December, 2023 - Eye Radio

Ex-governor Juma Ali tells Mundari herders to cease hostilities

Posted on December 31, 2023December 31, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

Community leader and politician Juma Ali Malou has called on Mundari herders to denounce violence as a suspect involved in the killing of two herders in Lakamadi of Mundri East County, Western Equatoria State last week has been arrested.

Former governor of defunct Terekeka State Juma Malou and Muru leader, Lawrence Kor bany as well as chiefs from the two communities met in Juba on Saturday to address the matter.

Speaking on the state-run SSBC TV on Saturday, Mr. Malou appealed to the Mundari herders to stop attacking the Muru community as the culprit involved in the murder of their mates has been apprehended.

Ali described the killing as an isolated incident.

“I’m appealing to my people of Mundari starting from Terekeka, Mondi, Tombe, and Central Mundari up to Tindilo and Tali to stop, what happened is just an isolated incident that can happen anytime.

“The good news is that the culprit has been apprehended, security authorities in Mundri East have done their job and apprehended the culprit who committed the crime and is now in custody.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Lowrance Korbandi who is the leader of the Muru community said the isolated incident should not be used to bring more crisis between the communities.

He reminded the communities of the historical peaceful coexistence between the neighboring tribesmen who have lived together for quite a long time.

“The people of Tali and the area of Lakamadi have stayed together for a long time in history and that is where Muru came to have its language and Mundari got their language,

“But they stayed together, married each other, lived together, ate and drank together hunted together, and even grazed together,” he said, adding “An isolated incident like this should not be used to the path that can bring us more crises.”

WES: Hundreds of Lakamadi households displaced in revenge attacks

Posted on December 31, 2023January 1, 2024 by Memoscar Lasuba

Hundreds of households have been displaced in Lakamadi Payam following attacks by cattle keepers from a neighboring County, according to the Commissioner of the Mundri East County of Western Equatoria State.

Margret Fozia said the first attack occurred on the 26^th of December during a wedding ceremony, while the second attack was on the following day at the Lakamadi police station.

According to Fozia, the attacks were triggered by the killing of a Tali herder in the area last week.

Due to fear of further attacks, dozens of households evacuated their homes and are sheltering in churches, and schools in the Lakamadi area.

Commission Fozia spoke to Eye Radio this morning from Lakamadi Payam where she relocated to ensure the safety of the displaced.

“People flee out of fear, the residents have become displaced from their houses to Churches and schools, even to the place where we are.

“They fear that the cattle keepers of Mundari may attack them because youth from cattle keepers came and carried out an attack at the police station in Lakamadi payam in Mundri East, and those who fled their homes are over 2,500 households.”

Commissioner Fozia is calling on the leaders and intellectuals who hail from the neighboring communities to convene a peace dialogue to end the violence.

“Whoever listening to me from Terekeka County, or both Mundri East and Terekeka County, let them come together and talk to themselves.

“The leaders of Tindilo, Tali, Mijiki, and Bura should sit together with the people of Mundri East as one people. Let them come out from Juba and go and talk to the cattle keepers.

“This is the only way to help because the youth from cattle keepers don’t listen, so there is a need to talk to them and their leaders.”

Yakani appeals to President Kiir to pardon detained govt critics

Posted on December 31, 2023December 31, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

Civil society activist Edmond Yakani has called on the Head of State to also extend pardons to some arbitrarily detained government critics to reunite with their families.

The advocate is reacting to the pardoning by President Kiir of 20 inmates from government prisons across the country on Friday.

According to Edmond, some government critics have been arbitrarily detained while for some, their whereabouts remain unknown.

He cited the like of Morris Mabor who was kidnapped from Nairobi in February 2023.

Similarly, he said, Peter Ajak Biar, who headed a civil society organization was kidnapped in Juba in October 2023.

Another, according to Yakani is Simon Yang, who was allegedly detained under the directives of the Renk County authorities after he reportedly questioned the commissioner on social media over a lack of transparency.

Meanwhile, Raphael Juma Zakaria was detained in December 2023 in Juba for allegedly challenging the recruitment and deployment of some security personnel.

Speaking to Eye Radio, Edmond Yakani urges President Kiir to intervene for the release of the detainees – something he said will be the head of state’s gift for the detainees and their families.

“We hope the culture of pardoning people should involve pardoning the recently detained young activities namely Mabior Moris Peter Ajak Biar, Simon Yang in Renk, and Raphael Zakaria who stood up and spoke on matters of transparency and accountability in our country.

“We hope that in 2024, they will join their families and society as a gift to the president.”

Eye Radio could not independently verify the detention of Raphael Juma Zakaria and Simon Yang as well as the kidnapping of Morris Mabor from Nairobi, Kenya.

Kiir often uses events such as Christmas, New Year celebrations, and Easter season as well as Muslim Eid and Independent Day celebrations to pardon inmates.

The latest pardoning of inmates is not the first of its kind, but one of several he has done over the years.

In February 2023, President Kiir pardoned seventy-one prisoners including thirty-six on death row inmates and 35 inmates who failed to pay compensations or fines.

US Ambassador thanks IGP for relative security amid festivities

Posted on December 31, 2023December 31, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

US Ambassador Michael J. Adler has commended the Inspector General of Police for his support in ensuring the security of the embassy facilities and diplomatic privacies during the festive season.

The diplomat made the remarks on the state-run SSBC, TV after meeting with 1st Leutanent General Atem Marol Biar at the Interior Ministry on Saturday.

Ambassador J. Adler said they had a good discussion and he thanked the IGP for his support for the security of the embassy facilities, integrity, and diplomatic Privacy.

“We had a good discussion, I thanked the Inspector General of Police for his support for the security of the embassy facilities, integrity, and ‘diplomatic’ privacies,” he said.

He wished that the coming year may be the year of peace and well-being of the country.

“I express a wish for the coming year, maybe the year of peace and well-being of South Sudan,” he added.

On Saturday, the Minister of Interior urged the public and the international community not to panic amid heavy deployment in the national capital Juba, and parts of the country meant to ensure peaceful New Year Celebrations.

Speaking to reporters after a security meeting, Minister Angelina Teny emphasized the crucial role of organized forces in ensuring maximum security in the city.

While acknowledging the joint operations for the job well done during Christmas, Angelina disclosed an ongoing deployment of forces in the national capital ahead of the celebrations.

However, she alerted the citizens and members of the international community not to panic during the deployment saying it is meant to ensure peaceful celebrations of the New Year.

Gogrial East, Jur communities told to Keep off border issues

Posted on December 31, 2023January 1, 2024 by Memoscar Lasuba

The Governor of Lakes State has urged the communities of Gogrial East County and neighbouring Jur River County to distance themselves on territorial boundaries, citing it is the responsibility of the Council of States. Continue reading “Gogrial East, Jur communities told to Keep off border issues”

International community urged to stay calm amid New Year deployment

Posted on December 30, 2023December 31, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

The Minister of Interior has urged the public and the international community not to panic amid heavy deployment in the national capital Juba and parts of the country meant to ensure peaceful New Year Celebrations.

Speaking to reporters after a security meeting on Saturday morning, Minister Angelina Teny emphasized the crucial role of organized forces in ensuring maximum security in the city.

While acknowledging the joint operations for the job well done during Christmas, Angelina disclosed an ongoing gradual deployment of forces in the national capital ahead of the celebrations.

” What we are going to deploy the deployment this time will be more than what you have seen during Christmas.

However, she alerted the citizens and members of the international community not to panic during the deployment saying it is meant to ensure peaceful celebrations of the New Year.

“We are saying to our citizens and the members of the international community in the country that we are deploying not because of anything but to ensure that we have a peaceful celebration in the new year,” Angelina spoke during the press conference on Saturday in Juba.”

Minister Angelina Teny warned the public against the firing of bullets during the New Year celebrations as she ordered the deployment of organized forces across the country to safeguard the occasion.

“If anybody shoots a gun in the air, it will be our opportunity to apprehend the person who didn’t give his weapon during the search in Juba and the states also.

“Please, if you hide your gun and you don’t hand it over, you will be arrested and held accountable and we will take the gun from you if you are from organized forces. We give you the weapon to protect the people and their properties but not to be shot in the air,” she warned.

Public warned against celebratory gunfire on New Year

Posted on December 30, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

The Minister of Interior has warned the public against the firing of bullets during the New Year celebrations as she commenced the deployment of organized forces across the country to safeguard the occasion.

Speaking to reporters after a security meeting this morning, Minister Angelina Teny emphasized the crucial role of organized forces in ensuring maximum security in the city.

While acknowledging the joint operations for the job well done during Christmas, Angelina disclosed an ongoing gradual deployment of forces in the national capital ahead of the celebrations.

” What we are going to deploy the deployment this time will be more than what you have seen during Christmas.

However, she alerted the citizens and members of the international community not to panic during the deployment saying it is meant to ensure peaceful celebrations of the New Year.

Meanwhile, Minister Angelina outlaws any shooting into the air during the celebrations.

“If anybody shoots a gun in the air, it will be our opportunity to apprehend the person who didn’t give his weapon during the search in Juba and the states also.

Dr Lam hails Friday’s meeting with President Kiir as fruitful

Posted on December 30, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

Opposition leader Dr Lam Akol says he had a fruitful discussion with President Salva Kiir during his Christmas visit to congratulate the head of state on Friday.

The leader of the National Democratic Movement says the meeting was centered around how to prepare the country for the next stage where South Sudanese will hold elections in 2024.

“We touched on how to prepare the country for the next stage as we enter 2024 which has been earmarked by the roadmap to be the year when South Sudanese will hold elections in the country.

According to Dr. LAM, the discussion was fruitful, and he thanked President Kiir for receiving him in his office yesterday.

” It was very fruitful, and we are thankful for his excellency to have received us when his schedule was full, especially during this season,” he added.

Meanwhile, Presidential Affairs Minister Bangasi Joseph Bakasoro said both leaders promised to work together and cooperate on political issues.

Bakasoro said the meeting symbolizes unity and togetherness -something he said leaders must embrace to cement relations and discuss issues that can drive the country forward.

“The president was grateful and happy to receive Dr Lam Akol in his office and both leaders promised to work together, cooperate, and be united to discuss political issues openly, frankly, and cordially.

” So, to the public, this is part of unity, part of togetherness that leaders must meet to cement relations and discuss issues that can drive the country forward,” he said.

President Kiir pardons 20 inmates

Posted on December 30, 2023December 30, 2023 by James Atem

President Salva Kiir has granted pardons to twenty inmates from government prisons across the country as part of end-of-year celebrations.

The inmates were set free in a Republican decree read on the state-run TV (SSBC) on Friday.

Out of the 20 inmates, six juveniles were set free from Juba Juvenile Reformatory Center and these include Albino Sebit, Yohana Alison, Daniel Deng Ayuol, Yussuf Samson Malis, Joshua Salva Giro, and Harun Spano.

Two are from Juba National Prison and they include Joseph Maniel Maker and Emmanuel John Mogga.

The President pardoned Abdallah Dhieu Monyluak, James Ohisa Malang, Hakim Bol Banak, and Yai Chol Nyok from Malakal Central Prison.

Kiir released two inmates from Western Equatoria’s Yambio Central Prison, namely Apath Wol Apath and Awach Nun Chol.

Three were set free from Rumbek Central Prison and these include Garang Lual Deng, Aken Lual Lual, and Lek Deng William.

The Head of State also pardoned two juveniles from Aweil Central Prison Aweil Juvenile Center, and Torit State Prison who have been identified as Khamis Edward and Simon Ongejuk Philip respectively.

No single female inmate is among the freed convicts.

President Kiir cited Article 101 (q) of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011 in conjunction with section 285 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for the release of the inmates.

In February 2023, President Kiir granted a pardon to seventy-one prisoners including thirty-six on death row inmates, and 35 inmates who failed to pay compensations or fines.

CES official prohibits registration of S.1s before 2023 P8 results

Posted on December 30, 2023December 30, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

Central Equatoria State Ministry of General Education and Instruction has warned schools against registering senior one students before the announcement of the academic results of 2023.

The state education minister Cirisio Zakaria Lado says the institution has observed that some schools have started registering S.1 before the marking and announcement of the primary 8 results are made.

He also prohibits private and public schools from registering learners before the academic calendar is announced.

” We would like to inform public or private schools that the registration will not be complete until the announcement of the results of primary eight.

“If we learn as a State Ministry of General Education and Instruction that schools are registering learners before the official announcement of end-of-year results and the new academic calendar, meaning such schools have violated our directives and instructions,” Zakaria told reporters on Friday in Juba.

Minister Zakaria threatens to close or revoke the certificate of operations of schools found violating the order.

“They will face severe punishments that include the closure of the learning center or revocation of certificates of operation. We’ll follow the case thoroughly with the relevant authorities where that violation happens until the matter is resolved,” he warned.