South Sudan: Horror and violence is rampant; civilians are in the cross-fire!

South Sudan Food Crisis

Just as Radio Tamazuj has been through a scandalous closure after being reviewed by certain organizations for their coverage of the recent months of violence between the SPLM/A and the SPLM/A-IO, that have been. This proves the situation and the dire state of the South Sudan.

While this is happens the Catholic Radio Network reports:

Be friendly and exposed to media to reach your expectations and needs of your people, Managing Director of Hamming Bird Action for Peace and Development in Yambio advises. Minaida Peter Jamus says once people are flexible in carrying community work using media, there will be easy education and collection of feedback from the community, Radio Anisa reports. He urges workers to be creative and active in carrying their responsibilities” (CRN, 02.12.2016).

The UN Reported on possible situation similar to the Rwandan Genocide in 1994, as the battles between the government and rebels continues sparking in different regions of the country. Days after this the Norwegian Government pops by Juba to congratulate the Police Officers that gone through their programme in the country.

While the UNMISS has enough work to keep the crowds and citizens fleeing the battles into the Protection of Civilians sites, just by October 2016 the 9 sites in the republic, that is in the states of Central Equatoria, Unity, Upper Nile, Jonglei and Western Bahr El Ghazal. These PoC sites had 204,918 civilians, that we’re reported on 1st November 2016. These are staggering numbers are civilians fleeing from internal conflict and power-struggle between the big-men of the republic.

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Oxfam is reporting that the Uganda is accepting about 4,000 refugees daily from the South Sudan. This is happening while the Ugandan Government and big-men tries to keep their businesses alive in Juba. Together with the army has showed that they have sold weapons to SPLA, as even been reported in UN Reports been sold without valid records.

Human Rights Watch has been able to report that rebels and even government troops has recruited child soldiers inside the battles, this is happening while the reports of 4000 huts been burned in and around the Wau. How many more huts and villages that been attacked during the recent months. Can only the world wonder and even the soldiers themselves in the hunt of following orders of the big-men’s quest of either power or continuing to hold power. In Yei River State the government forces and the rebels have destroyed about 1900 huts, where the people used to live (Cathrine Molly McPhee, 02.12.2016).

The UNMISS will get more Bangladeshi Peacekeepers has they have promised more troops and the Japanese will extend their mandate in South Sudan. The Ethiopian Government has said they will banish the SPLM/A-IO from having bases inside the country, as they don’t accept Dr. Riek Machar presence anymore. While the SPLM/A-IO are reported to have bases inside Democratic Republic of Congo, where there said that MONUSCO is providing safety for certain parts of the SPLM/A-IO. Even as the DRC Government also said they do not need another guerrilla or militia inside their borders. As they want a friendly relationship with Juba government. Still, the fluid borders leave the possibility of the rebels to stay there.

The SPLM/A-IO have even been banished from Kenya and even their senior leadership and spokesperson has been deported to the capital of the republic without any for-warning as the Kenyatta Government trying to also have a friendly relationship with the Juba government as they want to in the future have a possibility of a crude-oil pipeline down to Lamu-Port and the LAPSSET. So the economic aspect means more than the actual peace, as the Kenyan Government also working on pulling out their forces inside the UNMISS mission as they feel disrespected for axing of the Lt. Gen. Ondieki after the July skirmishes inside Juba. While China has offered something new to the UNMISS today: “China will send an infantry battalion of 700 peacekeepers in South Sudan, including a 13-soldier female squad, the army unit dispatching them said Friday. It is the third batch of Chinese peacekeepers sent to South Sudan. From Sunday, they will take United Nations charter flights to the mission area, replacing the second batch of Chinese peacekeepers. The female infantry squad will carry out humanitarian relief and protect the rights of women and children, said Ding Hailong, battalion commander” (NF Online, 02.12.2016).

The United Nations Security Council is working on Arms Embargo, but nothing is really happening on the matter; the world is waiting on the shelving of it or making it soft so the arms rise can continue between the between the forces.

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This is happening while the reports yesterday prove that the neighbours help President Salva Kiir Mayardit with guns:

The reported said South Sudan embassy deputy attaché in Ethiopia Lt. Col. Solomon Tor Kang has sent a quotation of 55,000 US dollars to South Sudan army chief Gen. Paul Malong Awan in the light of dispatching the military packages. Ethiopia’s Defence Ministry supplied South Sudan embassy in Ethiopia with fifty five thousand US dollars quotation as charges for transport fees from Dukem/Daluta to Debrezeit Air Force Base, the amount is inclusive of air base handling, loading and offloading fees, says the document” (…) “This military hardware awaiting passage to Juba include 20,000 pieces of Rocket 107 MM, 7,964 quantities of 60 MM Mortar, 20,000 pieces of RGD-5 Hand Grenade and among other classifications of different kinds of military hardware” (Ethsat, 01.12.2016).

So the arms continues from the good friends to delivered, as the government and rebels are having harder and harder time to deliver aid and needed supplies to the civilians. We can wonder why the International Community isn’t answering with stronger mandate and acts on the rebellion that started yet again in July 2016.

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So the continues infighting in different areas together with the international support of the PoC sites and get the needed supplies. Together with the reports of drought and lacking systems of food security in many areas, that might even get hit worse in early 2017. This is happening while the reports of violence, possible genocide and epidemic of rapes. These reports are brutal and this could be our sisters and brothers that are living in crisis, forgotten and not seen as important by their own republic. A republic that does what they can to keep power for the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU) who uses all sorts of army force and decrees to silence their own.

We cannot imagine the horrors and violence that the civilians endure, as they are going to unsecure situations and waiting in foreign nations like DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. As the neighbours is even selling weapons to the Juba Administration that will keep up the violence towards their own civilians, Peace!

South Sudan: Dr. Riek Machar Appoints Cde. Henry L. Odwar and Cde. Peter Regibigo Tingo into Central Leadership roles in SPLM/A-IO (01.12.2016)

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Police Impunity: Dr. Besigye from Prayers for Kasese at Najjakumbi to be towed by Police home to Kasangati!

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Earlier in the day the Forum for Democratic Change had prayers at their headquarters of Najjankumbi in Kampala. Where the Party we’re holding a prayer meeting for the Kasese Clashes.

As that happen this was reported happening at the HQ:

“The Leader of Opposition in Parliament Winnie Kizza has said that Museneni himself and his son Muhoozi gave orders to massacre people in kasese. Muhoozi camped and stationed the command post at Margaretta hotel in Kasese. Kizza made this revelation while addressing a congregation at the prayers for the people of Kssese who lost their lives in the recent clash. The prayers have been organised at FDC head office Najjanankumbi today Thursday” (Francis Bahene Tumwekwasize, 01.12.2016).

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With this in mind he travelled from Najjankumbi to a meeting. This was not verified by the Police Force under orders from Regional Police Commander Geoffrey Kahebwa where FDC leaders had a meeting at Katonga Road. They suddenly came around and started to tow the car, which they did from the Katonga Road until Kasangati and the compound of Dr. Kizza Besigye. The other FDC Leadership tried to explain the RDC about the meeting, but they didn’t care, as they continue do what they do.

Updated: Dr Kizza Besigye comments – “The recovery truck that towed me from town got stuck at home!! Now, a Mamba APC has come to tow it away- God’s case?? Prayers work!!” 

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We can see what they do! How they operate and what they do with their own. This is a continued humiliation from the NRM regime towards Besigye and his FDC, because they cannot accept his popularity and his will of defying them. They cannot control him and own him like they own the ones they pocket.

FDC’s Dr. Kizza Besigye is not a free man or having rights or justice, only when the Police Officers looking a blind eye, but if he tries to do too much, as going to the bank or going to meetings with fellow supporters in Central Uganda he could be detained and arrested at any moment. Peace.

Opinion: The Police talks of not politicizing the #KaseseClashes, but it’s we’re so from the first bullet!

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The ironies of the world shouldn’t befoul the town of Kasese and Rwenzori region. But when the Uganda Police Force that had a joint operation with the Uganda People’s Defence Force and besieged the Buhikira Royal Palace in Kasese this weekend.  Where they terminated so many of the Royal Guards as possible with tehir heavy machine guns and they nearly had none. This while they nearly had guns them, the servants we’re mocked and undressed. They are after the clashes used as spin-control by the authorities.

Kasese RDC: “The royal guards have been changing their names. At some point they called themselves ‘Omusinga Youth Group’”.

Earlier in the year, the Kasese had the “Kirumiramutima”, the strong-hearted, the strange things is that the 136 we’re arrested as well this time around, as the skirmishes earlier in the year shot Royal Guards in the villages and area around. Now the RDC of Kasese is claiming another unit of militia. That just springs out of nowhere, like a magic trick out of thin air.

The latest violence and killings has been done by the army and the police officers as the post-election violence we’re rapid and made by the Police Force.

That Hon. Gen. Jeje Odongo said: “We condemn in the strongest terms possible all those who promote the ideology of extremism and violence. The UPDF and the Uganda police have a constitutional mandate to protect all Ugandans, their life and property. Anybody who takes armed action to destabilize the security of Uganda will be dealt with in accordance with the law of the land”.

They got dealt with all right, they got taken out without court orders or even charges to foil the men who lost their lives, therefore the terrorist claims comes after. Just like the March and July clashes was sanctioned by the same government, and it was the interference of an Electoral Commission that made the villages burn in Bundibugyo. Something that cannot be forgotten, this is a ploy for the government to clear their name of the violence and killings made in their name and under their leadership. The innocent becomes the culprits and the killers become saviours. The justice doesn’t prevail, the impunity does live on.

“UPDF massacred unarmed Guards” said MP Atkins Katusabe. MP who was at the palace during Sunday’s offensive. Says 130 were killed(the Observer, 30.11.2016).

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So that the Police Force are now asking for it to not be politicked about after the clashes and let the Security Operatives continue like nothing. Because they doesn’t want to be questioned or asked why they all of a sudden had a Joint-Operation which burned a Palace, made a King a terrorist and where total during the weekend over 120 killed. If so, they we’re made to put to account the initial stories would differ from the ones spin-controlled from the Security Operations.

The dead wouldn’t speak and the detained would fear to speak for the lives of their loved ones. The Police Force might see some command post relieve themselves out of fear, but I am sure the community at large is at fear, because their society and town we’re sealed off and the evacuated as the Military Operation we’re on-going.

The Police is well-known for interfering in politics and wouldn’t be news as they usually turn public meetings into displays of how much tear-gas they can spread public in shortest amount of time.

Now it was shooting as much bullets as possible at unarmed Royal Guards and nobody knows how the Police Officers died or if that was accidents made by fellow soldiers inside the sieged Palace. Because none has delivered a clear story or any report suggesting why the need for excessive force, other than false claims that cannot be verified, sort of like Donald Trumps tweets. A bunch of worthless spin-control, which what the authorities leaves the families of the dead and the one still breathing trying to find the ones missing and the ones who disappeared in the fire of the Palace.

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This will be political, because there we’re political motives from above high, if it was a sorry excuse, proof of power or to silence a kingdom. Who knows, but the President who fled when he could to peaceful pastures of South Africa. What we can ask is why? And why does the Police lie and makes up fiction?

The truth hasn’t been delivered if so, there would be more to it and it would be more transparent, but it isn’t because the Authorities kept the bodies of the Royal Guards until they stink at the Morgue of the Hospital in Kasese; so the families had to wait to bury their loved ones who suddenly vanished. The truth isn’t there, just like it wasn’t earlier in the year. We can just wonder what triggered the tyrant and his regime to overthrow and recapture Kasese in this fashion. Peace.

South Sudan: CTSAMM Team Sucessfully reaches Yei Town (30.11.2016)

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South Sudan: Humanitarian Coordinator deeply concerned by bureaucratic impediments and access constraints (30.11.2016)

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Some 91 humanitarian access incidents were recorded from 1 to 28 November.

NEW YORK, United States of America, November 30, 2016 – The Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan is deeply concerned by a recent series of bureaucratic impediments and access constraints that have negatively impacted humanitarian organizations’ ability to assist people in need.

“Humanitarian organizations in South Sudan are striving every day to save lives and alleviate suffering across this country,” said Mr. Eugene Owusu, Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan. “Yet, they continue to face obstacles and challenges which hamper their efforts. This must stop.”

Some 91 humanitarian access incidents were recorded from 1 to 28 November. Of these, 70 per cent (64) involved violence against humanitarian personnel/assets, while 20 per cent (18) involved interference in humanitarian action, including interference in administrative matters (4), illegal or arbitrary taxation (4) and expulsion of staff (2). Also in November, aid workers were denied access to areas outside of Yei town in Central Equatoria and Wau town in Western Bahr El Ghazal, where tens of thousands of people are in need of assistance and protection.

“I am appreciative of the steps taken by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to tackle the impediments we face on a daily basis, including through His Excellency the President’s establishment of the Humanitarian High-Level Oversight Committee,” said Mr. Owusu. “However, these recent events are a major concern and it is vital that we see the commitments made in high-level fora fully translate into real, tangible and immediate improvements in the operating environment for aid workers on the frontlines of humanitarian action.”

Humanitarian needs in South Sudan continue to rise as a result of conflict and economic decline. Nearly three million people have now been displaced since fighting first broke out in December 2013, including 1.9 million who are internally displaced and more than 1.1 million who have fled to neighbouring countries as refugees. To date in 2016, humanitarian organizations in South Sudan have reached more than 4.1 million people with assistance and protection across the country, including in some of the most remote areas.

“I am tremendously proud of the aid workers across this country who are working tirelessly day-in and day-out to help people in need,” said Mr. Owusu. “I call on all parties to allow free, safe and unhindered humanitarian access so that our colleagues can reach and assist people whose lives have been torn apart by this crisis. Regardless of where they are in the country, civilians in need have a right to receive help.”

Charge Sheet A59-2016 for Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu Charles Wesley Mumbere (28.11.2016)

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Obusinga Mumbere charged with ‘Treason’; as President Museveni is more and more similar to the ones he overthrew!

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After 48 hours inside the dungeon of Nalufenya Prison, the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu Charles Wesley Mumbere was appearing infront to Jinja Magistrate Court. Where the presiding judge on orders from above, had decided to put “treason” Charge on the man, who has lost his Royal Guards and his Palace in the matter of the recent weekend. With a bloodshed unleashed by the Special Force Command and Uganda People’s Defence Force.

The Rwenzori Kingdom in Kasese has gotten massive losses; the town of Kasese has seen a siege operation where the Army and Police had all intent of blazing the gates and storm the Palace without any consideration of life or mercy. The ones taken in as humiliated and with force. The king himself will be in costudy and in bracelets until 13th December as the case, which as procedure will be prolonged indefinitely and evidence will come forward in the working case of the Court. It have not produced anything yet other than the culprit, the others is at the Central Police Station of Kasese, the 140 guards who we are lucky not to be killed by the vicious army of the bloodthirsty soldiers.

We can all wonder what kind of message it sends, when eyewitnesses say that the weapons found in the palace are forged and the evidence placed there by the army who stormed the Palace after a brutal battle in Kabarole the day before. We can all question when the AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi saying that the king and his powers had built up and militia. While the first proof was an AK-47 and Pistol. That is less than President Museveni has besides his pillows at one of the Presidential locations across the Republic.

So I don’t trust the army or the Police that works in political and reality for the President, not for the security of the people, they will manufacture stories and make belief of any kind of reasoning and doubt beyond any mere fact to fix the outcome and tarnish the king. They got no other way to clear the air and clean their blood from their hands. Their already disregard for dialogue or touch with reality is what transpired into the bloodbath at the Palace in Kasese.

The one who happens to be in bracelets, Mumbere is the one needing safety by the state; he is the one that is sitting in the cell. The king with no Palace, no servants and no one to address his concern as the state can make anyone a terrorist and anyone can lose their freedom if it benefits the tyrant.

President Museveni has forgotten his people, his constitution and the reasons for his rebellion; if the rebellion was not anything else than an excuse all along for him to overthrow and gain all power. Something it seems by every day counting.

We can just wonder if the souls of Idi Amin and Milton Obote still roams the land and see their successor acts as vicious as they see, the liberator turned tyrant with swift force and with smiles and grins of allies in Libya and America. Now, the Libyan interference is gone, but the exported weaponry and battle training from the U.S. is still happening. These techniques are now used to get-rid of kingdom and their loyal subjects. With a force and authorities we did not think the masters of our day would ever be able to do, and that to their own. The own people, the own subjects and the citizens of its own country with no mercy and justification, therefore a manufactured court to save face for the killings just mere hours ago. Peace.

Uncovered: Not lacking leadership, but other reasons for the axing of Lt. Gen. Ondieki from UNMISS

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“All the peacekeeping missions which have been established after 1992 are complex, multidimensional operations involving military, civilian police and civilian components. Their mandates are also very broad, covering a broad range of issues from traditional peacekeeping, to civilian protection to post-agreement peacebuilding” (International Policy Group, P: 14, 2016).

We have read, seen pictures and footage of the atrocities that happen in July 2016 in Juba as the SPLM/A and SPLM/A-IO went from each other in the stirring conflict in South Sudan, where the two leaders President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar has gone back to battlefield instead of dialogue. This happen as the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU) we’re about to be set-up and the peace-agreement we’re to be honoured by both parties.

Than the skirmishes and battles in the capital started, some of the action happens near the UN House of Juba and the Camp-site of Internally Displaced People together with the looting of the UN World Food Programme there as well. This was all evidence of the lacking management of the Kenyan Military Officer, but now there a report countering that argument for the sacking. It is worth dropping the knowledge to see if the Kenyan Government had it right to feel unjustifiable sacked from his position.  The man that had to fall on his sword was Lt. Gen. Johnson Ondieki.

Ban Ki Moon decision:

“The decision by the Secretary General was argued to have been made based on an independent investigative report conducted by the Danish Major-General Patrick Cammaert on the violence that had occurred in Juba from July 8 to 25 2016. However, after a careful investigation of the situation that surrounded the conflict, the independent report and its recommendations, and the systematic problems in the UNMISS framework, it is evident that the firing of Lieut-Gen Ondieki was not only unorthodox and a blatant violation of UN procedures, powers and processes, but was also an expedient political decision by the Secretary-General to turn the Kenyan soldier into a sacrificial lamb in order to appease and ward off pressures from some Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council, mainly the United States of America and Britain” (International Policy Group, P: 12, 2016).

“Independent investigations into the Juba conflict have revealed a clear cover-up, with the USA mishandling the safety of its citizens and agents by not offering the proper protection when requested, leading to the violation in the Terrain compound. This investigative report on the circumstances leading to the removal and replacement of Lieut-Gen Ondieki as UNMSS force commander relied on a comprehensive review of official and non-official documents from the United Nations available on its website, UN documents on rules of engagement and procedures governing the code of conduct and dismissal procedures were consulted” (International Policy Group, P: 13, 2016).

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Key Strategic lacking will to act on Commands:

“A UN investigation on the attack showed that it took UN peacekeepers more than 12 hours to intervene, despite being next to the camp. Moreover, the investigation found that the Indian contingent refused to deploy troops or heavy armor to the area of fighting to defend civilians; the Ethiopians slept through the entire incident; while the Rwandan contingent insisted on written approval before acting. Finally, it is only the Rwandan contingent that responded to the violence and protected civilians. The investigation committee recommended several changes to the mission. Whether the UN or UNMISS implemented the recommendations is remains unclear: What is clear is that no action was taken against the Force Commander, the SRSG, or any other senior mission staff” (International Policy Group, P: 17 ,2016).

“Pressure from the UNP5, especially members from USA and UK, made the SG to make the decision without taking into consideration the investigations or recommendations made. The evidence, points to a clear gross violation and misconduct by the Secretary General’s decision, which was not only discriminatory against Lieut-Gen Ondieki, but was also an expedient political decision violating UN procedures and regulations” (International Policy Group, P: 21 ,2016).

“Lieut-Gen Ondieki had no direct control of deployment or response of the troops who were in the areas, according the UNMISS commanding framework. According to the rules of engagement, Lieut-Gen Ondieki could only send an order to the lead commanders who were in Juba, but they did not accept it. Therefore, Ban Ki-moon’s dismissal of Lieut- Gen Ondieki is not only an error in judgment, it is also unjust discrimination and a gross violation of his rights” (International Policy Group, P: 23 ,2016).

Recommendations:

UN Reformed to Ensure Effectiveness: UN Missions in Africa need to be reformed because without fundamental restructuring, particularly to counter UNMISS structural and systemic dysfunction, similar crises are very likely to recur. These reforms are therefore a critical consideration that must feature in future UN mandated missions in Africa.

AMISS – African Mission in Southern Sudan: An Africa Mission in Southern Sudan should be formed to replace UNMISS. A UN and AU-mandated Africa Mission in Southern Sudan (AMISS) may be the best mechanism for peace operations today. Such a mechanism will be more responsive and better anticipate emerging trends and solutions therein and in line with the African Union’s maxim of “African solutions to African Problems” (International Policy Group, P: 38, 2016)

It seems that Lt. Gen. Ondieki we’re picked out because of lose procedures between the different nations and their brigades in the UNMISS operation in the Republic of South Sudan. Is also questionable that the Danish leader Løj pulls itself out before the internal investigations before the Military Leadership are investigated; therefore the blame fall all on the Kenyan Lt.Gen. Ondieki get the blame, instead on the one that we’re on the top who was Løj at the time. Secondly that the leadership of the battalions we’re not reacting to the command and will of the general to get in line when the skirmishes between the South Sudanese forces happen in July.

We are allowed to question Ban Ki Moons reason for the sacking that he didn’t follow procedure and didn’t do a thorough decision when he made arrangement for termination of the contract of Lt. Gen. Ondieki, he we’re even offered a trip to New York for orientation, as he was new in his leadership role in the UMISS in June, so it wasn’t like he had a long time to settle before the battles started again between the South Sudanese forces.

The procedures should have been in place and it seems to be easy to put the blame on the Kenyan General instead of trying to swallow pride and says that the UNMISS needs amends that even been asked for since 2011. Peace.

Reference:

International Policy Group – ‘Children of a lesser God – Report of the investigation into the power politics behind the removal of the Kenyan Force Commander of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) – November 2016

KTN News Anchor Joy Doreen Biira released on Bond “Abeiting Terrorism” (28.11.2016)

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