“Security MOU needs commitment to succeed”, Gen. Kong JUBA, 15 February 2012 - The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the government of the Sudan and the newly independent Republic of South Sudan in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa mediated by the African High Implementation Panel can have significant bearing on the ground only if the two parties, the African Union and the International community commit themselves into implementing what is agreed.
Speaking to the press yesterday in Juba, Gen. John Kong Nyuon the deputy minister for Defence and Veterans’ Affairs said most observers and the citizens of the two countries are wondering whether the two parties can stand up to what is enlisted in the MOU. “I want to state here that if the two parties do commit themselves to implement each and every clause of the MOU, I’m convinced that it will definitely have a considerable bearing on improving the mutual relations between Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan”, he said. He added that there are a lot of principles in the signed MOU that will help in normalising state of tension between the two countries that, according to Gen. Nyuon, is evident along the borders with Sudan. Gen. Nyuon stated that the MOU outlined important areas that include but not limited to, respect for each others sovereignty and territorial integrity, non interference in internal affairs of the other state, rejection of use of violence, equality and mutual relations and peaceful co-existence. The deputy minister decried the continued state of insecurity along the borders with the Republic of Sudan. He accused Khartoum of continued bombings of areas that are within the Republic of South Sudan even before the ink on the signature of the security MOU could dry up. “As we speak the reality is a few days ago Khartoum has carried out bombardments in Jau and are currently occupying Babala in Western Bahr el Ghazal State”, he said. He accused Khartoum of pushing militias across the border to sabotage the oil industry in Unity state. He also condemned the recent statements by key figures in Khartoum in the state owned media which he said are not friendly. Gen Nyuon said it must be ensured that the two parties adhere to this MOU that can pave way for the two parties to continue to explore other avenues of cooperation. He said this could be on cross border trade, improving diplomatic relations and many more other aspects of mutual relations and inter dependence. Gen. Nyuon said what is even most important for the two countries to realize and admit that they are two sovereign states and there should exist cooperation between them based on the principles of mutual and peaceful co-existence. Meanwhile Hon. Atem Yaak Atem the deputy minister for Information and Broadcasting who hosted Gen Nyuon in weekly briefing said the citizens of the country are more concerned about the ongoing talks in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa because the issues at the centre of decision are issues of aspects of their daily lives. He said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will play its role of informing the nation. Reported by Matata Safi Warrap MP appeals for help to Abyei returnees JUBA, 15 February 2012 – Hon Arop Madut Arop, a member of Parliament from Constituency No.1 in Warrap state has called for immediate aid to Abyei returnees whom he said are in dire need of food, water and medicine among other needs. Hon. Arop who returned to Juba from Abyei a few days ago said many Abyei residents have decided to go back despite the presence of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in Abyei. He said there are about 420 Ethiopian forces under the UN mandate already present in Abyei. Hon. Arop observed that the returnees depend on water carried all the way from Agok in water tanks by the UN Ethiopian peace keepers adding that all the water sources have been destroyed. Hon. Arop described Abyei town as ghost town. He observed that all the returnees are settled in the surrounding villages of Dungok, Tangilin, Dukra, Toduch, and Marial Acha, among others. Hon. Arop applauded the work of the UN forces in Abyei saying there are in total control of Abyei area. “As of the important aspect of Addis Ababa accord of demilitarizing Abyei area from the SAF and SPLM forces, now there are 420 Ethiopia peacekeeper deployed in Abyei. They are so protective to the returnees in a way they even escort the returnees while looking for grass to thatch their huts”, said Hon. Arop. Hon. Arop urged every South Sudanese who can spare any assistance whether SSP10 or even SSP1 to the suffering people of Abyei. Hee stressed that the situation on the ground is dire. He said any assistance can be channelled through the office of the Abyei Community and any Church. He further called on the international community to put pressure on the Khartoum government to totally withdraw its forces from Abyei. He made this appeal yesterday in Juba while addressing the press in the weekly ministry of Information and Broadcasting media briefing. He was hosted by the deputy minister of Information Hon. Atem Yaak Atem. Reported by Matata Safi Governors of Lakes, Warrap and Unity states brief parliament JUBA, 15 February 2012 – The South Sudan National Legislative Assembly (SSNLA) in its sitting No. 54/2012, which was held at the SSNLA Main Hall yesterday received a report of the three governors of Lakes, Warrap and Unity states to brief the August House on the urgent and important motion on security issue in Tonj East County of Warrap state presented by Hon. Caguor Adong Manyang as per Resolution No. 80/2012. Hon. Nyangdeng Malek Dielic, the Governor of Warrap state said that the problem between the three states is due to cattle rustling between the pastoralist communities of War rap, Lakes and Unity state. She said that so many people are lost because of cattle rustling and indicated that her state is supporting the policy of disarmament for the following reasons: 1.To control the rustlers not to cross to neighboring state; 2.The civil population should be disarmed and abide by law; 3.To deliver services in each state; and 4.Advocate the civil population to respect the role of the law and not taken the law into their hands. She called on the SPLA to speed up the process of disarmament of the civil population in Unity state. She stressed that the government of Warrap state is committed in disarming the civil population who have arms and pointed out that 6,904 rifles were collected in nine counties of Warrap state. Hon. Taban Deng Gai the governor of Unity state explained to the August House that Nilotic Dinka and Nuer have been known by cattle raiding which is a cause of the problem. He also explained that the cattle raiding is a result of loss of proprieties such as cattle during the civil war. He said that most of their cattle were raided by the Misseriya and Rezigat. He indicated that the so called White Army and Gelweng (cow protection force) are also the source of the conflict. The governor said the White Army and Gelweng are operating in remote areas. He also said that the lack of human needs such as physical, psychological and social also contribute in the conflict. He called on the three governors to work for peace. Hon. Eng. Chol Tong Mayay the Governor of Lakes state said that his government is working hard to see that disarmament of civil population and that the apprehension of culprits and trial of cases is speeded up. He said that they will coordinate with the Judiciary to avail competent judges for all types of cases, engage the traditional leaders in peace building and reconciliation process, establish community police, increase recruitment, training facilitation of police, prison warders, wildlife, motivate security organs and coordinating with the neighboring states. He recommended the following: 1.Ensure that simultaneous and comprehensive disarmament process in ten states; 2.Deployment of well trained, disciplined and professional organized forces; 3.Urgently enact laws that will help address the illegal possession of firearms by civilian; 4.Speed up the cases which are in courts; 5.Improve security roads to link the states; 6.Engage youth in positive activities such as peace process; and 7.Called on national government to form an independent body to verify the issues. After deliberation and discussion the August House passed the reports of the three governors to standing Specialized Committee to incorporate more input and submit it to the Office of Speaker Right Hon. James Wani Igga for final endorsement and presentation to the executive. The sitting was chaired Hon Igga. Reported by Clement Aturjong Kuot Khartoum stops budges and limits IDPs repatriations JUBA, 15 February 2012 (NASS) – The minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Joseph Lual Acuil has announced that Khartoum government has stopped budges from coming to Juba through the Nile and limits the duration of IDPs repatriations from northern Sudan to the 8th of April this year. Hon. Acuil revealed this today while addressing journalists on the current humanitarian situation of internally displaced persons coming from northern Sudan.He said the idea to stop budges from coming to South Sudan came from Khartoum’s defense minister. “We were in Khartoum recently with the minister for Interior to discuss on the humanitarian arrangements and issues related to South Sudanese prisoners who are under the Khartoum government. All of a sudden we heard that the defense minister in the Republic of Sudan decided to stop the budges heading to Juba”, he said. Available reports say the Khartoum government stopped the budges from coming to Juba because the government in Juba was using them to transport SPLA weapons when going back but the minster said he doesn’t have the details on this because after bringing the internally displaced persons then automatically he has nothing to do with them. Hon. Acuil explained that they tried so many ways to convince Khartoum defense minister but wasn’t successful and instead the defense minister suggested three options which Hon. Acuil is uncomfortable with due to the insecurity. “The options given to us were, train from Babanusa to Wau, buses to Bentiu and Renk, and finally through flight if we are not satisfied”, he explained. He explained that the number of internally displaced persons in northern Sudan is still high, between 500 and 700, which is not very easy to repatriate in the timeframe decided. According to the minister, some IDPs were not comfortable with the options, but the deadline is very close. He said he is working hard to extend the deadline decided by Khartoum to June so that at least they can do something though it is very hard. Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, News Agency of South Sudan (NASS) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. 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