South Sudan: Communique of the 60th Extra-Ordinary Session of IGAD Council of Ministers on the Situation in South Sudan (27.01.2018)

The IGAD Council of Ministers held its 60TH Extra-Ordinary Session on January 27, 2018 in Addis Ababa under the chairmanship of H.E. Workneh Gebeyehu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers. The session was attended by H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti; H.E. Amina Mohamed Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic Kenya; H.E Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia; H.E Dr. Matin Elia Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the Republic of South Sudan; H.E. Professor Ibrahim Ghandour, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan;H.E. Sam Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda; and; H.E Hirut Zemene, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

H.E. Festus Mogae, Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC); H.E. Mahboub Maalim, IGAD Executive Secretary and H.E. Ismail Wais,IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan were also in attendance.

The Special Envoys of the AU, UN, EU and Troika (Norway, UK, US) as well as representatives of China, Co-Chairperson of the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF) were also present at the meeting and made statements at the opening session.

After listening to the Progress Report of the IGAD Special Envoy on the steps taken to date on the Implementation of the outcomes of the first phase of the High Level revitalization Forum (HLRF)of the ARCSS, preparations to convene the second phase of the High-Level Revitalization Forum of the ARCSS and following exchange of views on the matter;

The Council;

Takes note with appreciation the reports by the Chairperson of JMEC, H.E Festus Mogae and the report of the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan and endorses the recommendations therein.

Welcomes the progress made so far in the implementation of the High Level Revitalization of the ARCSS and in particular the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement on December 21, 2017.

Notes the achievements gained so far and the preparations put in place to convene the second phase of the High-Level Revitalization Forum and commends the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan and his task force for a job well done and while affirming the Council’s full support and commitment, encourages the Special Envoy to continue with his efforts, in collaboration with the partners until the process of the revitalization is completed in the shortest time possible.

Expresses its profound appreciation for the solidarity and firm commitment manifested by the AU, UN, Troika (Norway, UK, US) IPF, EU, and China to the process initiated by the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government in June 2017 to Revitalize the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS), and calls upon the partners to continue and enhance their political support, financialand otherassistance to the IGAD initiative.

Express its full support for the commendable task that CTSAMM has embarked upon based on its renewed mandate under the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and fully endorses the reports of violation incidents that CTSAMM has submitted to the IGAD Council of Ministers.

Condemns in the strongest terms the violators of the Agreement on the CoH of December last year and similar prior agreements, and holds them accountable for the loss of lives and human rights violations that they continue to cause in many parts of South Sudan and calls upon CTSAMM to proceed with urgency and carryout further investigations, identify individual violators and parties of the CoH Agreement based on which Council will take all necessary measure including targeted sanctions against individual violators and spoilerssuch as travel ban, asset freeze and recommend to the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to carry out further targeted sanctions and other punitive measureson parties and individuals as appropriate.

Expresses its concern at the pronouncements made by high level government officials of the Transitional Government of the National UnitySouth Sudan and SPLM-IO (RM) against the letter and spirit of the CoH agreement and issued unwarranted attacks againstCTSAMM only because it issued reports on violations as per its mandate. Further reminded that CTSAMM was created by IGADto assist the implementation of the ARCSS. Council expresses its resolve that such acts shall not continue with impunity and individuals and groups shall bear consequences for their action of violation of the CoH Agreement Encourages the parties to cooperate with CTSAMM.

Notes with deep regret that in spite of the continuing efforts by IGAD, AU, and UN as well as the international partners, the people of South Sudan continue to suffer mainly because of the on-going violence and insecurity that has causedlarge scale famine and displacement of millions of the South Sudanese. In this connection Council welcomes the decision reached at the trilateral consultation convened the same day between the Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the Chairperson of the AUC, and the Secretary General of the UN that has affirmed the determination of the three organizations to work closely together to inter-alia support punitive measures against any South Sudanese party that fails to perform its obligation and violates the political settlement that emerges from the HLRF.

Approves that the second phase of the HLRF convenes on February 5 to 16, 2018 in Addis Ababa between the parties to the ARCSS, delegates representing the government, political parties and oppositions including estranged groups and Civil Society organizations to engage in good faith in the spirit of compromise, putting the interest of their people and the nation first, discuss concrete measures to restore permanent ceasefire; full and inclusive implementation of the ARCSS; and develop a revised and realistic timeline and implementation schedule towards a democratic election at the end of the transition period.

Affirms its resolve to speak with one voice and render all necessary support

to the people of South Sudan in their effort to restore peace in South Sudan through full and timely implementation of a revitalized ARCSS and in this connection underlines its conviction that the ARCSS remains the only viable option to attain peace in South Sudan.

Decides to remain fully seized of the situation in South Sudan and will redouble its effort towards the success of the High-Level Revitalization Forum.

Done in Addis Ababa, on January 27, 2018

AU, IGAD and UN Consultative meeting on the Republic of South Sudan – Joint Statement (27.01.2018)

An anecdote on how Uganda isn’t a Democracy: An answer to the Liberation Day Speech of President Museveni!

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”Nelson Mandela

Today is the 32nd Liberation Day or National Resistance Army/Movement Day, the day that ended the Bush-War of the 1980s in Uganda. Where President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni made his career from being a Minister and a Rebel to become the President. A position and an executive, head of state who has shown no signs of stepping down. He was supposed to be the next generation of leadership. He was the positive force in 1990s and was golden-kid for Bill Clinton on the Continent. While that has disappeared and with time his legacy has withered. Museveni has closely become all the things he fought against, he still tries to use the language and the charisma that he had in his younger days. But its all facade, it isn’t the real deal. That I why I don’t care to drastically demolish the whole speech.

I will just take one principal and one point of it. Because it waste of time to do more at this point of time!

The fourth principle of the NRM is the democracy. Democracy is clear enough. Ugandan’s democracy, the democracy pushed by the NRM, is much richer than anything, anybody, has attempted to do in the world, other than the ancient Greeks who produced direct democracy, in the City States. We have empowered women, the youth, the workers, the disabled, the soldiers, etc. The NRM democracy must be kukyenuura-based through production of wealth and jobs creation. Kukyenuura means to solve a solvable need” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 26.01.2018).

Well, I don’t know how to start. Let’s talk the steady usage of arbitrary arrests of activists, opposition party members, civilians and direct arrest of opposition leadership. Most of the opposition MPs and leaders has at some point been detained, in court and had cases going against them. The biggest opposition leaders has been charged with treason. Some has been house-arrested without warrants or court-orders for months upon end. So just by looking how the Police and Politics is intervening, you know that the democratic values of the NRM is not going skin-deep. It is more, just to have it, but not making it real.

Another point on Democratic values is to let opposition parties hold consultation meetings, even rallies during election periods and meetings in general to gain interest for their causes and pledges. Clearly, that should be natural, but the most violent and where the most police brutality appear is every time an opposition party leader has a campaign rally. There will be tear-gas, live-bullets and even civilians killed, people patching their hurt in hospitals. All this for showing up to rallies. There been brutal beatings of civilians walking around the area of an opposition rally, they could get hurt or arrested. Even if they even wasn’t involved. This is just the gist of the madness of the Police Enforcement, not even putting in the measures of interrogations, confiscating of party materials, suspensions of campaigns, court orders and even closing of Party Headquarters. All of this is done, to prove that the NRM can do what they want and opposition has to fall in line. This would never happen to the NRM or his party.

Now I just pointed out the arbitrary arrests and crashing of rallies. Haven’t even started on actually balloting and such. I could have continued on the assaults on Democracy with just quotes from the President in 2015 or 2016, even in 2017. He has enough and promised enough venom on the opposition to fill whole books of vomit for our ears and our minds. So, I don’t care for repeating that. I don’t deserve that and neither do you.

Because, the flaws of the Democracy in the Republic is to gigantic in a simple post. Museveni has made sure of that, so that he owns the Members of Parliament, he orders everything as he wants from the State House and secured Life Presidency through yet another change of the 1995 Constitution in December 2017.

So that President Museveni speaks of Democracy and having the best. He better get his mind corrected, get his vision checked and his initial understanding of democracy put under a stethoscope. Museveni has left nothing behind, but cronyism and corruption. Where he is the sole-benefactor and his family. The rest has to beg from him and they are just useful tools for his agenda.

He is the Sole-Candidate, the Sole Party and the Commander-In-Chief, he is the General and the President who doesn’t let anyone succeed him. He didn’t accept losing a rigged election 1980 to Dr. Milton Obote, he has since then fought himself into power in 1986. Since then rigged himself and used all means to stay in power. Therefore, he is not the fella to educate people in Democracy or Democratic values. He should be the last person. Peace.

South Sudan: Easter Front Army letter to IGAD – “REF: EFAM position doc. on high level revitialization on ARCSS” (26.01.2018)

Burundi: All Civil Servants will involuntarily pay a tax for the “Election 2020”!

Today from Bujumbura, the CNDD-FDD (The National Council for the Defense of Democracy–Forces for the Defense of Democracy), the ruling regime of Pierre Nkurunziza who is preparing for his fourth term. His ministers has since the New Year, the government have worked to gain funds for the “Election 2020”, even if that meaning volunteer funds from Civil Servants and Public Officers. The first was the order of the Felix Mpozeriniga, the Minister for Public Service, Labour and Employment, who ordered the volunteer funds on the 18th January 2018.

Today, the are further works by two more cabinet ministers. This being Finance Minster Dr. Domitien Ndihokubwayo and Minister of Interior Pascal Barandagiye, who both have ordered that the contribution to “Elections 2020” will be natural “Wage Scale” on all civil servants pay from now on. That meaning it is added tax or taken off. So what is left after the contribution will be net salaries. This will be done with changes of law. Following Decrees made in 2015 and in 2016. Today this was done as a joint decree between both ministers, so that the salaries will be cut to facilitate the scheme itself.

So within a very short time, the CNDD-FDD has gone from “volunteering” funds to the elections, to be taxing the salaries of their employees by a decree made by Ndihokubwayo and Barandagiye. They are clearly loyal to the President. Since, they are following guidelines and protocol to make money needed for the President. Their loyalty is their patriotism. So, they have no trouble making sure the citizens who are working for the state will get less pay, because they are all contributing to “Election 2020”.

So from now on, that the legal remedy for the added tax and initially the cut off their salaries. It cannot be seen as volunteering. When its put into a WAGE SCALE or a “barème des salaires”. That is impressive by two ministers to say so, while pushing for changes of article 4 of Joint Decree from 11.12.2017, which the Ministers wants to change in that regard. This meaning that it will be wages will be cut, because three ministers has ordered it differently. The citizens and the employees of the state will involuntarily pay a new tax.

It is just that the state want to mask it differently, but everyone should know this is a taxation. This is adding a new fee on their salaries for a new purpose. These Ministers have made the orders to fulfill the needs of the President. That he needs additional funds and the best way to so, is to add a special tax. Peace.

South Sudan: Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Deng Alor Kuor to Amb. Telar Ring Deng – “Subject: Urgent Recall to the Headquarters for Consultations” (25.01.2018)

South Sudan: Ambassodor to the Russian Federation Hon. Telar Ring Deng resignation letter (25.01.2018)

IGAD Council of Ministers (CoM) statement on the reports of violations of Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in the Republic of South Sudan (25.01.2018)

The Council of Ministers of IGAD (Council of Ministers) have received reports from Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) that there have been violations of the 21 December 2017 Agreement on Cessation and Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (ACOH) since its entry into force on 24 December 2017. CTSAMM has also submitted two very disturbing reports about the issues of Sexual and Gender Base Violence (SGBV) and Child Soldiers, which were the result of long-term investigations.

It is deplorable that the conduct of the Parties amounts to not only a failure to comply with the Articles of the ACOH, but also serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws. These violations have been perpetrated by the SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO (RM) and SPLA-IO (TD) against their own people, and include the killings of civilians, inflicting serious mental and physical injuries on people, rape, sexual violence and looting.

A CTSAMM report indicates that between February and December, 2017 a large number of Sexual and Gender Based Violations were committed by uniformed members of Government security forces in the Juba area including gang rape. These cases are verified, and represent only a proportion of the crimes committed, as many incidents go unreported due to fear of reprisals and shame.  It is deplorable that military personnel can carry out such acts, and the Council of Ministers calls on the Government of South Sudan to take immediate action to bring the perpetrators to justice, and report on their progress in this respect within one month of the publication of this statement.

The continued employment of Child Soldiers by the Parties is of great concern to the Council of Ministers. CTSAMM has verified the existence of Child Soldiers in the Republic of South Sudan.  The Council of Ministers calls on CTSAMM to continue to monitor this.  The Council of Ministers understands from CTSAMM that recent reports from the field indicate the use of Child Soldiers by both the SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO (RM) in the Yei area, and by the SPLA-IO (TD) in several other areas of the country.  The Council of Ministers urges these Parties to take immediate action to demobilize all Child Soldiers and return them to their homes. The Council of Ministers calls upon CTSAMM to investigate and report on these cases as a matter of urgency.

The Council of Ministers was deeply distressed by the attack on Koch by SPLA-IO (RM) forces on 24 December 2017 – the day the ACOH was to enter into force.  It is a tragedy that 15 civilians (including 3 children) lost their lives in this senseless action which is a clear violation of the ACOH and International Law.  The Council of Ministers condemns this attack, and urges the SPLA-IO (RM) to cooperate with CTSAMM to further investigate the incident in order that those responsible can be held accountable.  The Council of Ministers urges the SPLA-IO (RM) to provide this information of the responsible individual(s)/group(s) to CTSAMM within one month from the publication of this statement.

The reports provided by CTSAMM indicate a high level of tension in areas of Central Equatoria.  The Council of Ministers calls on the SPLA-IG and the SPLA-IO (RM) to reduce the tension by complying with all provisions of the ACOH in these areas.

In Western Equatoria CTSAMM found that SPLA-IG forces had carried out unauthorized movement in the area south of Mundri, stealing properties from civilians in the Bangolo area.  Reports indicate that this movement led to a clash with SPLA-IO (RM) forces which has yet to be verified, but the very fact of the movement goes against the ACOH and these parties shall freeze all troops in place.  Unauthorized movement and patrolling are prohibited acts. The Council of Ministers calls on the SPLA-IG to ensure that all its forces fully comply with the ACOH.

CTSAMM reports on alleged violations in the Leer and Rubkuay areas of Unity State indicate a high level of tension that could very easily break out into yet more violence.  SPLA-IG has threatened to re-take Rubkuay unless it is vacated by the SPLA-IO (RM) and this is in itself a clear violation of the ACOH Article 3 sub article 2(i). The Council urges the SPLA-IG to keep their troops frozen in place and not to carry out any offensive military operations.

CTSAMM also reports that there is limited free movement in the area due to road blocks and checkpoints.  This is a violation of Article 10(f) of the ACOH. The Council urges the SPLM-IO (RM) and SPLA-IG to allow free movement of civilians and unhindered humanitarian access.  The two Parties must ease tension in the area and immediately disengage their troops in close contact as they are obliged to do under the ACOH.  The Council of Ministers directs CTSAMM to monitor the situation and report back.

The IGAD Council of Ministers has noted that the SPLA-IG and SPLM- IO Parties have violated articles 2(1, 2, 4 and 5), article 3(1, 2(f and g)), article 3 (2 ( f, g and i), 4 and 5)), article 3(3, 4 and 5), article 5(1, 2 (a and b), article 6(a, b,c, e, and i), article 10 (a) and Article 13 of the ACOH.  These continued violations by the Parties undermine the intent and purpose of the ACOH which is to bring peace and stability to South Sudan. The IGAD Council of Ministers is dismayed to learn that some Parties to the ACOH who seem to ignore not only the letter but also the spirit of the ACOH.  The people of South Sudan have suffered enough and need peace and stability.

The IGAD Council of Ministers expresses its sincere condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and suffered the worst types of abuse as a result of the senseless conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. The Council of Ministers commends those Parties and individuals who have shouldered their responsibilities under the ACOH and are working hard to see it implemented.

The IGAD Council of Ministers urges all parties in South Sudan to immediately and fully comply with the ACOH and fully observe their obligations. The Parties are called on  to acknowledge the occurrence of violations, including but not limited to resumption of hostilities in various forms, killings, sexual violence, recruitment and deployment of child soldiers, and looting. The Parties are urged to provide full and unhindered access to the areas they control for CTSAMM and fully cooperate in the investigation process. The Parties must understand the CTSAMM reports highlight important issues that require them to take action in order to stop violations taking place, and to ensure that they do not reoccur.

The Council calls on CTSAMM to continue with its mandate to monitor and investigate the situation in the Republic of South Sudan. The Council of Ministers calls the International Community to support the efforts of CTSAMM in a manner that helps alleviate financial and other impediments in full-filing its mandate.

Finally, the IGAD Council of Ministers emphasizes that the reports submitted by CTSAMM since the signing of the ACOH do not indicate that the ACOH has not been violated elsewhere. In fact CTSAMM is currently following up reports and undertaking investigations in Upper Nile, Jonglei, Unity State, Greater Bahr el Ghazal and Greater Equatoria to verify and determine if ACOH is not complied with.

The Council of Ministers also reaffirms its full commitment to take appropriate action against those violating the ACOH.   The Council of Ministers demands all Parties who have reportedly violated the ACOH to undertake their own investigation and submit to CTSAMM a full report including the names of those officers responsible.  The Council of Ministers expects these reports to be submitted within one month from the publication of this statement, and makes it known to all that it will take any appropriate action in the case of non-compliance.

Done on the 25th day of the month of January 2018.

Urgent livestock vaccination campaign in South Sudan in jeopardy without more support (24.01.2018)

Keeping animals alive and healthy is vital to combat hunger – Donor appeal.

JUBA, South Sudan, January 24, 2018 – The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is seeking $7.5 million to roll out a critically needed emergency livestock vaccination campaign in South Sudan.

FAO aims to protect nearly 9 million animals (30 percent of the country’s livestock) – scaling up from 6 million in 2017 – to combat increasingly frequent outbreaks of animal diseases. To date, FAO has only a quarter of the funds it needs ($2.5 million out of $10 million).

Keeping animals alive and healthy is vital in a country where most of the population relies on livestock for their very survival, and half of the population is grappling with acute hunger.

“In most parts of the country, FAO and its partners are the main provider of vaccinations. We are trying to reach as many animals as possible now. If we wait for two more months, the rains will start taking over; half of the country will soon be completely cut off or extremely difficult to access, and a huge number of animals risk being trapped in an impossible situation,” said Serge Tissot, FAO Representative in South Sudan.

“We vaccinated 300,000 animals so far against prevalent diseases such as black quarter, haemorrhagic septicaemia and anthrax, in Aweil state, in the north-west of the country. Famers there told us that their cattle have been sick for months, and we reached them just in time to check the situation, provide necessary heath care and start vaccinations to protect their livestock against major diseases. Yet, unless more funds come in, we are unable to reach other farmers facing the same fears – losing their livelihoods,” added Tissot.

“When my animal got sick, I used some herbs from the bush because there are no drugs in this area. But this didn’t help. The animal lost weight and its coat doesn’t look ok. Now it has stopped eating. I’m afraid it will soon die,” said Kiir Mawein, a cattle keeper from Aweil.

People in rural areas are forced to feed herbs to their sick animals or to go into the nearest town – often a trip of several days on foot – only to find out that there are no veterinary drugs, or that they are too expensive.

The $7.5 million that FAO still requires would not only cover vaccination costs but would also build three new cold chain hubs in remote areas. This would help to address some major setbacks when it comes to delivering animal health care services and medicines in South Sudan: distance, hot climate (average temperature is 30°C, up to 45°C during the hottest months), lack of infrastructure and health services.

“For people in South Sudan, cattle means life. They “chase away hunger”, as farmers put it. They don’t only provide an important source of nutritious food, but also act as a safety net; when faced with an emergency, farmers can turn to selling one of their animals to cover other urgent needs,” added Tissot.

To build resilience and ensure a better delivery of animal health care services, FAO has set up a network of community-based animal health workers.

To date, 1,000 community-based animal health workers have been trained and are carrying-out routine check-ups and vaccinating livestock as part of FAO’s Emergency Livestock Response Programme.

Supporting a sustainable community-based animal health workers’ system has significantly contributed to delivering adequate animal health care as well as preventive and emergency vaccination campaigns.

In 2018, FAO aims to train an additional 1,000 community-based animal health workers to spread the reach of veterinary services. FAO also continues to work with women groups to reinforce small-scale businesses – supplying and selling animal products like milk and other milk products.

FAO’s work in South Sudan is possible thanks to support from: USA, European Union, Denmark, Canada, Japan, Norway, World Bank, UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, South Sudan Humanitarian Fund and Kuwait.

South Sudan: IGAD Partners Forum re-affirms continued support to the peace process in South Sudan (22.01.2018)

As part of the continuous engagement with stakeholders of the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) on South Sudan, State Minister Hirut Zemene and IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, Ambassador Ismail Wais briefed members of the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF) on Monday (January 22).

During the briefing session, Co-Chairs of the meeting State Minister Hirut and Ambassador Wais have given particular emphasis on two major issues. They have, primarily, pointed out that despite violations, the signing of Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians, and Humanitarian Access in Addis Ababa on December 21st was pivotal to ensure stability in the country. Co-Chairs noted violators would be singled out and be accountable.

The Co-Chairs have praised the AU Commission, the IGAD Special Envoy for the Republic of South Sudan, the IGAD Partners Forum, the High-Level Co-Facilitators of the HLRF, the AU High-Level ad-hoc Committee, JMEC, the UN, the Troika and the International Community, who have tirelessly worked to ensure the signing of the Agreement ahead of the expected time.

The second point the Co-Chairs raised was that those few violations will not undermine the next phase of the HLRF scheduled to be held on the 5th of February, 2018.

Praising the efforts being exerted by the IGAD towards ensuring a long-lasting peace in South Sudan, Members of the IPF have with one voice pledged their continued support to the Revitalization Process.