South Sudan: The TGoNU hires a US Lobbying firm to block the establishment of the Hybrid Court!

Paulino Diing Madol Atak, the Deputy Chief Protocol of the Office of the President have signed an lobbyist agreement with Gainful Solutions INC for the Government of South Sudan through the Office of the President of South Sudan. This is now know, after the Gainful Solutions Inc registered itself as a Foreign Agent for the Republic. Where they lay ahead what is the agreement and planned efforts between the parties. This agreement was signed on the 2nd April 2019 and registered in the FARA register on the 18th April 2019.

Certainly, this is interesting, as the United States Lobbying Firm is run by Michael Ranneberger, whose previous been an ambassador to Mali, Kenya and Somalia. He was also a Special Representative to the Secretary of State, where he was part of the diplomatic mission who helped to craft the Sudan Peace Agreement of 2005. However, in Kenya he had a controversial stint as an Envoy, as had leaked communiques by WikiLeaks, that showed his unfavourable view of public officials. Also, that he at one point went to Rift Valley and asked the public to not show support for William Ruto. Therefore, this is a man who plays with high-stakes. So, he knows what he does, when he takes the money from Juba to lobbying. He knows this, because surely he seen how the South Sudanese elite is spending funds in Nairobi, where he resided for years as Envoy from 2006 to 2011.

So, the South Sudanese counterparts have put their money into crafty hands, to someone who really knows how to wave a storm. Ranneberger and company will surely feel the pressure, not only from Juba because of the questionable sources of funding, but from the Washington D.C. because of their associates.

Clearly, the mission they got combined show something sinister is going on. Especially these parts are worrying: “4. Delay and ultimately block establishment of the hybrid court envisaged in the R-ARCISS.

5. Mobilize American companies to invest in the oil, natural resources, and other sectors.

6. Persuade the Trump administration to open a military relationship with South Sudan in order to enhance the fight against terrorism and promote regional stability”.

By doing this and other tasks for the South Sudanese, the lobbying firm get a retainer of $1,2m and direct payment for services as of $3,7m. This surely will be done to hopeful fulfil the mission and ensure, that the US Government doesn’t put pressure on the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) to establish the Hybrid Court. This shows signs, that the current leadership doesn’t want to be able to answer for its crimes and answer for all the people hurt in the civil war. This is showing weakness, but also lack of responsibility.

UNMISS reported on the 27th January 2017: ““The victims will also feel relieved when their voices are heard,” said Romano, adding that the aspect of justice and accountability is key for reconciliation and realizing sustainable peace. The hybrid court, characterized by a blend of international and national judicial mechanisms, will have jurisdiction with respect to the crimes of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious crimes committed under national and international law” (UNMISS/Patricia Okoed – ‘ADVOCATE ROMANO: HYBRID COURT KEY FOR EFFECTIVE JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY’ 27.01.2017).

Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect reported on the 31st October 2018: “Without any further delay, the government should work with the African Union to establish the long overdue Hybrid Court for South Sudan. War criminals and perpetrators of crimes against humanity, regardless of their position or affiliation, should not be granted amnesty. South Sudan has experienced recurring armed conflict and atrocities for the majority of the country’s seven years of independence. Accountability and justice would show the people of South Sudan and the world that this peace agreement is a genuine break with the past” (Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect – ‘Statement on Peace Celebrations in South Sudan’ 31.10.2018).

This is just two pieces of plenty on the international community supporting a hybrid court for South Sudan, as accepted upon in the R-ARCSS in Chapter V. However, this deal between the parties and stakeholders in South Sudan doesn’t totally matter to the TGoNU. As they are willing to bend on this and stifle the introduction of it. That seems like an attempt to dig over the possible war-crimes and evidence of crimes against humanity. As there is no-one innocent in war. That is why the ones who was in-charge and had responsibility for the actions done. Doesn’t want their work and their past checked in a court, as they have fought for power and doesn’t want to loose that over trial in a newly functional court.

Than its better to pay foreigners millions of dollars to try to stop the International community from putting pressure on building and operating one. That is better and cheaper, as this will buy time to continue to reign without questions of the past. A civil war and horrific acts, which is a reason for why the Republic has so many fled and why so many is Internally Displaced People. Risking the R-ARCSS while keeping power seems more feasible, than actually risking exposing the acts done in war. This seems the idea of the leadership of Juba.

Certainly, the king who ordered to send the pawns for slaughter, doesn’t want the public to know why he sent them there. He just knows they are now gone and hope the towers, the queen and other high-ranking players doesn’t tell the stories. Which would be told in a Hybrid Court. That would really damage the key-players and the ones who has the reign in the TGoNU. This is why they don’t want it out. Peace.

South Sudan: IGAD letter to SSOA – “Re: Invitation to a Meeting of the Leadership of the Parties to the R-ARCSS” (24.04.2019)

Security Council Renews Mandate of United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei to Continue Supporting Joint Border Verification Mechanism – Resolution 2465 (2019) – (12.04.2019)

South Sudan: Joint AU, IGAD and UN Statement (12.04.2019)

UN’s emergency fund allocates $11 million to help displaced South Sudanese return home (04.04.2019)

Some 1.9 million people have fled their homes due to violence and conflict and now live in settlements and communities throughout the country.

JUBA, South Sudan, April 4, 2019 –  The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) announced an allocation of US$11 million to help 268,000 women, men and children who had been displaced by conflict within South Sudan to return to their homes.

“People who fled their homes with nothing are returning to nothing. They need urgent support. The CERF funding will ensure they have food, farming tools and seeds, shelter items and other basic necessities ahead of the rainy season starting in May, when access to most areas will be cut off,” said Mark Lowcock, Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. “They will need support to recover their lost livelihoods and rebuild their lives.”

Non-food items, including buckets and mosquito nets will also be provided in 10 priority areas. Healthcare, education, and clean water and sanitation facilities will also be strengthened in the areas of return, including to serve people with disabilities. Protection services will be provided as a central component of the plan.

Alain Noudéhou, the Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, said: “Since the beginning of the year, we are observing an increasing number of population movements across South Sudan, including many people returning to their home areas. It is vital that they do this in a voluntary, informed and dignified way. Keeping people safe is central to our response and we will continue to put a particular emphasis on protecting women and girls from violence. This CERF funding, which is part of a larger humanitarian plan, is a strong start to help people find solutions after years of displacement. Additional funding is urgently needed to provide humanitarian support and essential services.”

Some 1.9 million people have fled their homes due to violence and conflict and now live in settlements and communities throughout the country. Many of these people have been displaced more than once since conflict broke out in late 2013. Another 2.3 million South Sudanese have fled to neighbouring countries.

The 2019 South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan, seeking $1.5 billion to assist 5.7 million people, is only 5 per cent funded. Life-saving assistance must be sustained.

South Sudan: Remarks of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Mr. David Shearer (27.03.2019)

 

South Sudan: University of Juba – School of Medicine – Closes Until Further Notice (27.03.2019)

South Sudan: Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology – Suspension of the University Opening until further notice (25.03.2019)

South Sudan: The South Sudan Civil Society Forum demands fair trial for South Sudan Peace activist Peter Biar Ajak and others (20.03.2019)

South Sudan Independent Boundaries Commission: Call for Submissions (19.03.2019)