The minister of interior has appealed to members of the South Sudan United Movement to stick to the peace agreement after the death of their leader. Continue reading “Late Gatdet’s followers asked to stick to peace deal”
Month: April 2019
Dr Machar turns down president Kiir’s invitation
Opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar cannot return to Juba any time soon.
This is according to a senior SPLM-IO member Agok Makur, who is responding to a Presidential appeal to Dr. Machar.
“The calling by President Salva Kiir for the leader of the SPLM/IO to come to Juba for the formation of the government is premature,’ he said.
On Saturday, President Kiir – for the second time – extended the invitation to his political rival Dr. Machar to return home for formation of the new interim government as stipulated by the revitalized peace agreement.
But the main opposition leader – who earlier proposed a 6-month extension of the pre-transitional period to allow for implementation of unimplemented security arrangements – insists that he will not return to Juba until the provisions are put in place.
“We are not against the formation of the transitional government, but we are against the security arrangements, because we saying that the security arrangements are fundamental and the backbone of the formation of the next government,” said Makur.
“Dr. Riek Machar came to Juba before and participated in the peace celebrations that was held here in Juba … and this was a prove he is committed to the peace,” he stressed.
Govt to hold investment summit in South Africa
South Sudan government officials will on Wednesday hold an investment summit in South Africa.
The even closing a 4-city global investment drive that previously took place in Washington, New York and Dubai, will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
It is organized in collaboration with the African Energy Chamber which reportedly provided a 500 million dollars financing facility to fund power transmission, infrastructure and agricultural projects in South Sudan.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister , Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec, Mining Minister, Gabriel Thokuj Deng, South Sudan Investment Authority Secretary General, Dr. Abraham Maliet Mamer, Nilepet Managing Director, Dr. Chol Thon Abel, and South Sudan Petroleum Commission Chairman Amb. Ceasar Marko will take part in the event.
They will be led by Nhial Deng Nhial, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Finance and Planning minister Salvatore Garang Mabiordit.
African entrepreneurs including South Sudanese public and private sector leaders have been invited. The africanews agency has reported.
“I trembled”, Kiir’s spiritual retreat experience in Rome
President Salva Kiir says he was shocked, deeply touched, and even trembled when His Holiness Pop Francis knelt down and kissed his feet.
He described his experience of the spiritual retreat in Rome as a historical event that showed how whole world cares about South Sudan.
“Off course I trembled,” he said.
“Not only did I feel a sense of reverence for his holiness, I also strongly feel what happened in Vatican will have an indelible impact on the future of peace and stability in our beloved nation.”
He stressed that Pop’s action was the greatest expression of humanity and true manifestation of how a leader is supposed to lead his people.
“Pope Francis’ action was the greatest expression of humanity, a true manifestation of our Lord’s mission of serving others,’ he learned.
“It was unprecedented for the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator to get together to meditate and pray for our country.”
Kiir extends second invitation to Dr Machar
President Salva Kiir has reiterated his call on Dr Riek Machar, and this time to other opposition leaders still outside the country to return for formation of an interim government in May. Continue reading “Kiir extends second invitation to Dr Machar”
Govt, IO forces ‘blocking’ Morobo-Yei road, says MP
An MP representing Morobo county at the national legislative assembly has called on government and opposition forces to remove road blocks along the way to allow free movement of people.
Honorable, Janet Ayaa Alex told Eye Radio that people who are returning to their homes from the refugee camps are finding it difficult due to the road blocks.
“The road blocks is another kind of insecurity, and on these road blocks when you go, you pay. So it’s make movement very difficult.”
Ms Ayaa who just returned to Juba from Morobo town, said there is also harassment of travelers on the road.
“There is little a bit of harassment on these road blocks, so I think these road blocks should be removed.”
She said removing the road blocks is important for confidence-building among the citizens, especially for the returnees.
“Let the people start moving to build confidence. If we don’t allow free movements, you know there will be not confidence and therefore, the return of people will be difficult.”
Ms Ayaa called for cantonment of all the forces.
“Our soldiers should be in their locations whether the called small barracks or cantonment, or whatever, and get organized,” she said
Morobo County is one of the counties affected by the conflict is Yei River state since the beginning of the conflict in 2016.
Hand over al-Bashir to ICC
Amnesty International is urging the new Sudanese leadership to hand over their former president Omar al-Bashir to the International Continue reading “Hand over al-Bashir to ICC”
Jonglei forces chiefs to collect head tax
Traditional chiefs in Jonglei say they are being forced by the local government to implement a local order that requires them to collect head Continue reading “Jonglei forces chiefs to collect head tax”
NPTC member kicked out of hotel for ‘hosting female’ in his room
A senior peace delegate has been kicked out of his hotel room in Juba for causing a disturbance in the posh hotel earlier this week. Continue reading “NPTC member kicked out of hotel for ‘hosting female’ in his room”
SSOA member, Bakasoro vows not to leave Juba
A member of the South Sudan Political Alliance – Joseph Bakasoro, says he will never leave Juba until the peace agreement is fully implemented.
The former governor of the defunct Western Equatoria State left Juba in 2016 shortly after he was released from the national security detention facility where he spent months over alleged rebellion charges.
However, he returned to Juba to November last year as a member of the South Sudan Political Alliance – a signatory to the new peace accord.
“I’m grateful that I’m back in the country after having spending two-three years out,” Bakasoro told Eye Radio.
“I came purposely with the intention that peace has to last and people have to return in their places, refugees and IDPs have to return.”
He appealed to his fellow peace partners to meet and decide whether to form the new government as scheduled or not.
“The government has to be formed at any cost any time when the stakeholders meet to make a decision.”
This, he says is “because… when [the parties] gather as a team to make a decision, is binding.”
“We want peace at any cost, for me and for the larger people,” he added.
