South Sudan: National Salvation Front (NAS) – Press Release (31.01.2019)

South Sudan: SPLM-IO letter to R-JMEC – “Re: Open Letter of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS)” – (29.01.2019)

Uganda: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Media release – EAC Passports (01.02.2019)

IGAD: Statement from IGAD Special Envoy to South Sudan on Violations of Ceasefire (31.01.2019)

South Sudan: RJMEC Express Concern at Reports of Military Build-Up (30.01.2019)

Opinion: Museveni supported RNC and FDLR leaders extradited from the DRC to Rwanda!

There was a meeting in Uganda in December 2018 between Philemon Mateke and leaders from the FDLR and the RNC, which is both rebels working within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These leaders got captured on the border between Uganda and the DRC late in December. That after the reported alleged meeting between them and the government official Mateke. Than, with a special message by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who wanted to find a lasting solution and use them for his means.

Therefore, this news must be a backfire to the meddling and the interference of Museveni in the DRC. As his supported people by the CMI and ISO isn’t that wise or smart. As they get captured and now weeks after. Are taken into custody by the Rwandan government. So, the squabble and in-fighting with the neighbour continues.

Latest report:

Le Forge Fils Bazeye, the spokesperson of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels, who captured in December last year, was sneaked out by Rwandan agents. Bazeye, the rebel intelligence chief, has been in detention in the capital Kinshasa. On Friday last week, Rwandan agents paid off guards who were manning the prison and got him out. Meanwhile, Congo army also arrested Col Tawimbi Richard, a member of National Congress [RNC] headed by former Rwandan army chief of staff, Gen Kayumba Nyamwasa, who is based in South Africa” (edge.ug, 29.01.2019).

With this in mind, there is definitely more happening behind the scenes than we know. That there are plans and support behind closed doors. Where there are delivery and plans, as the militias gain strength and new reinforcement. They are able to be persistence and get weapons. This also, as the other groups has also said they are wanting to retaliate against Kigali and Kagame.

Therefore, there are more happening than we understand or can grasp. As there are more sinister powers being used by warlords and presidents, who are warlords with vast supported armies. They are using their connections and their missions, while they are giving way to militias to further their wealth and their power in the region. That is why the secret meeting of December 2018 and the aftermath. Says something about the things at play.

Where Museveni isn’t succeeding, but still playing with fire and creating instability, to ensure his vision and mission there. Gods knows how much violence and killings, he needs to gain before his time is over. Peace.

South Sudan: Twic Mayardit – “Subject: objection into forceful recruitment of enrolment to the armed service in Twic State” (26.01.2019)

South Sudan vaccinates health workers against Ebola (28.01.2019)

Vaccination began in Yambio, Gbudue State, but health workers in Tombura, Yei and Nimule as well as the capital city, Juba, will also be offered the vaccine.

YAMBIO, South Sudan, January 28, 2019 – The Ministry of Health of South Sudan, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other partners, today started vaccinating health workers and other front-line responders against Ebola as part of preparedness measures to fight the spread of the disease.

Vaccination began in Yambio, Gbudue State, but health workers in Tombura, Yei and Nimule as well as the capital city, Juba, will also be offered the vaccine. These are high-risk areas bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), now experiencing its tenth outbreak of Ebola. The outbreak began 1 August 2018. Neighbouring countries have not reported any cases of Ebola, but preparedness is crucial.

As part of these preparedness activities, South Sudan received 2 160 doses of the Ebola vaccine (rVSV-ZEBOV) from Merck, the vaccine developer. The vaccine offers protection against the Zaire strain of the virus, which is the one affecting DRC at present.

“It is absolutely vital that we are prepared for any potential case of Ebola spreading beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “WHO is investing a huge amount of resources into preventing Ebola from spreading outside DRC and helping governments ramp up their readiness to respond should any country have a positive case of Ebola.”

Vaccination is one of a raft of preparedness measures South Sudan is putting into place. WHO has deployed more than 30 staff members to support these activities.

In particular, WHO has helped train 60 health workers in good clinical practice principles and protocol procedures to administer the yet-to-be-licensed Ebola vaccine. To detect any travellers entering the country who may be infected with the virus, the Ministry of Health, with the support of its partners, has established 17 screening points. Nearly 1 million people have been screened to date.

WHO is also supporting engagement with communities, active surveillance for the disease at the community and health facility levels, strengthening capacity for infection prevention and control and case management, and supporting dissemination of Ebola information through the media. Local laboratory capacity to test samples taken from people suspected of having Ebola is also being strengthened. Protective gear for responders has been stockpiled in a dedicated warehouse.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in addition to its work making the Ebola vaccine stockpile available, is providing US$2 million to support the WHO’s vaccination efforts in countries neighbouring the DRC, including South Sudan.

“Although research is ongoing, the evidence so far suggests the Ebola vaccine is a highly effective tool to help stop epidemics and can be used to prevent this national outbreak from becoming a regional one,” said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi. “Vaccinating front-line workers and health workers in South Sudan border regions will be crucial: an outbreak in South Sudan would be deeply concerning.”

Uganda began vaccinating its front-line workers in November 2018. So far, more than 2 600 health workers in eight high-risk districts have been immunized. In DRC, more than 66 000 people have been vaccinated – more than 21,000 of them are health and other front-line workers. Rwanda also plans to vaccinate its front-line responders.

The yet-to-be-licensed rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine has been shown to be highly protective against the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus in a major trial. Though not yet commercially licensed, the vaccine is being provided under what is known as “compassionate use” in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in North Kivu province of DRC as part of recommendations from the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization. This vaccine was also used in the Ebola outbreak in Equateur province of DRC in May–July 2018.

FDU-Inkingi – Rwanda: Shocking as Trigger-Happy Rwandan Police Mow Down Prisoners (26.01.2019)

IGAD JTC MVM: Investigations into Violations of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in Nassir, Upper Nile State (23.01.2015)