret that in spite of the continuing efforts by IGAD, AU, and UN as well as the international partners, the people of South Sudan continue to suffer mainly because of the on-going violence and insecurity that has causedlarge scale famine and displacement of millions of the South Sudanese. In this connection Council welcomes the decision reached at the trilateral consultation convened the same day between the Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the Chairperson of the AUC, and the Secretary General of the UN that has affirmed the determination of the three organizations to work closely together to inter-alia support punitive measures against any South Sudanese party that fails to perform its obligation and violates the political settlement that emerges from the HLRF.
Approves that the second phase of the HLRF convenes on February 5 to 16, 2018 in Addis Ababa between the parties to the ARCSS, delegates representing the government, political parties and oppositions including estranged groups and Civil Society organizations to engage in good faith in the spirit of compromise, putting the interest of their people and the nation first, discuss concrete measures to restore permanent ceasefire; full and inclusive implementation of the ARCSS; and develop a revised and realistic timeline and implementation schedule towards a democratic election at the end of the transition period.
Affirms its resolve to speak with one voice and render all necessary support
to the people of South Sudan in their effort to restore peace in South Sudan through full and timely implementation of a revitalized ARCSS and in this connection underlines its conviction that the ARCSS remains the only viable option to attain peace in South Sudan.
Decides to remain fully seized of the situation in South Sudan and will redouble its effort towards the success of the High-Level Revitalization Forum.
Done in Addis Ababa, on January 27, 2018



Today, the European Union’s grants through the EU-Philippines Trade Related Technical Assistance IV, the fourth project and continuation of state aid between them was declined today. The Southern Asian State protested the language and certain parts of agreement, that the EU was proposing. The republic of Philippines has declined it, because they feel the money is tainted and belittling them. That is why the Rodrigo Duterte administration has decided to leave the money on the table and not take it.
This sort of act is something the EU isn’t used too. It is rare, but the State Aid in the Program of TRTA-IV has its bounds and they setting the score for what and how the Philippines can act. It put boundaries and levels to how it can act, as the EU will monitor and check if the state is complying directly with UN Conventions.
That is putting the granted money in a possible questionable state and insult the Asian counterparts, even if they not even signed into UN Conventions that they could be breaking. This is the sort of attack on the sovereign will the Duterte Administration doesn’t want to comply too. That should be respected, since the EU is also right to put strains on their given funds, but then they shouldn’t expect the receiver to just take it anyway.
“Expected results:
– EU-Philippines Trade Related Technical Assistance IV The project contributes primarily to the progressive achievement of SDG Goal 8 “Decent Work and Economic Growth” but also promotes progress towards Goal 1 “No Poverty” and Goal 10 “Reduced Inequalities”. It will support the uptake of GSP+ preferential tariffs by Philippine exporters therefore offering incentives to comply with UN Conventions on Human Rights which are a prerequisite before GSP+ can be granted (and maintained). The EU monitors compliance with HR Conventions annually. Besides, the action is expected to support FTA negotiations including on labour rights with a view to align the Philippine legislation and enforcement on international best practices” (EU, P: 4, 2016).
As we sees in the documentation of 2016, is really compelling what the EU expect to do. They are really telling that the incentives are made for them to follow UN Conventions, if not the grants will not be maintained or granted the development, nor the projects in the TRTA-IV. The Philippines are in their right mind, to not take the money that would put strains and also be monitored. So if the Philippines wouldn’t comply to the demands of the grants, they would be withheld. Secondly, that meaning, that if the Philippines took the money. They could possibly loose them if the EU doesn’t think they are following the right UN Convention on any given day or by any evidence of violence. Without taking the context or the reason for it. Because that would play to European narrative of the violence and the Drug War, not the basic understanding or the popularity of the war against the political and drug-infested triad’s, that has been in Philippines. So the Duterte administration has their reasons for doing it, not that its beautiful or a success story, but a needed remedy for a already problematic state of drug triad’s in certain parts of the Republic.
So I was happy, when I heard!
“MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Philippines formally rejected at least P380 million (6.1 million euros) in aid from the European Union, Ambassador Franz Jessen confirmed Wednesday, January 24. Jessen, head of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, was referring to the EU-Philippine Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) worth 6.1 million euros, or around P383.64 million. Asked if the Philippines has ever formalized the rejection of EU aid, Jessen said: “It was formalized in the sense that we had, for example, the TRTA, a document that actually had to be signed by the end of the year. And that has been returned to us unsigned.” In an interview with reporters after the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay, Jessen said the TRTA “was rejected at the end of the past year.” The Philippines earlier said it is rejecting all forms of aid that come with conditions, such as respecting human rights” (Esmaquel III, 2018).
That the EU Ambassador Jessen feels slapped in face and humiliated is natural in the circumstances. He should know how Duterte defended his nation in 2017. This isn’t news, they are not accepting to be belittled and told by foreign powers how to act and do. Neither does the EU want to be played second fiddle by the United States or Russia. Neither wants the Philippines. TRTA-4 are now suspended or never unleashed, since the EU-Philippines has had this formal agreements and grants for decades. So the previous government of Philippines has accepted the contracts and Memorandum of Understandings in TRTA to TRTA-III. Now the TRTA-4 had different sorts of things to achieve and projects to support. All from Electricity and Power projects in Mindanao to other sustainable initiatives.
But the 6.1M Euros was the price and the loss for the Philippines. But they would have been monitored and checked their grants by EU Monitors. It wasn’t just the use of Human Rights, but the continues checks to be allowed to get the grants. That is the paternal instinct of a more powerful ally. That is what the EU would have done to the Duterte Administration. Rodrigo Duterte didn’t accept this, neither did his closest allies. Clearly, they didn’t want to risk the embarrassment or being questioned for their internal affairs. Especially not a grant of 6 million euros. That would be a cheap trade for what sort of behavior the EU could do and that should be insulting for any statesman. Peace.
Reference:
European Union (EU) – ‘Annual Action Programmes 2016 Part IV and 2017 Part I in favour of the Asia region to be financed from the general budget of the European Union’ (05.07.2016)
Esmaquel III, Paterno – ‘Philippines formally rejects P380 million in EU aid’ (24.01.2018) link: https://www.rappler.com/nation/194426-philippines-formally-rejects-european-union-aid

On UNICEF Main-Page this is cataloged under What We Do and then Work: “UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential. And we never give up. UNICEF for every child” (UNICEF.Org). Therefore, reading this is scratching my eyes and wonder what in the world is happening? How come UNICEF and Uhuru Kenyatta wants to connect?
Is UNICEF out of their mind. Here is the official press release from the Presidents own web page:
“NAIROBI, 19 January 2018 (PSCU) – President Uhuru Kenyatta has accepted a UN agency’s request to be the global champion for youth empowerment. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Henrietta Fore said the President’s role will include advocating promotion of universal healthcare, education and nutrition. Making the request when she paid a courtesy call on President Kenyatta today at State House, Nairobi, Ms Fore assured the country of support in achieving universal healthcare” (PSCU, 2018).
I have to ask, what is up with UNICEF? Are you really working for kids and their best potential? Do you know anything about Uhuru Kenyatta and his Jubilee Alliance Party? Have you followed his track-record and his history before giving him the title and honorary position yesterday? Part of me don’t think so.
Like in August 2017 after the first Presidential Election, the Police hammered at the Mathare slums in Nairobi, where they killed a young girl. In October 2017, the Police clobbered a mother and its 6 months year old Samantha Pendo to death in Kisumu. Clearly, this man is leaving behind many kids. Something the UNICEF should be concerned about. That he has killed kids and their parents in his efforts to stay in power. That is the sort of man, the UNICEF organization has honored yesterday. Is that the current values of the UN Organization called UNICEF is all about?
We know that Kenyatta cheats, uses the military and police to stay in power. He uses all tricks, hires foreign companies to make his propaganda, he hires companies to forge the validity of the elections, both in tenders of printing ballots, BVR Machines and whatnot that the government needs. Therefore, that UNICEF will be used by a man like Kenyatta is worrying.
That Executive Director Fore is blind or naive, that is all up to her. She has already shown that the kids killed for power doesn’t matter for her. Because they don’t matter to Kenyatta. He has celebrated and honored the men and woman who took weapons against their own. To make sure he could rule a second term at any cost. Kenyatta doesn’t care, he hasn’t and he has threaten people easily, but never negotiated or open his door to them.
Neither has he cared about the youth unemployment, Kenyatta has been careful to hustle and bustle with the cartels. Jubilee is cronyism and corruption on steroids. Still, that doesn’t matter to UNICEF. They want his stamp on their organization and his promises. Well, Kenyatta has promised a lot, but he hasn’t delivered.
Why did you do this UNICEF? Why? What went through your mind? Are you trying to do what World Health Organization did to Mugabe in 2017? Is that your goal and ambition? You better make some random celebrity or pop singer ambassadors, not politicians and presidents like this. That will not be scrutinized like this. It will be, okay, they need some goodwill. So they picked the most popular singer and actor of year. Pick Jason Statham or Camila Cabello. Someone that doesn’t create a fuzz and has actually done damage in the field your trying to get goodwill out of. You don’t give credit to weapon producers for generating peace are you? That is how it looks? The ones that actually producing arms and ammunition is the ones getting the highest reward. So the Nobel Peace Prize is in 2018 going to Lockheed Martin. I am kidding about that, but that is how it looks! Peace.
Final Edition: A Disclaimer.
There isn’t often I have to do this, but I do this here. I have to say sorry to UNICEF for this post. As this was false-news created by the PSCU of the President Uhuru Kenyatta. Who dropped this story, which was false. I am still keeping the article up. To prove how people get eaten by the hype. I also get caught in cycle and get caught into it. I apologize. Sincerely the writer of Minbane on the 19th May 2018.
Reference:
PSCU – ‘President Kenyatta accepts role of global champion for youth empowerment’ (19.01.2018) link: http://www.president.go.ke/2018/01/19/president-kenyatta-accepts-role-of-global-champion-for-youth/









