“Redouble efforts to stop the cycle of violence in Jonglei”, Ms Hilde Johnson JUBA, 20 January 2012 – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan’s (UNMISS) Special Representative of the Secretary General Ms Hilde Johnson has called on all the concerned parties to the ongoing security crisis in Jonglei state to redouble their efforts to put an immediate end to the cycle of violence which she said is putting thousands of lives at risk and threatening the stability of the whole area.
Ms Johnson while addressing the press at the UNMISS headquarters in Juba yesterday said UNMISS condemns the use of violence by communities and urged their political, traditional and youth leaders to do their utmost best to end the killings and confrontations in the area that has suffered far too many causalities. She also said UNMISS was deeply concerned about the statements made by some individuals and groups that carry messages of hatred. Ms Johnson said threats were made to wipe out an entire ethical group from the face of the earth. She said United Nations condemnsd these statements in the strongest terms. “We have been informed that repetitive hate language continues to be used, calling for ethnic violence and inciting communities to take aggressive action. This is a grave concern and we strongly condemn these hate messages”, said Ms Johnson. She said any statement that could incite ethnic-based violence is totally in violation of both the international law and South Sudan’s domestic laws. She said this is totally unacceptable. Ms Johnson called on the leaders of all communities at all levels in Jonglei state to stop inciting communities through use of violence. She also called on the government of South Sudan to bring the full force of the law to bear against those responsible for inciting violence. She stressed that in accordance withf the Security Council Resolution of 1996 and within the UNMISS capacity that underscores protection of civilians, UNMISS took decisive measures that show it commit around half of its combat-ready personnel to the heavily populated areas of Jonglei like Pibor and Likuonole. She explained that these forces were moved to places where civilians were under greatest threat. She said these actions combined with the government troops helped save many lives. She said they as UNMISS regret every single life lost in areas where they were able to reach. He observed that the recent attackers moved in small groups, sometimes attacking at night making containing the violence a challenge logistically. She said since the attacks, there have been several numbers of causalities circulated. She said preliminary findings have confirmed evidence of a number of civilians killed or injured. She said this is unacceptable. She however said the findings so far do not provide the basis for the scale of causalities claimed by some media houses. She said that UNMISS highly commends the government’s decision to conduct an investigation into the events and the numbers of causalities of the violence in Jonglei. She called on the government to hold the perpetrators of these terrible attacks and counter-attacks to account. Ms Johnson has commended the government of the Republic of South Sudan for the progress made as the country prepares to celebrate its first year of independence. She said the government and the people of South Sudan will have to take decisions that will not only impact on their lives but those of the future generations of the country. She said South Sudan is moving progressively and with determination towards consolidating its independence on the national and international scene. She said this is exemplified by the new country’s joining of the AU, UN, IGAD, Great Lakes Conference, COMESA, Nile Basin Initiative and the G7+. She further stressed the importance of the South Sudan’s relation to its northern neighbour of Sudan saying it is critical to the stability of not only the two countries but of the region at large. She called on the parties to the outstanding issues relating to border demarcation, oil, and citizenship among others, to resolve them with lasting solutions. Reported by Matata Safi Khartoum scuttles the Addis Ababa talks JUBA, 19 January 2012 (NASS) – The Addis Ababa talks hosted by African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) have failed because Khartoum government spoiled the environment for discussions, the minister for Information and Broadcasting, Hon Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin revealed in an exclusive interview yesterday. Dr Marial said up to the very day of the talks on 17 January 2012, Khartoum was forcing the oil companies to load South Sudan’s oil into its vessels without the permission of the government of South Sudan. “How can we be discussing with Khartoum on the issues of oil especially the transit fees while they are now confiscating our oil by force”, wondered Dr Marial. Earlier this month, the minister for Petroleum and Mining, Hon Stephen Dhieu Dau said the government of Khartoum stole South Sudan oil and blocked ships loaded with the young nation’s oil from reaching the international market despite the offer of assistance worth billions of dollars from government of South Sudan. “We even left to them some of our money from oil going from Abyei but the government in Khartoum still doesn’t have the feelings of humanity despite their membership in United Nations Human Rights”, said Dr Marial. Khartoum recently admitted that they confiscated South Sudan’s oil but justified it by saying that they are taking it because of the unpaid transit fees. Dr Marial condemned the statement saying it is a lie Khartoum is trying to fabricate to win public opinion. He explained that the government of South Sudan has been paying the fees and that it is only that the two parties did not agree on the transit fees. Khartoum in the past, and up to now, insists to obtain from South Sudan 36 dollars per barrel as transit fees but the government in Juba has not accepted the charges. He said the fees demanded by Khartoum are exorbitant and beyond the international standards. Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, News Agency of South Sudan (NASS) Zimbabwean appointed Deputy Special Representative for UNMISS JUBA, 19 January 2012 – The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon today announced the appointment of Mr. Raisedon Zenenga, a Zimbabwean, as the Deputy Special Representative (political) in the United Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). This was revealed to the media today by Ms Hilde Johnson at the UNMISS headquarters in Juba. Ms Johnson said Mr. Zenenga has experience of over 28 years in the United Nations, government and diplomatic positions and will be in charge of the political pillar of the mission. She also said his experience in managing peacekeeping operations in conflict and post-conflict areas constitutes a timely reinforcement and a significant asset to the mission’s leadership capacity. Reported by Matata Safi UK reiterates its commitment to support South Sudan JUBA, 19 January 2012 (NASS) – The government of the United Kingdom is committed to support the declared humanitarian disaster area of South Sudan, the ambassador of the United Kingdom to South Sudan, Dr Alastair Mcphail said yesterday after meeting the minister for Information and Broadcasting Hon Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin. Dr Mcphail disclosed that Her Majesty’s government will continue to take a keen interest in what is happening in Jonglei and find a solution to it. He explained that they were in Jonglei last November and will be leaving soon to get facts on the ground so that whatever interventions they make can be of support to the affected communities there. During the meeting, Dr Marial appealed to both UK and the regional government of Ethiopia to help assist the government of South Sudan to monitor those from Jonglei who are arming themselves in Ethiopia. He also informed the UK ambassador that the government of Sudan in Khartoum is still confiscating the oil of South Sudan by force. In a separate development, the general distributor of Mercedes Benz, Chrysler and Jeep in Zimbabwe, Chris Parvin is seeking to help South Sudan to become a better nation. Chris Parvin whom Dr Marial described as a strong supporter of the SPLM/A during the struggle, said after the meeting the minister that his company has some projects and ideas to help South Sudan progress. Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, News Agency of South Sudan (NASS) SSNLA delegation to ACP-EU parliamentary session presents report JUBA, 19 January 2012 – South Sudan National Legislative Assembly (SSNLA), yesterday in its sitting 46/2012 held at main hall received the report of its delegation to the session of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of nations (ACP) which was presented by Hon. Atem Garang D Dekuek. The SSNLA delegation attended the 26th Session of the African Caribbean and Pacific group of nations. The session was joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) between the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of nations and European Union (ACP- EU) which took place from 17th to 23rd November, 2011 supported by AWEPA South Sudan. The aim of the visit was to familiarize and find out the processes and procedures on how to acquire the membership and signing the Cotonou Agreement. The European Development Fund (EDF) is the key player whcih provided assistance to ACP. The Cotonou agreement comprises: 1.Development of Cooperation; 2.Economic and Trade cooperation; and 3.The Political dimension. The objectives of the Cotonou agreement are to promote and expedite the economic, cultural and social development of the ACP members; equality of the partnership and ownership of the development; pivotal role of dialogue and the fulfillment, differentiation and regionalization; cooperation arrangements and priorities. Hon. Atem explained the role of JPA is to promote democratic process through dialogue and consultation, facilitate greater understanding between the people of the European Union EU and ACP member states and raise awareness of development issues; discuss issues pertaining to development and EU and ACP partnership and adopt resolutions, and making recommendations. After long deliberations and discussions, the report was passed and adopted. The sitting was chaired by the Acting Speaker Hon. Kom Kom Geng and was attended by 162 members. The delegation comprised of: 1.Hon. Atem Garang D Dekuek - head of delegation 2.Hon. Stephen Ajango Akol - member 3.Hon. Anne Lino Abyei - member 4.Hon. Caesar Bayeh Loyalala - member 5.Mr. Emidio Marcello Dere - supporting staff 6.Mr. Andrew Vuga Jackson - supporting staff Reported by Clement Aturjong Kuot President Kiir receives report on human rights abuse at Rajaf Police Training Center JUBA, 18 January 2012 – The President of the Republic H.E General Salva Kiir Mayardit today received a full report on the alleged human rights abuse which took place at the Dr. John Garang Unified Police Training Center in Rajaf West, Central Equastoria state. The report was presented to the President today by the investigation committee on human rights abuse at the Rajaf Police Training Center, headed by Justice Stephen Simon Beningwa. Shortly after the meeting, the Chairman of the Committee Justice Stephen Simon Beningwa said in a press statement that the committee was formed last year by the Presidential Decree Number 14/2011 to investigate the alleged human rights abuse at the Dr. John Garang Unified Police Training Center. He explained that after swearing in before the President, the committee visited the center and took statements from seven victims, thirteen witnesses, three doctors of the clinic in the center, and some representatives of the UN agencies working at the center. Justice Beningwa asserted that the investigation committee completed its task last December and submitted its final report which contains findings and recommendations to the President of the Report H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, and the report. Reported by Thomas Kenneth Ministry of Health delegation concludes visit to Jonglei JUBA, 18 January 2012 – A delegation from the national Ministry of Health yesterday concluded a one-day visit to Jonglei State to assess the health situation in the state following the recent cattle rustling clashes between the Murle and the Lou-Nuer tribes. Reports on the ground indicate that malaria infections and anaemia are high, among other infections, of which women and children are the most affected. The minister for Health in the government of the Republic of South Sudan Hon. Dr. Michael Milly Hussein has promised to rescue the situation and also called on the County Commissioner of Pibor Joshua Kony to demarcate the area for Nyachigak Nyachiluk Memorial Hospital whose foundation stone was laid by H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit the President of the Republic of South Sudan in 2010. Dr. Hussein called on the two communities of Murle and Lou-Nuer to desist from hostility and exercise peace among them. He added that development cannot take place in the absence of peace. He reiterated the commitment of the government of the Republic of South Sudan in finding a lasting solution to the tribal conflict in Jonglei and maintaining peace in the rest of the country. Meanwhile Mr. Kony applauded World Food Programme (WFP) for the food supplies it has been giving to the displaced people of Pibor and called on the other humanitarians organizations to extend similar assistance. The delegation visited among others, the proposed site for Nyachigak Nyachiluk Memorial Hospital and the Pibor healthcare unit. The delegation was headed by Dr. Hussein and comprised of officials from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the ministry. Reported by Francis Oliver and Matata Safi Foreign affairs press release on Darfur rebels JUBA, 18 January 2012 – Please, click here to download the press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on allegations made by Sudan that South Sudan promised to expel Darfur rebel group (JEM) from its territory. Roads minister pledges quality network throughout the country JUBA, 18 January 2012 – Roads and Bridges minister, Hon Gier Chuang Aluong has promised the people of South Sudan to have a full and high quality road network throughout the country within ten years. Hon Aluong made this promise yesterday when he addressed journalists at the weekly media forum hosted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The minister said that it is evident that South Sudan’s infrastructure was devastated by the many years of liberation struggle and will need a lot of resources and work to develop. However, he asserted that the government is prepared to build high quality and sustainable roads across the country. Hon Aluong underscored the importance of a good road network by comparing it to the body veins through which supply blood to all the body. He emphasized that the government will develop a similar network reaching every state, county and payam. Though he emphasized that no part of the country will be ignored, he pointed out that the projects will be implemented in a phased manner. The minister underscored the importance of roads. “Roads facilitate unity, security, education, health and agriculture”, he stressed. He said the security problems that have been witnessed recently in Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Unity sate can be attributed to several factors but he emphasized that the absence of roads network is a factor above others. He assured that his ministry will be constructing security roads in Jonglei and other states to help the security forces to respond quickly enough in times of emergency. He also said the country is also engaged in linking the new country to East Africa, the Horn of Africa and beyond by building roads to facilitate trade. He said currently it is through Kenya and Uganda that most of the services in terms of commodities gets to South Sudan. He explained that if the road from South Sudan to Kenya through Lokichoggio is built it would cut about 400kms of the route goods and services to South Sudan take through Kenya-Uganda-South Sudan road. He added that this would as well reduce the cost of transportation that reflects on the prices charged in South Sudan markets. Hon Aluong however said road construction is a huge investment with a lot of challenges. He said the people of South Sudan need to be informed of what the government is doing and the challenges it is facing. “Our people have high expectations; in fact our people wanted roads yesterday not even tomorrow”, he said. Hon Aluong was hosted by the minister for Information and Broadcasting who is also the official government spokesperson, Hon Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin. Reported by Matata Safi IFB – Seed processing and cleaning plants JUBA, 17 January 2012 – The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of two seed processing plants/units and three mobile seed cleaning units. Please, visit the “Tenders” page for further details on this and other IFBs. “We’re confident of bringing peace to Jonglei”, Dr Marial JUBA, 16 January 2012 (NASS) – The government of the Republic of South Sudan is very confident of bringing peace between communities in Jonglei State, the minister for Information and Broadcasting, Hon Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin said today during an exclusive interview with Global Post, Bloomberg news. He stated that the problem between Lou-Nuer and Murle communities in Jonglei State can be managed adequately because it is on cattle rustling and cannot be compared to what happened in Rwanda some years back. He also accused Khartoum of engineering the conflict that has resulted in killing of innocent people in both communities of Jonglei State. “The guns in the hands of Lou-Nuer and Murle which is up to now causing problems in Jonglei state were supplied by Khartoum to Lou-Nuer through the late Athor in order to destabilize situations in South Sudan”, he said. He also revealed that government has already taken steps to peace in the region. “Among the most important things the government is doing to stabilize the situation include deployment of police forces, formation of investigative committee to trace the root cause of the problem, disarmament of the communities, engagement of both Murle and Lou Nuer youth in conferences, creation of buffer zones for police to monitor the violent movements of the communities and providing local chiefs with police to help them solve disputes”, Dr Marial said. He further explained that the government is fully engaged in service delivery and is building roads so that mobility of government forces in the territory is easier. He added that once the resources in Jonglei are developed it can be part of solution to the problems noting that Jonglei is rich in oil, wildlife, agricultural land and hydro power of 5000 MW. Dr. Marial as well said the problem will effectively be solved if oil companies came in to invest in Jonglei state. He disclosed that the government is planning to build oil refineries in the three states of Upper Nile, Unity and Central Equatoria to facilitate refinery processes while waiting for Toyota and Shell Oil Company to construct pipeline to make the transportations of oil companies to the international markets possible. Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, News Agency of South Sudan (NASS) Khartoum has no legal basis for oil transportation fee - SPLM SG JUBA, 16 January 2012 – The Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Hon. Pagan Amum has announced that after the historic signing of contracts between the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the foreign companies operating on the oil fields in the Republic of South Sudan on Friday last week, the government of Sudan has no more legal, economic or commercial basis to charge the Republic of South Sudan for transportation and processing fee except for transit fee. The government of the Republic of South Sudan on Friday signed a number of contracts with the various companies that are engaged on the exploration of oil in the production of blocks of 1, 2 and 4; block 5, 8; and block 3, 7. Among the documents signed included Transition Agreement; Agreement on training between China National Petroleum Corporation and South Sudan’s national Ministry of Petroleum and Mining; Memorandum of Understanding between the government of the Republic of South Sudan and the government of the People’s Republic of China concerning a medical team to work in South Sudan; and Memorandum of Understanding for economic and financial cooperation among others. Hon. Amum while addressing the press yesterday at the SPLM Secretariat headquarters said the contracts meant that the control of government of Sudan on the oil industry in South Sudan has legally come to an end. He said the companies now have legal obligations and responsibilities to the government of South Sudan that is representing the interest of the people of South Sudan. He added that the government of the Republic of South Sudan is the sole authority that grants permission to oil companies to operate in South Sudan. “Now we have a bigger ground to tell Khartoum and the mediators that our oil is separate and we have nothing between the two of us on oil”, said Hon. Amum. He also said that an investigation on the alleged stealing of South Sudan oil is already in place by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining, adding that the outcome of the investigation would be one of the issued of discussion in the next round of talks in Addis Ababa. Hon. Amum while reacting to Khartoum’s recent allegations that the landlocked Republic of South Sudan that depends on its oil infrastructures was not paying its dues leading to Khartoum detaining loaded ships with South Sudan oil from leaving, and also blocking ships from loading. He said the oil companies have cleared South Sudan from the allegations levelled by Khartoum against the country. He said the companies have made it clear that South Sudan has been paying processing fee, transportation fee and that the government of Sudan has no rights to charge the government of South Sudan for processing and transportation fee. He further explained that all these charges are clearly stipulated on the contracts of crude oil transportation agreement and processing agreements respectively. Hon. Amum echoed the significance of the contracts signed saying they are part of the greatest strategy of the government of the Republic of South Sudan that is aimed at developing natural resources in the country within a framework of transparency and to ensure that the development of the natural resources are aimed at maximising the benefits to the citizens of the Republic of South Sudan. Reported by Matata Safi RSS’s 100 note has been nominated for IBNS award JUBA, 16 January 2012 - The Republic of South Sudan which attained independence from the Republic of Sudan in July last year consequently unveiling its own currency, may yet register another international recognition after its SSP 100 banknote was nominated for the prestigious award of International Bank Note Society (IBNS). On the official website of the organisation www.theibns.org, the IBNS looks at banknotes quality in terms of design features that take advantage of the modern security features, good use of colour, contrast and general balance, artistic merit. And also considering a banknote that has been issued to the public for the first time in the year of nomination has seen South Sudan’s 100 Pound note competing along side Costa Rica’s 1000 Colones note, Peru’s 200 Sole note, Bhutan’s Ngutrum, Seychelles’ 500 Rupee note’ Kazahstan’s 10,000 Tenge note, Canada’s 100 Dollar note and the Bank of England’s 50 Pound note. Nominations for the 2011 award closed on the 31th January this year and the announcement of the winning bank note after evaluation of each of the nominated notes by the IBNS members is due in April this year. Available information on the IBNS website indicates that 2010’s award was taken by Uganda’s 50,000 shillings note, Bermuda’s 2 Dollar note for 2009 and Samoa’s 20 Tala note, among others. The International Bank Note Society (IBNS) whicht started as a small group of enthusiastic banknote collectors that recognized the need to separate collecting banknotes from other numismatic interests and to forge an understanding of a largely unrecognized or overlooked collectables has grown over the years to a more than 2000 collectors, researchers in various countries over the globe. Read more on this article by logging onto the website www.theibns.org. Reported by Matata Safi -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
