Dr Machar calls on political parties to study South Sudan’s Vision 2040 JUBA, 13 July 2012 – South Sudan’s leadership has called on all the political parties in the new nation to acquaint themselves with the Vision 2040 document which the government has envisioned as the basis from which any ruling party shall draw its development plans.
The country’s Vice President and deputy chairperson of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), Riek Machar Teny, made the remarks on Thursday during his meeting with the chairman of the National United Democratic Front (NUDF) party, Kornelio Kon Nger who was accompanied by his Secretary General and members of the secretariat. He added that the parties should also acquaint themselves with the government’s document on strategic development plans. Machar further added that the political parties should also join the ruling SPLM by being proactive on the national priorities such as the border demarcation with Sudan, fate of Abyei, oil production and security as well as war against corruption, which he said are among the challenges faced by the government. The NUDF party leader had earlier on requested that the other political parties should be given a chance to participate with the ruling SPLM in the ongoing negotiations with Khartoum on the outstanding issues in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. While reiterating his government’s commitment to multiparty democracy in the country, the SPLM deputy chairperson however encouraged any party with the same vision and principles with the ruling SPLM to join the SPLM, or merge with any other like-minded political party instead of splintering into many smaller opposition parties. The new nation is in the process of forming a Council of Political Parties which will be responsible for registering afresh all the political parties in South Sudan including the SPLM. In accordance with the transitional constitution of South Sudan all the political parties are required to re-register under the new law. The Political Parties Leadership Forum (PPLF); a consultative forum which includes membership of leaders of all the political parties and chaired by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, met on Tuesday and consulted on the pending formation of the Council. South Sudan has about 20 political parties most of which were registered in Khartoum when the region was still part of Sudan while others were recently born after independence and they are not yet registered or recognized by the government. Reported by the Vice President’s Press Secretary, James Gatdet Dak Agriculture ministry receives seed testing equipment JUBA, 13 July 2012 - The national Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Cooperatives and Rural Development yesterday received laboratory equipment for seed testing as a donation from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in collaboration with Food Agricultural Organization (FAO). Receiving the equipment at the ministry’s headquarters, Hon. Beda Machar Deng, the deputy minister in the ministry of Agriculture lauded the initiative and said it was a major boost to agricultural empowerment in supplying good and quality seeds to the farmers. Part of the equipment seed testing equipment. [Photo: Gabriel Lawrence] He said the equipment has come at the right time and will be stationed in research centres like Abu Halima of Western Bahr el Ghazal state capital of Wau, Yei Laboratory in Central Equatorial and Renk in Upper Nile. The Executive Director of Research in the same ministry Dr. Cerino Oketayot said the total cost of the equipment is 70,000 Euros. Reported by Gabriel Lawrence NLA discusses austerity budget in its second reading JUBA, 13 July 2012 (NASS) - The minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Hon Kosti Manibe Ngai has said he is unhappy to see the new born country go through difficulties after one year of independence. In his report to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) mid this week, Hon Manibe said the country still has good opportunity to reform the public service sector stressing that it is time to focus on other resources instead of dependence on oil revenues. He added that despite the austerity measures, improvement of health condition and government employees’ payment is paramount. He highlighted the importance of development in rural areas through sustainable humanitarian and social service delivery explaining that delivering such service will result to peace and stability in conflict affected areas since 80% of the population is rural. The NLA in session. He disclosed that customs and taxation authorities are now under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning so as to help account for and monitor public funds. He as well revealed that the government allocates 12,471,880 Pounds for South Sudan Television. The national legislative assembly has basically agreed to improve service sector according to the priorities as is seen by the government based on the austerity measures. In a separate development, one of the parliamentarian suggested that the budget for training the parliamentarians be diverted to delivery of clean drinking water, electricity and education in the country and that was welcome by number of his colleagues. Reported by Abraham Malek, NASS High hopes for South Sudan football as Bright Stars draw with Uganda Cranes JUBA, 12 July 2012 - Juba the capital of South Sudan was engulfed in ecstasy on July 10th when the national team, Bright Stars of the newly born Republic of South Sudan dashed away the hopes of the giant Uganda Cranes who thought victory was a foregone conclusion in the host’s first international match. The Bright Stars singing the national anthem. [Photo: Matata Safi] The match that ended with a 2-2 draw saw the first goal coming from Uganda’s Kizito Lwanga who put the Uganda Cranes on the lead when he netted the ball at the 10th minute of the first half. The home side levelled at 23 minutes when Richard Justin sent the ball at the left hand corner of the net in a penalty taken after a foul play was committed by the Ugandan defence side within the box. The second goal for the visiting side came from Ogwang Julius 4 minute later but only to be levelled by Bright Star’s James Joseph at stoppage time of added two minutes. The Crane’s Okuti Ceasar was sent out with a red card at the twenty fifth minute after been booked twice with yellow cards giving way for the Bright Stars domination of the match. The fully parked Juba Stadium saw the second half end without more goals. Ugandan community in Juba cheering up their home team. [Photo: Matata Safi] Zoran Djordjevic, the Coach of the Bright Stars said besides the long sad history of South Sudan, the team came up to show the world that they have the ability to compete at the regional and international levels. He said all the team needs is good coaching, good facilities and to be exposed to the world. “This is our first step, you have seen it all. We have many chances to be like the Drogbas and the Messi you hear of”, said Djordjevic. Juma James, keeper of the Bright Stars and Uganda Crane’s Bengo Stephen were award USD 200.00 each after being nominated as the best players of the game by Kush Air, a domestic airline service provider in South Sudan. Juma James, South Sudan's player of the game receives his token from Kush Air. [Photo: Matata Safi] Among the distinguished guests were, Rtd Col. Joseph Laku, Presidential Advisor and leader of the Anyanya, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, government spokesman and minister for Information, Dr Cirino Hiteng, minister for Youth and Sport, President of South Sudan Football Association Chabur Goc, and among others. The friendly match between South Sudan and its southern neighbour Uganda was part of the independence celebration. It was also the first of its kind since South Sudan was admitted to the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA). Reported by Matata Safi “The world needs tough people”, Museveni JUBA 12 July 2012 - President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda has urged the people of South Sudan to stand firm and united as they are faced with a lot of changes resulting from their one year of independence. The Ugandan president said South Sudan has and will continue to witness many challenges. He said the problems will need the people to stand together and face the challenges as one. President Museveni who was the chief guest at the occasion of South Sudan’s first anniversary independence said the issues of South Sudan should not have taken ‘two days’ to be understood by Khartoum because he said their demands were very clear. President Museveni giving his speech at the independence celebrations. [Photo: Philip Dhil] “In the world the voices of black people are not heard very much, otherwise the suffering of the black South Sudanese should have not gone on for so long”, he said. He explained that the issue at hand for the black Southern Sudanese was that they wanted to practise their diverse beautiful God given cultures but they were denied. He congratulated the people of South Sudan for showing dedication and unity which he said brought the hard-won independences after more than two decades of war. He urged South Sudan not be like the children of Israel whom after being delivered out of slavery in Egypt at some point entertained the thoughts of going back there. “Now you should not be like the children of Israel. The children of Israel when they got out of slavery from Egypt and got problems in the desert, they said they ‘we wished we were back in Egypt because in Egypt we at least had pumpkins to eat. You are supposed to eat pumpkins in your own country”, he emphasised. President Kiir and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Kaguta Museveni arrive at the Dr. John Garang Mausoleum. [Photo: Philip Dhil] President Museveni, however, said Africans are at times to blame for the problems that befall them. He said are easy to divide, easy to confuse and will easily give in to slavery. He called on the people of South Sudan to unite in realising peace and sustainable development. The Ugandan president pledged continued cooperation of his country with the people of the Republic of South Sudan. He further called for justice to be done as talks on the outstanding issues between South Sudan and Sudan go on in the Ethiopian Capital of Addis Ababa. We warned that any agreement reached must reflect the best wishes of the two parties saying a deal that may not be based on justice may be the cause to future problems. Reported by Matata Safi South Sudanese community in Kenya join in independence fist anniversary celebration NAIROBI, 10 July 2012 - The multitude of joyous South Sudanese community in Kenya joined their country citizens in celebration of their country’s first independence anniversary yesterday on 9th July 2012 at Railway Club, Uhuru Park in Nairobi Kenya. Some of the VIPs at the celebration. [Photo: Joseph Garang Deng] South Sudan attained her independence last year on 9th July 2011 through the international monitored referendum where nearly 99% majority of the southerners overwhelmingly voted for separation from Arab and Muslim dominated north. The plebiscite was part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which was signed on January 9th 2005, between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement /Army (SPLM/A), the former rebel movement which was fighting against marginalization by the central government and the National Congress Party (NCP) the incumbent ruling party in Sudan. The guest of honor Hon. Dr. Peter Adwok Nyaba, the Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology thanked the gathering and conveyed the warm greetings from H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic of South Sudan. He announced that he was here on a short official mission and that was happy to officiate the occasion. Part of the crowd which attended the celebrations. [Photo: Joseph Garang Deng] He honored those who bravely fought the war of liberation including the SPLA martyrs among them the late hero Dr. John Garang de Mabior. He said that without them South Sudanese would not have achieved independence. “As we are celebrating our independence today, it is a proof to many prophets of doom who had wished our country to be a failed state. Some people who are closely monitoring our progress disprove either of the allegations”, he asserted. Hon. Nyaba elaborated that South Sudan will not be a failed state because of the zero tolerance policy in fighting corruption and appreciated the recent orders given by President Kiir to the Minister of Justice and Constitution development to prosecute those who might be found to have been involved in corruption. South Sudanese dancing to celebrate first independence anniversary. [Photo: Joseph Garang Deng] Hon. Nyaba quoted Hilde Johnson, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan who said that “there is an improvement in the country” adding that the statement is an indication that South Sudan is going in the right direction. H.E Mariano D. Ngor, the Deputy Ambassador of South Sudan to the Republic of Kenya in his speech appreciated the cordial relationship maintained between the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of South Sudan. He said that this bilateral relation with Kenya is rooted in historical and cultural affinity between the two neighboring states. He commended the role played by Kenya during the liberation struggle saying Kenya has hosted hundreds of thousands of refugees from South Sudan and during the liberation war that led to the signing of the CPA. He acknowledged that Kenya is still actively involved and engaged in post independence issues such as capacity building and monitoring of the implementation of the outstanding CPA issues between the Republic of South Sudan and the Sudan. H.E Ngor commended the LAPSET corridor project saying that it will help boost development and economic relation not only between the two states but in the whole of Eastern Africa. He further commended the African Union and the international community for their support and the recognition of the Republic of South Sudan as one its member states. He assured that the young nation will continue to abide by the international UN Charters and Agreements among which respect of human right and promotion of peace and Democracy is paramount. A band playing during celebrations. [Photo: Joseph Garang Deng] On his part H.E Ambassador Oyugi congratulated the people of the Republic of South Sudan for their independence anniversary on behalf of the people and the Republic of Kenya. He also appreciated the people of South Sudan for their peaceful staying in Kenya and encouraged them to feel at home. “You have become part and partial of the Kenyan society because you have embraced Kenyan culture and language”, he added. Many entertainment activities including dances, poems and songs were sung to punctuate the program. The celebration was conducted in good weather condition that encouraged people to attend and remain there as earlier as 9 am to 6 pm. Many drinks and lunch was served and the cake bearing the flag of the Republic of South Sudan was cut by the senior guests to mark the occasion. Dignitaries cutting the cake during the celebrations. [Photo: Joseph Garang Deng] The occasion was organized by South Sudan Embassy in Kenya in coordination with South Sudanese Student Association in Kenya (SSAK) and members of the representative from South Sudanese community in Nairobi. The celebration was also attended by H.E Kelebert Nkomani, the Permanent Representative to UNEP & UN Habitat who is also a Zimbabwean Amb. to Kenya, H.E Sahle-work Zewde from Un office in Nairobi, among other government officials and members of the diplomatic core. Reported by Joseph Garang Deng South Sudan marks first anniversary after been wished a failed state JUBA, 10 July 2012 – The world’s and Africa’s youngest nation of South Sudan yesterday successfully marked its first independence anniversary. This anniversary is significant because many of its enemies had wished it to become a failed state few months from its independence. South Sudan survived massive challenges from the President Bashir regime of Khartoum last year to lay its foundation after attaining independence from sudan, but President Kiir invited President Bashir for the independence anniversary. Among the top guests at the celebration were the representatives of the Khartoum (Bashir) government minister Salah el Din Mohammed al Kheir Wanasse of foreign affairs, President of Uganda Yuweri Kaguta Museveni, representative of Kenyan president (Kibaki) Dalmas Otieno, representative of the Ethiopian prime minister (Zenawi) Haile Mariam, special representative of UN secretary general Hilde Johnson and the chairperson of African Union Commission Jean Ping. In his keynote at the anniversary commemoration at Garang Mausoleum, President Kiir told the mass that the problem with Khartoum is political and has nothing to do with Sudanese citizens. He emphasized that even though Khartoum has already declared South Sudan as its enemy number one Juba’s position is peace with Khartoum. General Salva Kiir Mayardit commended Sudanese President Omer al Bashir for helping South Sudan become independent. He appreciated Bashir’s response to the independence invitation pointing it as responsible goodwill gesture. President Kiir told the mass that the challenges ahead are enormous but the country will prevail urging the international community not to neglect South Sudan because it is young. The president urged the international community not to doubt assisting South Sudan because of its past mistakes. He said the government is working hard to correct them. He as well called on the national legislative assembly and civil society organizations to support the government in dealing with corruption vowing not to stop till it is eradicated. Formerly Sudan Tribune reported that the chairperson of civil society organization was kidnapped and beaten into a coma after staging demonstration in support of President Kiir’s statement of stolen money. President Kiir further commended the role played by teachers in the one year of independence stating that education has improved. The special representative of Sudanese president, Salah al din Mohammed al Kheir Wanasse extended President Bashir’s congratulations on one year of independence saying he wished good relations and exemplary neighborhood with South Sudan. Ugandan president, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni urged South Sudanese to unite with one another to lay a strong foundation for the country. “In this world the voices of black people are not heard, otherwise the people of South Sudan might have not suffered for so long because the problems between Sudans are very clear” he said. He reaffirmed Uganda commitment to assist South Sudan in laying down strong foundation for development. The two countries of Kenya and Ethiopia also expressed deep happiness for South Sudan’s anniversary noting that their support for South Sudan remains in place. The special representative of United Nations secretary general, Hilde Johnson acknowledged the efforts exerted and challenges South Sudan is facing but confirmed that the UN is working to resolve the deteriorating situation between the two neighbors. She as well revealed that UNMISS is doing its best to see that South Sudan is stable and secured. Meanwhile the chairman of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping promised South Sudan that AU Commission will not turn its back on the young nation. He said the AU and international community will equally help North and South Sudan to become peaceful. He advised the government of South Sudan to take agriculture very seriously to strengthen its economy disclosing that the AU will assist the budgetary challenges South Sudan is going through to make sure education, health, security and basic infrastructural challenges are surmounted. Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, NASS “With peace, there’ll be no poverty”, Tutu JUBA, 9 July (NASS) – The retired South African Bishop and Nobel Laureate, Desmond Tutu has called on the two countries of Sudan and South Sudan to embrace peace to kick out poverty. Addressing a Christian congregation at All Saints’ Cathedral near Mobil, Tutu said the only way to eradicate hunger, disease and illiteracy is when North and South Sudan have peace. He urged the government of South Sudan to take peace as a must to give development a chance expressing hope to see South Sudan different next time. Earlier reports said the Nobel Laureate and his team of elders will be meeting President Bashir in Khartoum after holding high level political meeting with the President of the Republic Salva Kiir Mayardit. Church leaders welcome Bishop Tutu to the church service. [Ajang Monychol] Government spokesperson, Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin commended the role played by the church saying much is needed especially during these hard times. Dr Benjamin told Desmond Tutu that the government position with Khartoum is peace and creation of two viable states disclosing that President Bsshir is invited for the independence celebrations in Juba. He as well acknowledged the challenges the government is going through but promised to deliver adequate services. He further appealed to the international friends to help in putting up a strong foundation for South Sudan as it matures. Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, NASS Muslims and Christians agree to join hands for development JUBA, 9 July 2012 (NASS) – South Sudan Muslims and Christians have agreed to forget the past differences and work for the unity and development of country. This pronouncement was made over the weekend during a workshop organized by Sudan Council of Churches on peaceful coexistence between Muslim and Christian communities in South Sudan. Opening the workshop at the Star Hotel, Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin said the meeting was encouraging and would support development in the country. He urged the two parties to translate this spirit of oneness so as to achieve real peace in the country. However, Dr Benjamin also warned both Christians and Muslims not to use religion as a tool of conflict as is happening with al Qaeda in Baghdad and Timbuktu in Mali. Religious leaders at the workshop. [Photo: Ajang Monychol] Meanwhile, the representative of the Islamic Council in Couth Sudan, Dr Abdallah Deng Nhial assured that the Muslim community in South Sudan is for peace, unity and stability of the country. On his part, the acting chairperson of Sudan Council of Churches, Rev. Hassan Wawoo urged the Muslim community not to fear for being the minority stressing that all are equal before God. He as well advised the two communities not to say bad things of each other explaining that it will affect peace and development in the country. Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, NASS Tutu in Juba to support AU peace effort between the Sudans JUBA, 9 July 2012 (NASS) – The famous South African Bishop and activist, Desmond Tutu is in Juba to support African Union High Implementation Panel to realise peace between the two Sudans after a series of failed talks in Addis Ababa. Desmond Tutu who is heading the delegation of African elders arrived in Juba on Friday after a brief meeting with the chief mediator of African Union High Implementation Panel at the AU headquarters in Ethiopia. Briefing the press at Home and Away after a warm reception by the President of the Republic Salva Kiir Mayardit, Tutu said their presence in South Sudan is to work on how the two countries of Sudan and South Sudan can become viable states. Bishop Tutu meeting President Kiir. [Photo: Ajang Monychol] He stated that that there is nothing the two states can do to separate them from being neighbors. “Whether north and South Sudan want or not, they are going to remain two different states. Failure to embrace peace is going to be serious on both sides,” Tutu warned. However, talks between Sudan and south Sudan resumed last week but reports indicate security agenda remains to be an obstacle. Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, NASS Office of the President continues to receive support for the SPLA JUBA, 9 July 2012 - The Office of the President of the Republic continues to receive contributions as part of the mobilizations in support of the SPLA forces to defend the sovereignty of the country. Hon LoWilla receives the contribution of South Sudanese living in Qatar from Hon Datiro. [Photo: Thomas Kenneth] Friday 6th, July 2012 the minister in the Office of the President Hon Emmanuel LoWilla received 3,000 USD contributed by the South Sudanese community in Qatar which was handed over to him by the deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Hon Grace Datiro, and 17,700 SSP contributed by the staff of South Sudan National Bureau of Standards and Metrology working under the council of ministers. The money was handed over by Hon Wek Mamer deputy minister for Cabinet Affairs. Hon. LoWilla receives the contribution of South Sudan Standards and Meteorology Bureau from Hon Wek Mamer. [Photo: Thomas Kenneth] Hon LoWilla on behalf of the President thanked the staff of Standards and Meteorology Bureau for their valuable contributions. He also thanked the South Sudanese community in Qatar for not forgetting the SPLA forces. Reported by Thomas Kenneth South Sudanese artists asks for places to perform JUBA, 6 July 2012 (NASS) – South Sudanese artists have urged the government of South Sudan to build places for artistic performance. One of the young and emerging South Sudanese artists, Salome Kiden said South Sudanese artists have a lot to deliver, but performance is so difficult without places like museums, galleries and stadiums. Ms Kiden voiced out this message yesterday while exhibiting her fine arts talents in an artistic exhibition in Juba Civic Engagement Center. The fine arts at the exhibitions were mostly pots made out of recycled papers gathered from the waste collected from the waste disposals of the government ministries. According to Ms Kiden who is also a television anchor at the national television, said she had more to do out of waste disposals for the betterment of the country. She said the next step to embark on is the plastics waste materials which are actually rampant with in Juba. Ms Kiden showing some of her work to Dr Benjamin. [Photo: Ajang Monychol] She, however, advised the general public not to stick only on government but to do things out of their own talents, saying there are many things to earn a lot from than waiting for government salaries. The official spokesperson of the government of South Sudan, Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin congratulated the emerging artists for the wonderful job performed. He asserted that the government of South Sudan is taking culture very seriously and very soon most of the facilities will be in place. He also appealed to the other artists who have never shown up in such a level to come out with the talents to develop South Sudan. Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, NASS Labour Undersecretary calls for support for Vocational Training Centres JUBA, 6 July 2012 - The Undersecretary for Labour in the Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development, Madam Hellen Achiro, has called for international support for the four Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in South Sudan. Madam Achiro said technical, material and financial assistance will make the VTCs fully operational in training young people for the job market. The VTCs are based in Aluak Luak (Lakes State), Wau (Western Bahr El Ghazal), Malakal (Upper Nile) and Juba (Central Equatoria). Madam Achiro said that the VTCs would be able to provide short courses lasting between 3-6 months in various fields, adding that this would enable young South Sudanese to take up jobs which are currently held by non-nationals. The Undersecretary particularly singled out the hospitality industry saying there was high demand in the country for training of school leavers. “When you go to most of the hotels in this country, the situation does not reflect the real image of the country because most of the workers are non-nationals. These are jobs which should be held by locals. We need to get nationals who are interested in the hotel industry and give them training in this area,” she said. “We require facilitation in terms of training and expertise for the VTCs. You can’t lay off non-nationals before you train locals,” she added. Madam Achiro made the remarks when she met two officials from the African Development Bank (AfDB) – Ms Faith Kamau and Ms Arek Dut Majok - who paid her a courtesy call at the Ministry offices in Juba. The AfDB officials are part of the bank’s country strategy verification mission in South Sudan. South Sudan which became independent on July 9 last year joined AfDB as the 79th shareholder at the bank’s last annual meeting held in Arusha, Tanzania from May 31-June 1, 2012. The Under Secretary disclosed that the Ministry had finalised the Labour Bill which had the negotiated in a tripartite manner with the government, trade unions, employers and civil society giving their input. She said that once it is enacted into law the Labour Bill would require implementation through the formulation of regulations and by-laws, adding that the government would require technical assistance to make this possible. “We will also need to make awareness about the bill by printing and disseminating information, education and communication materials. We will also need to engage the media in creating awareness about the bill and its provisions,” she said. Madam Achiro said the International Labour Organisation was working with the Ministry to establish a unit to tackle child labour which is a major challenge for South Sudan, adding the main strategy was to fight child through education. On the handling of labour disputes, the Under Secretary said the country needs to establish labour courts by borrowing experiences and best practices from the region and beyond. “We also need an Industrial Act that will operationalise the labour courts because the country lacks a legislative framework for such courts,” she said. Speaking during the occasion, Ms Faith Kamau, the AfDB Legal Affairs official, said the bank would mainly focus on capacity building and infrastructure. Reported by Alnour Ango, Justin Jada, Simon Owaka US anticipates $ 440 million aid to South Sudan JUBA, 5 July 2012 (NASS) – The United States of America is anticipating to spend $440 million for the development and humanitarian program in South Sudan for the fiscal year 2012. The US ambassador to South Sudan, Suzan Page disclosed this on Wednesday while commemorating United States independence anniversary in Juba. Ms Page said the money will be used for the programs of direct benefits to the citizens and people of South Sudan. She as well assured that the US will work together with the government of South Sudan to address the issues of good governance and conflict mitigation. Dr Benjamin (left) at the American independence celebrations. [Photo: Ajang Monychol] On his part, the minister for Information and Broadcasting, Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin congratulated the people of the United States of America for the Independence Day saying South Sudan is committed to good and democratic governance. Dr Benjamin said the government of South Sudan is working very hard to curtail the issue of corruption revealing that arrest and prosecution powers have been given to anticorruption commission. He further urged the UN Security Council to press Khartoum to withdraw its police forces from oil-rich Abyei region. Earlier, the government of South Sudan had alerted the UN Security Council about the presence of Sudan’s police in the disputed area of Abyei, but Dr Benjamin confirmed nothing materialized. Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, NASS SPLA engineering units is government priority JUBA 3 July 2012(NASS) – The official spokesperson of the government of South Sudan, Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin has said that among the top priorities of government this year, from Japanese engineering contingent in South Sudan is the improvement of SPLA engineering unit. Dr Benjamin who is also the minister for Information and Broadcasting made this remark today in an interview with the Japanese media NHK. He said the other areas of great importance are the construction of roads, bridges and intensification on capacity building program. However, the minister lauded the hard work exerted by the Japanese engineering contingent and. The minister further reaffirmed to the government of Japan that the Japanese and the engineering contingent serving under UNMISS are safe in South Sudan. He also appealed to the Japanese investors to venture for investment in the young republic explaining that the environment and the laws are very friendly. Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, NASS Pari community donates 36 heads of cattle to SPLA JUBA, 3 July 2012 - Pari community of Lafon County, Eastern Equatoria State on Saturday 30th June contributed thirty six (36) heads of cattle to the national government of South Sudan in support of the national army as part of the ongoing mobilization campaign. Receiving the donation, the Deputy Minister for Defense Hon. Dr. Majak Agot Atem welcomed the donation and he called it working together to protect the country from external aggression. He said the Pari community has historically contributed to the liberation struggle of South Sudan. “The massive enrolment of the sons and daughters of Lafon in South Sudan national army right from the beginning of the SPLA/M armed struggles in 1983 to date is a testimony of your unwavering support and contribution for total liberation of South Sudan”, he said. He said the SPLA will never give up defending the territorial integrity of the Republic of South Sudan. The head of cattle donated by the Pari community. [Photo: Ugila Paul] Hon.Abdallah Kafelo, Eastern Equatorial’s State Advisor to the Governor on Political Affairs who is also the state’s head of Mobilizing Committee witnessed the handover. He said the donation symbolized unity of the people of South Sudan. After Khartoum government’s continued aggressions on the people of South Sudan that resulted into the bitter border clashes in April, communities and organizations have been gathering support and contributions to the army. Hon. Kafelo lauded the continued support and unity of the people of South Sudan. Present on at the handover was Hon. Charles Udwar Lafon County Constituency No.6 state member of parliament in the Eastern Equatorial Legislative among others. Reported by Ugila Paul Work on the new bridge on the Nile starting soon JUBA, 29 June 2012 - Work on the new proposed new bridge on the River Nile is set to start soon after officials signed a memorandum of understanding for its commencement. Besides the construction of the new bridge, according to the signed MOU, Japan through Japan International Cooperation (JICA) will also develop the urban water system in Juba and give a modern facelift to the Juba river port. Speaking at the signing ceremony yesterday in Juba Mr. Hideo Fukushima, Japan’s special representative and Head of Office in South Sudan described it as a major project since the independence of South Sudan. The construction is expected to cost US Dollars $50 million and would be completed within forty months. Juba Bridge that serves as a major link for both local and international trade is over forty years old and has broken down twice since 2008 due to heavy traffic and being old. Mr. Fukushima underscored the importance of the three projects saying they are for the economic development of the new Republic of South Sudan. He said peace consolidation in South Sudan is one of the major pillars of government of Japan’s assistance to the country. “Peace consolidation and development are the major pillars of Japan’s assistance to the people of the Republic of South Sudan”, he said. On the other hand Prof. Elias Nyamwell Wakoson applauded the support from the government of Japan towards the people of the Republic of South Sudan. He said the bridge is a key business link to the neighbouring countries of Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia where South Sudan gets most of its imports. He further said once completed, the new bridge would ease traffic in the city which is growing by the day. Japan since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement has been in solidarity with the people of South Sudan and has been engaged in projects that are aimed at supporting the young nation devastated by the long civil war. Reported by Matata Safi South Sudan launches labour market report JUBA, 29 June 2012 - The Republic of South Sudan held a one day seminar on world day against child labour under the theme “South Sudan Human Right and Social Justice Let end Child Labour”. The occasion also marked the launch of the South Sudan’s labour market report which includes general labour, youth and child labour market situation in South Sudan. In his opening remarks yesterday at Regency Hotel in Juba Mr. Kwong Danhier Gatluak, the Deputy Minister of Labour Public Service and Human Resource Development expressed concern that as an emerging nation, South Sudan has a greater and urgent need to increase access to employment opportunities, develop its human resource capital especially among the youth as well as addressing unethical and indecent employment and labour practices such as child labour. He further called for decent work in the Republic of South Sudan and applauded the commitment of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), European Union (EU) and other Development Partners for their continues support in addressing issues of child labour in the nation. The report on labour market situation indicates that over 90 percent enter the labour force with less than primary education. This situation requires urgent need of a second chance to learning opportunities through establishment of vocational training centres (VTC) across South Sudan. Kwong acknowledge the importance of the VTC and should not be overlooked. In the same occasion the deputy minister of Higher education and Instruction Madam Rebecca Joshua Okwaci, assured the gathering of the strategic plan to address, raise awareness and sensitise children to enrol in education programmes. According to Valentino Kenyi Pitya, Minister of Labour Public service and Human Resource Development Central Equatoria State, to address issues of child labour and other component mention in the labour market report in South Sudan, advocacy for more action to eliminate child labour especially the worse form of it. “Establishment of strong Institutions, National Bureau of Statistic and the support from the National Steering Committee on Child Labour should be made available in the ten states of South Sudan,” Kenyi Pitya explained. Reported by Justin Jada Joseph and Alnour Ango Seven RSS Ambs. bid Farewell to President Kiir JUBA, 27 June 2012 - At least seven Republic of South Sudan Ambassadors who are assigned for a diplomatic mission outside the country today on Wednesday 27th, Juna 2012 bided farewell to the President of the Republic H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayrdit. The Ambassadors are: 1.Amb. ,Majok Guandong Thiep – Kenya 2.Amb. Dr. Eluzai Mogga Yokwe – China 3.Amb. Paul Macuei Malok – South Africa 4.Amb. Lumumba Makelele Nyajok – Belgium & EU 5.Amb. Philip Jada Natana – Eritrea 6.Amb. Sammuel Luate Lominsuk – Uganda 7.Amb. Sitona Abdallah Osman – Germany H.E Kiir in a photo with the Ambassadors. [Photo: Thomas Kenneth] During the farewell ceremony, President of the Republic congratulated the Ambassadors for being appointed as the first Ambassadors to represent the new country in the world, and directed them to do more in preaching the real image of South Sudan and attract foreign investors to come and improve the infrastructure. The Ambassadors expressed pleasure to the President for always being supportive to them and said that they are ready with the support of the President to work for the interest of the nation and implement directives of the President. Reported by Thomas Kenneth South Sudan statistical Yearbook 2011 launched JUBA, 25 June 2012 - The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) last week launched the South Sudan Statistical Yearbook 2011 at Home and Away Business Centre. In a statement by the Vice President Dr Riek Machar read out by Kwong Danheir Gatluak deputy minister for Labour Public Service and Human Resource, the VP applauded the efforts of the National Bureau of Statistics staff in collecting, compiling and analysing the comprehensive data which he said will act as reference to stakeholders and development partners in decision making so as to bring socio-economic development in the young nation. Dr Machar asserted the firm backing of the national government in facilitating the work of the NBS Commission which he said benefits all the people of South Sudan. He explained that with the NBS report, it will be easy for the government and other players in development to correctly plan when delivering services. Meanwhile Mr George Conway, the Resident Coordinator of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) outlined the importance of statistics saying they provide a solid base of evidence on the living condition of people in a given country which he said enables analysis of the key challenges people face whether in terms of poverty, livelihoods, food security among others. He also said the report provides a sound basis for dialogue on policies, debate around priorities and ultimately decision making of the allocation of resources and targeting of programmes. “Statistics help us to determine what the people need most to improve their lives and where our programmes can have the greatest impact for those who need them most”, said Mr Conway. Mr Conway expressed commitment working with the bureau towards achieving its goals of being the premier source of national statistics to support development in South Sudan. Released alongside the statistical yearbook are the National Baseline Household Survey 2009 and the South Sudan Poverty Estimates at the county level for 2008. The details of these important reports can be accessed by visiting the NBS’ web site at www.ssnbs.org. Reported by Barnaba Mabor Sudan told to complete withdrawal JUBA, 25 June 2012 - The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has called Sudan to complete the withdrawal of its forces in Abyei as demanded by the UNSC resolution 2046 and African Union Peace and Security roadmap. “Sudan still has a significant number of its oil police in Abyei”, Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin the spokesman of the government of the Republic of South Sudan said last week in a press statement. The members of the Security Council on a press release issued on the 18th of June welcomed the withdrawal from the Abyei Area of the Sudanese Armed Forces and Sudanese Police Service personnel. They called on the Government of Sudan to complete the full withdrawal of its forces by redeploying all oil police in accordance with resolution 2046 and the 20 June 2011 Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for Security in the Abyei Area. Dr. Marial also called on Sudan and South Sudan to urgently finalize the establishment of the Abyei Area Administration and constitute the Abyei Police Service, in accordance with their commitments in the 20 June 2011 Agreement. Dr Marial addressing the press. [Photo: Matata Safi] On the other hand the UNSC underscored the urgency of immediately establishing the necessary border security mechanisms and creation of safe demilitarized Border Zones which they said must be established as stipulated in the United Nations Security Council resolution 2046. “We are optimistic that the outstanding issues can all be resolved within the timeframe if the other party is committed in resolving these issues”, said Dr. Marial. He reaffirmed the commitment of the government of South Sudan to resolve all the outstanding issues with Sudan as per the UNSC resolution 2046 and the African Union Peace and Security roadmap. Second phase of talks on the post independence outstanding issues of border demarcation, oil, security arrangements and citizenship, among others, with Sudan resumed last week in Addis Ababa Ethiopia after the bitter April clashes at the borders between the two countries. Please, click here for the complete press release. Reported by Matata Safi Youth tipped to seek self-employment JUBA, 25 Juba 2012 – South Sudanese youth have been urged to seek self-employment instead of staying jobless hoping for a white-collar job. This appeal was made by Madam Hellen Achiro, the Undersecretary of Labour and Industrial Relations in the Minisrty of Public Service and Human Resource Development. Participants posing with their certificates. Madam Achiro made these remarks when closing a five-day workshop organized by UNIDO to build the business skills of the youth. Madam Achiro urged the participants at the workshop to share the skills they had obtained with the other youth all over South Sudan. Participants were given certificates of participation. Reported by Jogo Joice and Alnour -- 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-US.
