The Worsening Crisis in South Sudan (11.10.2016)

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Somalia: International Community notes Nominations for Upper House and Urges Rapid Review in line with NLF Commitments, particularly on Woman’s Representation (10.10.2016)

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Statement by the Spokesperson on Ethiopia’s announcement of a state of emergency (10.10.2016)

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The government of Ethiopia announced over the weekend a state of emergency for six months.

Fundamental human rights must be respected at all times as announced by Prime Minister Hailemariam. The suspension of political and democratic rights should be avoided.

Today’s parliamentary session offers the opportunity to open the way for an inclusive dialogue in response to the grievances of the population. This should lead to a comprehensive reform package.

Violence, whichever side it comes from, has no place in this endeavour.  Now it is time for all forces, inside and outside Ethiopia, to restore calm and join in ensuring that Ethiopia can pursue the path of democracy and development.

3 Uganda bound buses attacked on Juba-Nimule highway in South Sudan (Youtube-Clip)

“Three Ugandan bound buses were attacked this morning along the Juba-Nimule highway in South Sudan. The UPDF 4th Division Spokesman, Maj. Caesar Olweny confirmed the attack in the restive young nation. Passengers of one of the buses were abducted and later released by the attackers” (NTV Uganda, 2016)

UNMISS Statement on Yei; Call for immediate Cessation of Hostilities (10.10.2016)

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Statement attributable to the Principal Public Information Officer, UNMISS.

JUBA, South Sudan, October 10, 2016 – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan is extremely concerned by the continuing deterioration of the security situation in Yei, Central Equatoria, where the Mission continues to be denied access.

The Mission is alarmed that deadly attacks on civilians and looting of private property on 11 and 13 September, and the displacement of several thousand others from nearby Lainya County since mid-July, has affected over 100,000 South Sudanese in Yei, despite their civilian noncombatant status.

The Mission has received deeply disturbing reports of horrific violence perpetrated against innocent and vulnerable civilians, including women and infants.

UNMISS is also concerned at the humanitarian crisis unfolding, with a population unable to move freely, tend to their farms, or feed themselves, due to various restrictions on their movement, and the inability of humanitarian partners to freely access the area and provide much needed assistance. 

UNMISS calls on all parties to refrain from further violence, ensure that commanders control their forces and protect civilians and their property and to cease all hostilities. We also call on the authorities to grant immediate and unfettered access to UNMISS and humanitarian actors, and to work together for the good of the people of this country. We further reiterate that there can be no military solution to the situation in South Sudan.

The Ethiopian protests in the provinces end in ‘State of Emergency’ another way to oppress the Amhara and Oromo regions!

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Just as the months of demonstrations in Amhara, Oromo and Ogaden regions the Ethiopian Government under the Tigray Central Government under Prime Ministre Hailemariam Desalegne has order a State of Emergency. This happens as several foreign businesses are either pulling out of the regions or feeling the fear of being burned down by protestors. The reality is that the Government have already set in the Agazi Squad of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) under the Ethiopian People’s Revolution Democratic Front (EPRDF).

The Amhara demonstrations and Ogaden demonstrations has been in general peaceful, but with some reactions towards the government has given land to foreign companies instead of giving the needed support to the locals. 

PM Hailemariam Desalegne said on TV:

“A state of emergency  has been declared  because the situation posed a threat against the people of the country” Hailemariam said on state run tv” (Reuters, 09.10.2016).

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State of Emergency:

“The Council of Ministers has declared a state of emergency that will be effective as of Saturday evening so as to deal with anti-peace elements that have allied with foreign forces and are jeopardizing the peace and security of the country,” the state Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation announced Sunday morning” (FaroukFahima, 2016).

Breaking News: The minority and most hated regime in #Ethiopia declares state of emergency. The regime is in war against the people” (ERITREA Hadelibi, 09.10.2016).

There has also been reported on Friday that both Dutch Flowering companies working in Oromia and Amhara are planning to shut-down production in the area. This being Esmeralda Farms, Africa Juice and other 11 companies has been or trying to close their operation in Ethiopia. Other businesses have been burned down by the demonstrators as they are feeding the government with tax monies and do it weakening the authorities. This company has also been reported being behind the land-grabs in the regions, something that are escalating the anger towards the Central Government and their policies towards the citizens.

Zewya Prison have been set a blazed by demonstrators as the government are using their army. There been heard of gun shootings as well.

There been reported that the TPLF are keeping their loyal henchman in Amhara, as the regional president Hon. Ato Gedu Andargachew are to stay in power. Even with all the problems and demonstrations he is still trusted by the Addis Ababa government.

The army and Agazi Sqaud have been reported being responsible for the killings amounting up to 700 people, because the #OromoProtests are violating the control and insecurity of the Central Government. The Oromo people are fighting for their justice as the Central Government are keeping them under control now with surveillance, army and curfew in the region. Since November 2015, the amount of fallen people during the Oromo Protest has been calculated to 2500. That is extreme numbers to die under protests in peace-time.

That is happening as the Army has also sent brigades to the Amhara region where towns has been attacked and taken over by the Agazi squad. They have had assassins on the roof tops of Bahar Dir and Gonder/Gondar.

There also been reports that the TPLF and the EPRDF has moved all ammunitions and heavy artillery to the Tigray district. As they have sent major armies that we’re reported a month ago or so to be in the levels of 25,000 soldiers to Amhara alone. That is not setting the levels of army presence in the Oromo region.

In Addis Ababa the roads are now blocked by the government as the locals and demonstrations are throwing rocks at the cars moving in the area.

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This here proves the vital problems of the State of Emergency created by the Central Government as they are trying to kill their way into silencing the Amhara, Oromo and Ogaden, this is happening the same week as the Government supposed to celebrate a feet of having a new railway between Addis Ababa and Djibouti where the Chinese are operating and training Ethiopians to run it.

The Central Government are now using excessive force as they are not even happy with the martial laws set in regions, therefore added their repressive behaviour and killing squads of the Agazi Squad of the ENDF. The ENDF are there to stop the burning of foreign businesses, because that hurt the pocket of the controlling TPLF government.

There will be more, when the reports are coming, this is a worry and the world should care that the country that has the African Union and seemingly are in-charge of the  Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). So with that in mind the Government should care more for their citizens as their responsibility to be a example is now far-gone because of the ways the silencing and killings of their citizens are happening in Oromo and Amhara regions. They are continuing as the government are not only having issues in Ogaden, as they are acting questionable in Somali Region as well. Peace.

Reference:

Faroukfahima – ‘Ethiopia Declares State of Emergency’ (09.10.2016) link: http://www.forumspotz.ng/ethiopia-declares-state-of-emergency/

South Sudan: “Under Fire: The July 2016 Violence in Juba and UN Response” (05.10.2016)

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South Sudan: UN Falls Short During July Violence in Juba

UNITED NATIONS (Oct. 5, 2016)—The United Nations needs to ensure transparency and accountability for the inadequate response of its peacekeepers during the July crisis in Juba, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) said in a report released today. For its part, the Security Council should immediately impose an arms embargo, both to help protect civilians from further harm and in response to the national government’s obstruction of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The 84-page report, Under Fire: The July 2016 Violence in Juba and UN Response, documents how, during four days of intense fighting in Juba in July 2016, the parties to the conflict killed and injured civilians in displaced persons camps with indiscriminate gun and artillery fire. Government forces also broke into a hotel and apartment complex to brutally attack international and national aid workers, and, in the weeks following the crisis, raped South Sudanese women who went outside the displaced persons camps in search of food.

Much of the fighting occurred in close proximity to the main UNMISS bases, which were themselves hit by more than 200 rounds of likely indiscriminate fire. In that environment, the Mission’s defense of the 37,000 displaced persons sheltered on its bases was inconsistent, with some peacekeepers abandoning their posts during heavy fighting while other peacekeepers assisted civilians trying to enter the base perimeter. Outside the UN bases, the Mission’s protection was almost nonexistent, with devastating consequences for South Sudanese civilians and aid workers targeted by government forces.

“The UN peacekeeping mission faced a challenging environment during the July violence in Juba, but it underperformed in protecting civilians inside and outside its bases,” said Federico Borello, Executive Director at CIVIC. “To ensure that such problems are not repeated, it is critical that the UN be transparent about what went wrong and hold accountable any individuals or units that failed to live up to the Mission’s protection mandate.”

Many of the problems exposed during UNMISS’s response to the July violence are not new. In February 2016, government forces attacked the Malakal Protection of Civilians (POC) site, on which 47,000 displaced persons were sheltered. At least 30 civilians were killed and one-third of the camp was burned down. CIVIC’s investigation into that incident, as well as a UN Board of Inquiry (BOI), identified major failings. However, UN leadership refused to divulge which particular troops underperformed, and CIVIC’s new report also shows there was scant accountability, despite promises to repatriate units and specific officers.

In August, the UN Secretary-General appointed a Special Investigation to examine issues related to UNMISS’s response to the July violence in Juba. It is essential that the Special Investigation’s report be made public and lead to meaningful accountability for peacekeeping units as well as for individual civilian and military officials who underperformed, CIVIC said.

Although the Mission needs to perform better in protecting civilians under threat, many of its difficulties are compounded by the inadequate support it has received from the UN Security Council and UN leadership in New York. The crisis exposed major problems with medical care and evacuation; two peacekeepers died, including one who bled for 16 hours, after a UN position was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and the Mission was unable to get them proper medical attention. During critical parts of the fighting, peacekeepers were also unable to stay in their sentry posts along the POC site perimeter, as they were not reinforced with bulletproof material.

For almost three years, the Mission has been repeatedly blocked, harassed, and, at times, even attacked by the parties to the conflict. Civilians throughout the country have also been targeted deliberately, including for killings, sexual violence, abductions, and the destruction of homes and crops. In response, the Security Council has issued numerous condemnations, but failed to take effective action.

“The Security Council has sat idly by as the parties to the conflict have repeatedly obstructed UNMISS’s movement and used weapons, including heavy weapons, against civilians,” Borello said. “It is time for the Council to finally implement an arms embargo.”

Under Fire is based on more than 100 interviews during two weeks of field research in Juba in August 2016 as well as on meetings and Skype interviews in Nairobi, Washington, DC, and New York in July and September 2016. CIVIC also sent a letter to UNMISS requesting official response to seven specific issues related to the July violence. The Mission’s written responses have been incorporated into the report.

Notes to editors:

The Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) works to make warring parties more responsible to civilians before, during, and after armed conflict. We are advocates and advisers finding practical solutions to civilian suffering in war. We believe that warring parties should do everything in their power to avoid harming civilians and that it is never acceptable to walk away from the harm they do cause. More information available at civiliansinconflict.org.

Ethiopia: MUSTWATCH:#irreechamassacre: Soldiers were armed (Youtube-Clip)

South Sudan Crisis: Nespresso suspends operation; Machar is losing friends and allies; Updates from Yei and Unity!

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Just as the news of Nespresso suspending their imports of coffee from South Sudan, the South Sudanese Authorities are saying that they need to cut in the Health Care budget for next year. This is happening as the possibility for a peace between the fractions becomes smaller and the window is closing. Because the SPLM/A-IO of Dr. Riek Machar has fewer friends as the Ethiopian, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya or Uganda does not want to host the Rebels.

While the news  awhile back we’re that Dr. Riek Machar and his close allies we’re taken through DRC and on the Congolese soil with help of MONUSCO and the United Nation Peacekeepers sent him after fleeing Juba. This happens as the violence between SPLM/A-IO and SPLM/A, the Government party that are led by President Salva Mayardit Kiir and new First Vice-President Gen. Taban Deng Gai who has been part of SPLM/A-IO and we’re even a close ally of Dr. Lam Akol back-in-the-day when there where rifts between Gen. John Garang and Dr. Riek Machar.

Machar shows the history of rebellion towards the leadership around him, as he wants to be leader of all leaders and run it; something he seems to think he is entitled too. That is my opinion, when he even tried in early 1990s to overcome the liberation hero Dr. John Garang de Maribor. That President Kiir has taken oven for and got now the same accusation from the SPLM/A-IO as Garang got from SPLM-Nasir in the 1990s; strange how the past gets recycled in the present?

Just reported from the DRC:

Riek Machar’s militia are not welcome in northern Democratic Republic of Congo where locals say they are a security risk. DRC’s government, after protests from the locals, has asked the UN mission in the country, MONUSCO, to move the 750 militiamen. The Congolese government has asked the UN to remove them by October the 10th. Last week, local officials wrote to the government in the capital Kinshasa warning that the South Sudanese militia are a security risk in the area” (The National Courier, 04.10.2016).

As written the Congolese Authorities are not welcoming Machar’s rebels and for certain the MONUSCO, blue helmets are moving rebels from one area to the next as they are seen as threat in DRC, but okay to have in Khartoum. Even as Sudan has said they won’t really cater to him either they are still letting him be there after the MONUSCO left him there earlier in the is calendar year.

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On the Coffee Export:

“The Governor of Yei River State David Lokonga Moses says his state has lost investment and development opportunities due to the presence of insecurity in the state” (…) ““The prevailing insecurity in the state has hampered the use of these tractors and other plans for this sector. In a related development, the USAID has earmarked a grant of 3.5 million US dollars through the National Government to promote coffee growing in Yei River state. Only that we have been interrupted by this insecurity. All this efforts will strengthen the economy of the state. We are really by far being eyed by the international community to be given support for development.” (…) “Notice of Correction: An earlier version of this story emphasized that USAID had given millions for coffee development in Yei River State. This was based on a remark by Governor Lokonga taken out of context. He was in fact stressing that insecurity in the state has resulted in a loss of investment and development opportunities” (Radio Tamazuj, 03.10.2016).

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As the Nespresso suspends the operations in South Sudan, the USAID coffee growing project have been also interrupted by the insecurity of the state. Yei River and Yei have been in the cross-fire and surely makes farming impossible.

More on trouble in Yei: 

Jacob Aligo Lo-Lado, MP and Minister of Local Government in Yei River State has admitted that roughly 100,000 people trapped in the town amid increasing insecurity in the area as reported by the UN refugee agency last week” (…) “Aligo told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that Yei residents fled their homes following fighting in July, but they returned after the security situation was restored in the area. He pointed out that the locals are currently experiencing shortages of food and basic services due to the closure of roads” (Radio Tamazuj, 04.10.2016).

Here you see the more troubles in Yei, as there been reported that SPLM/A-IO had taken over the area and the fighting between SPLA and rebels have continued since July as the reports we’re then that SPLM/A-IO closed the roads towards Uganda. Because the Machar rebels fears the support of UPDF that has helped President Kiir in the past.

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Shooting Police Officers:

“Police spokesman Justin Daniel said that a group of attackers assaulted the police post at Nyelo Sunday before fleeing the scene of attack to Nelo village, where they purportedly shot dead a village chief. “The general security situation is under control except some isolated incidents by some people trying to cause havoc and to cause panic to the citizens but our police personnel are there. The incident of Nyelo is being investigated and as police, we condemn and treat it as a barbaric and terrorists act. There is no justifiable cause to kill some people trying to secure the safety of the road for travelers. We are also told that the same attackers after fleeing the scene of the crime went and killed an innocent village chief at Nelo”, police spokesman said in a statement broadcast also by South Sudan broadcasting corporation” (Radio Tamazuj, 04.10.2016).

This is incidents happening on the road between Juba – Nimule road, as the village is on road. Therefore the Police Command and Police Post is on an important roads as it led to the capital and the proof of occurring violence as a reaction to another act that involve the Village chief of Nelo killed. This might be a “small act”, but significant in the matter of who it concerns and the extent of killings happening.

In Morobo and Kaya:

“The SPLA says Morobo and Kaya have never been under the control of the militias as they have claimed for the last few days. The SPLA spokesman says the militias have been celebrating fictitious victory won from Nairobi hotels on the social media” (The National Courier, 04.10.2016).

This is the official reports and what is the honest truth is hard to say, but if there we’re battles its not likely that the SPLA will concede defeat, either does the SPLM/A-IO as they want to be ahead of SPLA/M in the matter of territory. Even as they need shuttles to get out of foreign territory as they don’t want their 750 rifles and personnel away from Congolese Soil. Together with the establishment of the rebel outfit of National Democratic Movement of Dr. Lam Akol who has been a sworn ally of Dr. Riek Machar; proves that the rebels and opposition is not as solid following the instruction and leadership of Machar as they once did.

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Killings in Unity:

“James Yuaj, spokesperson for the SPLM-IO in South Sudan’s Unity State on Monday accused government forces of opening fire on civilians killing three people and injuring four other including two women. Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Yuaj accused government forces of being behind the attack in Adok area” (Radio Tamazuj, 04.10.2016).

So here we can also see that there been killings in another state, this in Unity as the proves of the state of affairs and fragile instability of the government versus the rebels who know has a plan to use arms to move and get rid of the SPLM/A as they want to install the SPLM/A-IO, but they have also the NDM who has their powers. Together with the rebels in Darfur who are the SPLM-N who also fights and could also prove their flexibility and pour into the states on the border.

This here crisis is far from over, the South Sudan leaders are more used to their guns and ammunition instead of dialogue; it is ironic that Dr. Lam Akol that are grabbing guns and arming people as he was blaming Dr. John Garang de Maribor for his wishes to use military option over dialogue to deal with the SPLM/A-Nasir of the 1990s. People tend to forget that part too. But that is two decades ago and think Dr. Lam Akol forgotten himself and how he defended dialogue during that time; now he grabs the guns as well!

Well, this is enough for now, depressing enough. Peace.

Ethiopia Opposition Calls for Inquiry After Fatal Stampede (Youtube-Clip)