Zimbabwe: Hyper-inflation hit the republic yet again, this time it’s the fault of launching the Bond-Notes!

(We have got the Judas Iscariots amongst us); they are manipulating the currency so that they trigger inflation” – President Robert Mugabe on Thursday this week (Chibamu, 2017).

When they launched the Bond-Notes in 2016, the borrowed money from China to launch a new currency. Like that sounds like fresh and sound financial policy. Not like Zimbabwean African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and President Robert Mugabe unleashed this for the supposed benefit of the citizens. Since the former currency we’re put into death-bed and was total worthless by 2009.

So now that its gone some time, the reports of a black-market with currency exchange, the lack of petrol and others springing bad news. It is international ones that are also looking at the signs. Even if the ZANU-PF Ministers and loyalists to Mugabe, is saying it is only smoke, but no fire. Clearly, there are more into it, than they want to admit. Because, we all who followed the launch and the misuse of funds from the cronies close to Mugabe, knew that a uncontrolled inflation might hit the republic again. Mugabe will blame anyone, like he didn’t create this issue himself. If not his wife who spends fortunes in South Africa, buy luxurious cars like Rolls Royce and the sons of family spends time on lavish hotels there. They are acting like Zimbabwean Royal Family, the perks of diving into the state reserves.

Well, the Zimbabweans are in long lines getting petrol, while the Bond Notes values are getting to level, that they are worthless. That the Bond Notes are far from being One to One exchange with United States Dollars. That ship has sailed and the unfortunate citizens of Zimbabwe, who has to again see the Bond Notes, second crypto-currency in a decade fall to pieces. The destruction of the economy is evident. The statistics of the inflation should worry anyone. Just take a look!

This hard budget constraint became too onerous for the free spending government to abide by. In consequence, Zimbabwe’s government has employed Harry Houdini’s magic and circumvented the hard budget constraint imposed by dollarization. It has done so by creating a new fake dollar, which is referred to as the “New Zim Dollar.” Not surprisingly, this new Houdini creation is rapidly becoming worthless. This makes the methodology that I employed to measure inflation during Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation episode relevant again. Since Old Mutual’s price on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange is denominated in “New Zim Dollars” and Old Mutual’s price on the London Stock Exchange is denominated in British pound sterling, we can create a “New Zim Dollar”/sterling implied exchange rate. This exchange rate can be transformed using PPP to accurately measure Zimbabwe’s inflation. At present (09/29/17), Zimbabwe’s annual inflation rate has soared to 242.72%” (Hanke, 2017).

More ominously, from the perspective of Zanu-PF, is that, as coffers dry up once again, Robert Mugabe’s government will struggle to pay some of the institutions so crucial to it remaining in power, such as the civil service, the military and the police. Bond notes were the government’s short-term answer to its long-term economic problems. But instead of providing the solution, they are proving to be an expensive mistake” (Allison, 2017).

RM: Do you foresee Zimbabwe sliding into the 2008 inflationary trap? What is your comment on this? Chris Mugaga: We might not necessarily slide into a hyper-inflationary trap, but we need to guard against it. The money changers have started causing havoc and the informal market players have been creating artificial shortages. All that must stop and this will assist in managing the inflationary threat. Last, but not least, fiscal spending also has to be managed as funding a fiscal deficit can lead to inflation” (Muzavazi, 2017).

Markoni, who once served as an economic adviser in the regional block, SADC, said Mugabe’s decision to introduce bond notes – a surrogate currency meant to alleviate the cash crisis – set in motion trial of events that led to the total collapse of the country’s financial services sector. “Bond Notes are not the solution and we have always said this. The price increases are just symptoms reflecting the situation on the ground and Mugabe can order the Zambezei River to flow back to Angola but it just won’t because of the forces of nature” said the former Finance minister. “Such forces of nature also apply to the value of currencies and that is why you see that the bond notes have not mitigated the cash crisis and collapsing economy, it has worsened it instead”. He added”(Tarenyika, 2017).

If you thought this would be sunshine story, your wrong. The reality is that the plan for the Bond Notes was flawed from the outset. I am far from surprised by the output of the currency. The whole borrowing to print the currency was made for a disaster. It was just a matter of time, when the state and cronies would print to much and make sure their we’re lacking amounts of cash in the system. As well as the foreign exchanges lacking funds to change between the United States Dollars and the Zimbabwean Bond Notes. There are enough profound evidence of trouble that could occur and which did.

The economy and financial policy was not made for the benefit of the citizen, but a short term gain for the ZANU-PF. But you can wonder who really earned on it before the inflation hit this time. As the usual suspects would be able to comply, but won’t since they will stay silent since they earned on the scheme. The crones like Mugaga will make it seem like normal and under control, while it is not. Because they know that the numbers are terrible and a doctor in the United States publishing it in Forbes, wouldn’t all of sudden find the numbers on a random spread-sheet. Therefore, the reality should hit the fan. Even if Mugabe never will take the blame. There will be someone falling on the sword, neither will be Rolls Royce driving Grace Mugabe, neither Bob, but someone who is easily gotten rid of in the cabinet. Peace.

Reference:

Allison, Simon – ‘Can Zanu-PF afford another currency crash?’ (29.09.2017) link: https://mg.co.za/article/2017-09-29-00-can-zanu-pf-afford-another-currency-crash

Chibamu, Anna – ‘Zimbabwe: President Mugabe Stays Put, Scorns ‘Judas Iscariots’ (29.09.2017) link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201709290092.html

Hanke, Steve – ‘Zimbabwe Inflates… Again’ (30.09.2017) link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevehanke/2017/09/30/zimbabwe-inflates-again/#221257d10d68

Muzavazi, Runyararo – ‘Let’s guard against the hyper-inflationary trap’ (30.09.2017) link: http://www.herald.co.zw/lets-guard-against-the-hyper-inflationary-trap/

Tafirenyika, Mugove – ‘Former Finance Ministers speak on the economic rot’ (29.09.2017) link: https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2017/10/01/former-finance-ministers-speak-on-economic-rot

Opinion: Burundian government support of Mayi-Mayi in Kivu Provnices; is it a ploy to keep Kabila in Power?

The instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been used by the other states in the Great Lakes Region. This has been done in the past by both Rwandan and Ugandan forces, even South Sudanese rebels has been on DRC territory at some point. Therefore, its a massive change that the Burundian support of rebels. Seems like it been used as propaganda tool by the Bujumbura government. That President Pierre Nkurunziza is using his CNDD-FDD youth militia the Imbonerakure, to create havoc at the neighbor country in collaboration with the Mai-Mai Yakutumba.

There is even an agreement flooding online between Mayi-Mayi Jejero Pelican and representative of the Burundian government Eltienne Ntakuratimana, who wrote an agreement on the 8th February 2017, where the Burundian counterparts would supply guns, ammunition and radios to the Mayi-Mayi group in response of taking out the Rwandan counterparts in the region.

So first after giving a short insight to who the Mayi-Mayi militia is, I will give one report on the Burundian enterprise in the Democratic Republic of Congo, before showing my thoughts on the manner. Where the different rumors are combined with critical thinking on the actors in the conflict of the Kivu’s. Who earns and what purpose. Take a look!

A tale of who the Mayi-Mayi or Mai-Mai is explained nicely here:

This inter-community power conflict is shaped by and shapes antagonistic identities, which are firmly rooted in specific worldviews. In the case of the Mai Mai Yakutumba, this worldview is constructed around the idea of “autochthony”, or the concept of being a “Son of the Soil”, the “original” inhabitant of a certain zone. In this perspective, which is shared by almost all Mai-Mai groups in the DRC, the self-styled autochthonous groups are threatened by the Rwandophone communities (Hutu and Tutsi), who are seen as “foreigners” trying to take over their land and power. Betweeen 1996 and 2003, “autochthonous” and Tutsi (often Banyamulenge)-led groups clashed on numerous occasions in southern South Kivu, and there were several ethnically targeted massacres on both sides. The resulting mutual distrust and dislike continue to feed Mai Mai movements like the Yakutumba group, which serves to many Babembe as a psychological safeguard to avoid that the Banyamulenge will extend their power in Fizi and will come to dominate the Babembe” (…) “It is in part this function as a safeguard that makes Yakutumba fairly popular among the Babembe, although many do not approve of armed struggle and are tired of the war. What also contributes to Yakutumba’s popularity is that he is perceived to symbolize and embody what are seen as typical Bembe characteristics and values, such as resistance against domination and repression, not only from other ethnic groups, but also from the central government. This self-imagery is in part the product of a tradition of Bembe resistance dating back to the colonial era, the Mulele rebellion in the 1960s and the Fizi-based rebellion of Laurent-Désiré Kabila under the Mobutu regime. The Mai Mai Yakutumba place themselves explicitly in this tradition, which implies a strong animosity towards Kinshasa. They consider the regime of Kabila jr. to be complicit with the Rwandophones and their plan to ‘balkanize’ the DRC, backed by resource-hungry imperialist powers” (Verweijen, 2011).

This shows the plans and added support of the group from Burundi would serve their purpose, as well as give them strength to create havoc in the Kivu’s. Since they want power and be different than the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), also different from FDLR and ADF. Who all have been militias contributing to violence and weakening the control of these eastern states of the Republic. As well, being proof of the lacking control that the Central Government from Kinshasa has in the region. With all the eyes that we’re on M23 who has had armed insurgency and also tried to gain control of the area. It’s wouldn’t be the first try someone who has supported a group like Mayi-Mayi/Mai-Mai has done it in the Kivu’s, to show Kabila and his government, that they want to be a force to be recon with.

Very few smart commentators aside. However, Gibert-Bécaud Njangwa, president of the association ONELOPE-Burundi (mobility) finds that the capture of Uvira by Yakutumba would destabilize peace and security in Bujumbura. He is not talking about a threat from some Burundian rebel group. But he suspects that behind Yakutumba is the invisible hand of the West: “It is very likely that Burundi is attacked by mercenaries from Congo Kinshasa so that the West can destabilize peace and security in the subregion. The Government of Burundi must be vigilant, if not the plan of destabilization is well conceived, planned, it can be executed from one moment to another” (…) “Another reading by the former communication commissioner of the Burundian opposition platform CNARED: “Uncontradicted evidence shows that Mai-Mai Yakutumba are working with Burundian intelligence, Imbonerakure militia in DRC, Interahamwe militiamen who are also allies of the Burundian regime. We have evidence that Mai-Mai Yakutumba are supplied with weapons from Bujumbura, we also know that elements of the regime are fighting alongside them. “(Ngendakumana, 2017).

If all of this isn’t bad enough, there are speculations that National pour le Renouveau et la Democratie (CNRD-Ubwiyunge) and Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), who is Rwandan counterparts in the same region. CNRD-Ubwiyunge have been an armed militia who has tried to gain control. While the FDLR has been more trying to recoup strength to go back and take their motherland back again from the Rwandan Patriotic Front(RPF). Therefore, the troubles of the region, also transpires in the Kivu States. So, the problems and the power-struggle of Burundi is now reaching the mineral rich Kivu’s and Uvira.

There reports that both CNRD and FDLR has been fighting together with Mayi-Mayi this month and in the battles for Uvira this week. If that is likely or true, than it wouldn’t fit the pattern and the history of the Mayi-Mayi, but they are accepting foreign support from Burundi, so if they would use help of Rwandan supported groups. It would be more powerful and even stronger, in the region where the FARDC and MONUSCO is lacking manpower and resources. If they had enough and if they could, they would have been able to banish these groups long time ago, but the Kabila government is keeping them. Just like he is accepting insurgency from Kisoro, Uganda into Southern Kivu, since its from the friends that brought him into power.

There is even further conspiracy that Pierre Nkurunziza is working together with Joseph Kabila to make instability and insurgency, so that there is no need for another election and end of his term. Secondly, the support and the instability is made to make sure the FARDC could get support from French Government, which they can use to invade and control the Rwandan Government. That is only plausible, if the French wants to challenge Paul Kagame, since he has distanced himself from Paris during recent years. Thirdly, the Burundian government would use their relationship with Kabila and Paris to gain proper capital to their struggling economy. So the trade of arms to militias in Kivu Provinces, would enrich the weak Bujumbura government.

Sidebar: We can just wonder if even Emmanuel Macron would care about these places, since he is more into make-up, then international politics, just remember his ignorance towards the African continent earlier this year. Therefore, parts of me doubt it, but French involvement in regime change on the continent isn’t new, but would a risky project for the newly elected French President to pull-off. Even more seasoned leaders has struggled with doing so.

Sidebar II: It is more reasonable to use this insurgency to enforce the need for Kabila, just as the running battles in Kasai-Orientale, which has killed dozens and made massive amounts of mass-graves. So that his leadership could again regain peace, but this is different. Just like the sudden movement of M23 from camps in Kisoro in 2016 and early 2017, that just fitted the paradigm of using militias as pawns. The innocent lives in the Kivu Provinces to let Kabila government rule a little longer. The same could be possible yet again. This time instead of having either Rwandan or Ugandan supported militias, it would be the cash-strapped Burundian government, who would need the financial support and the trade with the groups. Clearly, it makes it more plausible, as the net of well-wishers are dwindling for Bujumbura as well.

We just have to wait and see, what is fact and what is fiction. What we do know is that that Bukavu and Uvira has seen violence and insurgency this last few days. That the DRC/RDC has seen militias growing in strength and if foreign states are interfering in the Kivu’s. Peace.

Reference:

Ngendakumana, Phillipe – ‘Et si les Maï-Maï Yakutumba prenaient Uvira, la ville de Bujumbura serait-elle menacée?’ (30.09.2017) link: http://www.ikiriho.org/2017/09/30/burundi-rdc-mai-mai-yakutumba-prenaient-uvira-la-ville-de-bujumbura-serait-elle-menacee-monusco/

Verweijen, Judith – ‘Guest Blog: Profile of Mai-Mai Yakutumba’ (01.08.2011) link: http://congosiasa.blogspot.no/2011/08/guest-blog-profile-of-mai-mai-yakutumba.html

#ThisFlag: Pastor Evan Mawarire has been released after being detained for 48 hours!

After holding him for over 48 Hours, the #ThisFlag founder and Civil Activist Pastor Evan Mawarire has been released. Magistrate: “The 48 hour window has expired, therefore the accused is entitled to immediate release” (Doug Coltart, 26.09.2017). This because the time of arrest started on Sunday and the legislation together with the hearing should have already started. That is why they could release him.

Clearly, every time the Mawarire speaks out his mind and drops his knowledge of the fragile economy, lacking petrol and the failing Bond Notes. There will be issues as the Zimbabwean African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) government trying to subscribe to their leader and his vision, if that is only to print more cash for his lavish lifestyle and his Zanu-PF elite. Therefore, this is not the last a Civil Activist, someone who is saying “Mugabe Must Go” will be in court.

Mawarire is the leader and the man who stands on his principles and is the one who has the voice. This today was a bail-hearing and he was free after the trial. But expect that he might be back to court on Thursday. Still, that one changed as his hearing happen today and got released. Clearly, the Constitutional Rights of bail-hearing and trial before 48 hours happen today. The release happen at the High Court and Row 6 as the judge actually freed him. He followed the code, even as the Pastor was arrested at his Church, that was on the 24th September 2017.

This might easily happen again. That the Police of Zimbabwe will arrest and detain the Pastor on forged charges, on bat-shit crazy charges that doesn’t belong anywhere, except for in B-Movies. Not in reality, but in a poorly written fiction. Still, the ZANU-PF will continue to strangle and humiliate the activists, the ones who wants a peaceful change for the better. As the economy and the rights of people is stripped away. Nothing is right about this situation. Peace.

MONUSCO is gravely concerned by the use of lethal weapons by Congolese defense and security forces in a crowd control operation in Bukavu (26.09.2017)

Congolese defense and security forces reportedly fired warning shots to disperse demonstrators protesting against rampant insecurity and repeated cases of armed robbery in the locality.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, September 26, 2017 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO, Maman Sidikou, is gravely concerned by the use of lethal force by Congolese defense and security forces in response to public protests in Bukavu, South Kivu province, leading to civilian casualties including children.

This morning, in the Panzi neighborhood of Bukavu, Congolese defense and security forces reportedly fired warning shots to disperse demonstrators protesting against rampant insecurity and repeated cases of armed robbery in the locality. An 8-year girl, on her way to school, was reportedly hit by a stray bullet and subsequently died. According to credible reports received by MONUSCO, there are additional casualties and the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office is investigating to collect more detailed information.

“Defense and security forces have an obligation to use force only as the last resort, in compliance with the principles of necessity, proportionality and legality, pursuant to the international standards. Alleged violence perpetrated by protestors should never be an excuse for the use of lethal force”, said Maman Sidikou, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO.

“Furthermore, I urge Congolese authorities to ensure that law enforcement personnel is adequately equipped and trained to engage in crowd-control operations, and call on the authorities to urgently carry out prompt, credible and independent investigations into this incident, as a mean to prevent loss of civilian lives during future protests”, Sidikou concluded.

Insane-Breaking-News: Pastor Evans Mawarire arrested during Church-Service today!

I’m just about to finish preaching and I’m told the police are waiting for me outside” – Evans Mawarire (24.09.2017).

Because of yesterday on Social Media while being in a que, the #ThisFlag founder and Opposition activist Evans Mawarire was discussing and showing the Bond Notes crisis and the lack of Petrol in Zimbabwe. Clearly, that didn’t run well with the authorities. The Zimbabwean African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), the ruling regime with President Robert Mugabe got a whiff of this and not strange. Since, even I watched the clip on Facebook yesterday.

This with the knowledge of the cost of 50 Cents bond-notes from the South African Mint that was ordered on the 20th September 2017, cost about $3 Million US Dollars. Therefore, before the money hit the streets and towns, the cost is huge for the state. This should worry anyone, this is just one order and one type that has been revealed. We can just wonder how much the Zimbabwean government has paid for other bond-notes from South African Mint. As the debt created by creation and the funds loaned by the Afreximbank. Therefore, the loans that has to repaid on the weak currency, that is now failing. Just like the bearers notes given in 2008. That is what Pastor Mawarire was discussing yesterday. The reason why he was detained while preaching today.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has really overstepped, we know they have a grudge against the pastor and his civil activism. But taking him during a service is just out of order. Its shocking and insane. It’s like taking an MP while in the Parliament during a plenary session. How can you barge in to the church and arrest the fellow preacher? Are there no honour within the ZRP? Has not the double or triple doctorate of Mugabe any common sense?

Certainly, the Mugabe family is not that common anymore, since they are riding in expensive rides, while the public are in ques for petrol. That the people are on the black-market for the imported goods, while the industries and the exchange are growing. The running inflation of the currency, while the state trying spin-control it. Like it isn’t happening and the world doesn’t know.

If you want proof of impunity and nonsense. Just follow the trail of the civil activist in Zimbabwe, how they are threaten, treated and detained. Where else can a pastor be arrested while leading his church service with his congregation? Where else can a civil activist without court order or even a court ruling be detained for months upon end and released suddenly, that has happen to several activists. That proves how little Mugabe cares, except getting his wife pardoned for violence in South Africa. It is two classes of people in Zimbabwe, the ZANU-PF elite and the rest! Peace.

Opinion: CSO’s Paper to IGAD HLRF is revealing!

There were many insights and deep stuff in the CSO Report to IGAD, which has been written and submitted to Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has put their stakeholders, and their pride into trying to forge a peace, even after the peace agreement of 2015 has been shot into tatters recently. The IGAD are clearly on a mission to sustain their place and their negotiations with the parties in South Sudan. As the conflict and battles within becomes more dire, when the consequences of not doing it, is more life in danger and a more uncertain future for the republic. Clearly, all parties knows what at stake, as the IGAD have proven not to be to impartial, as well as the foreign intervention from Uganda, has been in favor of the SPLM-IG, clearly, there are many more obstacles to fix before the due date of the newly proposed peace mediation. That is why the paper from the CSO is revealing, especially, the part if IGAD fail, which I think it will do, as long as people are sidestepping the SPLM-IO and the newly created militias and opposition forces. Look at their take if the IGAD fails, which is such a dossier.

“IGAD faces a daunting task in securing a political settlement through the HLRF process. Not only must it contend with the fracturing of armed groups and the proliferation of new political formations, but divisions among IGAD member states themselves undermine the diplomatic leverage that mediators have at their disposal. From the very start of the conflict, it has been clear that the four frontline states of Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda are essential to the solution of the conflict in South Sudan. Only they can offer the incentives and disincentives that are needed to bring the various factions together behind the terms of a political settlement. To date, the vested interests of some political elites in the region have prevented IGAD from mounting a united response. The next few months will show whether the situation in South Sudan has reached a point at which it poses such a serious threat to regional peace and stability that the region is forced to respond accordingly, or whether IGAD’s ability to respond will once again be undermined by narrowly defined state or personal interests” (CSO Paper, September 2017).

“If the HLRF process fails, the IGAD region must accept that it is unable to resolve the crisis in South Sudan and hand over responsibility for the mediation effort to the AU. The four frontline states can still engage in the context of an AU-led mediation, but they should not be able to dominate the process and use it as a forum to promote their own narrowly defined interests. The AU should start preparing itself now by developing a political strategy for a possible AU-led mediation effort. This strategy should go beyond any eminent personalities that may be appointed to lead the process to consider how the AU approach would differ from that of IGAD. In addition, IGAD and the AU should make clear to the warring parties that if they fail to agree on a political settlement in the context of the HLRF, IGAD and the AU will request that punitive measures be imposed on parties who undermine the process. Such punitive measures are long past due and are the only means to communicate to the leadership on all sides of the political divide that the African region will no longer allow the people of South Sudan and the region to be held hostage to their leaders’ pursuit of power” (CSO Paper, September 2017).

It is really telling how they are explaining in these passages, the reality of the daunting task ahead, as the SPLM/A and SPLM-IO are the key component to the crisis and stalemate, but this in effect has created many more enemies of both. The former SPLM/A and SPLM-IO who has become their own parties and their militias, are within all reason making the road-map for peace more hectic. As there isn’t just two leaders who wants to be supreme. But a dozens who wants to topple them both, by all means and with full force. This should not overshadow the need for diplomatic and negotiations between SPLM/A and SPLM-IO, neither stop the SPLM/A reunification project, even how flawed both has been.

The marginalized and silenced parts of the discussions, the rebellions against both parties, should be looked at if the IGAD HLRF Process is a honest one. If the IGAD approach should bear fruits, the SPLM-IO ghost is haunting the process and the dialogue. As well as all the former generals who has created their own outfits, who needs to included, unless they want to create a new fragile peace. That could blow up any second after the ink has run dry. Peace.

Reference:

CIVIL SOCIETY OPTIONS PAPER ON THE IGAD HIGH-LEVEL REVITALIZATION FORUM (September 2017)

 

Communiqué of the 720th meeting of the PSC, at the ministerial level, on the situation in South Sudan (20.09.2017)

WHO and partners respond to flood crises in the former Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Upper Nile States of South Sudan (19.09.2017)

As part of the health cluster response, WHO delivered lifesaving medical supplies to the communities affected by the heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, September 19, 2017 – The World Health Organization (WHO) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and partners are scaling up the emergency response in the flood affected areas of Aweil West and Aweil North Counties of former Norther Bahr el Ghazal State, and Maban County of former Upper Nile State.

As part of the health cluster response, WHO delivered lifesaving medical supplies to the communities affected by the heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding. The lifesaving health supplies will benefit 10 000 people living in areas deeply affected by the heavy rainfall in parts Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Upper Nile States of South Sudan for the next three months.

The supplies include 10 basic unit kits and 10 pneumonia kits for management of common illness. The supplies were deployed along with Medical Mobile Team (MMT) to support other health partners in management of common illnesses to reduce excess mortality and morbidity and build the capacity of partners in early case detection of outbreak prone diseases.“Building the capacity of partners, increasing human resource and medical supplies are vital in such acute emergencies since it increases access to quality health care services to the affected population” said Mr Evans Liyosi, WHO Representative a.i to South Sudan.

According to the State Ministry of Health, it is estimated that over 119 000 people have been affected due to flooding triggered by the heavy rainfall in 11 payams of Aweil North and Aweil West of former Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. More flooding also caused some deaths and injuries and has deeply affected the daily lives of over 650 households in eight villages of Bunj payam, Maban County, Upper Nile State.

The risk of water-borne disease in the wake of the floods is real; a cholera epidemic has already affected thousands of people, causing over 355 reported deaths said Dr Allan Mpairwe, WHO Health Security and Emergency Officer. We have to act very fast to avoid the spread of water-borne diseases and the transmission of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, Dr Mpairwe underscored.
The floods have also destroyed roads, schools, homes, crops and vegetables all over the affected areas. This means the situation will get worse, with more people needing temporary housing and urgent humanitarian help.

WHO will continue to strengthen its humanitarian support in coordination with the Ministry of Health and partners to save the lives of the vulnerable community, Mr Liyosi added.

Wau could provide “model” for return home of South Sudan’s displaced people (13.09.2017)

The number of displaced people living in the UNMISS Protection of Civilians (POC) site has fallen from 38,000 to 32,500 over the last two months.

JUBA, South Sudan, September 13, 2017 – The return of displaced people to their homes in Wau in north-western South Sudan could provide a “model” for other parts of the country, the Head of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has said.

David Shearer, who is also the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, was speaking on a visit to Wau town.

The number of displaced people living in the UNMISS Protection of Civilians (POC) site has fallen from 38,000 to 32,500 over the last two months. Many of those people have returned home to cultivate their land.

“The security situation has improved in recent weeks,” Mr Shearer said. “I am pleased to see that the local authorities, the police and National Security have worked to improve the security environment.”

David Shearer met with the Wau Governor and security officials about cooperation with the UN, humanitarian agencies and importantly the displaced people themselves, to create the enabling conditions to assist people to leave the camps and go home.

“This collaboration could represent a new model for the return of displaced people,” he said.

“It is important that people return to their homes voluntarily,” Mr Shearer added, “and for that to happen they need to feel safe and confident about their future.”

UNMISS has recommended launching night peacekeeping patrols to residential neighbourhoods to provide additional security and boost confidence, a proposal that the State authorities are considering.

“UNMISS and our humanitarian partners both have a role to play in the eventual return of displaced people,” added Mr Shearer. “UNMISS can help by providing a greater sense of security and humanitarian agencies can offer more services outside the protection camps so those people will have more incentives to leave and restart their lives at home.”

In April this year the alleged ambush and killing of a government SPLA General in Wau led to clashes in the town resulting in the deaths of around 30 civilians.

The Special Representative visited the neighbourhood of Lokoloko on the outskirts of Wau where some residents have returned to their houses and started growing food on a small scale.

South Sudan: ICRC condems killing of staff member (09.09.2017)