South Sudan: Maj. Gen. Saki James Palaoko resignation from SPLM-IO to join National Salvation Front (NAS) – (12.07.2017)

The Political Opposition Forces – “All-inclusive negotiations toward a new agreement are essential to sustainable peace in South Sudan” (11.07.2017)

 

 

UNISFA condemns recent attacks in Abyei (12.07.2017)

To date, Abyei has no police service system in place and there is no functioning joint local administrative structure.

ABYEI, South Sudan, July 12, 2017 – The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) condemns all attacks perpetrated by unknown armed groups in Abyei Area which resulted in deaths and injuries of civilians.

UNISFA expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the victims and vows to investigate swiftly the attacks with the Joint Peace Committee, the traditional leaders, as well as Sudan and South Sudan governments, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

UNISFA emphasizes its commitment to implement its mandate to secure Abyei Area and to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence, without prejudice to the responsibilities of the relevant authorities.

To date, Abyei has no police service system in place and there is no functioning joint local administrative structure. The absence of these systems has resulted in the increase of criminal cases.

The current influx of population in Abyei has contributed towards increased economic and social activities in the area. The unemployment among the youth is a cause of concern which also leads to manifestation of crime in various forms.

In light of the recent incidents, UNISFA has stepped up its security measures particularly in and around Amiet common market which is a vital economic hub for different tribal groups including Ngok Dinka and Misseriya. Most of the criminal incidents in recent months have taken place in the vicinity of the common market.

The last two months have seen an upsurge in cases of cattle-rustling, carjacking attempts and robbery/shooting incidents. In May, a grenade exploded in Amiet market resulting in injuries to some civilians.

UNISFA reaffirms that criminality in all its forms is a serious threat to the security situation in Abyei Area.

UNISFA urges all communities and groups to support the Mission in its efforts to maintain the degree of peace and stability that Abyei has been experiencing over the last two years. The criminal activities should not deter the significant progress made towards improving relations between the Messiriya and the Ngok Dinka communities.

UNHCR welcomes the support of the European Union for South Sudanese new arrivals in Sudan (10.07.2017)

GENEVA, Switzerland, July 10, 2017 – UNHCR’s Representative in Sudan, Noriko Yoshida, welcomed the contribution of EUR 3.1 million in humanitarian funds from the European Union (EU) for South Sudanese new arrivals in Sudan.

“We are seeing a great increase in the number of refugees coming across the border into Sudan, indicating that things are not getting better in South Sudan despite all our hopes for peace and security there. Support from the EU and others is heartily welcomed”, Yoshida said.

Nearly 160,000 South Sudanese refugees have newly arrived in Sudan in the first half of 2017. Yoshida expressed her gratitude to Sudan for its continued generosity hosting over 400,000 South Sudanese refugees since December 2013, and an estimated 350,000 South Sudanese remaining in Sudan following South Sudan’s secession.

Impressed by the generosity of ordinary Sudanese people who share very limited resources with South Sudanese refugees in dire need, Yoshida said UNHCR and its partners are seeking to scale up their assistance to host communities receiving refugees.

“More funding is needed so that we can meet the existing and growing needs of refugees and host communities. Support from EU and other donors will ensure we have the resources to meet immediate needs and put in place adequate services to improve the quality of the current response”.

EU humanitarian funding covers three states (White Nile, East and South Darfur states) out of five states which have been considerably affected by the influx of South Sudanese refugees. The funding is earmarked to registration activities, reception support and shelter and provision of basic household items.

EU humanitarian aid has previously supported UNHCR in the response and provided EUR 4.4 million in 2016 towards UNHCR’s efforts to respond to critical life-saving needs.

UNHCR and its partners have appealed through a Refugee Response Plan for USD 221 million in 2017 to assist refugees and host communities in Sudan. As of June 2017 less than 20% of the funds have been received.

South Sudan: National Salvation Front – “Independence Day Message” (09.07.2017)

SPLM-IO – “Subject: Statement on the Commemoration and Celebration of July 8, and 9” (07.07.2017)

SPLM – Eastern Lakes State, Yirol: “the Appointment of the SPLM Youth League Interim State Executive committees and Advisors” (06.07.2017)

South Sudan: Letter from Bor Community to UNOCHA – “Re: Clarification on Bor community Youth Association Bor Letter dated 28th June 2017 about Evacuation of all Equatorian working in Bor” (04.07.2017)

SPLM-IO: Press Release on the Communique of the 57th Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers on South Sudan (04.07.2017)

FVP Deng Gai garnering support in the Diaspora for Political Millage to legitimize the National Dialogue !

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – In Opposition (SPLM-IO) under the leadership of First Vice-President General Taban Deng Gai are trying to gain support and political millage in the South Sudanese diaspora, as chapters of SPLM-IO part of the SPLM-IG or the SPLM/A, which is lead by President Salve Kiir Mayardiit. This here proves clearly, that the SPLM-IO under Gen. Taban Deng Gai are clearly trying to find ways to find support by the refugees in both Australia, Canada and United States of America.

This is a proof that the civil-war in South Sudan are now being played out across the borders, not only in Uganda, where there are reports of Youth and others capable being recruited to either sides of war. The rebels of SPLM-IO, SPLA or any other new rebel outfit. There are so many new militias either created out of the SPLM-IO under Dr. Riek Machar Teny or from the SPLM/A under the President. Clearly, this is not making the situation better.

The Youth and the Diaspora should know their value and not trade themselves and commit themselves into any fraction at this point, unless they are really sure they investment will bear positive fruits. Since the SPLM-IO/Machar or SPLM-IO(Deng Gai) are of two different sides. Both of them are using guns, using violence and creating both famine and scores of refugees that leaves the Republic. The building of parties and gaining strength in the midst of this. Is clearly just a ploy to gain strength and show numbers compared to the other.

As the SPLM-IO(Machar) has already chapter here and there, in Egypt and other nations where they are following his protocol. The same will be done by ones following SPLM-IO(Deng Gai). So, the initial partaking of these efforts are either supporting a militant government or rebellion against the government. With this in mind, there aren’t much greatness or helpfulness to join either at this moment.

Especially as the core-essential the National Dialogue is flawed with wrong mediation and also not trying to get all the parties into the fold. When not all are talking, the other will still believe in bullets, more than believing in negotiations. That the SPLM/A-IG initiated talks has grand flaws, as the IGAD, AU, UNMISS and JMEC cannot find the grounds to build a sustainable talks between all the fighting parties. There are more troubling talks and within this bounds, the SPLM-IO(Deng Gai) are trying to get political millage by getting more members in the diaspora to become even more relevant and have a bigger organization.

This can easily be seen as getting loyalty abroad and getting support group for the constant in-fighting and in-security produced by all fighting parties, but the SPLM-IO(Deng Gai) should rather as it is direct government with SPLM/A-IG get them to start again to have conservation with the other SPLM-IO, also with all other rebel group and newly created political parties. As the level of people defying and rebelling against the SPLM/A-IG are getting bigger and more troubling. Peace.