South Sudan: OHCHR Reports of rising violence in Western Equatoria, in the timelines of the Peace Agreements!

There are still signs of trouble within the Republic of South Sudan. Even if the parties has signed the Khartoum Agreement and the Revitalized Agreement for a Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). Where the parties of the civil war has signed the deals and ratified the agreements within the parties as well. You can wonder if they will follow the cease-fire and the stop the race for being supreme. As the wounds are still there and the war-lords are still out and about.

There also hope that these parties might reach a final verdict and peace. But if they are willingly doing so. As they have violated the cease-fire and used their weapons on civilians. The JMEC has already questioned how much the parties has done to fulfil the R-ARCSS on the 12 October, that said the parties has only done 35 % of the agreement. Therefore, the stakeholders has actions to do. This is the reality, as well as the 28th June 2018 Khartoum Declaration. With knowing this.

The timeline of this of OHCHR, where this is actions happening after the Khartoum Declaration and before the R-ARCSS. This is clear violations of these agreements. That is why this isn’t only crimes against humanity, but in violations of recent agreements done by both parties. That should be thought of, as the matter remains and the war-lords are still roaming. That is why these sort of violations are showing signs, where the parties might not being fully committed to the agreed upon peace agreement.

Take a look!

Between April and August 2018, civilians have borne the brunt of repeated attacks by SPLA IO (RM) and SPLA forces, caught between their predatory tactics. At least 28 villages, one IDP settlement and one refugee camp, in the states of Gbudue and Tambura (Western Equatoria) were attacked. A decrease in attacks was recorded from August onwards” (OHCHR, 18.10.2018)

Through its investigation, UNMISS HRD found that at least 887 civilians were abducted. Most of the victims were women (505) and girls (63). Considering the high prevalence of rape in cases of abduction by SPLA-IO (RM) forces, UNMISS HRD and OHCHR are concerned that these women and girls have been raped and/or sexually enslaved, consistent with trends of sexual violence documented in South Sudan since 2014. They are also concerned that abducted men and boys have been forcibly recruited to “build up an army”, as claimed by an SPLA-IO (RM) commander. In addition, UNMISS HRD documented extensive looting of civilian property and forced displacement. Humanitarian organizations, particularly their convoys, have been targeted in armed ambushes and their personnel abducted for several days before being released, unlike most local civilians who are still held captive” (OHCHR, 18.10.2018).

SPLA forces carried out a few counter-offensives against SPLA-IO (RM), while becoming more aggressive towards civilians at security checkpoints or during reconnaissance patrols. In particular, during the Nagero offensive in May 2018, SPLA elements did not comply with the principles of distinction between military objectives and civilian objects, as well as between civilians and combatants. This led to serious international human rights and humanitarian law violations, resulting in unlawful killing of civilians, looting and destruction of civilian property” (OHCHR, 18.10.2018).

That this are reports made from one part of South Sudan. Not the whole republic, but shows to what extent the two major armies and parties are doing. This is what the SPLM/A-IO and TgoNU are up too. This is the works of Dr. Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir Mayardit. That they are in-charge and done this to civilians, they have violated their rights and killed without mercy. These women and children were abducted and taken away, because of how the war-lords saw the possibility to use them for their cause. Not for their or anything, they are casualties of war and has lost everything because it. Used and scorned by warriors, defenceless and taken.

This because of two men wants to be supreme and show it with force. Even as they are pledging peace to the world. This report shows that the first months of cease-fire has still cost people life, burned down their villages and taken women and children away, because of their need to show strength towards their enemies. Peace.

Reference:

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) – ‘VIOLATIONS AND ABUSES AGAINST CIVILIANS IN GBUDUE AND TAMBURA STATES (WESTERN EQUATORIA) – APRIL-AUGUST 2018’ 18.10.2018

CEPO: Sudan’s President Omer Al-Bashir Named Special Envoy for Peace in South Sudan (18.10.2018)

Communqiue of South Sudan Women (18.10.2018)

South Sudan: UN report urges release of hundreds of abducted civilians (18.10.2018)

Corroborated victim and witness accounts indicate that women and girls as young as 12, abducted by opposition forces, were paraded and lined up for commanders to choose as “wives”.

GENEVA, Switzerland, October 18, 2018 – A UN report has documented the immense suffering of civilians in the Western Equatoria region of South Sudan where 900 people were abducted and 24,000 forced to flee their homes during a surge in violence between April and August.

In April 2018, after several months of relative calm, the pro-Riek Machar Sudan People’s Liberation Army in-Opposition (SPLA-IO (RM)) intensified attacks against villages and targeted civilians in Gbudue and Tambura. The Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA)’s offensives to dislodge SPLA-IO (RM) forces also resulted in harm to civilians, as these operations failed to distinguish between civilians and combatants, the report by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the UN Human Rights Office says.

Corroborated victim and witness accounts indicate that women and girls as young as 12, abducted by opposition forces, were paraded and lined up for commanders to choose as “wives”. Those who were not chosen were left for other fighters who subjected them to repeated rapes. Abducted young men and boys were forced to be fighters or used as porters.

“Most of the abducted civilians are, as far as we know, still being held captive. The SPLA-IO (RM) must immediately release them, first and foremost the children,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. “As part of the revitalised peace process, it is also essential that the Government of South Sudan acts to hold the perpetrators of the abuses and violations detailed in this report to account.”

he Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, David Shearer, said it was disappointing that the spike in violence took place while warring parties were negotiating a new peace agreement and despite positive reconciliation efforts in the affected community at the time.“A new peace agreement has been signed which puts the onus and responsibility on the warring parties to ensure that no atrocities are committed in future. UNMISS will be closely monitoring any potential violations and abuses,” said David Shearer.

The report documented SPLA-IO (RM) attacks on at least 28 villages, a settlement of internally displaced persons and a refugee camp, in Gbudue and Tambura. Serious abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law occurred during these attacks, including unlawful killings, abduction, rape, sexual slavery, forced recruitment, and destruction of property.

UNMISS Human Rights Division has identified three SPLA-IO (RM) commanders who allegedly had effective command and control of the forces committing these abuses, which may amount to war crimes.

SPLA forces also carried out military operations that were characterized by serious violations, including unlawful killings and destruction of civilian property, particularly around Nagero in May 2018.

Among its recommendations, the report calls for accountability and for the reinforcement of existing recovery and resilience programmes to re-establish access to basic services, particularly medical and psychosocial support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, and for the provision of economic alternatives for young fighters.

Safaricom: Revision of Mobile Tariffs (17.10.2018)

Rwanda: P5 Press Release – Rwandan Opposition Shocked by the Mysterious Disappearence from Maximum Security Prison of the 1st Vice President of FDU- Inkingi Boniface Twagirimana (16.10.2018)

African Union: Peace and Security Council 800th Meeting – Communique on South Sudan (15.10.2018)

South Sudan: SPLM/A-(IO) – Press Statement (14.10.2018)

Opinion: Don’t let Ezra Chiloba be the fall guy for the rigging machine of IEBC!

Some are giddy and happy about the termination of employment of IEBC’s Ezra Chiloba this week. However, people shouldn’t jump of joy, as there have been changes in the leadership of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Just as the newly appointed IEBC leadership of 2011 with Chairman Hassan Isaack and change in 2016. When Wafula Chebukati got appointed in his stead in 2016. Still, inside the IEBC as before was Chiloba just working in the background as before.

That he got terminated over tenders and contracts are foolish at this point. As we all know the questionable behavior of the IEBC during the Presidential Elections in 2017. We can also wonder what Chiloba did with the previous leadership and elections of 2013, as there was speculations then also of rigging too. Therefore, the relevance of position and of what he did during his tenure there.

However, Chiloba shouldn’t be the fall guy. Chiloba didn’t do this acts alone and did answer to someone above. He didn’t go like an empty drone into this and do this only on his own merry. That wouldn’t believe, as someone ordered him around and asked him to fix. This was known by his previous boss and the current one.

That Chebukati and the rest of the Commissioners should be put in doubt too. Because all of them was in-charge and fixed the contracts with OT-Morpho, Cambridge Analytica and the printing companies. This wasn’t just done by one, neither was the assassination of ICT Expert and Manager Chris Msando and the assassination of CS Joseph Nkaissery. All of this happen days before the elections and even in relation to the polls. That is why these memories will still linger on, as the questions of what happen and who ordered it. The Ghost of Jacob Juma will also follow the organization and the ruling regime, as his words has happen as he said and what he expected from the authorities. Therefore, the IEBC are not alone in this and the truth of the matter, is that Chiloba wouldn’t able to all of this on his own.

Chiloba is one of many to blame, it was organized and was done with a purpose, it was all done to secure the tenure of Kenyatta and Ruto. It was done to secure the Jubilee and their established power. It wasn’t done to secure the votes of the people and neither legitimacy of a supposed credible vote. That went down the storm-drain with the rain-water.

So, the ones thinking the termination of Chiloba will fix it all. I doubt it. It didn’t change with the changes of chairmen either. If it was Hassan Isaack or Wafula Chebukati. The Kenyan election experience was as hostile and lack of transparency as usual. For the single purpose of securing the elite and their need of all power.

Chiloba did that, but not alone. He did it as per orders and per request. By both all Commissioners did so. Not only single individual. If it was only his way and his methods was behind this, than the change of Chairmen should have mattered, but it didn’t. That is why there is a need of change within the IEBC and also reforms of the organization. Not just make Chiloba jump on the sword, he is far from innocent, but he didn’t act alone. Peace.