
South Sudan: President Salva Kiir Mayardiit Condolances Message for Gen. James Ajongo (20.04.2018)





“In peace one is despoiled by the mercenaries, in war by one’s enemies.” – Niccolò Machiavelli (The Prince)
There has been speculations and even reports of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) return to the war-torn republic of South Sudan. President Salva Mayardiit Kiir and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has long-standing friendship and they have helped each other out in the past. This is a continuation of this; there has been reports of technical help and also support of weapons from Uganda. Now, the opposition and rebel force SPLM/A-IO are claiming they have returned.
“Rebels disclosed that Ugandan soldiers are already in Bentiu and warned that more troops should arrive in other locations within days or weeks to help Juba fight against the SPLA-IO. “We have solid information that Ugandan soldiers are now in Bentiu area,” Khamis Mawwil, an officer with the SPLA-IO intelligence branch told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) in Maiwut. Khamis claims that the armed opposition has a good number of intelligence operatives in Uganda and that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni ordered the return of Ugandan troops to the war-torn young nation. “Uganda’s leader ordered the deployment of his troops to South Sudan, there is no question about that,” Khamis charged. “We will crush them if they don’t want peace,” he vowed” (South Sudan News Agency – ‘Uganda accused of secretly sending troops to South Sudan’ 17.04.2018).
This is not a surprise; this has been a waiting game for the parties. They have both worked slowly towards this. That the UPDF would support the SPLA would be like weapon brothers coming in to crush the all the rebels in the republic.
That the UPDF would support SPLA in their endeavours at this point is to be estimated. Especially, when during the last month, President Museveni said he would support SPLA even if the United States would enact an arms embargo. Therefore, the one who keeps the refugees from the South Sudan. Is also a major part in the reason for the refugees. The safe haven, is also the place where the support of military actions is from.
That should be a warning sign, that the SPLM/A-IG would say it isn’t so, is to be expected. That the UPDF without any mandate would counter it too, but every time the UPDF can be a hired gun in a conflict, they will take it. The need for foreign exchange and be used in mercenaries in foreign land, that is okay in the eyes of the President. UPDF are used in Equatorial Guinea, Yemen, Somalia, Central African Republic, sometimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo and possibly after reports now in South Sudan.
The Ugandan army doesn’t come in peace, but to gain monetary funds from conflict. They are doing this as a service to Kiir and his government. Not for the betterment of the Republic, but to secure their war-lord in South Sudan. The friend of Museveni, the man who is loyal to him. That is what matters. Not peace or justice. No, that comes short in this tale of weapons.
So, I am not shocked for the return of the UPDF in Bentiu area. That was expected, because that is how Museveni acts and one of the vital relations of Kiir. Kiir needs the help from Museveni, and Museveni knows this. Time will tell how long they will stay and what sort of manpower they bring this time around. Peace.


This return follows the signing of a tripartite agreement in May 2017 by the governments of Sudan and Chad and United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for the voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees from Chad.
NORTH DARFUR, Sudan, April 17, 2018 – On 14 April 2018, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Commissioner of Refugees (COR) welcomed the first convoy of 53 Sudanese refugees who have returned to Sudan after more than 14 years in exile, in eastern Chad.
Accompanied by Deputy Representative of UNHCR in Chad and Commissioner for Refugees and other senior government officials in Chad, the returnees were warmly received by the Commissioner of Tina locality, the Commissioner of Refugees and UNHCR Representative in Sudan as well as leaders of local administration and community in Tina.
Sudanese refugees fled to Chad following eruption of conflicts in Darfur in 2003 -2004. Many refugees have indicated their interest to return to Sudan with the stabilization and improvement of general security in Darfur.
This return follows the signing of a tripartite agreement in May 2017 by the governments of Sudan and Chad and UNHCR for the voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees from Chad.
The Sudanese returnees were assisted with a reintegration package and transportation from the reception Centre in Tina to their home villages in North Darfur.
The Commissioner of Refugees, Hamad El-Gizouli said: “this is an historic moment to receive the first group of Sudanese returnees from Chad.
I would like to emphasize the importance that the Sudanese Government attaches to the voluntary return of refugees as being the best solution for them so that they can begin to rebuild their life as Sudanese citizens.”
The Representative of UNHCR in Sudan, Noriko Yoshida said: “It is very moving to see refugees returning to their home country after many years in exile. I want to seize this opportunity to appeal to the international community to assist the efforts being exerted by the Sudanese government for the sustainable and durable return of the Sudanese refugees from Chad, which would equally benefit internally displaced persons and the local community through promoting peaceful co-existence among them”.
Adam El-Nour Abakar, who left to Chad some 15 years ago and returned home voluntarily said: “I’m so happy to return back to my country with my family. I really feel comfortable and content. I cannot thank UNHCR and the Governments of Chad and Sudan enough for facilitating our return to Sudan. I am eager to catch the agricultural season in my home area in Kebkabiya.”
UNHCR and two Governments concerned are targeting the repatriation of 20,000 refugees from Chad during the course of 2018. Registration will continue in Chad and refugees will be assisted should they express their intention to return to Sudan.
UNHCR and the Government of Sudan acknowledge the existence of spontaneous returnees from Chad to Sudan, and these return areas are also in need of urgent rehabilitation.
It is to be noted that some 300,000 Sudanese refugees are currently reside in eastern Chad.












10th April 2018, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, accompanied by representatives of the Office of the Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers, held consultations on 10th April 2018 with representatives of the South Sudanese Civil Society Stakeholders to the HLRF to discuss key outstanding issues at the Forum, including positions of the various parties and possible compromises. The consultations are pursuant to the decisions of the IGAD Council of Ministers at its 61stExtra-Ordinary Session on South Sudan held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 26 March 2018 to reconvene the continuation of Phase II of the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) to conduct consultations and undertake shuttle diplomacy with the parties and stakeholders to the HLRF to narrow the gaps between the Parties, prior to the next reconvening of the Forum.
The consultations focused on the key areas of disagreements on governance and security arrangements at the HLRF. Under governance, the following issues were discussed: the composition of the transitional government; structure of the government; responsibility sharing; number of states and size and composition of the Parliament.
On security arrangements, the following issues were discussed: timeframe for reintegration/unification of forces and approach to the formation of one national army; security for Juba during the Transition; demilitarization of civilian centers; cantonment of forces and Security sector reform or establishment of new security services.
Following extensive deliberations, the representatives of the Civil Society and stakeholders at the HLRF made recommendations for considerations by the Parties at the HLRF.