South Sudan: RJMEC Interim Chairperson lauds AUC, China donation to cantonment sites (06.09.2019)

I am delighted today to have witnessed the hand-over of in-kind support destined for different parts of South Sudan in order to facilitate the cantonment process. The materials were kindly donated by the African Union Commission (AUC).

The in-kind support, which is in the form of large, durable tents to house former combatants while they undergo cantonment, will go a long way in furthering the cantonment process.

This is indeed a great step towards achieving successful cantonment, which is an essential component of the Pre-Transitional tasks.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the AUC for the consignment, and I urge all other partners to offer their unwavering support towards the critical process of cantonment. It is my hope that more support will arrive in the coming days and weeks.

I would also like to acknowledge the donation of 1500 tons of rice from the government of The People’s Republic of China which has been received. Through the Ambassador of China, I would like to extend my thanks to the government of The People’s Republic of China.

It is my expectation that by end of this month, September, we will have attained the required number of troops, that is 50% of the Necessary Unified Forces.

The hand-over of the AUC and Chinese consignments comes at a time when the R-ARCSS is shortly to mark the first anniversary of its signing, which is on 12 September 2018. I hope that together we will achieve much more before the end of the extended Pre-Transitional period.

Thank you very much.Thank you very much.

H.E Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge,

Interim Chairperson, The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC)

South Sudan: Urgent and important – Subject: Dissolution of SSUF/A leadership and executive office (30.08.2019)

Opinion: How many SPLM(s) does South Sudan need?

Well, today there is revealed that former leader of SPLM – Former Detainees (SPLM-FD), Pagan Amum have launched himself a new party, the Real-SPLM. This is revealed when he signed the declaration with other opposition officials during this weekend.

However, there has no been mentioned two SPLM within a few liner notes. You have much more, which makes things really confusing. You have the President Salva Kiir Mayardit party, which is the SPLM/A-IG (In-Government) or the SPLM/A. Than you have Dr. Riek Machar who has his SPLM/A-IO (In-Opposiiton). Just to make it more confusing, you have Dr. Taban Deng own fraction of SPLM-IO, whose part of the TGoNU or R-TGoNU if you may.

When your thinking this is to much. Than you have the SPLM-N, whose itself is split into two groups. You have the SPLM-N run by Malik Agar and the SPLM-N Al Hilu Group, lead by Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu. So with that in mind, there is just a several organizations with different prefixes and this it all.

Just to continue, this is not yet final. There is also SPLM – Democratic Change (SPLM-DC), which was headed by Dr. Lam Akol, who has later started his own party, the National Democratic Movement (NDM), which is not in connection with the SPLM or anyone sounding like it.

This are the ones I know about right now. Key, that I know about right now. I might have left someone out, but this is the list I got.

My current SPLM list:

SPLM = Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement

SPLM/A-(IG)

SPLM/A-IO; Machar

SPLM/A-IO; Taban

SPLM-FD

SPLM-N; Agar*

SPLM-N; al-Hilu*

SPLM-DC

SPLM/A-Upper Nile Group (under commander Deng Kelay Riak)

R-SPLM (Real-SPLM)

*Based in Sudan and not in South Sudan.

That is six parties with very similar names and with personification of the leadership. This sort of things has happen with the SPLM in the past too. As in 1991, the SPLM got into two. The SPLM/A Nasir fraction and the SPLM/A Toriet fraction. In 1994/95 you also had the split within the SPLM/A-United. Therefore, this sort of actions has happened in the past and continues to this day.

What it is showing is that it get hectic and you got to keep you mind correct. Because, without further due, you mention the wrong party and the wrong leader. In addition, what also comes to question with the new party mentioned these days, the Real-SPLM, whose the fake one?

Because, something gotta give. There must be a reason why he calls his party and the other ones are named differently. Unless, there are so few prefixes left. That to be able to establish something profound. He had to use real. Not like you want to start the Fake-SPLM or F-SPLM, if I may.

There is a lot of history, a lot of battles, betrayal and also hurt in this here. Where the leadership has crossed each other and therefore made these alliances. However, this also shows the lack of unity and movement towards on point. Even though all of them claim to be part of the SPLM, just in various fractions. Which states the obvious.

That there is a disconnect between the SPLM/A-IG and the rest. As there was a need to start all the others parties with a very similar connotation. If I have forgotten anything or anyone. Please feel free to mention it. Because this is how far I got today. Peace.

South Sudan Opposition Movements: Declaration of Principles – “Launching the New Vision of Hope and Transformation in South Sudan” (30.08.2019)

UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan: Localization of conflict and unaddressed community grievances serve as barriers to sustainable peace (23.08.2019)

The Commissioners will hold a press conference on Friday, 23 August 2019, at 1100 hrs in the UNMISS Tomping Base in Juba.

JUBA, South Sudan, August 23, 2019 – Members of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan began their seventh field mission to South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Kenya earlier this week. The mission, currently underway, is taking place from 19 to 26 August 2019.

In Juba, Bentiu, and Yei (South Sudan), the Commissioners met with UN representatives, international organizations, and community members comprising religious leaders and civil society, including women’s groups, recent returnees, and internally displaced persons.

“We are deeply concerned that, despite overall armed conflict having waned considerably since the signing of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, little progress has been made to adhere to the terms of the agreement,” said Commission Chair Yasmin Sooka. “Civilians with whom we spoke still raised numerous concerns that they feel are barriers to sustainable peace,” she added.

Intercommunal violence premised on cattle-raiding has recently spiked in South Sudan, including in Bahr al-Ghazal. During their visit, the Commissioners listened to South Sudanese women, men, and children express numerous concerns including localization of conflict linked to land, resources, and cattle, continued impunity for sexual and gender-based violence, delays and inefficiencies in implementing the Revitalized Peace Agreement of September 2018 , deteriorating living conditions for those internally displaced, the securitization of the state and continued shrinking space for civic engagement, frustration with the functioning of the judiciary, and the absence of accountability mechanisms including establishment of the Hybrid Court, among others.

“Despite the numerous challenges we heard, we were encouraged by the fact that committees composed of military and civil actors have been formed to improve civil-military relations and support local justice and reconciliation in Yei River State, where civilians could raise dispute resolutions,” said Commissioner Andrew Clapham. “Such mechanisms that facilitate communication between armed actors and civilians could be replicated in other locations where violent conflict and violations have been witnessed in the country,” he noted.

Impunity for conflict-related sexual violence and sexual and gender-based crimes in South Sudan also remains at an all-time high, while survivors of sexual violence still have limited access to redress. In Bentiu, the Commission heard testimonies of sexual violence from women who are waiting to share their stories with an accountability mechanism. “The lack of progress in establishing transitional justice mechanisms, including the Hybrid Court, the commission for truth, reconciliation, and healing and the compensation and reparation authority, which are to be complemented by customary and other community-centred mechanisms, is delaying accountability and reparation for these and other crimes,” said Commission member Barney Afako. “So long as the voices of victims and survivors are not empowered, and these mechanisms not put in place, it is highly unlikely that South Sudanese women, men, girls, and boys will be able to witness a lasting peace,” he added.

In closing, the Commission stressed the importance of overcoming delays regarding the Revitalized Peace Agreement, and encouraged the positive work being carried out by the National Constitutional Amendment Committee.

The Commissioners will hold a press conference on Friday, 23 August 2019, at 1100 hrs in the UNMISS Tomping Base in Juba.

From 25 to 29 August 2019, the Commissioners will separately visit Uganda, Ethiopia, and Kenya, where they will engage with refugees who have been recently displaced from South Sudan. In Ethiopia, they will hold meetings with African Union leaders, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), senior UN officials, as well as other members of the international community.

The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan is an independent body mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to, among other things; determine and report the facts and circumstances of, collect and preserve evidence of, and clarify responsibility for alleged gross violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes, including sexual and gender-based violence and ethnic violence, with a view to ending impunity and providing accountability. The Commission will present an oral update on the human rights situation in South Sudan to the Human Rights Council on 16 September 2019 and a comprehensive written report in March 2020.

Communique of the IGAD Council of Ministers on the Consultative Meeting of the Parties to the R-ACRSS (21.08.2019)

IGAD Statement on Misleading Report by South Sudan News Agency (19.08.2019)

Opinion: War-Lord Mzee gets a nice cut out of South Sudan!

Well, this is just one of them days, as we know that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has for long invested in Juba, in the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) and in President Salva Kiir Mayardit. This is well known, but IGAD memo is revealing a sinister approach, which is not surprising, knowing how the UPDF have been involved and the arms trade to Juba from Kampala. All of these things combined with the leaked memo today. Shows a pattern and a approach to conflict, not to generate peace, but actually be a merchant of death.

The warlord Museveni have found a weapon brother in Kiir. They have both earned and profited from the business they have done together. Now, the amounts and speculated earnings are coming to the surface. President Museveni and the cadres around him needs this source of income and will not jeopardize that. Not at this point and time. That is why his a threat, because what would he do, if the gravy-train stopped pumping. Have people considered that?

Take a look!

The documented dated August 15, 2019, claims that the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is the real threat to peace in South Sudan and that South Sudan has become the second source on income for the Ugandan leader. “We [IGAD] are playing with our minds. There will never be peace in South Sudan as long as other IGAD member states keep quiet. The real threat in South Sudan is Uganda, and we must confront Uganda if we want peace to return to South Sudan,” the seemingly frustrated IGAD official wrote. “One million dollar a month is the one keeping Uganda in South Sudan. This new country is now the second source of Museveni finance,” the source claims” (South Sudan News Agency – ‘Leaked memo: Uganda is the real threat to peace in South Sudan’ 16.08.2019).

We know, Museveni have used the UPDF without a mandate in South Sudan over a long time. We know he has sold and traded arms, equipment for warfare, even as the UN arms embargo has persisted. Therefore, we know his reckless in concern of profits and using the army as a bargain-chip for fresh funds.

Now, we know, that the IGAD, one of the negotiating bodies which the R-ARCSS process going through is questioning the motives of President Museveni in South Sudan. This means, that the neighbour is a threat and a possible hazard for the peace-process. As they know, that the Warlord of Uganda, will not give up his money or his profits of the hurt in South Sudan. That is the sort of man he is and that is why, he will find ways to “resolve” his bottlenecks and get paid-in-full on the weaponized enterprises in South Sudan.

Surely, this leaked memo says it all. The warnings and the UN Experts Reports has been validated by this. Peace.

Opinion: Cannot afford the implementation of R-ARCSS, but a Presidential Jet is cool!

The Finance and Economic Planning Committee of the National Legislative Assembly has proposed that South Sudan should buy a presidential jet to be used by the President, the vice-presidents and senior members of the executive” (…) “South Sudan spends millions of dollars in travel costs for government officials a year. Members of committee said purchasing a jet would curb travel expenditure from the office of the President. The committee added that purchasing a plane would also ensure the “security of the president” is not compromised” (The National Courier, 14.08.2019).

Somewhere along the lines of misuse of power, somewhere the misuse of funds and the lack of transparency bears fruit. Where the Presidential Decrees and total control looses value. In this instance, it is the total disregard of the public and their needs. As the basics are covered by donors, and donor funded organizations, while the state is living lavish on either aid or oil-money.

They are so heavy eating, that they have no trouble, even funnelling money through shady agreements, while crying havoc for the Peace Agreement. Because, no one want to be the bad man and stop that because of some lack of funds. No, everyone will step up for the sake of peace, even if the TGoNU have misused funds. Like buying a Presidential Jet, when the state cannot manage to build roads, schools or even implement the state functions according to the newest peace deal.

“With millions of dollars from oil revenues being funneled to Ashraf Al Cardinal, the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) is in danger of collapse due to lack of funds. As provided for in the R-ARCSS implementation matrix, cantonment of opposition forces which was supposed to have started within 30 days has not begun due to lack of funds; the Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC), which is a critical component of security arrangements is struggling to even hold meetings and travels to proposed cantonment sites due to lack of funds; demilitarization of civilian centers and collection of weapons that was slated to have been completed within 45 days has not begun due to lack of funds; training for unified forces to serve in the national army, police , security service or protection of VIPs – again a critical prerequisite for the arrival of opposition leaders to Juba- has not begun due to lack of funds. The list is long and, by no means, inexhaustive and if this situation continues until May this year, the hopes of the people of South Sudan for peace will have been terribly dashed. The people have really been patient with their leaders, especially H.E President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who recently made a solemn public pledge to bring peace to his people at any cost. And to his credit, the President ordered his Cabinet over a month ago to allocate funds for the implementation of R-ARCSS. This was indeed a commendable move which gave the public a strong reason to hope that their Government was bent on mobilizing local rather than foreign resources to implement R-ARCSS. However, the public have now been surprised, shocked, disappointed and outraged to learn that the financial resources that are said to be unavailable for peace implementation – thereby saving lives of thousands of South Sudanese people- are now being readily and happily availed to one man called Ashraf Al Cardinal” (Peace Observatory Group – ‘R-ARCSS poised to collapse due to lack of funds and Ashraf Al Cardinal’ 10.03.2019).

President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the whole SPLM/A-IG have to be called out for this. The ones claiming to not have funds for peace, but funds for a plane. That is mismanagement at its core. Wastage of public funds and certainly, when its talk of peace and following up on old agreements. Agreements that isn’t that old and soon the deadline is over too.

The state could fix that and at a later junction, when it has spare funds start purchasing planes to the President. To ease his travels, but this is just foolish. The TGoNU and the SPLM/A-IG is mocking its citizens, which have no ability to get their basics delivered by the state. However, their President should live lavish and like a Executive with all the perks. Shouldn’t they just buy him a Gucci bag, Armani suits and Cubano cigars while they’re at it? Peace.

Aiming for zero cholera in South Sudan (04.08.2019)