The South Sudan Civil Society Forum: Civil Society Calls for Renewed Commitment and Allocation of meaningful National Resources for Implementation of R-ARCSS (01.05.2019)

SPLM/A-IO: Statement on the Execution of Comrades Aggrey Ezboni Idri and Dong Samuel Thot by the Regime (30.04.2019)

A brief look into the United Nations Expert Report on South Sudan of April 2019

Another day, another revealing story from the Republic of South Sudan. I will bring especially some few extract from a report to shed a light on some misgivings in the Republic. This as the state is still preparing and building on the R-ARCSS agreement and cease-fire. Therefore, the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) under the leadership of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

What this report is doing is verifying existing news, also showing the systemic inefficiencies by the authorities itself. As they have not moved forward or not swiftly enough. However, there are several of revelations in the report, but I will just show three of them. First the way the NSS got rid of two government dissidents, as they kidnapped in Kenya and executed at the detention facilities in Luri. Also, showing how the UPDF is inside South Sudan and also the illegal gold export from the Republic. Finally dropping the conclusions of the experts, because that is important.

Execution of Idri and Luak in January 2018:

The Panel has received and reviewed a number of independent reports from multiple, highly credible and well-placed sources. These accounts corroborate each other across a number of key details, leading the Panel to conclude that it is highly probable that Aggrey Idri and Dong Samuel Luak were executed by Internal Security Bureau agents at the Luri facility on 30 January 2017, on orders from the commander of the National Security Service training and detention facilities in Luri, the Commander of the National Security Service Central Division and, ultimately, Lieutenant General Akol Koor Kuc. Their tragic deaths offer a sobering reflection of the challenges posed to the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement by the violent legacy of South Sudan’s conflicts, while highlighting the increasingly unchecked discretionary power of the National Security Service” (UNSC, P: 15, 2019).

UPDF inside South Sudan:

Also in its interim report, the Panel noted the presence of armed Uganda People’s Defence Forces in the Equatorias. Soldiers from these Forces continued to be present in Yei River State in subsequent months, including in Yei town and along its connecting roads between 18 and 21 January 2019. Reports suggest the presence of a significant number of troops (40-50) as well as around six military vehicles. The Panel is not aware of any exemption having been sought for this deployment, as required by paragraph 5 of resolution 2428 (2018). In a meeting with the Panel, representatives of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces confirmed the presence of these forces in Yei, noting that they were providing protection to Ugandan engineers who were surveying the road between Yei and Uganda. The Panel also discussed this deployment with the Minister of Defence of South Sudan, who reiterated that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces were there for the purpose of protecting engineers” (UNSC, P: 26, 2019).

Illegal Gold Trade:

The trade in gold in South Sudan is almost entirely unregulated and there is no effective legal framework to regulate the export of South Sudanese gold. Few export certificates have been issued and no gold exports are recorded. While also partly the consequence of limited state capacity, all of South Sudan’s gold exports are therefore, in principle, illegal” (…) “A significant number of these traders are foreign nationals, with the majority of gold “smuggled” across the border into Uganda where it is sold in border towns such as Arua and Koboko, but also in Entebbe and Kampala. Members of both SPLM/A-IO and NAS confirmed to the Panel that they had sold gold mined in South Sudan in Uganda. Some smaller volumes are also traded directly to Dubai via Juba International Airport. As is common in the region, most gold is hand-carried and transported by road or on civilian flights” (UNSC, P: 37, 2019).

Conclusions:

The revitalized peace agreement represents a significant milestone in efforts to bring an end to the conflict in South Sudan. The outcome of the agreement, however, remains uncertain, as challenges continue to face its implementation, particularly with regard to accountability, security provisions, financial transparency and the devolution of centralized power. Careful monitoring of the implementation process will therefore be essential to providing effective and meaningful support to the accord” (UNSC, P: 44, 2019).

This is a lot of information, also very striking. That is the sort of stories, that break a heart. This shows the acts of the government, the techniques and choices of oppression. The execution of these two gentlemen are really proof of how far the government goes to get rid of dissidents and activists.

Also, how it decides not to follow protocol to have a foreign force within its borders. Even for the most noble causes, the UPDF shouldn’t be there, unless the TGoNU had sought the exemption as it should. Therefore, the deployment is illegal.

Just like the gold-trade from South Sudan, which is hugely exported through Entebbe and Kampala. This meaning the Ugandan traders are earning fortunes on the illegal gold trade from South Sudan. That shows the reasons for the closeness between Juba and Kampala. As they are both earning on the misfortune there. It seems also intentionally from the state, as they have no legislation or certification of it. This is so, that its not traceable.

Surely, this report is damaging to the regime in Juba. This whole report is not a good look, but should be a reality check, if it want to be transparent and be just. The stories told in this report is really heartbreaking. All the various testimonies done to the UN Experts are really shattering.

Like this one: “When we arrived here we thought we were safe. Women go out to fetch water or fire wood they are raped. Recently, in late January, a 30-year-old and a 13-year-old left the POC and just outside they were both raped. You can talk to both survivors – they are in this camp. We are humiliated and we have scars and mine has not healed since that time, a reminder that we are hunted like animals to be humiliated.” (…) “Interviews with confidential sources, in Bentiu, February 2019” (UNSC, P: 23, 2019).

Still, in the midst of the Republic, the innocent civilians are still suffering. The rebels, the state officials and the authorities are still not keeping them safe. The United Nations are also not able or capable to keep them safe either. This is all troublesome and its just sad to read, that even more people are scorn by the ones with weapons. There is no end and the cycle of violence has to end.

Still, there are people working for the cease-fire for the peace. To Save the Last Train. However, these people combined with the ones in power, need to step-up and show their intentions. Government of South Sudan should address the concerns and recommendations of the UN Experts Reports of April 2019. Not just talk, but actually do something about it. Peace.

Reference:

United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Report – ‘Final report of the Panel of Experts on South Sudan submitted pursuant to resolution 2428 (2018)’ – S/2019/301

Somalia: Early warning signs of severe drought and a major humanitarian crisis (DG ECHO, OCHA, FAO, WFP, IGAD) (ECHO Daily Flash of 27 April 2019)

  • “Analyses show that rainfall levels through mid-April will likely be amongst the driest on record (since 1981)…” (IGAD, 17/4/2019). Current conditions are worse than in the same period of 2017 and are only surpassed by the drought of 2011. Much of the Somali population affected in the 2017/18 drought has had no opportunity to recover.
  • Significant deficit in 2019 Gu rainfall is forecasted to continue in May, already resulting in water shortages, increased commodity prices, deterioration of livestock and agropastoral conditions, and displacement of people.
  • Food security situation and nutrition outlook are deteriorating, particularly in northern and central Somalia. 4.9 million Somalis are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection, of which 1.5 million are in acute food insecurity. Should the forecasted deficit in rainfall persevere, the number of people in need of immediate assistance is expected to dramatically increase through 2019. Early action is needed to avert food security and nutrition crisis by scaling up immediate life-saving assistance. However, only 15% of the needs defined in the 2019 humanitarian response plan (HRP) seeking USD 1.08 billion are currently funded.

Somalia: Jubaland Council for Change – Jubaland Election Dilemma and Current Trends (16.04.2019)

Somaliland: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation – Press Release – Statement Regarding IGAD’s Establishment of a Taskforce on the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden (08.04.2019)

Somalia: Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of Basadir – “Re: Appointment of Director of Regional Security Office (DRSO) and support staff” (04.04.2019)

Humanitarian funds release US$45.7 million for life-saving assistance in Somalia (02.04.2019)

Despite improvements in the humanitarian situation in 2018, the food security situation in Somalia has deteriorated.

NEW YORK, United States of America, April 2, 2019 – The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF) released a combined US$45.7 million today to scale up life-saving assistance in Somalia, where over 4.2 million people need urgent humanitarian assistance this year, including 900,000 acutely malnourished children.

“These allocations will enable humanitarian agencies in Somalia to deliver urgently needed food, clean water, health care and education support in the shortest possible time in areas where needs are the highest,” said Mark Lowcock, Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. “We will prioritise delivery to children, women, the elderly, and people living with disabilities, who have suffered terribly as drought and conflict continue to drive the crisis in Somalia.” The $12-million CERF allocation will boost the response in the worst affected parts of northern Somalia, where 823,000 people are facing severe food insecurity. The funds will be used for food assistance in Awdal and Woqooyi Galbeed regions, and nutrition, health, and water and sanitation and hygiene programmes in Sool, Sanaag and Bari regions.

The $33.7 million SHF allocation will scale up protection, education and shelter support in northern Somalia, and other life-saving activities in central and southern Somalia. Most of the funding will go to national and international non-governmental organizations, while $700,000 will go to the UN Humanitarian Air Service, which helps move essential humanitarian goods and personnel.

“Support from CERF and the SHF will enable aid organizations to scale up and sustain life-saving assistance in the worst-affected areas in the country as the Jilaal (dry season) persists,” said George Conway, the acting Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. “This allocation is critical, but further generous donor funding will be needed to sustain aid operations and support recovery across Somalia.” The SHF allocation is the largest since 2012 and would not have been possible without early donor support. Germany has been the top donor to the Fund since 2017; other top donors are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Despite improvements in the humanitarian situation in 2018, the food security situation in Somalia has deteriorated, particularly in the north, and in some central parts of the country due to poor Deyr seasonal rains, the lingering effects of the 2016/2017 drought, conflict, displacement and evictions. The number of people facing acute food insecurity or worse has remained at 1.5 million since last year, but with a geographical shift in needs towards northern Somalia. Overall, 4.9 million Somalis are estimated to be food insecure.

The 2019 Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan, seeking $1.08 billion, is only 12 per cent funded to date. With conflict, displacement and climatic shocks persistently causing high levels of humanitarian and protection concerns, life-saving assistance must be sustained alongside livelihood support.

IGAD: Kampala Declaration on Jobs, Livelihoods and Self-Reliance for Refugees, Returnees and Host Communities in the IGAD Region 28th March 2019, Kampala, Uganda (28.03.2019)

KMPDU: Statement on the Death of Dr. Hamisi Juma in Cuba (18.03.2019)