United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) responds to Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) allegations (18.09.2016)

UN House Juba

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) notes with concern recent accusations made by the SPLA of UNMISS of supposedly fostering criminal activity and harbouring armed elements in the UN protection of civilians (PoC) site in Juba.

The Mission would like to clarify the circumstances surrounding one incident which took place on Friday 16 September. At approximately 6 o’clock in the morning small arms fire could be heard coming from the vicinity of a checkpoint, manned by South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), located North West of the protection site. On being informed by the SSNPS that the checkpoint was under attack, UNMISS deployed a Quick Reaction Force to prevent the perpetrators from entering the POC site. The attackers withdrew from the checkpoint and, later in the morning, SPLA forces deployed to secure the area.

In the early hours of the morning on Friday 9 September, a similar incident occurred and again, following notification by the SSNPS, UNMISS responded. On this occasion, medical assistance was rendered to a wounded SSNPS officer.

UNMISS acknowledges and appreciates the professionalism of the SSNPS and SPLA forces who engaged constructively with UNMISS during these recent incidents to ensure security in this area. UNMISS continues to coordinate proactively with those at the checkpoint to deter and prevent any future insecurity.

UNMISS rejects the allegations of impropriety in our operations, and in keeping with the UN mandate on protection of civilians, and the impartial nature of our actions; we would like to report that Thursday afternoon two SPLA soldiers in plain clothes entered POC3, where they were assaulted and held captive overnight. When UNMISS UN police were notified, a formed police unit deployed immediately and conducted a successful rescue operation. The individuals informed UNMISS they had entered into PoC3 at their own free will, and after receiving medical assistance by UNMISS force; the two were handed over to National Authorities.

The mission conducts regular cordon and search operations in all of its PoC sites, in keeping with its arms free policy, and have clear entry and exit procedures. Since the July clashes, search operations have been increased in the Juba PoC site and have yielded positive results.

UNMISS condemns the continuing violence, and calls on all parties to respect the ceasefire agreement, to allow the country to move forward and put personal and political differences aside.

The UN can only work with the cooperation of the Transitional Government to reinforce the protection of civilians.

Sen. John Munyes maintains he is still the chairman of FORD KENYA, even after defecting to Jubilee (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3FqDcyr0VM

“Turkana Senator John Munyes maintains he is still the chairman of FORD Kenya, even after defecting to Jubilee. This comes a few days after FORD Kenya top organ plan meets to pick an interim chairman following the defection of its national chair. However Munyes maintians that, he was among the people who participated in forming the party and he will not quit as the chairman” (K24 TV, 2016)

Joint Communique issued by the Government of the Republic of Kenya, The Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia and UNHCR, following a Joint Meeting held on 15th September 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya (15.09.2016)

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South Sudan surpasses one million refugee mark, joins Somalia & Syria (Youtube-Clip)

“The number of South Sudanese refugees sheltering in neighboring countries has passed the 1 million mark. With this milestone, South Sudan joins Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia as countries which have produced more than a million refugees. Most of the recent arrivals have crossed into Uganda. Aid agencies are finding it difficult to provide assistance for the hundreds of thousands in need, including the 1.61 million internally displaced. UNICEF is now warning that without funding and support, it will continue to provide assistance only to the needy” (CCTV Africa, 2016)

Monthly Humanitarian Update South Sudan Conflict August 2016 (31.08.2016)

South Sudan HRP 2016 Cover Page
South Sudan HRP 2016 Cover Page

Situation Overview

  • The resurgence of violence in July and August resulted in increased inflow of civilians into Protection of Civilian (POC) sites, particularly in Juba and Wau.
  • Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that there are now 197,000 internally-displaced population (IDP) seeking shelter in UN protected sites across South Sudan.
  • At the UN House POC site in Juba, the number of IDPs has reached 37,200 following the fighting between government and opposition forces.
  • In Wau, more than 2,500 new civilians have arrived in various IDP camps in August.
  • In Bentiu, the POC site is now host to some 98,600 IDPs.
  • 78 health facilities have been damaged across the country and among those forced to flee by the violence were health workers, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
  • The conflict has hindered movement of civilians, affecting their access to health services. The dire situation increases risks of maternal mortality for pregnant women, as well as protection issues for women and girls in general.
  • Several pregnant who fled the fighting in Leer and Mayendit Counties have travelled for days on foot to reach the Bentiu POC site.
  • In the semi-urban areas of Rubkona and Bentiu town, young people are looking for opportunities for livelihood and economic activities.

UNFPA Assistance to Humanitarian Needs

The United Nations Population Fund works with the Government, donors and other partners to deliver lifesaving reproductive health services, including prevention and management of gender-based violence, to the crisisaffected population especially women and young people.

Sexual and Reproductive Health

  • UNFPA has delivered emergency reproductive health kits and other supplies to various partners for Central Equatorial, Upper Nile region, including Maban County,
    Cueibet State, Yei, Nimule, Aweil and Bentiu.
  • Additional RH Kits, medicines and dignity kits worth USD320,000 are expected to arrive in early September.

Kenya: Public Inquiry on Insecurity in the Coast Region and its Impact on the Enjoyment of Human Rigths (14.09.2016)

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Draft Communique of the 28th Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Head of State and Government on Somalia

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How South Sudan’s Kiir and Machar ‘profited during war’ – BBC News (Youtube-Clip)

“The political and military elite of South Sudan have made themselves rich while the country has been impoverished by a civil war of their making, according to a report commissioned by George Clooney. An investigative unit called “The Sentry” co-funded by the actor, and activist John Prendergast, spent two years following the money trail” (BBC News, 2016)

President Kenyatta, DP Ruto the brains behind Jubilee (Youtube-Clip)

“Exactly who is the brainchild of the new Jubilee baby? Deputy President William Ruto is thought to be the force behind the formation of the Jubilee party. He is said to have engineered the formation of the party in preparation of the 2022 general election, but not to those in the know. In fact some say Ruto maybe the biggest loser in the new set up, not everyone thinks so as Ken Mijungu found out” (Kenya NTV, 2016)

Opinion: The battle for the Presidential Ticket in CORD is only benefitting Jubilee; Odinga and Wetan’gula should step aside for Kalonzo Musyoka if they care about the CORD agreement!

odm-10at10-sep-2016

It is clearly going to be heated in the contest of being the CORD Presidential Candidate. This isn’t a new problem for the Opposition. The Opposition been having this problem and they knew it was coming. It is not like the ruling regime who has two big men under accord; the newly fantastic Jubilee Party that we’re launched at Safaricom Stadium this weekend. Uhuru Kenyatta the principal flagbearer and Presidential Candidate; the second in command is his loyal comrade Vice-President Willam Ruto. So with this in mind the Opposition seeing the Jubilee becoming more structured and even more established the CORD shouldn’t be bickering over who is the head, but how to get ahead.

CORD the coalition of the willing in the Opposition. There three or even four possible candidates in the Opposition. Musalia Mudavadi the leader of Amani National Congress (ANC), Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka the leader of Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM), Moses Wetan’gula, the leader of Forum for Democratic Reform (FORD-Kenya) and Raila Amolo Odinga, the leader of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). So there are enough talent and proven leaders to pick from in the Opposition.

The Opposition has made promised to each other, especially between Odinga, Wetan’gula and Kalonzo Musyoka. These three has been loyal to each other, but also since creating the alliance that gives way to expecting that every leader has their turn. Raila Odinga and the ODM had their chance in the recent election in 2013. So the former VP Odinga by all means after the endorsement in his own party feels obligated to be the Presidential Flag-bearer for the coalition. Still, he should be cautioned about doing so because this will cause friction with the previous agreement for the coalition.

cord-leaders

There are not only hearsay that the three leaders made an Memorandum of Understanding that we’re signed on the 7th December 2012 totally said the direction of the leadership inside the coalition. The article from the MoU that is important for the matter is the same as before:

“This Memorandum of Understanding also expressly states that the CORD Coalition Presidential Candidate for 2013, 2017 and 2022 are Hon. Raila Amullo Odinga, Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and Hon. Moses Wentangula respectively”.

So for 2017 it is supposed to be Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and not the other fellows in the Coalition Party. If Hon. Raila Odinga really want to screw over the Opposition Parties than he has his turn, but then he is not following the pecking order. Because the other leaders are expecting succession; the same is evident for Hon. Moses Wetan’gula that even back a few months wanted to rally for his Presidential Candidacy rally at Muliro Garden in Kakamega on the 4th April 2016. So all of the leaders seem to shuffle the agreement into the drain except for the on leader in the WDM, the ODM and FORD-K should care about their fellow big-men agreements. This isn’t some petty nonsense crap; this is the pivotal agreement that established CORD. The CORD that we see today!

Hon. Wetan’gula and Hon. Odinga know about this, the ones following from the sidelines should know this. The ones who knew shouldn’t be silenced as the ignition before the campaign rallies for 2017 is really starting. They know they are betraying the WDM and Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka and they are doing it in public spreading their words of their intent without regard to the MoU. It proves the validity of the Union of the Alliance as a fragile piece of paper that loses value with time. If the CORD is serious business then they respect the agreement and let bygones be bygones. Instead this can vandalize the alliance.

Do they want to risk for their personal pride and their ability to work together as they go against the ruling party, the newly created function of Jubilee Party that are stronger and more united as they lose 12 parties as they function as ONE. The President and his Vice President are strictly concerned with manifesting the power and rule of engagement before the coming election. They have the upper-hand and continue with it as the Kenyatta Government get free-will of strength, while the Opposition can weaken themselves and their causes.

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The General Election of 2017 and the coming months will be interesting to see if the Alliances and the loyalties between the fellow Jubilee and Cord will sustain as the deflections and the wish for seats, tickets and security of own fortunes are at stake.

The CORD cannot live with the unfortunate weakness of having three leaders fighting at will for the Presidential Candidate ticket. The thing about Hon. Raila Odinga is that if he pursues this and doesn’t give in, than it’s his own person agenda and not the greater will of CORD or Kenya. Because if that we’re so he would not question the place and time for Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka of WDM. The same will show if the Hon. Wetan’gula of FORD-K asks for his time too. Hon. Wetan’gula in the agreement accepted to wait to 2021. So by that one it’s not his time.

It is not Odinga and Wetan’gula time, if they are gentleman who follows agreements and accords an is not petty men who are there only for their purpose and their own wealth. If they are there for the greater good and for the Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD) than they should step down and run behind Kalonzo Musyoka to strengthen the Opposition and try to win on reform and accountability. As the Jubilee has done enough blunders and done enough questionable acts in their last term for them to tear they’re possible pledges apart.

It is true that the man in question the man in the crossfire, the WDM Kalonzo Musyoka hasn’t even started to fight for or acted upon his just right for the Presidential Ticket. Still the two other candidates and leaders of their own party have now done so. Odinga and Wetan’gula have now both said they want to run. Even Mudavadi (ANC) want’s his ticket on the top of CORD. So there are many men for the one special ticket. But only one who has the right if the MoU still is valid and the guideline for the Political Coalition of all of these opposition parties that are going to campaign to beat the current government and ruling regime Jubilee. If they are internally not sure of whom that is supposed to lead and more fractions.

odinga-kenyatta

If the CORD wants to seriously contend with Jubilee, they need not to fight for the Presidency between themselves. Jubilee is only earning on the internal weakness of CORD. If they want to keep staying Opposition, than they will be so because they couldn’t keep their words, instead of being stronger together; than they could just be a dozen horses running in the race instead of two main Candidates as it can be if the CORD continues to be the Opposition versus Ruling Regime.

I hope that the personal glory, the personal ambition doesn’t overshadow the will of the parties. The two other big-men shouldn’t let their own ambition drive them to hunt for the time set for WDM. That is just common sense, if they do then we know that the deals and agreements don’t matter for Odinga and Wetan’gula as their own pockets and pride means more. Certainly the only ones earning on that is Kenyatta and Ruto. Peace.