
South Sudan: First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar – Press Release (28.03.2022)







There are frightening news from Juba and South Sudan. This week has been showing the dire side of the Republic. There are movements of both the state and other signatories of the R-ARCSS. As there are appointments and also military moves, which implicates two main culprits. These have sadly fought before and they can easily do it again.
These two leaders within South Sudan is President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar Teny. Both of them have fought and the latest agreement has ceased this since 2018. There have been skirmishes and usage of military within South Sudan. However, not on a scale of a civil war, which was stopped by the Khartoum Declaration and R-ARCSS. Therefore, the need to adhere and implement it is even more important. Because, that is how to build trust and institutions.
What we are reading and seeing is similar to 2013 and 2016. The world and the Republic has seen these sorts of actions done by both parties then. The SPLM-IG and SPLM-IO has both fought each other. Before the agreement Machar had to flee into exile and was stationed outside of South Sudan for a long time. Therefore, these two knows the costs of war and should avoid that by any means. They have seen the costs and the suffering it has caused. Instead of finding solutions and procedures for the future. It is instead trying to get an upper-hand in a supposed election cycle, which haven’t been scheduled or written road-map about. However, the state haven’t implemented the stipulations or prepared the states for an election.
Here is the recent reports over the weekend:
“The SPLM-IO has issued a statement rejecting last week’s decree by President Salva Kiir announcing command of the unified forces. SPLM-IO says the President’s decree left out some positions of command” (Radio Miraya, 27.03.2022).
“UBA – A South Sudan army general turned member of Pan African parliament has said that ongoing attacks by South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) are attempts to displace members of constituencies in SPLM-IO-controlled areas and manipulate elections in favor of President Salva Kiir Mayardit. There has been fighting in Upper Nile and Unity state where South Sudan army forces in the two states launched attacks on several bases belonging to the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny” (…) “In a statement, Major-General Mabior Riiny Lual, said the ongoing conflict in Upper Nile state is an indication that the SPLM-IG want to go to elections and that the war is a campaign by the Kiir-led army to displace constituencies in opposition-controlled areas so that elections are manipulated in favor of Kiir.“The war in Upper Nile is an indication that there is a determination by SPLM to go for elections. The war is an attempt to displace constituencies of SPLM-IO to discourage them from voting,” he said in a statement seen by Sudans Post on Friday evening” (South Sudan Uncensored – ‘TOP GENERAL SAYS ATTACKS ON SPLA-IO ”IS AN ATTEMPT TO DISPLACE CONSTITUENCIES TO MANIPULATE ELECTIONS” (26.03.2022).
That this is happening now is a worrying sign. The ending of collaborations and working in connection with R-JMEC and other councils from SPLM/A-IO should be a sign of a stalemate. While the President also appoints and leaves out the FVP out of his Presidential Decrees. That is working without the parts of government, which is needed.
This shows that the communication between the parties has stopped and it is more needed than ever. The two leaders needs to talk and secure peace. Instead of continuing to escalate. Innocent lives will be taken and people will die over their power games. Which these two are only gaining. While the Republic is losing in general.
South Sudan doesn’t need more violence and death. Kiir and Machar has been main culprits of conflict. That’s why these two needs to talk and find ways out of this. While we are seeing things that resemble before the R-ARCSS. In 2022 these needs talks and not weapons. The arms and the solo-runs should be over. Time for institutionalization and state building. However, that is going slow, because that will weaken the President and has power. He wants power and ensure he has that indefinitely.
We have to hope that these two finds a way and a forum to meet. Before the attacks and skirmishes escalates further. The state and the President has to ensure the trust. He is the Head of State and if he finds himself in a new civil war because of his pride. Than his self-importance is destructive to the state. Neither is it any good, if Machar cannot try to reach out and show humility. However, these are both men of war and that what they know the most. It has only been a short window without major conflict.
South Sudan needs peace and not war. Peace.


Three people on the convoy were killed, and one person was wounded.
JUBA, South Sudan, March 25, 2022 – The Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Ms. Sara Beysolow Nyanti and the Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim (a.i.), Mr. Arafat Jamal condemn the targeted attack on a convoy carrying humanitarian commodities. They call on the perpetrators to respect international law and humanitarian staff and assets, and demand that authorities make every effort to protect communities, humanitarian personnel and assets across the country.
On 24 March 2022, a convoy of commercial trucks carrying vital life-saving food commodities from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) was attacked between Gadiang and Yuai in Jonglei state. Three people on the convoy were killed, and one person was wounded.
“This attack is completely unacceptable. This is not the first of these incidents in this area. Criminals who choose to use violence to serve themselves ensure vulnerable people suffer more. If humanitarians and humanitarian assets are not protected, humanitarian assistance to that area will have to stop,” said Ms Nyanti.
On behalf of the humanitarian community, Mr Jamal extended his sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of the colleagues who were killed and injured. “I have unfailing admiration for everyone who helps and supports people in need. It is devastating to realize that people undertaking vital work can be executed so heartlessly. The crime is compounded when these attacks go unpunished. These killers must not be allowed to roam free. I call on the Government to immediately implement its commitments to ensure civilians, including humanitarians, are safe,” said Mr. Jamal.
South Sudan continues to be one of the most dangerous places for aid workers, with 319 violent incidents reported in 2021 targeting humanitarian personnel and assets, including 5 aid workers killed. This is the fourth such incident targeting humanitarian commodities since 19 December 2021 in Jongeli. Attacks of this nature disrupt humanitarian operations and affect the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people. The humanitarian community estimates that there are 1.7 million people in Jonglei in need.
Ms Nyanti is currently visiting donor capitals to raise the profile of the needs of people in South Sudan and advocating for support. “When humanitarian assistance is attacked, it is the people in need who suffer. Indeed, such incidents discourage those donor countries who would otherwise invest in South Sudan,” she lamented.


Today on the 22nd March 2022 the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (In-Opposition) – (SPLM-(IO)) has today written to the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) who has the oversight and ensure the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement known as the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
We already knew that the R-ARCSS was slowly implemented and there was lacking will to finalize the implementation of it. It has been delayed and terribly slow. While things have not moved forward.
The Rome Declaration of 2020 brokered an agreement, which secured a peace agreement with several opposition groups, which included SSOMA, SPLM-IO and NDM. However, since then there has been little to nothing to show for it.
We don’t know if this is the aftermath of the agreements made between the rebels of SPLM/A(IO), which signed an agreement with SPLM-IG in January 2022. This was Khartoum Peace Agreement between the SPLM-IG with the Agwelek Forces and the SPLM/A-(IO) Kit-Gwang. These was signed on the same day and ensured that the R-TGoNU and SPLM-IG had more former rebels in agreement with them. Meaning the SPLM-IG had participated and taken in the ones who was directly defying First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.
Now today only about two months later the SPLM/A-IO main body and second biggest party in the R-ARCSS is suspending it’s participation the 2018 peace agreement. That is a worrying sign. There has already been skirmishes and targeted attacks. If this isn’t handled with care and with dialogue. It could soon easily turn bloody.
The SPLM-IG and President Salva Kiir Mayardit has been here before and so has Dr. Riek Machar. These has fought before and now there are even more possible hurdles as well. South Sudan has still other rebels and outfits, which causes conflict in respective states. However, these two can wage war and that’s what they have done and made their careers doing.
While we should hope for and possibly see these gentlemen talk. We have in the past seen when a stalemate and deadlock. These gentlemen order the guns and tanks onto the streets. The last civil war which lasted between 2013-2018 killed 382,000 and unknown amount of refugees. There is still ramifications from this one felt on the ground and unresolved suffering from the ones who caught in the cross-fire. Therefore, the Republic don’t need another war or a civil-war for that matter.
SPLM-IG should call and invite the leadership of SPLM/A-(IO) to talks. Just to de-escalate things and find common ground for solutions ahead. Since, this is only making things more fragile and paining the R-ARCSS. Which is already a long and prolonged process with a lot of interim and temporary mechanisms. The state needs to institutionalize itself. So, that these sorts of issues cannot risk the whole process and re-start conflict.
That’s why there is a need for sit-down and talks. Since the signal of this letter can cause real ramifications and even as slow as the R-ARCSS implementation has been going. Many of us was waiting for a letter or asking a delay or prolonging it. Because, most of us as outsiders saw it impossible to finish the time-line of R-ARCSS on time.
However, the latest move by SPLM/A-(IO) is only making the situation more dire and should be seen as a warning. The TGoNU and other R-ARCSS signatories should call this out and ensure things back to “normal” and into formal procedural terms. As this is set a precedence and worrying times ahead. We don’t know what sort of reaction SPLM-IG will have, but they should consider their next step. This is a slap in the face and an official dismissal by Dr. Riek Machar towards President Salva Kiir.
These two who knows each other and who has a long history. They should talk and iron the issues out. The time for bloodshed and war should be over. The R-ARCSS kept the peace for about 4 years. Yes, with lots of breaches and with irregular use of arms. While that is bad and caused more hurt than it should. We know the civil war will be much worse and the consequences even higher. Therefore, instead of burying the R-ARCSS and all the interim bodies, which is moving forward. There is time to reflect, talk and find solutions. Not go back to the arms and guns, which resolved things in the past.
That’s why I am firm on talks and dialogue. This is what is needed, because the guns and war only take you so far. Which in the end… only get you to have more pain and suffering on third parties. More civilians will die and more people flee into neighbouring countries. It will not generate a sustainable peace, but instead only create more hostilities. These two leaders should know that perfectly well and better than most.
Therefore, with the letter of suspending and not participating in the R-JMEC from SPLM/A-(IO) should be the sign for Kiir to talk and find ways to mend the difference. In such a manner, which ceases the uncertainty and gives relief for both parties. That is better than letting this one slide and unknowingly destroy 4 years of work and possibilities of peace. This will be all on them and they would again create war on their terms, instead of serving the population who wants and deserves peace. Peace.



According to the UN Commission, sexual violence has been instrumentalized as a reward and entitlement for youth and men participating in conflict.
GENEVA, Switzerland, March 22, 2022 – Widespread sexual violence against women and girls in conflict is being fueled by systemic impunity, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said on Monday.
The Commission’s new report, based on interviews conducted with victims and witnesses over several years, describes a “hellish existence for women and girls”, with widespread rape being perpetrated by all armed groups across the country.
According to the UN Commission, sexual violence has been instrumentalized as a reward and entitlement for youth and men participating in conflict.
The goal is to inflict maximum disruption of the fabric of communities, including through their constant displacement, the report continues.
Rape is often used as “part of military tactics for which government and military leaders are responsible, either due to their failure to prevent these acts, or for their failure to punish those involved”, the Commission advanced.
Bodies reduced to ‘spoils of war’
“It is outrageous and completely unacceptable that women’s bodies are systematically used on this scale as the spoils of war,” declared Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the UN Commission.
Calling for urgent and demonstrable action by authorities, Ms. Sooka said: “South Sudanese men must stop regarding the female body as ‘territory’ to be owned, controlled and exploited.”
Sexual violence survivors have detailed “staggeringly brutal and prolonged gang rapes” perpetrated against them by multiple men, often while their husbands, parents or children have been forced to watch, helpless to intervene.
Women of all ages recounted being raped multiple times while other women were also being raped around them, and a woman raped by six men said she was even forced to tell her assailants that the rape had been “good”, threatening to rape her again if she refused.
Anyone reading the details of this horrific report can only begin to imagine what life is like for the survivors. – Andrew Clapham, member of the Commission
The resultant traumas “ensure the complete destruction of the social fabric”, the UN Commission said.
Horrific assaults
“Anyone reading the details of this horrific report can only begin to imagine what life is like for the survivors. These accounts are unfortunately just the tip of the iceberg. Everyone, inside and outside governments, should be thinking what they can do to prevent further acts of sexual violence and to provide adequate care for the survivors,” said Andrew Clapham, member of the Commission.
A woman described her friend being raped by a man in the forest who then said he wanted to continue to ‘have fun’ and further raped her with a firewood stick until she bled to death. Teenage girls described being left for dead by their rapists while bleeding heavily.
Medical personnel also report that many survivors have been raped multiple times throughout their lifetime.
Traumatised for life
The report also describes women often bearing children as a result of rape, and notes that in many cases, survivors have contracted sexually transmitted infections including being infected with HIV.
Following rape and pregnancy, women are often abandoned by husbands and families, and left destitute. Some of those raped while pregnant, have suffered miscarriages.
Husbands searching for abducted wives and daughters often spend years not knowing their fate, with some learning they were abducted by men from rival ethnic groups and forced to bear multiple children – one such man was so traumatized, he wanted to take his own life.
The Commission reported that these attacks were not random opportunistic incidents, but usually involved armed soldiers actively hunting down women and girls, with rape carried out during attacks on villages, systematic and widespread.
Accountability versus impunity
The Commission said the failure of political elites to deal with security sector reform, and to provide for the very basic needs of armed forces on all sides, continues to contribute to a permissive environment in which South Sudanese women are regarded as currency.
With near-universal impunity for rape and sexual violence, perpetrators avoid accountability.
Calling on the Government of South Sudan and its obligation to end impunity for serious crimes, the Commission noted the recent Government initiatives to address sexual violence in conflict, including establishing a special court and holding military justice proceedings.
While welcoming such measures, the Commission also said, “they remain woefully inadequate given the scale and extent of crimes”.
Gender inequality context
“It is scandalous that senior officials implicated in violence against women and girls, including cabinet ministers and governors, are not immediately removed from office and held accountable.
To address this pervasive violence in conflict and other contexts, those in positions of command and other authority must promptly and publicly adopt a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards sexual and gender-based violence.” said Barney Afako, member of the Commission.
To grasp the full impact of conflict-related sexual violence, it is also necessary to understand the social and cultural context in which sexual violence occurs, under patriarchal systems based on domination and gender discrimination.
Half of all South Sudanese women are married off before they reach 18, and the country has the highest maternal mortality rate in the world.
Sexual and gender-based violence is also common outside of conflict, affecting women and girls amongst all segments of society.
The Commission is calling on the authorities in South Sudan to take the necessary steps to stop sexual violence against women and girls, by addressing impunity and the drivers of conflict and insecurity.
Work of the Commission
The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan is an independent body mandated by the UN Human Rights Council. It was first established in March 2016.
The Commission is mandated to investigate the situation of human rights in South Sudan, and to determine and report the facts and circumstances of human rights violations and abuses, including by clarifying responsibility for violations and abuses that are crimes under national and or international law.
