South Sudan: United Nations (UN) experts warn that South Sudan’s peace process needs urgent attention to prevent violence escalating (26.09.2022)

The Peace Agreement included a national consultation process on establishing the Commission on Truth, Reconciliation and Healing.

GENEVA, Switzerland, September 26, 2022 – The international community urgently needs to pay more attention to the escalating violence proliferating at a local level all over South Sudan, warned United Nations-appointed human rights experts during a visit to New York which concluded yesterday.

“In meetings with United Nations officials here, we tried to get across the message that it is critical donors and member states continue to monitor the peace agreement, security sector reform and ensure constitutional legislation is pushed through before elections,” said Yasmin Sooka, Chairperson of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan. “Without these steps, we are likely to see millions more South Sudanese displaced or crossing borders, creating havoc for neighbouring countries and aid agencies,” she added.

On 4 August 2022, parties to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement for South Sudan signed on to a further two-year extension of the transitional governance arrangements, postponing elections until late 2024. As of now, the shape of the electoral system remains undefined. Additionally, elections require a conducive environment, but South Sudanese who have questioned the government or exposed atrocities have received death threats, been detained or tortured, with the political space shrinking.

The Peace Agreement included a national consultation process on establishing the Commission on Truth, Reconciliation and Healing. Consultations were held in mid-2022 but excluded millions of refugees who had fled fearing for their lives, along with large portions of the country, including those areas under opposition control.

Indeed, after four years, none of the three proposed transitional justice bodies have come into being – the Commission on Truth, Reconciliation and Healing, the Hybrid Court or the Compensation and Reparation Authority.

“You cannot exclude large numbers of people who have suffered from having a say in the future justice system. Nor can you cherry-pick between the different transitional justice bodies – they all have to work together to bring closure to the people of South Sudan,” said Commissioner Barney Afako.

“In the meantime, the Government must make available interim reparations to survivors whose lives are shattered,” he added.

While in New York, the Commissioners also spoke at a Global Survivors Forum hosted by Nobel Peace Prize winners Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, which examined best practice for reparations for sexual violence.

“Survivors in South Sudan, particularly those of repeated incidents of sexual violence, tell us again and again that criminal accountability is the only way to guarantee their safety and peace for the country,” said Commissioner Andrew Clapham. “That’s why setting up the Hybrid Court is non-negotiable.”

South Sudan: Ministry of Finance & Planning – Press Statement on the Circulating Rumours on Social Media (22.09.2022)

South Sudan: National Democratic Alliance (NDA) – Official Announcement of the Name of a New Political Party (15.09.2022)

South Sudan: World Food Programme (WFP) – WFP calls for access to conflict-affected communities in upper Nile and Jonglei states (16.09.2022)

South Sudan: Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) – National Secretariat – Office of the Secretary General – Notice (12.09.2022)

South Sudan: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) – Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan condemns the latest violence against civilians and calls for immediate cessation of hostilities (08.09.2022)

South Sudan: Statement by His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan on the Flood Situation in the Country (07.09.2022)

South Sudan: Statement of South Sudan Women’s Coalition, South Sudan Youth Coalition, and the South Sudan Civil Society Forum in the R-JMEC extraordinary meeting of 1st September 2022 (01.09.2022)

Opinion: Kiir has now no reason to implement the R-ARCSS [after getting the new 24 month extension period]

In Juba and with the acceptance of the 24 month extension of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) by endorsement of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluating Commission (R-JMEC) today. The continued and prolonged transitional period is continuing.

In South Sudan they will not have elected leadership or stakeholders, which are representatives of the people. No, they will continue to have people who fought and warlords to control the political arena. They will continue to use force and direct orders from the President. The Presidential Decrees will matter more than legislation or any of the other entities of the state.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit have been the leader and the head of state practically since the later General John Garang died in a helicopter crash in 2005. This means that the Head of State and the leader of Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLM/A) has had total control for 17 years.

This extension of this Revitalized-Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) gives Kiir no reason to move or adjust. He has already traded the petroleum futures and could do that in the future too. His people can live lavish of the state structure and the lack of institutions. They don’t mind the lack of governance or implementation of the R-ARCSS.

President Kiir is getting all the perks and only have to find ways to corrupt the leaders around him. This being the Opposition or the rebels in-and-around him. Just to get them involved and give them meaningless titles to incorporate them in his system. That’s why there is so many Vice President and a delegated amount of cabinet members. While there is also appointed representatives for the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA). Therefore, he has the people around him and they need him on the top to get this positions. It is all bound by him and not by the will of the people.

That’s why Kiir don’t want to have an election. Neither will his state be really transparent or prepared for any election. President Kiir will pursuit the end-game of never being elected. He would dream of the Eritrean example of Isaias Afwerki, which was never elected after independence of the Republic of Eritrea.

President Kiir also is following the transitional period, which his neighbour Museveni enjoyed between 1986 to his long reform to create a new Constitution, which came into effect by 1995. After that he had a “no party” and a “movement election” in 1996, which he repeated in 2001 and only after two referendums he had to hold the first one in 2006. With that in mind, you can see how long he held his system and all in his ranks until he opened up for more in Uganda.

That’s why President Kiir could try either of these. Especially, when his seeking allies outside of the Troika and getting deals to ensure profitability of the petroleum dollars entering the Republic. This is the most important source of income and what keeps his government alive. Therefore, he will strive for that and ensure enough peace to secure the exports are going.

The R-ARCSS has already had several of deadlines to be implemented, but it haven’t happened. No, it has just been postponed and gotten an extension. This is like the second or the third at this point of time. That’s why I doubt that Kiir will fulfil or even try to finish it. He prefers living in transition and now have to honour legislation or any sort of electoral law. Because, then he would be accountable and transparent…

President Kiir would not jeopardize this and that’s why this has been done this way. Him as a President will continue in power and nothing will ever challenge that. I cannot see him even finishing the implementation of the R-ARCSS within the new artificial deadline. Because, there is no real incentive for him to do so.

Why would he finish the transitional period, if that means the people would have someone else? Why would he make institutions and give them a mandate, if that takes away his powers?

Well, your guess is as good as mine. Peace.

Eswatini: A lawyer becomes “person-non grata” for defending the MPs who is fighting for democracy…

The Governemnt of Eswatini has declared Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube’s SA-based lawyer Sicelo Mngomezulu an illegal immigrant. This is happening at a time when Mngomezulu had organised an event for maidens which was scheduled to be held at Hosea” (Times of Eswatini, 01.09.2022).

The King is never resting in Eswatini. The Kingdom of Eswatini don’t want any pushback or any sort of activities not acknowledged or accepted without the consent of the King. King Mswati III is the absolute power and his orders rule the nation.

No one should be shocked that this is happening. The King has no issues to order extra judicial killings, and punitive actions against students and people who has revolted against his reign. This is why this is the sort of behaviour, which is to be expected by him.

The Kingdom of Eswatini is only there to serve the King. The government and the authorities are only there for him. Nothing else matters. The appointed MPs that has defied him… they are clearly in trouble and will only be left of the hook in exile. The King wants to show power and make it even harder for the MPs to defend themselves.

Even if the King is alone and the sole proprietor of the state. There is no checks- and balances now. He can direct, send a word or a directive and after that people are gone. This King don’t care and will only hold public functions to silence the neighbours bickering or interfering.

This person non-grata is clear as day. Being banned from entering or allowed to defend the MPs is obvious. That’s to weaken the MPs case and their ability to answer for their “crimes” in court. We all know they “offended the Don”.

His Majesty isn’t forgiving, as an ancient overlord and tyrant. He will come with retribution and show his force to anyone who disobeys. That’s the sort of a man the King is. The MPs are clearly not getting proper help or any sort defence. This is the will of the King and his just signalling that to the people. He will not budge and he don’t care. Especially, for the ones foolishly enough trying to challenge him.

He will bury you and never let you see the light of day. That’s the actions of this king. A man who has to show it with violence, oppressive behaviour and a total destruction of rights. That’s what he does and this is the path that he has chosen to take.

These two MPs will not see freedom or liberty in a long while. If ever again really… this King will not relent until they possibly asks for forgiveness for their transgression against him. Peace.