South Sudan: Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam resigns as Minister of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development in TGoNU (17.02.2017)

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Senior United Nations Human Rights Official Condemns Deplorable Rights Situation in South Sudan, Calls for Perpetrators to be Held to Account (17.02.2017)

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During his visit, Gilmour also travelled to Malakal, where he received further information concerning the suffering of the civilian population in the area.

GENEVA, Switzerland, February 17, 2017 – At the end of a four-day visit to South Sudan, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for human rights, Andrew Gilmour, called for those committing  atrocity crimes in the country to be held accountable.

“This is a war that has been waged against the men, women and children of South Sudan,” he said. “And the only way of ending this onslaught will be when the perpetrators face consequences for what they are doing.”

Gilmour held meetings in Juba with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Minister of Information, the Chief of General Staff of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, the Director General of the National Security Service, representatives of the South Sudan Human Rights Commission, local authorities, religious leaders, United Nations and humanitarian partners, as well as non-governmental organizations, victims and civil society actors.

During his visit, Gilmour also travelled to Malakal, where he received further information concerning the suffering of the civilian population in the area.

“Although this is the fourth time I’ve been in South Sudan since 2011, I wasn’t prepared for the shocking devastation I witnessed in Malakal and even more by the clear pattern of systematic human rights violations and abuses suffered by the population,” Gilmour said.

He was informed of the appalling risks that women, now living under UN protection, are forced to take in order to be able to earn even the most meagre livelihood. When leaving the United Nations Mission in South Sudan protection of civilians site, they have been frequently subjected to rape by militias and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army on their route to the market in Malakal town. Rape and gang rape is present in the testimonies of numerous women in the area, though this was categorically denied by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army  Division Commander with whom Gilmour spoke.

“It is utterly abhorrent that women in this area have to choose between getting raped or getting a livelihood,” Gilmour said, “But this seems the brutal reality of what South Sudan has become.”
In March 2016, the United Nations human rights office issued a detailed report which documents the horrendous patterns of sexual violence in the country.  The report can be read here.
In his meetings with the authorities in Juba, Gilmour raised concerns about the unspeakable human rights situation throughout the territory. He urged the authorities to combat the worrying rise of hate speech and to do more to protect human rights defenders.

In his meeting with the Chief of General Staff of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, General Paul Malong, Gilmour emphasized the severe restrictions on access that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan faces when trying to protect civilians, provide humanitarian assistance and monitor the human rights situation in the country.

He stressed his concern that elements of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army had engaged in what could well amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. On the other hand he welcomed the recent start of United Nations human rights training for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army and the appointment of its focal points on conflict related sexual violence.

“Of course we know that until there’s peace in South Sudan, human rights will continue to be trampled,” the Assistant Secretary-General said. “But even during war, one can fight without routinely committing such needless acts of cruelty. And this is what we are calling on all parties – government and opposition – to do.”

Gilmour urged the Director General of the National Security Service to put an end to the practice of arbitrary and prolonged detention without charge, bring detainee before the courts, and allow them access to their lawyers and family.

He underlined to the Government authorities the absolute need to avoid reprisals and threats against human rights defenders who have cooperated with the United Nations. In this connection, he drew attention to a specific incident last September in which human rights defenders were threatened following the visit of the United Nations Security Council.

South Sudan: “SPLM-IO forces pursued the aggression and overran Nyinakok of Jur River in Western Bahr el Ghazal State” (16.02.2017)

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Just as the world is looking for another political process to end the ongoing war in South Sudan, the brutal and ruthless Juba regime has once again intensified its atrocious, ferocious and egregious abuses against the people of South Sudan. The ongoing mass killings, rapes, destruction, arbitrary arrests and displacement of people in and around Kubi in Oponi County of Eastern Equatoria State (CES) and Unity State is a stark reminder and a clear indication to the people of South Sudan, the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN) and indeed the international community that the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) as an executive arm of the Juba regime under Mr Salva Kiir Mayardit is more than ever committed to exterminating non-Dinka communities.

At the same time, the same brutal and ruthless Juba regime has now escalated its all-out and nationwide dry season offensive by burning down villages and attacking SPLA-IO positions and bases throughout South Sudan. In the afternoon of yesterday February 15, 2017, the Juba regime attacked the gallant SPLA-IO positions and bases in and around Jur River, Western Bahr el Ghazal State (WBS).

In response, the gallant SPLA-IO forces pursued the aggression and overran Nyinakok of Jur River in Western Bahr el Ghazal State (WBS). The fighting of yesterday Wednesday February 15, 2017 at 1:30PM left fifteen (15) soldiers, including three (3) officers, died. Following the intense fighting, the Luo young men and women that the Juba regime had apparently mobilised as vigilante groups and counterinsurgency units were eventually forced to join the gallant SPLA-IO forces in pursuit of the defeated and desperate Juba regime soldiers.

Indeed, Nyinakok and the entire Jur River are now under the full and complete control of the gallant SPLA-IO forces. In the same afternoon of yesterday Wednesday February 15, 2017, a squad of fifteen (15) Juba regime soldiers under the command of Capt. Simon Lam Yuol Joker and Sgt Gai Muot (MO) abandoned its Raja base and reported to the nearby SPLA-IO base in and around Raja, Western Bahr el Ghazal State (WBS). With them were two (2) PKM, one (1) RPG in addition to their individual AK47.

With the ongoing mass defection of Juba regime soldiers to the gallant SPLA-IO, the people of South Sudan have understood why South Sudan is not at all the property of the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) and why the Juba regime must go now rather than later. Therefore the SPLA-IO would like to one more time remind the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN) and indeed the international community that the Juba regime is the problem, a threat to peace and stability in the region and hence must be isolated for peace and stability to return in South Sudan.

By Col. William Gatjiath Deng
Spokesperson for SPLA-IO

UNMISS SRSG describes situation of displaced people in Upper Nile region as “real problem” (16.02.2017)

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South Sudan: Humanitarian organizations appeal for $1.6 billion amidst rising needs (13.02.2017)

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Humanitarian organizations estimate that some 7.5 million people across South Sudan are now in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, February 13, 2017 -Humanitarian organizations are appealing for US$1.6 billion to provide life-saving assistance and protection to 5.8 million people across South Sudan in 2017.

“The humanitarian situation in South Sudan has deteriorated dramatically due to the devastating combination of conflict, economic decline and climatic shocks,” said Mr. Eugene Owusu, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan. “In 2017, we are facing unprecedented needs, in an unprecedented number of locations, and these needs will increase during the upcoming lean season.”

Humanitarian organizations estimate that some 7.5 million people across South Sudan are now in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Since the conflict in South Sudan began in December 2013, about 3.4 million people have been forced to flee their homes, including nearly 1.9 million people who have been internally displaced and about 1.5 million who have fled as refugees to neighbouring countries.

Horrendous atrocities have been reported, including widespread sexual violence. Food insecurity and malnutrition have skyrocketed, and the risk of famine is significant for thousands of people in conflict-affected communities and food deficit areas if early actions are not taken.

“With needs rising rapidly, we have rigorously prioritized the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan to target those who most urgently require assistance and protection,” said Mr. Owusu. “It is imperative that this appeal is funded early, and funded fully, so that the aid workers deployed across South Sudan can respond robustly and rapidly.”

In South Sudan, humanitarian organizations use the window of opportunity provided by the dry season to deliver supplies by road. When the rains set in – usually in May – most roads become impassable and supplies must be delivered by air, multiplying the cost of the humanitarian operation, which is one of the largest and most complex in the world. Swift action during the dry season is therefore imperative.

“In 2016, we reached more than 5 million people, but the crisis deepened and spread as conflict continued. In 2017, we are determined to reach more people but we urgently need the funding to do so,” said Mr. Owusu. “I appeal to the international community, which has given so generously to this young country, to support us now. If we fail to act swiftly, lives may be lost.”

One hundred and thirty-seven aid organizations including 62 national Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) -a 55 per cent increase from 2016-, 63 international NGOs and 12 United Nations entities aim to implement projects under the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan.

South Sudan: On the Interview with H.E. Festus Mogae, Former President of Botswana and Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission on BBC Focus on Africa and Miraya FM Dated 10.01.2017 (13.02.2017)

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Security Council Condemns Fighting in South Sudan (13.02.2017)

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They expressed deep alarm that more than 84,000 individuals have fled South Sudan since the beginning of January and that many continue to be displaced internally.

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, February 13, 2017 -The members of the Security Council strongly condemned continued fighting across South Sudan, particularly incidents in the Equatoria and Upper Nile regions of South Sudan and called on all parties to cease hostilities immediately. The members of the Security Council also condemned in the strongest terms all attacks directed against civilians and expressed serious concern that, once again, there are reports of killing of civilians, sexual and gender-based violence, destruction of homes, ethnic violence, and looting of livestock and property. The members of the Security Council urged the Transitional Government of National Unity to take measures to ensure that those responsible for the attacks are held accountable. They expressed deep alarm that more than 84,000 individuals have fled South Sudan since the beginning of January and that many continue to be displaced internally.

The members of the Security Council stressed the primacy of the political process and that there is no military solution to the conflict and reminded all parties in South Sudan that implementation of the ceasefire is critical for the success of any genuine, inclusive political process, including national dialogue, and that such a process should be based on the framework provided by the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (the Agreement) and aimed at achieving national reconciliation and enhancing the trust among parties in South Sudan. They reiterated their call on all stakeholders to commit to full implementation of the Agreement.

In this regard, they welcomed the continued and collective commitment in the search for lasting peace, security and stability expressed by the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations (UN) during the joint consultative meeting on South Sudan in Addis Ababa on January 29, 2017. The members of the Security Council committed to work closely with IGAD, the AU High Representative for South Sudan former President Alpha Oumar Konare, the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission former President Festus Mogae, and the UN Secretary-General in support of the South Sudan peace process.

The members of the Security Council expressed appreciation for UNMISS’s tenacity in its efforts to carry out its protection of civilians mandate and expressed deep concern that UNMISS continues to face obstacles from the Transitional Government of National Unity hindering the ability of UNMISS to carry out its mandate to protect civilians and create conditions conducive to delivery of humanitarian assistance. The members of the Security Council reminded the Transitional Government of National Unity of its commitment in the September 4, 2016, Joint Communique to permit freedom of movement of UNMISS and expressed deep disappointment that the Transitional Government of National Unity continues to act inconsistently with this commitment and its obligations under the Status of Forces Agreement with the United Nations.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that targeting civilians may constitute war crimes and those involved could be subject to sanctions as authorized under resolution 2206 (2015) for actions that threaten the peace, security or stability of South Sudan.

South Sudan: Lt. Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka resigns from SPLA (11.02.2017)

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Leaked: UNHAS priority is to ship out Kenyan citizens out of SPLM-IO controlled areas in South Sudan, like the Akobo area!

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On an internal United Nations memo from 6th February 2017, there been stating this that United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) have described a certain interesting scenario:

“On 23 and 24.1.2017, while being Kenya, two prominent SPLM-IO officials from Akobo area disappeared under unclear circumstances. Kenyan Authorities have been accused of detaining with the intention to repatriating them. Pro SPLA IO Mass Media speculates that the two officials were secretly transported and delivered to South Sudan Government” (UNHAS Ross Aviation Security Notice, 2017).

So the story between South Sudan and the Kenyan authorities continues, as both governments have claimed in different times to have citizens behind bars. Like Kenyan civil activists ask for freeing Kenyan Nationals in South Sudan, the same is now known and even in internal note inside the UN and their agencies.

Because of this the UNHAS also decided:

“UNHAS International Staff, Operators & users, WFP Security & WFP Country Office advice to inform all Kenyan citizens to be cautious while travelling/deployed to/from IO areas” (UNHAS Ross Aviation Security Notice, 2017).

If this is true, than the SPLM-IO are targeting not only SPLM/A, but also Kenyan citizens that are part of the UNMISS mission in the republic. That says a lot of the rebellion and their target of anyone who isn’t them. As the SPLM-IO will therefore give it all to create fear and control their areas. As even UNMISS and blue helmet personnel could easily be taken by the IO.

As the note continue:

“UNHAS users are advised to analyse the necessity to risks of sending or keeping Kenyan citizens in the field, in IO areas and especially Akobo” (UNHAS Ross Aviation Security Notice, 2017).

So the UNHAS are clear that the Kenyan part of the mission should not be extended to areas that involves the IO as the fear and the risk of disappearing from the mission there. The UNHAS will also do this to make sure things goes as smooth as possible:

“If Kenyan citizens are to be transported out of IO areas UNHAS will solve these requests as a matter of priority” (UNHAS Ross Aviation Security Notice, 2017).

So we can see that the Kenyan nationals are now a priority and main objective for the UNHAS as part of the UNMISS mission, as the fear of disappearing citizens, the SPLM-IO are really showing their objective to control and spread fear in their regions of control, so the UN Humanitarian Air Service has to secure their transport out of there. This is a further proof of the fragile and the lack of rule of law in the regions under SPLM-IO regime. It is worrying not only for Kenyan, but as much for the South Sudanese themselves. As this is a proof of the grand issues in the state itself. This wouldn’t be an issue if there we’re peace and was honouring of the latest peace-agreement by both parties. Peace.

Statement by the IGAD Executive Secretary on the current drought in the Greater Horn of Africa (08.02.2017)

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The Drought Situation

The Horn of Africa is in the midst of a major drought resulting from La Niña and reduced moisture influx due to the cooling of the ocean water in the east African coast. Whilst Member States of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are adept at managing droughts, what makes the current drought alarming in the Equatorial Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) region is that it follows two consecutive poor rainfall seasons in 2016 and the likelihood of depressed rainfall persisting into the March – May 2017 rainfall season remains high. The most affected areas include, most of Somalia, South-eastern Ethiopia, Northern Eastern and coastal Kenya, and Northern Uganda.

The climate predictions and early warnings produced by IGAD through advanced scientific modeling and prediction tools, which were provided to Member States and the general public, have elicited early actions (preparedness and mitigation measures). Highly comparable to the 2010 GHA drought, the current depressed rainfall and resultant poor vegetation conditions since March 2016 eroded the coping and adaptive capacities of the affected people. It also depleted water points, reduced crops, forages and livestock production, increased food insecurity, and adversely affected the livelihoods of vulnerable communities in the region.

The number of food insecure human population in the region is currently estimated at 17 million. Certain areas in South Sudan and Djibouti are already under an emergency food insecurity phase, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) classification scale. In Somalia, the number of food insecure people doubled in the last year alone.

In the drought affected cropping lands (over Deyr area in Somalia and coastal Kenya), 70 to 100 percent crop failure has been registered. Livestock mortality has been particularly devastating amongst small ruminants with mortality rate ranging from 25 to 75 percent in the cross border areas of Somalia-Kenya-Ethiopia. In addition, livestock prices have dropped by as much as 700 percent.

Terms of trade have declined in the region, with Ethiopia registering a figure of almost 10 percent. This is exacerbated by a substantial negative impact on external balances, as well as a small impact on financial sector-soundness in the other countries. The overall impact on fiscal positions is a likely increase in current budget spending and deterioration in the fiscal balance and weak adaptation capacity.

Despite the downtrend in global agriculture commodity prices, the drought has resulted in an increase in domestic food prices in the region. Cereal prices (e.g. maize) have gone up by about 130 percent, while those of critical food items such as oils, beans and wheat flour increased by at least 50 percent in some pastoralist areas. The limited financial and institutional capacity for effective adaptation to reduce exposure and vulnerability will result in limited safety net to the most vulnerable households.

Drought Response in the Horn of Africa

With the early warning and technical assistance provided by IGAD, Member States have initiated early action to mitigate the adverse impact of the current drought.

Somalia and South Sudan have declared drought emergencies. Kenya announced a doubling of expenditure on food relief to ease the pressure in the drought-affected counties, while Uganda shifted some of its development resources to finance emergency response in order to address food insecurity and livelihood protection. In Somalia, the President of the Federal Republic, as well as state and regional administrations led the issuance of appeals for support and coordinated actors and efforts that scaled-up food security activities to respond to the humanitarian needs of the country.

The USD 730 million allocated by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia boosted the response effort which, coupled by an above-average meher harvest, resulted to an almost 50 percent reduction in the number of food insecure people, for example, from 10.2 million to 5.6 million.

IGAD continues to reinforce the actions of its Member States using them as guide for complementary action on drought responses. Below are some of the major actions being undertaken by the IGAD Secretariat and its specialized institutions to manage the drought in the region:

  • Through its specialized institutions, IGAD continues to monitor and provide analysis of the evolving situation and advise Member States and the general public on measures to mitigate its impact. The 45th Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 45), which ends today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, will present the consensus climate outlook for the next season (March – May 2017) and its likely impact on disaster risk management, livestock production, water, energy and health etc.
  • A multi- humanitarian coordination mechanism led by IGAD that includes UN agencies, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and other Non-State Actors (NSAs) is effectively working to coordinate the response effort, as well as guide the recovery process once the situation stabilizes.
  • IGAD is also working with relevant national authorities, UN agencies and CSOs in each member state on the development of an Integrated Regional Appeal that will articulate the priority initiatives within the response plan for each Member State.
  • Furthermore, IGAD will support institutional arrangements and capacity building that needs to be in place to allow humanitarian response plans to be implemented in timely, effective manner.
  • A regional Ministerial Meeting will be convened by IGAD at the end of this month to launch the Integrated Regional Appeal and secure financial resources, which further complements the response undertaken by national authorities and humanitarian and development partners, while at the same time building resilience to climate-induced disasters.

Through the IGAD Drought Disaster Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRSI) Platform, the ultimate purpose and objective of IGAD and its Member States is to mitigate the adverse effects of disasters through building resilience of relevant national institutions, communities and people, to end drought emergencies and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in the region.

In this regard, IGAD will remain vigilant in monitoring and advising the people of the region on the drought situation through its’ specialized institution, the IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC) domiciled in Nairobi, and shall continue to support and complement regional and national actions on drought response and recovery.