South Sudan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation – Press Release (31.05.2023)

Sudan: Museveni’s simple remedy of the conflict…

“This afternoon, I chaired the 1156th virtual meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council, on the situation in Sudan. As I had reiterated earlier, Sudan does not belong to the army or the RSF, it belongs to the People and therefore I call upon the immediate cessation of hostilities to allow the people elect their leaders. This business of how to integrate armies is not new, we have done it in many parts of Africa including here in Uganda, it cannot be the reason for starting such a devastating war” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (27.05.2023).

It had to be the likes of Museveni who comes with the solution. The easy solution and the one that staring you right in the eye. Not like the Sudanese people doesn’t know or is bothered by it. They are the ones that bleeding and living under the mercy of the guns.

President Museveni is bold when he says it with such ease. A man who took power the guns and never left his hand of the trigger. Museveni wouldn’t have risen through the ranks or gotten to where he is today, if it wasn’t for guns and ammunition. That’s why it’s rich of him of talking cessation of hostilities and elect their leaders.

Yes, the people should elect their leaders and that was the cause or reason for the Sudanese Revolution. A revolution that the Transitional Military Council and the Army Commanders has hijacked for their benefits. While getting rid of their former master and the party that he ran. Therefore, it is easy pickings for Museveni to say – “you should just elect leaders”.

The Sovereign Council and the mandate it got was to ensure the military would lead the way to civilian government. The current army commanders couldn’t even ensure a temporary time with a civilian led Sovereign Council and possible more technocrats in office. No, they had to overthrow that and again steer the nation.

That’s why we are here today and the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces are fighting to conquer and overcome the other military fraction. They are not in it for democratic principals or ideals of civilian led government. These people are in it for power, prosperity and individual gratification. Therefore, Al-Burhan and Hemeti will benefit of the outcome, and the victor will enjoy all of the spoils of war.

This is why Museveni knows perfectly well what ambition and seeking to overthrow his enemies. That is what he did since his FRONASA days. Museveni has been scheming since the 1970s and under the reign of Idi Amin. Museveni was busy toppling leaders and installing himself as the overlord until 1986. He was so busy doing so and did with success, which is why his still in office today.

That’s why reading the words of Museveni is baffling. Museveni dares to simplify it. Not like the Resistance Councils or the Civil Society haven’t said it before. The opposition and the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) has said it too. The Sudanese Professional Association has spoken it’s peace too. So, Museveni is just preaching to the choir.

Everyone know this is the answer. The parties involved knows it too, but they want more and fast. They are in a bitter conflict to enrich and enlarge their resources. They are battling to undermine and get rid of the last obstacle. That’s what they are doing. It is a way to silence and consolidate power within the ranks. This is why they are fighting and they are hoping the other party slips, lose faith and hope. Just so it can end the other party and crown themselves king.

Museveni knows that part very well. That is exactly what he did and the skulls of Luweero is a symbol of his war. The prolonged war in the North is another testimony to what he was willing to do. Just so he could consolidate and settle grievances with his enemies. Museveni even continued his wars and conflict into Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Therefore, Museveni isn’t the guy to speak of peace. When he has earned all his political capital through war. Museveni has earned it or profited of peace. No, that isn’t in him and we all know that. Peace.

South Sudan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation – Press Release (27.05.2023)

South Sudan: OCHA – Targeted attacks on humanitarian assets threaten the humanitarian response in South Sudan (24.05.2023)

South Sudan: Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan – Washington D.C. – Condemnation of Ambassador Nikki Haley’s appalling remarks about South Sudan (19.05.2023)

South Sudan: Office of the President – His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit – President of the Republic of South Sudan – Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) Day Remarks (16.05.2023)

South Sudan: Bank of South Sudan – Office of the Governor – Press Release (12.05.2023)

South Sudan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation – Press Release (10.05.2023)

South Sudan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation – Press Release (05.05.2023)

South Sudan: The UN Experts Rapport spells out trouble for the “business as usual”

In Juba, South Sudan… people should be worried, and the sign of the everlasting transitional period is having its affects. The price of the continues transitional period is starting to vein on things. The political elite and the former foes are now butting heads. The lack of implementation, progress or creation of institutions are hurting the process. The current regime is reckless by sticking by its guns and not acting upon the R-ARCSS.

President Kiir and his closest associates cannot decree themselves out of this one. There is a need to hold talks, negotiate and find positive measures to ensure the articles and the agreed upon R-ARCSS is implemented. This has been done at a glacier slow speed and done so on purpose. The leaders have bought itself time by doing nothing and twinning their thumbs.

This UN Experts Reports is damning of the leaders in South Sudan. They are now held accountable and what they have done is making things even more fragile. Just because it is easy to take it slow.

Just read these parts of the Report!

“Their experience is likely familiar to many South Sudanese, whose patience, trust in the process and ability to survive have been tested in equal measure since the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan in 2018. The date of 22 February 2023 would have marked the end of the transitional period, had it not been for the two-year extension agreed in Juba in August 2022. As the symbolic date approached, the Government issued a lengthy press statement outlining its achievements while stressing that everything would remain “business as usual” for the Government throughout the extension. Implicit in that message was the need to allay two concerns. First, that the extension would be used to undermine the fragile power-sharing structures ahead of the implementation of the most challenging provisions of the peace agreement, notably its security provisions, constitution-drafting process and preparations for elections. Second, that “business as usual” would mean further delays, not the progress that peace once promised. The transitional period was not supposed to last for such a long time. It was also intended to be buttressed by significant reforms that would bring security, economic stability and development, while remedying the democratic deficit of the current arrangements through a clear timeline towards elections” (Final report of the Panel of Experts on South Sudan submitted pursuant to resolution 2633 (2022), 26.04.2023).

“Under the extended transitional period, elections are now scheduled for December 2024. While other short-term priorities, including security arrangements, continue to dominate the political agenda, the approaching prospect of elections has started to shape the political landscape. With the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) fragmented and weakened, both militarily and politically, the Government has sought to press home its advantage by reshaping key national and State-level institutions. This has already sparked significant confrontations among signatories to the peace agreement, before many of the most contentious election preparation activities have even started” (Final report of the Panel of Experts on South Sudan submitted pursuant to resolution 2633 (2022), 26.04.2023).

“Recent Necessary Unified Force graduates who spoke to the Panel hoped that their deployment would mean the start of “a new life”. While some progress has been made towards the implementation of the peace agreement, delays continue to test the patience of those who remain hopeful that it will eventually deliver relief from insecurity and humanitarian hardship. The patience of many has already been exhausted, however, before several of the most contentious and potentially combustible provisions of the peace agreement have even started, such as drafting the constitution, formalizing political boundaries and conducting a census” (Final report of the Panel of Experts on South Sudan submitted pursuant to resolution 2633 (2022), 26.04.2023).

If you read them like me, you are getting concerned and worried. Because these things aren’t a sign of sustainable peace or development for a better future. No, this is a sign of stalemate and buying time. While they are thinking of how to get ahead in a possible election in 2024. Though that is all in the air, if the lack of implementation is hurting that process too.

There are to many temporary fixes and lack of due process. That’s why we should be worried and concerned. The high-ranking officials and the ones in leadership positions needs to be alert. They need to read this report and act. These folks cannot just look by and let it all sail away. Especially, when this peace has cost so much, and they shouldn’t risk it either. The price of not having peace is even more. Kiir and Machar has seen what a civil war does and they shouldn’t risk that again. Especially not over petty grievances and lonely power struggle.

The well-being of the Republic should matter more to them. However, the UN Experts reports is damning, but not totally without hope. That’s why we can hope that the slow transitional government will eventually pick up the speed. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t count on it. Peace.