South Sudan: “SPLM-IO forces pursued the aggression and overran Nyinakok of Jur River in Western Bahr el Ghazal State” (16.02.2017)

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Just as the world is looking for another political process to end the ongoing war in South Sudan, the brutal and ruthless Juba regime has once again intensified its atrocious, ferocious and egregious abuses against the people of South Sudan. The ongoing mass killings, rapes, destruction, arbitrary arrests and displacement of people in and around Kubi in Oponi County of Eastern Equatoria State (CES) and Unity State is a stark reminder and a clear indication to the people of South Sudan, the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN) and indeed the international community that the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) as an executive arm of the Juba regime under Mr Salva Kiir Mayardit is more than ever committed to exterminating non-Dinka communities.

At the same time, the same brutal and ruthless Juba regime has now escalated its all-out and nationwide dry season offensive by burning down villages and attacking SPLA-IO positions and bases throughout South Sudan. In the afternoon of yesterday February 15, 2017, the Juba regime attacked the gallant SPLA-IO positions and bases in and around Jur River, Western Bahr el Ghazal State (WBS).

In response, the gallant SPLA-IO forces pursued the aggression and overran Nyinakok of Jur River in Western Bahr el Ghazal State (WBS). The fighting of yesterday Wednesday February 15, 2017 at 1:30PM left fifteen (15) soldiers, including three (3) officers, died. Following the intense fighting, the Luo young men and women that the Juba regime had apparently mobilised as vigilante groups and counterinsurgency units were eventually forced to join the gallant SPLA-IO forces in pursuit of the defeated and desperate Juba regime soldiers.

Indeed, Nyinakok and the entire Jur River are now under the full and complete control of the gallant SPLA-IO forces. In the same afternoon of yesterday Wednesday February 15, 2017, a squad of fifteen (15) Juba regime soldiers under the command of Capt. Simon Lam Yuol Joker and Sgt Gai Muot (MO) abandoned its Raja base and reported to the nearby SPLA-IO base in and around Raja, Western Bahr el Ghazal State (WBS). With them were two (2) PKM, one (1) RPG in addition to their individual AK47.

With the ongoing mass defection of Juba regime soldiers to the gallant SPLA-IO, the people of South Sudan have understood why South Sudan is not at all the property of the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) and why the Juba regime must go now rather than later. Therefore the SPLA-IO would like to one more time remind the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN) and indeed the international community that the Juba regime is the problem, a threat to peace and stability in the region and hence must be isolated for peace and stability to return in South Sudan.

By Col. William Gatjiath Deng
Spokesperson for SPLA-IO

UNMISS SRSG describes situation of displaced people in Upper Nile region as “real problem” (16.02.2017)

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Burundi: Communique du Gouvernement sur le Dialogue InterBurundais prevu a Arusha du 16au18 Feverier 2017 (15.02.2017)

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South Sudan: Humanitarian organizations appeal for $1.6 billion amidst rising needs (13.02.2017)

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Humanitarian organizations estimate that some 7.5 million people across South Sudan are now in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, February 13, 2017 -Humanitarian organizations are appealing for US$1.6 billion to provide life-saving assistance and protection to 5.8 million people across South Sudan in 2017.

“The humanitarian situation in South Sudan has deteriorated dramatically due to the devastating combination of conflict, economic decline and climatic shocks,” said Mr. Eugene Owusu, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan. “In 2017, we are facing unprecedented needs, in an unprecedented number of locations, and these needs will increase during the upcoming lean season.”

Humanitarian organizations estimate that some 7.5 million people across South Sudan are now in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Since the conflict in South Sudan began in December 2013, about 3.4 million people have been forced to flee their homes, including nearly 1.9 million people who have been internally displaced and about 1.5 million who have fled as refugees to neighbouring countries.

Horrendous atrocities have been reported, including widespread sexual violence. Food insecurity and malnutrition have skyrocketed, and the risk of famine is significant for thousands of people in conflict-affected communities and food deficit areas if early actions are not taken.

“With needs rising rapidly, we have rigorously prioritized the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan to target those who most urgently require assistance and protection,” said Mr. Owusu. “It is imperative that this appeal is funded early, and funded fully, so that the aid workers deployed across South Sudan can respond robustly and rapidly.”

In South Sudan, humanitarian organizations use the window of opportunity provided by the dry season to deliver supplies by road. When the rains set in – usually in May – most roads become impassable and supplies must be delivered by air, multiplying the cost of the humanitarian operation, which is one of the largest and most complex in the world. Swift action during the dry season is therefore imperative.

“In 2016, we reached more than 5 million people, but the crisis deepened and spread as conflict continued. In 2017, we are determined to reach more people but we urgently need the funding to do so,” said Mr. Owusu. “I appeal to the international community, which has given so generously to this young country, to support us now. If we fail to act swiftly, lives may be lost.”

One hundred and thirty-seven aid organizations including 62 national Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) -a 55 per cent increase from 2016-, 63 international NGOs and 12 United Nations entities aim to implement projects under the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan.

South Sudan: On the Interview with H.E. Festus Mogae, Former President of Botswana and Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission on BBC Focus on Africa and Miraya FM Dated 10.01.2017 (13.02.2017)

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Ethiopia: La Nina and Indian Ocean Negative Dipole-Induced Drought (13.02.2017)

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Security Council Condemns Fighting in South Sudan (13.02.2017)

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They expressed deep alarm that more than 84,000 individuals have fled South Sudan since the beginning of January and that many continue to be displaced internally.

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, February 13, 2017 -The members of the Security Council strongly condemned continued fighting across South Sudan, particularly incidents in the Equatoria and Upper Nile regions of South Sudan and called on all parties to cease hostilities immediately. The members of the Security Council also condemned in the strongest terms all attacks directed against civilians and expressed serious concern that, once again, there are reports of killing of civilians, sexual and gender-based violence, destruction of homes, ethnic violence, and looting of livestock and property. The members of the Security Council urged the Transitional Government of National Unity to take measures to ensure that those responsible for the attacks are held accountable. They expressed deep alarm that more than 84,000 individuals have fled South Sudan since the beginning of January and that many continue to be displaced internally.

The members of the Security Council stressed the primacy of the political process and that there is no military solution to the conflict and reminded all parties in South Sudan that implementation of the ceasefire is critical for the success of any genuine, inclusive political process, including national dialogue, and that such a process should be based on the framework provided by the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (the Agreement) and aimed at achieving national reconciliation and enhancing the trust among parties in South Sudan. They reiterated their call on all stakeholders to commit to full implementation of the Agreement.

In this regard, they welcomed the continued and collective commitment in the search for lasting peace, security and stability expressed by the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations (UN) during the joint consultative meeting on South Sudan in Addis Ababa on January 29, 2017. The members of the Security Council committed to work closely with IGAD, the AU High Representative for South Sudan former President Alpha Oumar Konare, the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission former President Festus Mogae, and the UN Secretary-General in support of the South Sudan peace process.

The members of the Security Council expressed appreciation for UNMISS’s tenacity in its efforts to carry out its protection of civilians mandate and expressed deep concern that UNMISS continues to face obstacles from the Transitional Government of National Unity hindering the ability of UNMISS to carry out its mandate to protect civilians and create conditions conducive to delivery of humanitarian assistance. The members of the Security Council reminded the Transitional Government of National Unity of its commitment in the September 4, 2016, Joint Communique to permit freedom of movement of UNMISS and expressed deep disappointment that the Transitional Government of National Unity continues to act inconsistently with this commitment and its obligations under the Status of Forces Agreement with the United Nations.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that targeting civilians may constitute war crimes and those involved could be subject to sanctions as authorized under resolution 2206 (2015) for actions that threaten the peace, security or stability of South Sudan.

Burundi: Message du PARTI FNL adresse a la faciliation dirigee par Son Excellence le President Benjamin William Mpaka (12.02.2017)

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South Sudan: Lt. Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka resigns from SPLA (11.02.2017)

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Revealed: H.E. Mpaka asks for clearance by President Nkuruziza to usher in next meetings of the Inclusive-Burundian dialogue!

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The African Union and East African Community leader and facilitator and former Tanzanian President His Excellency Benjamin William Mpaka are apparently waiting for Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza to be sure that the delegation and the members of the peaceful dialogue are agreed upon before the actual meeting. That means the impartial and impertinent meeting of dialogue has already been scrutinized by the military and the executive of Burundian authorities, that means from the set-up the opposition has been side-lined.

This is not really news since Secretary General of the Supreme Court Agries Bangirienge who order that a dozens of individual and political activists not allowed joining in the Inclusive Dialogue as of 2nd February 2017. These are the lucky who are exiled and on a now non-exhaustive list: Moise Bucumi, Bernand Busokoza, rtd. Maj.Gen. Godefroid Niyombare, rtd. Brig. Gen.Philbert Habarugira, Leonard Ngerdakumana, Leonidas Hatungimana, Onesime Nduwimana, Liboire Bakundukize, Edouard Nibigira, Pacifique Nininahazwe, Patrick Ndikumana, Vital Nshimirimana, rtd. Maj. Gen. Pontien Gaciyubwenge and many more; the list in total contains of 34 individuals and many former high ranking officials in Burundi. So the Burundi authorities have already set the standard of who is allowed and who is banned.

Therefore with the list coming today from Mpaka, the chief negotiator is captivated by the government regime that shields itself with their strict regulation on people and who to speak too. So if Mpaka even wants to have anything to show for, he has to trade his scalps and be humble abode to the President Nkurunziza. This is shown with the list of today.

A list which states this on the bottom: “The Participation is subject to conclusion of discussion with President Nkurunziza to grant personal immunity”. Which translated meaning that President Nkurunziza allowed and set the standard for who to show-up and attend the negotiations, and also who was not allowed to attend. Like the sanctioned list of 2nd February shows the intent of Burundian authorities under Nkurunziza rule.

What the list also contains as the source is claiming that certain parties are not existing in the party register even, the likes of CNDD-FDD-Frondeur, FNL-Amizero or even the UPRONA-Amizero. If this is true, than there more capable evident that the CNDD-FDD are trying to look more multi-party friendly than they are, since they have already put sanctions on so many opposition who is in exile. Even as the news of Ex-Fab soldiers and former leaders are assassinated during the 2015 and 2016. I am just saying so if you didn’t know!

Maybe there would be viable opposition if the fear of oppression, militant behaviour and even free movement would help, since that is not existing and that certain former leaders of opposition leaders have been killed since 2015, the real opposition is either banned or sanctioned against. Therefore Nkurunziza prefers a discussion with himself and his loyal living allies instead of trying to offer a token of peace to the ones questioning his illegitimate government. Peace.