“African leaders have been scrambling for a solution to end the crisis in South Sudan. A peace agreement signed last year collapsed last month, before the world’s youngest nation could celebrate five years of independence. Hundreds of people have lost their lives and at least 40-thousand have been displaced. CCTV spoke to Doctor Aisha Abdullahi, the Commissioner for Political Affairs at the African Union about viable solutions the organisation has for South Sudan” (CCTV Africa, 2016)
Tag: TGoNU
US Acknowledges the Replacement of Machar (Youtube-Clip)
“This week U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry indicated that replacing former South Sudanese Vice President Riek Machar is in line with the peace agreement. He’s opened the door to recognition of Taban Deng Gai in that key opposition leadership role. But where does that leave Machar and his supporters in the peace talks?” (CCTV Africa, 2016)
Mamdani: South Sudan power-sharing deal will not work (Youtube-Clip)
“The South Sudan crisis may have touched the nerve of a region so prone to violence but finding solutions for it has now become the native task of both leaders and scholars alike. Renowned scholar Mahmood Mamdani this afternoon sought to profile the conflict and suggests ideas on how it could be ended” (NTV Uganda, 2016)
The Heat: South Sudan in crisis Pt 1,2 & 3 (Youtube-Clip)
Part II:
Part III:
South Sudan Opposition responds to John Kerry’s comments (Youtube-Clip)
“South Sudan’s main opposition party has been reacting to comments made by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on the crisis in the country. On one hand, the party has welcome Kerry saying a third force needs to be deployed to Juba to ensure peace. President Salva Kiir has been against that move. But on the other hand, the opposition party’s criticised Kerry’s decision not to push Riek Machar’s return to office. Kerry made the comments in Kenya following a meeting of East African foreign ministers” (CCTV Africa, 2016)
Major General (retired) Patrick Cammaert of The Netherlands to lead an independent Special Investigation into the violence in Juba (23.08.2016)

The Special Investigation team will undertake a field visit to Juba to interview the relevant interlocutors.
NEW YORK, United States of America, August 23, 2016 – The Secretary-General today announced the appointment of Major General (retired) Patrick Cammaert of The Netherlands to lead an independent Special Investigation into the violence in Juba, South Sudan, in July 2016, and the response of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The investigation will review reports of incidents of attacks on civilians and cases of sexual violence that occurred within or in the vicinity of the UN House Protection of Civilians (POC) sites in Juba. It will also determine the actions of UNMISS and whether the Mission responded appropriately to prevent these incidents and protect civilians within its resources and capabilities at the time. In addition, the investigation will review the circumstances surrounding the attack on the Terrain Hotel and assess the Mission’s response.
The Special Investigation team will undertake a field visit to Juba to interview the relevant interlocutors. A final report will be presented to the Secretary-General within one month, the findings of which will be made public.
Major General (retired) Cammaert recently led a HQ-Board of Inquiry on the circumstances of the clashes that occurred in the UNMISS Protection of Civilians site in Malakal, South Sudan, on 17-18 February 2016. He previously had a distinguished military career in both The Netherlands with the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the United Nations, including as Force Commander in United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), as Military Advisor to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), and as General Officer Commanding the Eastern Division in the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).
Former Vice President Riek Machar flees to Sudan (Youtube-Clip)
“Sudan’s government has now confirmed receiving South Sudan’s former vice president Riek Machar, on what they described as humanitarian grounds. According to a statement from Sudan’s government spokesman, Machar is in need of urgent medical attention. His health condition is however said to be stable. Officials say Machar will get full medical supervision while in Khartoum. He is expected to leave the country for a destination of his choice to complete his medical treatment. The United nations had last week confirmed having helped evacuate Machar from a region within the DR Congo, near the border with South Sudan. There was however confusion about his whereabouts, after authorities in DR Congo denied the UN claims that Machar was in their hands” (CCTV Africa, 2016)
UNMISS release the estimated civilians or “Protection of Civilians” seeking safety at “PoC Sites” in South Sudan (22.08.2016)

Hundreds of Children recruited by Armed Groups in South Sudan, as Violations against Women and Children Increase (19.08.2016)

An estimated 16,000 children have been recruited by armed groups and armed forces since the crisis in South Sudan first began in December 2013.
NEW YORK, United States of America, August 19, 2016 -More than 650 children have been recruited into armed groups in South Sudan since the beginning of this year, UNICEF said today. Fearful that renewed conflict could put tens of thousands of children at ever greater risk, UNICEF called for an immediate end to recruitment and the unconditional release of all children by armed actors.
An estimated 16,000 children have been recruited by armed groups and armed forces since the crisis in South Sudan first began in December 2013. UNICEF said children continue to be recruited and used by armed groups and forces despite widespread political commitment to end the practice. “The dream we all shared for the children of this young country has become a nightmare,” said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth, speaking from Nairobi following a trip to Bentiu and Juba in South Sudan. “At this precarious stage in South Sudan’s short history, UNICEF fears that a further spike in child recruitment could be imminent.”
In 2015 UNICEF oversaw the release of 1,775 former child soldiers in what was one of the largest demobilizations of children ever. Renewed fighting and recruitment in South Sudan risks undermining much of this progress.
UNICEF also highlighted increased grave violations in the world’s youngest country, noting that gender-based violence, already pervasive, has greatly intensified during the current crisis.
“Children continue to endure horrific ordeals,” said Forsyth. “Recent reports point to widespread sexual violence against girls and women. The systematic use of rape, sexual exploitation and abduction as a weapon of war in South Sudan must cease, together with the impunity for all perpetrators.”
UNICEF noted that unconditional access for all humanitarian interventions in Juba and all other parts of the country is urgently needed so as to provide support, protection, and assistance to children and women across the country.“Without a fully operational humanitarian sector, the consequences for children and their families will be catastrophic,” said Forsyth.
Press Release: Update on the Press Conference of the Legitimate FVP Dr. Riek Machar (18.08.2016)


