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.

SPLM/A-IO refutes attacking foreign soldiers and denied abducting people in Uganda territory (26.06.2017)

Press Release.

The Juba government claimed that its forces captured Kaya town on 23/06/2017 after coming from Yei. That convoy included Uganda People’s Defence Force that returned from their base at the border of Central Africa Republic and South Sudan. Juba Militias just found a way out with the presence of the UPDF. The SPLA IO does not attack foreign soldiers on mission not related to destruction of South Sudan.

According to IO deputy spokesman, Lam Paul Gabriel, the SPLA IO also strongly refutes the accusation circulating on media that its forces abducted some people and raided hundreds of cattles from around Moyo in Uganda. This is a base less allegation aimed at derailing the good relationship that the civilians of Kajo keji has with the people of Moyo. The government of Juba has got two bases at the border of Moyo; Jale and Bamure. Its unfortunate that the forces from these two bases always enter with their weapons to Moyo. They should be investigated for the abduction and the raid other than wasting time pointing fingers in the wrong direction.

Furthermore, there is no any negative effect of the fake peace of those of Yakani and Governor Lokonga in Yei state. Yakani deserted already and is in Kampala seeking asylum while Yuma Sabastian is under detention in Yei by government securities for not providing the 6000 soldiers they claimed to have. The struggle continues.

SPLM-IO letter to TGoNU National Dialogue chairman – “Re: Request for Appointment” (24.06.2017)

SPLM-IO: “Subject: July 8, 2016, Anniversary Commemoration” (24.06.2017)

South Sudan: Humanitarian Response Eases Famine, But Food Insecurity Reaches Unprecedented Levels (22.06.2017)

Following the famine declaration, humanitarian organizations ramped-up their response in Leer, Mayendit, Koch and Panyinjiar, reaching more than 320,000 People.

GENEVA, Switzerland, June 22, 2017 – The Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Eugene Owusu, today welcomed the findings of the latest Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) data which highlight that early warning and the mobilization of a large-scale, multi-sectoral humanitarian response, have eased famine in Leer and Mayendit counties, and prevented it in Koch and Panyijiar counties, in South Sudan.

“I applaud the humanitarian community for the rapid scale-up of humanitarian response in famine-affected and at-risk areas in Unity,” said Mr. Owusu. “We deployed teams to dangerous and difficult locations and faced many challenges along the way, including clashes which forced us to relocate aid workers and delay distributions. But we were not dissuaded, and our collective efforts ultimately prevented the catastrophe from escalating.”

The Humanitarian Coordinator, however, urged the international community and humanitarian actors not to become complacent, as an unprecedented 6 million people are now severely food insecure, including 45,000 facing catastrophic food insecurity in Leer, Koch and Mayendit in Unity, and Ayod in Jonglei, and 1.7 million in IPC Phase 4, on the brink of famine.

“Half of the people across this country are severely food insecure, we are facing the longest and most widespread cholera outbreak since South Sudan became independent, and the number of people internally displaced has topped 2 million,” warned Mr. Owusu. “These are the devastating consequences of conflict, which has taken a daily toll on the desperate civilians of this nation.”

Following the famine declaration, humanitarian organizations ramped-up their response in Leer, Mayendit, Koch and Panyinjiar, reaching more than 320,000 people. Rapid response missions were carried out in at least 17 locations, and humanitarian organizations delivered vital and life-saving services, including food, emergency healthcare, vaccinations, nutritional treatments, seeds and tools for livelihoods, clean water, and critical non-food items, such as blankets, kitchen sets and mosquito nets. Each of these interventions played a critical role in halting and preventing famine.

“Despite the good news today that we have arrested the localized famine in Leer and Mayendit, we face greater needs in South Sudan than ever before,” said Mr. Owusu. “This is the time to redouble our efforts and expand our response. To do this, we urgently need free, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and funding to respond to the escalating crisis. I call on all parties to the conflict to cease attacks against civilians, and to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law. Until the violence stops, humanitarian needs will continue to grow.”

“Nimble and pro-active” peacekeeping response to be replicated in other crisis situations in South Sudan (22.06.2017)

David Shearer, the Head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, was speaking in Aburoc in the Upper Nile region where up to 25,000 people had taken refuge from conflict.

JUBA, South Sudan, June 22, 2017 – United Nations peacekeepers in South Sudan have been praised by the most senior UN official in the country for a “nimble and pro-active” response in support of humanitarians dealing with an emergency.

David Shearer, the Head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, was speaking in Aburoc in the Upper Nile region where up to 25,000 people had taken refuge from conflict.

The village, which numbered some 5,000 people before the arrival of the displaced people, was lacking in water, food and health services.

UNMISS helicoptered in 80 Rwandan peacekeepers together with armoured vehicles to Aburoc at the beginning of April creating better security conditions for the arrival of the humanitarian community, two days later.

Mr Shearer, who is also the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, in South Sudan said “the presence of peacekeeping troops undoubtedly provided the security and confidence that humanitarian agencies needed to operate in this remote and dangerous area.”

“A cholera outbreak was stopped,” he added, “and hundreds of lives were saved as a result of this combined action together with a highly effective response by humanitarian agencies.”

“With the possibility that Aburoc was going to become a humanitarian disaster area it was important that everyone moved quickly,” Mr Shearer said. “I was very pleased peacekeepers were ready to deploy nimbly and proactively. A light and effective footprint on the ground was what was needed.”

“It’s great that UNMISS has shown this response to an emergency situation and are ready should another crisis occur in other parts of South Sudan,” he added.

The UNMISS deployment to Aburoc was planned to last a month but was extended by two weeks.

Humanitarian agencies remain in Aburoc providing life-saving services to the almost 11,000 people who remain there. UNMISS support is being continued through air patrols from Malakal.

South Sudan: The National Dialogue meetings in Entebbe under the leadership of Museveni seems like a front!

Entebbe State House 26. May 2017

South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/ Army (SPLM/A) In-Government (IG), the central leadership of South Sudan and the party of the President. This is the leadership of President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his First Vice-President (FVP) Taban Deng-Gai. They have launched the National Dialogue and the Government facilitated peace negotiations.

This is going on with the chief peacemaker President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who has had three meetings at the State House in Entebbe in Uganda. That has happen recently with different parts som SPLM/A, but not parts of the SPLM-IO. Other parts of the National Dialogue are lacking the implementation and the needed focus of all stakeholders in the conflict. Since the peace meetings with Museveni and on accord from President Kiir haven’t included the rebels or other militias. Therefore, the SPLM/A meetings in Entebbe is more for show, than initial peace meetings. Unless, these are to reign in all parts of the SPLM/A Organization and keep them loyal to the President.

The South Sudanese meditation of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) that we’re with the 31st Extraordinary Summit on the crisis in South Sudan, this was a planned meeting and mediation there. A meeting that had a delegation from SPLM/A-IG, but not with the President Kiir. That Festus Mogae who works for Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), who monitors the crisis, but has a weak mandate, therefore not possible to reach the states and the violations of the agreements. The same can be said by IGAD, also the African Union is not using their powers or the essential powers to stabilize the republic. As well, as there is no will in the East African Community (EAC), to act upon the troubles and take charge, even as the peacekeepers from AU and United Nations (UN) has had the impact execpt for keeping the Internally Displaced People’s (IDPs).

So with this in mind and the refugee crisis as well from the Republic. The Ugandan counterpart is only follow protocol on accord basis with President Kiir. Since he is not involving anyone, unless Kiir gives way. Therefore, the National Dialogue with the partnership of Museveni isn’t real. The reality of the dialogue is a side-show who buys Kiir time to find ways to solve their outstanding issues. Instead of finding peace, but finding weakness of rebels so he can overpower them.

With the external facilitation is not there and strong enough to control the SPLM/A-IG or have consultation of the rebels. There are enough issues at hand, as the international organizations are feeding the needed with corridors of transport through Sudan. So there are enough issues as hand, that even rebellion and leadership problems inside the SPLM-N in Sudan. That is why you know Museveni only touches this one, because he can see fortunes coming his way later.

Bu the true peace will not come through the National Dialogue, just like the JMEC, IGAD or AU have solved the crisis and civil war between the fractions of South Sudan. It has lasted so long already and nearly been moments of rest. The arms and guns, the instability and the acts of violence continues. The innocent are fleeing and their villages are burning. This is not how it is supposed to be. Peace.

South Sudan: GoU letter to SPLM-IO – “Re: Invitation to Attend SPLM/A Consultation Meeting in Entebbe on the 16th June 2017” (15.06.2017)

South Sudan: SPLM-IO – “Re: SPLM/A Consultation on 16 June 2017 in Entebbe, Uganda” (15.06.2017)

South Sudan: More weapons and ammunition destroyed in Abyei (15.06.2017)

About 25 weapons and more than 470 ammunition confiscated by the troops of UNISFA were destroyed by the Ethiopian Demining Military Platoon (EDMP) and United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS).

ABYEI, South Sudan, June 15, 2017 – As part of the continuing efforts to reduce the impact and risk of explosive hazards in Abyei, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) on 12 June 2017 conducted another destruction exercise of confiscated weapons and ammunition.

About 25 weapons and more than 470 ammunition confiscated by the troops of UNISFA were destroyed by the Ethiopian Demining Military Platoon (EDMP) and United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS).

The weapon and ammunition management (WAM) activity took place after the soldiers of the EDMP completed a training course conducted by experts of UNMAS. The course was designed to provide quality assurance WAM activities, as well as to enhance the knowledge of soldiers and experts to meet international mine action standards.

“Together, we are pursuing the fulfillment of the UNISFA mandate to confiscate and destroy small arms and ammunition in the Abyei Area,” said UNISFA’s acting Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Tesfay Gidey Hailemichael.

The activity has become the benchmark of the cooperation between the EDMP and UNMAS, for the benefit of peace and security for both the residents and nomad communities in the Abyei area.

The destruction of weapons and incineration of ammunition were witnessed by UNISFA and UNMAS senior leadership namely Mr Alan Doyle, UNISFA Chief of Mission Support and Mr Leon Louw, UNMAS Programme Manager.

Since July 2016, a total of 41 weapons were destroyed and 1817 ammunition were incinerated by UNISFA and UNMAS. The cooperation between UNISFA and UNMAS started in December 2011, following a mine incident in August 2011, which killed four UNISFA peacekeepers and injured seven others. Since UNMAS’ deployment, no UNISFA personnel has fallen victim to either landmines or explosive remnant of war (ERW), and a substantial amount of work was done to rid the Abyei area of the threat of ERW and landmines.