
South Sudan: SPLM-IO – On the Signing of the Chapter I and II and Outstanding Issues of the Revitalized ARCISS in Khartoum (06.08.2018)



“A diplomat who says “yes” means “maybe”, a diplomat who says “maybe” means “no”, and a diplomat who says “no” is no diplomat.” – Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord
There been such a long road to this Peace Agreement in Khartoum today. Not like there haven’t been deals, drafts and negotiations, even postponed because the President Salva Kiir Mayardit found it more important to watch the World Cup in football. Therefore, this road to today wasn’t easy and the future will not easy either. Maybe, I am a bit of skeptical, but that is because the Opposition, the government and the rebel outfits haven’t been able to hold the latest agreements and cease-fires. There been lots of violations and continued skirmishes between the parties. Nevertheless, people are allowed to have hope. Because this civil-war need to stop, but wondering when and if this is the final agreement that fit all parties.
“August 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) – President Salva Kiir and key South Sudanese opposition leaders without exception have appended their signature on the agreements on governance on Sunday putting aside their concerns over the power-sharing and number of states. The South Sudan Opposition Alliance and the FDs surprisingly were among the signatories of the agreement on the outstanding issues on governance without reservations” (…) “In his speech at the signing ceremony, the Kenyan President Kenyatta praised the efforts done by President Omer al-Bashir to achieve the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2015 and now to facilitate and mediate talks to end the nearly five-year conflict in South Sudan. Further said he agreed with al-Bashir to keep the talks in Khartoum in order finalize the remaining issues which are mainly the implementation matrix of the peace agreement and the timetable for the return of the opposition leaders as well as the troops’ redeployment” (Sudan Tribune – ‘President Kiir, all opposition leaders sign governance agreement’ 05.08.2018).
What was really key in the agreement, is that the mechanisms and timetable for actually getting it in order, isn’t in this agreement. If this feels like the ARCISS of 17th August 2015, maybe because this gives everyone a slice of power and puts the levels of governance in. There is more hope. However, even as the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) was put into force and the SPLM/A-IO becoming parts of the Parliament and the Government, there was still people who willingly tried to get rid of them. Therefore, the levels of trust in that the SPLM/A-IG will act without interfering or trying to get rid of enemies. Is a hard bargain to believe in now.
The added South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – Former Detainees (SPLM-FDs), how they will play along with SPLM/A-IG and SPLM/A-IO wont be an easy treat. As the TGoNU will still be controlled by the President and have the majority. This is a President whose used of working and decreeing the orders. He will not be the man who humiliate himself.
I am not ready to celebrate this deal, as this deal is just securing a bloated government of many more public officials, more Members of Parliament and even more Cabinet Members. This is not the gift of peace, but making sure the rebels and government are getting along. That is something we have to see, as the pressers and the staged signings of agreements have been done dozens of times before, while when reality hits the republic. These people have quickly ordered their soldiers and armed personnel to attack each other. To get the upper-hand when the enemy is following the guidelines of the previous deals and agreements, even the newly minted cease-fire.
I will celebrate, when all the stakeholders are honoring the deals, when the CTSAMM and JMEC can report of violations in the coming days from either of the parties. That is why I am skeptical. Lets hope for difference this time, but if history has learned us anything. We people like to repeat ourselves and also go in circles, instead of moving forward. Peace.




The Federal Government ordered its military Force in Jigjiga to attack and take over the Somali regional Administration. This unilateral act resulted in Loss of Life and has endangered the law and order of the Ogaden, creating chaos and uncertainty at a time the Somali people were expecting to get peace and their rights.
ONLF believes that any transitional change in the Somali region shall come through a peaceful negotiated process where all relevant stakeholders including ONLF, the Federal government, and all other relevant stakeholders. Any entity that take unilateral act, that could jeopardise the situation will be responsible for consequences such an act produces.
ONLF calls upon the new Prime Minister of Ethiopia to halt immediately any military activities and initiate a peaceful process, including direction negotiations with ONLF, which would lead to a national conference where a peaceful road map for change in the Somali region is charted and the future course of the Somali people’s cause is decided.
ONLF calls upon the Somali people in Ogaden to stand up for their rights and never allow external forces to decide their fate. However, religious shrines and the properties of civilians shall be protected against opportunist individuals.
ONLF also laments the continuing fighting alone the borders of the Somali Oromo borders. This will further exacerbate the future relations between these neighbourly communities.
All ONLF members in the Ogaden shall endeavour to stabilise the situation and call for calm and peaceful engagement with all authorities and educate the people to respect the lives of minority communities, state and private property and Religious institutions.
Issued by ONLF.


The Federal Government of Ethiopia, have ordered the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) to ceased the regional parliament building in Jigjiga, while also taking over others buildings too. This is happening while the market of the city has been put on fire and shops has closed. The ethnic tensions between the Oromo and Somali, which have been brewing for a long while and also seen in the rise of killings of Somali in the recent months. By the Quuerro and the Aghazi Squad, which has turned on these, instead of building a stronger community together.
The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF) and Prime Minister Dr. Abyi Ahmed have not stopped or ceased the violence in the Ogaden Region. Neither done much, other than trying to conceal the growing violence. Today’s action only happen after the Somali’s have tried to stop the oil-flow going from the region and blocking that.
Abdi Illey have formed a youth group called Heego, which has caused extended havoc and looting, after the seizures of the banks, government buildings and the other important places of Jigjiga. The group has burned down churches as the anarchy contines.
There are two conflicting reports, one is that the PM sent the armed forces to protect the oil and gas production in the area. The other report is that this is an answer of a rebellion, where the authorities of the region planned to announce their independence from Ethiopia. Third report is that of the 5% the Somali Region get of the Oil Revenue, the leader Illey asked for 75% and that is reason for why the army came to take it over. They cannot afford or have the hassle to cough of more money for the resources there.
Which would mean a Ogaden State in itself. To this point, it is hard to verify, but both can be plausible, especially when there is money and Chinese investment involved in the oil-and-gas fields. The are unconfirmed reports that Abdi Mohamud Omar, the President of the Somali Region is under house, but nothing of that is certain yet. While Regional Parlaiment Speaker Mohamed Rashid Isaq have called on the public to defend Jigjiga from the army. Therefore, the growing tensions is escalating and the nerves are already touched.
The total death toll per now is 18. Which is a lot, as the army sent thousands of soldiers, as the Heego group have vandalized the city, as well as the soldiers have done a lot of harm to the public too. As the Federal Government is currently occupying this city with this force. This is not a good sign for the Addis Ababa leadership, nor a sign of goodwill from the Somali. Hopefully, all parties can come to their sense and use common sense. As the hopelessness and destruction will not benefit either party.
What is currently stated is that the machinery and army from EPRDF and the TPLF are in control, the PM and the regime there wants to takeover. That they have done, as the insecurity and the vandalization will cease. However, the scars and the issues there, will be as hurtful as the months of destruction and killings in Amhara and Oromia. Not like the state should forget that, now they are just targeting another group, because it is fitting to control and also the Oil Revenue.
Illey shouldn’t order his youth group and create the mass destruction, but neither should the possible government bleed the region down, because of the finding and the extraction of oil from the region. That just doesn’t make sense, unless the government want to continue to oppress and secure wealth on their behalf. Peace.


“Let’s not wait to use guns. We can use the tongue; so why not get the unity we desire?” Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at a speech at a rally in Mbarara District (Uganda Times, January 7, 1980).
Mr. I Took the Power by the Gun in 1986 and has been sticking with it since. Are now awarded with a peace price (!!). This the biggest insult to peace, as a man who has supported endless war, prolonged his own civil war to topple countless leaders who stood his in way. Now, he is awarded for peace. On the day, that he started the Third Congo Civil War, which is even a bigger insult, as the civilians there are still lingering from the pain caused by proxy-militias supported by the Ugandan President. It is not as if he has passed on the opportunity to be the kingmaker anywhere and still does when he can.
“The 2018 Global Peace Award will be presented President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in honour of his leading peace efforts and initiatives in the Great Lakes region and beyond, Shukla Mukesh the Chairman Global Peace Foundation Uganda Chapter has announced. Mukesh told a fully parked press conference in Munyonyo that the award ceremony for Museveni would be one of the major highlights of the on-going 3-day Global Peace leadership conference being held at the Common wealth Speke Resort Hotel in Munyonyo that started on August 1, 2018” (New Vision – ‘Museveni’s peace initiatives win him global award’ 02.08.2018, link: https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1482633/museveni-peace-initiatives-win-global-award).
Therefore, because he rewarded. Let us look into the man’s past. Just briefly, to show the madness of giving this man this award. It is insulting to peace, it like making the war-lord into a saint. That will not work in my book, when your crook, your stay a crook, since we know what you took. It is that simple and plain, we know your history and that will not rewritten. We know that recently, you promised to serve President Salva Kiir Mayardit with more arms if needed, even in the midst of negotiations and peace-dealings. That you did, at the time UN put sanctions on arms trade to the Republic. Well, that didn’t matter. That is just in 2018.
Take a look at his past, in DRC, Rwanda and South Sudan. Nothing about peace, more about war!
DRC:
“The Third Congo Civil War became the deadliest conflict since World War II. An estimated 5.4 million war-related deaths occurred and more than twice that number were displaced from their homes and sought asylum in neighborhood countries. The Third Congo Civil War evolved out of Laurent-Desire Kabila’s victory over Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997. Once Kabila became president of the DRC, his relations with previous allies like Rwanda and Uganda quickly deteriorated. In July 1998, Kabila ordered all officials and troops from Rwanda and Uganda to leave the country. Instead on August 2, 1998, those troops began supporting rebels who were intent on overthrowing Kabila. Two days later, Rwandan troops flew directly from their nation to the DRC province of Bas-Congo (now Kongo Central) which the intention of joining other Rwandan and Ugandan soldiers and march on the capital of Kinshasa” (Samuel Momodu – ‘Third Congo Civil War (1998-2003)’ link: http://www.blackpast.org/gah/third-congo-civil-war-1998-2003).
Rwanda:
“Museveni’s political survival strategies; and the prevailing economic, political, and humanitarian climate in the post-Cold War regional and international arena. Fourth, there is considerable evidence that the mobilization for the invasion was public knowledge in Uganda. This in tum suggests that President Museveni’s regime was almost certainly aware of it as well. The existing evidence also indicates that the regime trained, provided sanctuary, arms, logistical support, political, and diplomatic assistance to the RPA throughout the period of military engagement in Rwanda” (Ogenga Otunnu, ‘The Path of a Genocide’, P:48, 1999).
South Sudan:
“In the Sudan, Mr. Museveni for years has aided the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, led by his old comrade and classmate John Garang, against the Islamic fundamentalist Government in Khartoum” (James C. McKinley Jr. – ‘Uganda Leader Stands Tall in New African Order’ 15.07.1997 link: https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/15/world/uganda-leader-stands-tall-in-new-african-order.html).
This should be more than enough reasons to not give him the reward. The way he has made dozens of wars within the DRC. To take out Mobutu, but also Laurent Kabila, also the support of RPA to overthrow the regime of Rwanda. While supporting the rebel force of South Sudan in their battle too. Therefore, he has supported enough wars and delivered enough conflict. As he continue to do to now. Surely he would help Pierre Nkurunziza in Burundi and so on.
He is more likely to escalate conflicts in his interests, than try to forge peace. Therefore, it is insulting to give him an award for peace. Especially on the day of 20 years ago since he invaded together with Rwanda the Democratic Republic of Congo to topple Laurent Kabila. That should be a no-no, but certain ones just don’t care about all the people who died in the conflict and who was behind it. That was him and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. Something that the world should remember and never forget. Peace.