South Sudan: UN Arms embargoed renewed, but will it make a difference?

Well, I beg to question if the United Nations Security Council Arms Embargo on the Republic of South Sudan is functional enough or even good enough implemented. As there are already well known facts that a foreign force is on its soil, without the needed mandate. This being the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). The same army known for exporting arms, training SSDF/SPLA or the government army itself.

That is why I have little faith in the Arms Embargo. Not that I don’t want to see peace and prosperity in the Republic. To the contrary, that is what I want to see, but with the War-Lords, the tensions and the postponement of implementation of the recent Peace Agreement. You can wonder if this is yet another false-flag operation. Since there are little or no movement into peaceful territory.

There been some ceasing of violence, killings and rapes, but its still there. There is still questionable attacks on IDPs and others. Therefore, the army itself and the militias are still pursuing supremacy. It is just a matter of time, before something blows up. Like it did in the last go-around when tanks started moving in the middle of Juba and Dr. Riek Machar had to flee to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

That is why I am sceptical of a renewed arms embargo, as the porous borders to Chad, Uganda and Ethiopia gives way to further import questionable arms and ammunition. As long as there is possible use of petrodollar for that. It will happen, even if we wished it otherwise. To be spent on roads, schools and hospitals. Alas, that is not the case.

We can play around with fun and games, but when IGAD, CSTAM, JMEC and AMISOM are all there, but still not able to find the way through the hurdles. There are so many organizations and people eager for the spoils. You can wonder if they are playing for themselves or for their communities. You can wonder if they really believed in this peace process or only see it again, as a temporary cease-fire. Which I am afraid it might be, because the interests and the parties involved are very slow in implementing the vital parts of the agreement. Even trying to use US Lobbyist to not pursuit it even.

That is why the UN Arms Embargo is good in theory, but not in practice. Because, it seems splendid on paper, but as long as the UPDF get a hold and get products across borders. As long as there are options from elsewhere. The unregistered arms will end up in the battlefield. Because, someone wants to profit of the hurt. Peace.

South Sudan: Letter to all Hotel Managers in Juba – “Ref: Revising the letter of Notification for Termination of NPTC Members Accommodation” (27.05.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions Part V: Deadly Deceptions!

The incident of 25th May 2019 is really haunting the Republics. Each Foreign Affairs has two different stories. The same has the respective Police Authorities delivered statements of similar fashion. Therefore, the incident itself is in question. Both parties claims the incident happen on their soil and that they were justified in their actions. The Ugandan claims the Rwandan crossed their borders. While the Rwandan claims it happen on the other side and that the smugglers fled the scene. However, this is stories that doesn’t fit well together.

Here is snippet of the statements dropped within the last 48 hours:

While the Ugandan Foreign Affairs today claims the Ugandan national was shot on their territory by Rwandan soldiers. Also, an Rwandan Business Man was shot and died on its land. As the Rwandan soldiers even tried to intervene and bring back the dead from its territory. But because of local intervention and brining them to the nearest Health Centre, the soldiers had to retreat back to Rwanda. The MoFA promise the delivery of his remains on the 27th May 2019.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Rwanda today claims the soldiers, which crossed the border was shot in Rwanda, but fled hurt and died in Uganda. They even says there was a meeting between Ugandan Rukiga District LCV Chairman and the Rwandan Nyagatare District Mayor, were the parties agreed the incident happen on Rwandan soil.

The Rwandan Police claimed yesterday that the suspected smugglers tried to cross the border from the Rwandan side, as the military intercepted them, the incident became violent. The authorities shot at the gang who tried to cross into Uganda. Killing two people, who fled across an un-gazetted border-point.

Earlier yesterday, the Ugandan Police Force in their statement, claimed that the incident happen on Ugandan soil. Where an Rwandan Business Man had crossed with merchandise across the border. Where the Rwandan Soldiers intercepted him, killed him and an Ugandan citizen as well. As they claim the Rwandan soldiers crossed illegally into the territory and then shot the two people, an Ugandan and the Rwandan national. Both got shot and died as they were taken to the closest health centre.

Doesn’t add up!

Certainly, these statements doesn’t add up. The last 48 hours, both parties have cried foul. There are two nationals, one Ugandan and one Rwandan national killed. The only thing that is consistent in the narrative, is that the Rwandan soldiers shot and intervened towards the deceased individuals. What is striking is how the people who gotten shot had the capacity after the violence to cross across the border to Kamwezi sub-county in Uganda. Just think about it driving on a boda-boda from Tabagwe, Nyagatare District to Kamwezi Health Care Centre. Which by Google Map is 15km and takes about 30 minutes. However, this is without stops and driving straight on target. Nevertheless, if the stories is told like it is.

There is a twist!

If driving while shot:

This is just the first weird thing about it, as the supposed smugglers crossed the borders on a motorcycle. One person was taking himself across the border, shot with used clothes and a deceased partner on it. As he was supposed to be able to cross, unnoticed with a body, smuggling merchandise and a bullet wound. That is part of the story that boggles me. Since, who else does this kind of stunts, except for a Hollywood Action Movie casting Jason Statham and Bruce Willis. One man with a bullet wound able to cross a border point and lack of strength. Certainly, the now deceased Ugandan national must have strong will-power in his final hours. I doubt the adrenaline or extra push from a shot fella can push this through. Unless, its scripted and his saving the world from an possible Armageddon.

That is why the conflicting stories doesn’t make sense. Unless the Rwandan counterparts are planing on exiting scripts for movies. Because, if the persons was killed on Ugandan soil. It makes some sense. Even if that means someone illegally crossed the border and without jurisdiction murdered two individuals of two different nationalities. This seems more reasonable, even if that implicates the Rwandan Authorities. Since, their stories make the Ugandan deceased man seeming like a superhero with the force of 50 Cent. We don’t know how and where he was hit, but the shot from the soldiers was fatal. Meaning, it wasn’t a flesh-wound, but something that stinged him.

We can wonder if the truth of this incident will come out, but right now. The stories are conflicting, and someone trying to deceive the public. One party is lying and the other party is maybe even not telling the whole truth. However, there are two people dead because of this and they deserve for the truth to come out. As they cannot speak on what happen, but only be used as martyrs and as tools in a narrative fitting each states agenda. Peace.

South Sudan: The Upper Nile Regional Conference – Communique (26.05.2019)

Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Uganda Ministry of Foreign Affairs: A Rebuttal Note regarding the Incident on the 25.05.2019 (26.05.2019)

Rwanda National Police: Press Release – Rwandan security shoot as smugglers turn violent (25.05.2019)

Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Rwanda Ministry of Foreign Affairs: A Protest Note on Rwandan Soldiers entering Ugandan Territory (25.05.2019)

Uganda Police Force: Police Investigations Cross Boarder Shooting (25.05.2019)

UNMISS and partners aim to de-militarize civilian facilities; improve conditions for returns in Upper Nile (24.05.2019)

South Sudan People Defense Forces evacuating Kodok Secondary School 20th May 2019. “I hand it officially to the ministry of education witnessed by the Acting governor, head of Child Protection in UNMISS and other organizations and my colleagues, said happily the Division II Commander Majior General Akol Majok on May 20th 2019 at Kodok State. Adding that “this school is for all of us, it’s for our children and citizens. As far as education is concern, we must make sure that our children has gone back to school, because school is one of the pillars of the country.” UN Photo: Isaac Billy

Some community members in the Upper Nile area have said they do not feel safe to return to their home areas.

JUBA, South Sudan, May 24, 2019 –  The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and partners are working with military commanders and government officials to create a safe and secure environment for displaced people to return home, including by demilitarizing civilian installations such as schools and hospitals in the Upper Nile area.

“We are now looking at key areas and activities. On Monday we are going to Kodok, looking at demilitarizing the places the military occupied during the fighting in the last five years,” said Hazel De Wet Head of the UNMISS Field Office in Malakal.

“This will contribute to building trust and understanding for displaced people, that it’s now safe to return to their places of origin,” said Ms De Wet. some community members in the Upper Nile area, especially those living in the UN protection site, have said they do not feel safe to return to their home areas, which are currently occupied by the military.

Recently, several representatives of the displaced people from the UN protection site were taken by UNMISS to the Shilluk King in Fashoda on a “go and see” visit so that, on return to the site in Malakal, they can inform their peers about the conditions in their home areas, which they have not been able to visit for the last five years.

“They are going to stay with the king from the 16th to the 20th of May, and we will be able to facilitate another transportation for them so that they come back to Malakal,” said Braima Keikura from UNMISS’ Relief, Reintegration and Protection Section, who led the team to the king, explaining the significance of the visit.

Creating a safe and secure environment is a major element for returns, and a solution-based working group headed by UNHCR – the UN refugee agency – and key substantive components of UNMISS have developed principle guidelines for this.

“This is the first organized visit to the king. The king is in support and the last time I saw him, he requested support for his subjects to come back,” said Ms. Dewet.

Ms. Dewet pointed out that displaced people had raised concerns about the absence of the services they have been receiving in UN protection sites in their places of origin.

However, she said humanitarian partners were looking at that and they had taken intent surveys and held focus-group discussions on how to scale up their services in the various places that communities have identified as target areas of return.

“Managing expectations of each household in terms of return and what they can expect once they return is a difficult task,” said Ms. De Wet.

She appealed to the international community, including donors, to help returning communities with early recovery intervention efforts to make them self-reliant.

South Sudan Situation Report, 17 May 2019 (17.05.2019)

Inter-communal violence has displaced more than 20,000 people since early March.

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 17, 2019 –  HIGHLIGHTS

  • More than 20,000 people displaced in Jur River County
  • Almost half of displaced people intend to leave Malakal Protection of Civilians site
  • Measles outbreak confirmed in 11 counties in South Sudan, upsurge in cases globally
  • United Nations allocates $11 million to help displaced people return
  • home Food insecurity increases, humanitarians urge for scale-up of aid

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

More than 20,000 people displaced in Jur River County Inter-communal violence has displaced more than 20,000 people since early March and has prevented thousands of civilians from returning to their homes in Kuajiena and Roc-Rocdong, Jur River County.

Since early March, cattle keepers from Tonj have come to Jur River searching for pasture for their livestock. Their attacks on villages in the area have led to reports of killing, rape, beating, and looting. People said they fear to return because of more attacks.

In Kuajiena, nearly 4,000 displaced people are currently sheltering at a primary school and in abandoned public buildings in the town.

In Roc-Rocdong, humanitarians have reported that nearly 8,000 people, mainly women and children have been displaced in Marial Bai and other neighbouring areas. At least 200 people, mostly women and unaccompanied children, are sheltering in a church compound and a primary school in Roc-Rocdong town.

Since March, nearly 4,500 newly displaced people in Wau PoC site and

The displaced people have called on the Government to provide security so that they can return home. But attacks continue to be reported in some of the villages, even after the deployment of Government forces to the area.

Humanitarian activities and ongoing to respond to urgent needs: safe water, food, emergency items and emergency shelter, primarily. In April, in Kuajiena, 4,200 people received 15-day food rations, and nutrition supplies to 900 children aged under 5 years were distributed. In Marial Bai and neighbouring settlements, over 7,000 people received a 15-day food ration.
Humanitarian organizations continue to engage with the political leaders in Tonj and Wau states to provide security for the displaced people to return to their villages.