South Sudan: Tumaini Initiative – SSOMA, Other Opposition Groups, and the PCCA – Press Statement on the Status of South Sudan Peace Process (13.06.2024)

South Sudan: No laughing matter – but a comedian has become a rebel…

Times like these is a warning. When the likes of Phillip Omon aka Comedian Feel Free has not only started a rebellion movement, but an armed organization to change things in the Republic. His the Commander-in-Chief of the Peoples Freedom Movement (PFM).

The movement and rebellion is only going back to late April 2024. A comedian that has been creating headline for years. A man who was known are now not making jokes or hiring artists to his company anymore. No, his using guns and being fought by the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF).

That’s a sign of how dire things are… when the Comedian doesn’t create a political party or a CSO to push in one direction or another. No, he goes to the bush and take arms against the government. That isn’t a sign of strength, but how things are lingering in the republic. As a man only see one choice and that’s to take arms and try to forge order by lethal conquest. That’s not building institution, but individuals taking power by arms.

Philipp Omon shouldn’t see the need to take arms and use weaponry for his cause. The government and institutions should lead him in other ways. Nevertheless, this is a sign of where the state has failed its citizens. When a guy like this becomes a rebel and start fighting on the battlefield. This shouldn’t be the case, but it is.

A comedian have become a rebel and warlord. Sooner or later he will make himself a general and say he runs parts of the Eastern Equatoria State. We know the army is now going after him and his rebellion. However, this is all a proof of how the government and the authorities have failed.

A comedian shouldn’t need to take these steps. He shouldn’t have the need or see it fit to start an armed rebellion. That just shows how J-1 and the leadership of Juba has failed. This is on them and the years of transition. They could have created opportunities and mechanisms where this wouldn’t be needed. It is just repeating an evil cycle and usage of weaponry to settle grievances, which is only creating more instability and cause havoc.

Some might laugh and giggle out of it, but this is a template of what is wrong. A man shouldn’t have the need or see it as the only way out. However, that’s where we are and it’s tragic.

A man calling himself “feel free” is becoming a rebel and warlord just to make a difference. That shouldn’t be the case, but it is. The administration and leadership of the Republic should feel dismayed and work tirelessly to end this practice. Also show the difference between their time and our time. As there… are a need for contrast and hope for the future.

As this is just a repetition of history and the republic deserves so much better. Peace.

South Sudan: Jonglei State – Clarification regarding the shooting incident that unfolded yesterday evening at Former Governor’s Residence (01.06.2024)

South Sudan: South Sudan United Movement (SSUM) – Press Statement (30.05.2024)

South Sudan: R-JMEC worried about the lack of progress in regards to hold credible elections…

As you may recall, in March this year, RJMEC wrote to the Executive of the RTGoNU expressing its concerns on the lack of consensus on the prospects of conducting credible elections as scheduled in December 2024, and called for urgent inter-party dialogue on the way forward, in the spirit of collegiality and consensus, as per the requirement of the R-ARCSS. It is therefore important that the interparty dialogue be expedited to provide clarity on the way forward. This would help the South Sudanese to prepare sufficiently and enable timely mobilisation of resources by the regional and international community to support the process” (…) “It is concerning that barely seven months to the elections, there is still no evidence of sufficient preparation for the conduct of elections and implementation of critical election-related tasks” (R-JMEC – ‘STATEMENT BY H.E. AMB. MAJ GEN (rtd) CHARLES TAI GITUAI CBS INTERIM CHAIRPERSON – RJMEC TO THE 35TH RJMEC MONTHLY MEETING, THURSDAY, 23 MAY 2024 JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN, 23.05.2024).

The SPLM and the allies of J-1 should listen in to the R-JMEC. The statement released yesterday by the Interim Chairman Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai, which describes a worrying sign and signals the lack of institutionalization of the state and laws ahead of the December 2024 elections. There is only a few months and the R-TGoNU and R-ARCSS haven’t been fulfilled. Therefore, it will be a hollow election with lack of paperwork and framework to be credible.

If President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his associates thinks this is a good idea. That he pushed the election and get the nod to be legitimately elected in this atmosphere. The nature of things might become even more fickle. The narratives will run crazy and around, as there is a lack of trust or credibility. Therefore, the Head of State that is used to live on decree. He needs to rethink and reconfigure, if he wants to be a sincere leader.

This here is about the lack of progress, the lack of will and the stalling. The R-TGoNU and the slow movement of the mechanisms regarding the R-ARCSS. The state has stopped and haven’t tried to fix the needed things ahead of the elections. They have been busy looting, eating or scheming. If not sending cash to Nairobi or elsewhere where they can live like Kings. Because, in Juba and other regions of the state. There is a lack of government services and proof of changes after the meetings abroad.

The talks is happening outside of the nation. They are meeting stakeholders in conferences and huge mediation forums, instead of trying to fix the nation from within. It is better infrastructure and possibilities elsewhere, but that is a sign of how the government has failed. The SPLM and the other parts of government needs to act upon this.

The R-JMEC warning should be the final straw. It is should be a reason to act in haste. Now is a time to move quickly and assess the situation even further. That’s if J-1 or anyone else in power wants legitimacy with the election in December 2024. The few months ahead. Just about a half-year is left before the polls are on.

There been so much postponement and the transitional period has just lasted and laster. It seemed like a never ending story. If Kiir and his associates pushed for these polls. That will not help him and only damage his reputation. As his forcing himself on the people and it won’t be a credible affair. Peace.

South Sudan: Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs – Clarification on Recent Social Media Allegations (20.05.2024)

Kenya: Ministry of Foreign & Diaspora Affairs – Joint Media Statement – High Level Mediation for South Sudan (20.05.2024)

South Sudan: South Sudan People’s Movement/Army (SSPM/A) letter to Gen. Lazaros Sumbeiywe – Subject: Security Concern (20.05.2024)

South Sudan: Warrap State – Ministry of Information & Communication Services – Clarification (08.05.2024)

South Sudan: Greater Pibor Administrative Area Youth Unition – Resignation of GPPA Youth from the SPLM-IG and Declaration to Join the SPLM-IO under the Leadership of H.E. Dr. Riek Mahcar Teny-Durghon (04.05.2024)