President Kiir declares ceasefire (Youtube-Clip)

“The unilateral cessation of hostilities announced by Presidential Spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny, came after days of fierce fighting between the government and SPLA-IO forces. President Kiir ordered the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and all other regular forces not to shoot any SPLA-In Opposition soldiers who surrender.“All the commanders of these forces are hereby directed to cease any hostility and abide by this order, control their forces and protect the civil population and their property,” the presidential order directed. “All the commanders deployed at the checkpoints within Juba city, shall reduce and limit such checkpoints to only essential and important installations,” the presidential order further states. Machar has subsequently declared a ceasefire, ordering his forces to stop fighting. After the ceasefire announcement by President Kiir, Juba was rocked by celebratory gunfire. Fighting already erupted on Friday July 8, at the State House in Juba, while President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, as well as Vice President James Wani Igga met to discuss insecurity in South Sudan’s capital, just days before the country marked its fifth independence anniversary on July 9. South Sudanese rivals Machar and Kiir signed a peace agreement in August 2015 after a civil war that started in December 2013 as a result of a power struggle within the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). Over 10,000 people are believed dead and 2.3 million people fled their homes” (MICT. Office, 2016)

IGAD Urges Concerned Parties to Refrain from Violent Acts in South Sudan (10.07.2016)

IGAD Press Release 10.07.2016

IGAD Chairperson’s Statement on the Situation in South Sudan (10.07.2016)

IGAD July 2016 Statement South Sudan

Letter from Group of NGO’s to the UN Security Council on the South Sudan Crisis (10.07.2016)

UN Letter 10.07.2016 P1

UN Letter 10.07.2016 P2

South Sudan Violence: President Salva Kiir orders a ceasefire after five days of fighting (Youtube-Clip)

“South Sudan where President Salva Kiir has called for a ceasefire following five days of fighting. It comes as we’re hearing reports of more violence — this time around the US embassy. The United Nations is also threatening to impose an arms embargo against the country. Our correspondent Patrick Oyet is in the capital, Juba. We spoke to him a little earlier” (CCTV Africa, 2016).

Footage: This real battle for Juba, SPLA tanks and attack helicopters firing towards SPLA IO position (11.07.2016)

South Sudan: Clashes and killings continues between Kiir and Machar in Juba!

Tanks 10.07.2016 Juba

“Orders of the president must be respected in letter and spirit” – Taban Deng Gai

As the state of affairs are escalating, as the fifth celebration of Independence from the Sudan and Khartoum, the Juba government and the South Sudanese Authorities went back into their old ways, and picked up their guns and ammunition. This has escalated as the President Salva Kiir and VP Riek Machar have since early July 2016, have had forces and battles between them, as their guards have in the city of Juba shot at each other and killed soldiers.

Even as the Peace Agreement and the not so long ago return of Dr. Riek Machar to Juba to fulfil the agreement, the recent days shootings and killings let the cease-fire in jeopardy and the also the security into shambles, as the efforts from the Trioka and the International Community to mediate, must have not given the effect the South Sudanese wished or looked out for, if not the easier way to deal with Power-Struggle is to grab the gun and assassinate dissidents than actually dialogue for peace.

This forgotten analysis came into my eye today:

War started in South Sudan at 5:10pm and all Riek Machiar’s bodyguards killed.As we speak both Salva and Riek are held up at statehouse in Juba and general Paul Malong whos the chief of staff has deployed tanks surrounding statehouse and he’s believed that he’s the one that incited Salva’s bodyguards to kill all Riek’s bodyguards and even the mad Paul Malong ordered his soldiers to open fire at American CIA vehicle” (Taifa Takatifu-News, Opinon and Analysis, 08.07.2016).

Hard to know if this is true, as this will late be said not to be true, as the South Sudan News, will on the 10th July say something else. Reports from yesterday in Juba, are up to 400 have been killed in the skirmish in the city, as the SPLA/SPLM have attacked the base of SPLM-IO, the SPLA/SPLM are connected with the President the SPLM-IO is the ones behind the armies in the civil war between Machar and Kiir, and these are the ones fighting today.

In wake of this Kenya Airways have suspended their routes from Nairobi to Juba, as they do not want to risk casualties. The American Government through their mission in the country have given this warning today:

Message to American CitizensThe situation in Juba has significantly deteriorated. There is serious ongoing fighting between government and opposition forces, including near the airport, UNMISS locations, Jebel and elsewhere throughout Juba. U.S. citizens in Juba should remain vigilant. You should shelter in a safe location, preferably away from doors and windows, and avoid non-essential movements. The Embassy continues to monitor the situation and will update you as appropriate” (US Mission in Juba, 10.07.2016).

Jebel Juba 10.07.2016

The Health Ministry official numbers of killings in the battles in Juba are 300. Though differing from the reports reported yesterday, still proves there massive battles between the SPLM and SPLM-IO. The battles have for instance taken place between Eye Radio and a UN base on the Jebel Kujur, so the positions and the nearby locations for the violence don’t matter at this point. The Protected of Civilians (PoC) in the UN base might be the next in line as the escalations is not easy to know. There been reports of even army helicopter flying of Airport road and dropping missiles as the fighting are turning from single army men into full-fledged war, as there been seen tanks in middle of the streets dipping through traffic. There been also reports of two helicopters flying around in Jedel and Gudele, where they also where bombing, as locals have reported. SPLA Spokesperson has confirmed that fighting have broken out in Tong Ping close to the UN base.

While this have been also reported today:

“General Dau Aturjong Nyuol, the SPLA Liberation hero who due to some personal grievances, joined the IO in 2013 has now confirmed and have defected from IO back to the SPLA-IG where he is now with Paul Malongand Kuol Manyang. General Dau had bravery fought to liberate his people during Khartoum war. SPLA army have welcomed him back but on supervision under Chief of Staff hand. Talking to South Sudan News was a close person to the Chief of General staff and he had told us that he came by himself without army” (South Sudan News, 10.07.2016).

Some have reported that their not only between President Kiir and VP Machar, but also one force driven by Gen. Manyang, but the reports are not verifying those rumors as the evidence of the whole situation is hard to get by, as there we’re reports that Kiir had called his old friend Museveni, and hired the UPDF to deal with the newfound situation, as they have been a hired army for him before. There been reports that the Ugandan authorities telling the world that they are not involved now.

Another report is that NGOs are leaving their offices and evacuate from Juba into Kenya, though the ones doing so is not mentioned, as they live in amp speed from the violence. Like ICRC have stated they cannot work in this kind of state: “Fierce fighting going on in Juba, South Sudan in unclear circumstances. Our teams not able to work” (ICRC, 10.07.2016).

There are more to it, as this has been reported to the BBC Africa: “According to the BBC’s Africa Editor Mary Harper, the spokesman Colonel William Gatjiath said Mr Machar’s troops were advancing towards the centre of Juba from different directions. He said hundreds of soldiers from both sides had been killed in the several hours of fighting. What started as relatively minor clashes on Thursday have now escalated to something far more serious. South Sudan marked its fifth anniversary of independence on Saturday, but there was little to celebrate. It looks like Africa’s youngest country could be slipping back into civil war” (BBC Africa, 10.07.2016).

There been also reported that the house of Dr. Riek Machar have been raided, bombed by helicopter twice this Sunday. So the direct attacks are not only from the Government forces, or the SPLA/SPLM towards the base of the SPLM-IO. The SPLM-IO have later in the day closed off the roads in Yei and Luri roads, that are roads that are connecting South Sudan with Uganda. So the precautions for former helper UPDF have been done this time by Dr. Riek Machar’s soldiers. There been also reported that the SPLM-IO have been fleeing towards the Jebel Lado, as there been heavy fighting today on the Jebel Hill, as there been reports from local newscasters as Nyamilepedia.

This has also been reported:

“General Dau Aturjong have defected from Dr Riek camp with 1000 soldiers and he joined the National Army SPLA forces and Dr Riek left to Pagak” (Africa Security News, 10.07.2016).

This is the official reported numbers:

“A statement attributed to the Ministry of Health says the death toll from Friday’s fighting in Juba is 271. There were 32 civilians among the dead.“The SPLA lost 44 soldiers, South Sudan National Police 5, and the other 190 dead are believed to be SPLA-IO given their distinctive uniform. 34SPLA, civilians and police are being treated for their injuries at Juba Teaching Hospital (15), The Juba Military Hospital (15) and two (2) at Peace Hospital, a private Chinese health facility in Juba. More information will be made available as appropriate. The Ministry regrets loss of lives. Heath professionals are doing their best to ensure lives are saved and minimise the suffering,” the statement read. The death toll is expected to rise as these are preliminary figures” (South Sudan Today, 10.07.2016).

Machar Kiir

There will be more to come as this unfolds, as the death-toll and the staggering violence from both SPLA/SPLM and the SPLM-IO continues at speed, as the bullets, the army attacks from both sides, as the losses continue to pile up, the endless of fleeing civilians and the loss of hope for the facilitations of the recent peace-agreement of 2015 to be hold-on to. As the President Kiir and VP Machar does what they can to take grip of power, and use their fellow citizens and soldiers as shield for ambition, instead of bridging peace and progress for the youngest nation. The newly incorporated nation into the East African Community (EAC) and their Protocol, as the nation who has even works with Kenya as they are to settle to the pipelines and infrastructure plans with the rest of East Africa. Instead they go back to guns and ammunition, where the peace, turns into war, the cease-fire cease to exists and the tat-tat-tat continues until darkness. The assassinations and the plots to take down army leaders on both sides will be the next, as they want ‘headless chickens’ in battle and not men of leadership behind the barracks and barricades of the enemy. Instead of peace, there will be bloodshed, even as the United Nations, fellow neighbor countries President and PM, Kenya and Ethiopia condemns the actions, the violence is still happening. This was not how the 5th Year Anniversary should have happen, it should be with hope of progress and peace, instead it is the opposite. Peace.

Wasn’t it supposed to be Civilian Authority is and always above Police Authority; What happen to justice for all?

Clark Kent, Superman Comic

It’s not my way to utter these words, but I feel I need it, not because I am right man; I am far from being the right man to address it. As I was raised in peace, lived in peace and endured peace. Still, feeling the sorrow of the lost in Juba, the extra judicial killings in Kenya, and the unarmed African American citizens killed across the United States, while an armed former Afghan Veteran kills 5 Police officers. The scores are so uneven, the justice is not prevailing and the cases are staggering. The Police brutalities in dozen countries like Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Zambia; the Police are detaining without charges, torturing and battling the citizens as they are vicious armed criminals.

All of these killings, all of these Police Officers acting on behalf of oppressive states, the others are systemic inaccuracies blended with the ignorance and racial bias. The state of affairs is different in the United States, compared to the other Nations, but the systems are still brutally attack the civilians like they are cows ready for slaughter. Instead of fearing the public they are harassing it silence. The tormented and the families who lose their loved ones, the ones that are bystanders and just happen to be by a Political Rally or pass by a Demonstrations in a town; gets shot, get killed and even detained as they are vile creatures instead of a human being.

Nairobi 16.05.2016 Police P1
Nairobi, Kenya, 2016

The color of skin, the creed, political affiliation or faith should not be the factor if you’re waking safe down street or taking a public transport… Instead they are law-abiding citizens who even comply and do their duties to demonstrate, to act upon the fate of affairs, conduct meetings and rallies, the cost is detained at police post, taken away from their homes on conspiracy and even killed. These matters are happening to often in 2016.

The leaders of these reactions to the Government, the leaders who are addressing the civil concerns of the state, are prosecuted, detained and even monitored by the Security forces of the states, as they are worse criminals then rebels or terrorists. They are addressed in speeches by the leading fractions and the MPs connected to the ruling regime as personal vermin, people who fronts sectarian violence and creates the problem. Even if the state security forces are the ones that makes issues in peaceful affairs and puts gasoline on the fire. Not that all demonstrators are peaceful or correct, but that does not give the Police rights to shot live bullet, water-canons and tear-gas at any given movement of crowds against uneven and unrighteous cause.

The killings, the brutality, the sincere atrocities, the blatant ignorance, the little fear of the ruling regime, the masters of violence, the killers and Police Officers are guarded by the ruling regimes. As they are co-conspirators with the ones that systemically control the state ordered violence and want to shut down the spirit of any organized demonstrations, movements that are positive for democratic change or even just question the legitimacy of the ruling regime. This does not comes to mind in the United States, there it is more racial biased approached as the human and gun-laws are yet again proof of misguided regulations as the loss of life in small-fire arms shootings are staggering. Still, the Senate and Congress are not able to sustain and make amendments that can stop the guns from coming to hands of people who have a unsteady mind and unsound health condition to pull the trigger at innocent citizens. While the Police Officers are nearly hunting on the innocent and creating an atmosphere, where your guilty until proven innocent, which is not any ideal approach.  

Jinja Police 10915 P1
Uganda, 2016

We can all wonder when this power-struggles, when the bullets, when the tear-gas, when the water-canons and when the ignorant violence, when the killings will stop and to what extent does it has to happen, before the hash-tags, before the blazing guns and blistering barnacles!

There are just to many lives, to many hurt and to many questions, to many unsolved mysterious, too much blood and to many tears. There are something sinister and something uncertain as the attempt to sustain power by any means, the profits, the structure of society, the fabric of our existence, the approach the viciousness and vile attempt of resigning to the fact the only way we can solve the fear of each is with guns and ammunition. There must be other ways of dialogue than with John Wayne, Al Capone and Giles de Rais. There are too many men and woman who have lost their life, too many who have been taken away from their loved ones and too many to mention.

While the laymen are prosecuted and the civilians are too, the men in charge are walking away, the men and woman who protect the manufactures, the military, the Police Commanders and the Executives are just free-men and can do as they please, as the violence, the killings are reappearing as the sun is setting and making sure it has the energy for another day.

The men and woman who are in charge, the men and woman are taken away; we’re supposed to be living in the same society, under the same laws and under the same regulations; where justice and freedom should prevail, where men and woman are equal, where there isn’t fear and isn’t unbalanced treatment between State Security Organizations and the Civilians. As long as there are unbalance, as long as there are inaccurate procedure and executives are not handling it peacefully, if they are giving way to impunity and injustice, their rule will be remembered for the justifications of these vile attempts of self-justice, these atrocities under their leadership and reason for the loss of these lives.

Burundi Report Police
Burundi, 2015

The deaths, the murders and senseless killings proves the arrogance of leadership, the certainty that guns can create power, that the guns can solve matters and prove justified to settle either political framework or even power-struggle, the fear and amassed causes the personal bias, the blatant accurate shootings and killings are vicious. The men and woman deserves more than becoming a hash-tag. The terrorist killings in Turkey, Paris, Brussels, Beni, San Bernadino and all the others, deserves more than the hot-minute of fame, change of status on Facebook and blended Profile Picture, they deserve more credit and remembrances, as all the souls of the lost got vanished by brutal force in matters of hours.

The continued civil, political and armed unrest in Libya, Syria and Yemen, the skirmished between Eritrea and Ethiopia; proves the hostile environment other places, the Somalian forces are both fighting in their own territory, but also going against their oppressors on their domain  to retaliate. While the Burundian are detaining school-kids for painting slurs on the President Nkurunziza’s pictures and killing opposition, being violent and answering the men and woman who demonstrated against the 3rd Term President of the Burundian Government. President Magufuli have detained a man for writing hostile words on WhatsApp and charged and detained MP for calling him a ‘dictator’, as the President proves that he is similar to his counterparts in the rest of the East Africa. This is not vile crimes, but proves how far the government uses their security forces to control their citizens and their will to speak. I am sure in one of these countries, they would detain me in second, to silence my train of thoughts.

The 2016, have been and is bloody, as the boats of immigrants from the civil wars are drowning in the Mediterranean sea as they cross in tiny boats by smugglers to safety in Greece or Italy; as the safe heaven are supposed to get them safe from the spoils of war and power struggle between government forces, militias and armed opposition forces, as the death-toll and weak government structure that we’re centralized under one big-man is fractioned and dwindling away as the Civil Society Organizations, International Organizations and Multi-National Dialogue and stakeholders doesn’t have the capacity or the will to take charge of the unrest and uncertainty.

We have to question; will our government deal with the matter at hand? Will the government who are in charge take approaches for dialogue, for talks and creating a space where the safety and the justice have a place in the society, where the force of the state is not killing and not abundantly forcing themselves with violence on the civilians. The system of oppressive behavior and the crisis of leadership as the problems in the states, the dissolved the assertiveness of people, as the men and woman are torn, the parties are polarized and the peace has crashed; the tensions between the sovereign power and the self-righteous state officials that aggravate the public, it is not right for the leaders to use their internal squabble for power create havoc that birth more violence between two parties. That is not in the parties that one part is the state, the other is peaceful protesters, which is a different scenario, than when both are armed and kill each other to secure power and rule indefinably.

Section80 Lamar

Is this what we want to remember 2016 for the civil unrest, the civil wars, the civil casualties after the violence and state organized shut-down of the public disobedience…? The disobedience and the demonstrations should be able to happen without any reactions that create a problem for the state or the state goes in a turn it into a battleground. There are so many questions, so much we miss and so many political and structures that needs to be reformed, so many leaders who need a bit of humility, the humility of Police Officers, the humility of the Executives and the leadership of the States. It’s complicated, it’s all very HiiiPower. We have to ask and we cannot let this go, we cannot let these men and woman just die for so little, as a hashtag and a little social media drops. There are just too, we have to question the powers to be and what they are doing to stop this. We cannot be silent, accept it and let it go. This is just too much. I know I am not the right man, I am the wrong man, but I had to say my peace, I just couldn’t let this one be. Hope you start to think, question and wonder why we let them get away with it. Peace.  

Edmund Yakani offers more perspectives on South Sudan’s cancelled independence celebration (Youtube-Clip)

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

“TVC NEWS Interviews Edmund Yakani, Human Rights Activist on how South Sudan cancelled Independence Celebration” (TVC News, 2016).

UNMISS condemns resurgence of violence ahead of South Sudan’s Fifth Anniversary (08.07.2016)

South Kordofan Sudan

JUBA, South Sudan, July 8, 2016The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemns in the strongest terms the resurgence of violence in the country, which has resulted in numerous civilian casualties and injuries over the course of the week in Juba, Wau and Bentiu. UNMISS reiterates its calls on all parties to put an end to the ongoing fighting and refrain from inflicting further violence against innocent civilians.

We equally deplore the indiscriminate shooting attack on a senior United Nations agency official that took place yesterday evening in the Tomping area of Juba. Such an act constitutes a grave violation of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the United Nations. UNMISS calls on the authorities to investigate this incident and bring the perpetrators to account.

The UN and the international community are here to assist the people of South Sudan on their road to peace, and under no uncertain terms should its installation/premises or personnel be subjected to targeting nor violence.

The Special Representative of the Secretary General and head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, SRSG Ellen Margrethe Loej, urges all parties “on the eve of South Sudan’s Fifth Anniversary of Independence to cease from engaging in violence and to focus on the implementation of the peace agreement for the benefit of all the people of South Sudan.”

The UN remains resolved in fulfilling its mission in South Sudan and supporting the implementation of the Peace Agreement for a peaceful and prosperous country.