July, 2024 - Eye Radio

Vybz Kartel freed after years in jail

Posted on July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 by Memoscar Lasuba

The Jamaican Court of Appeal on Wednesday took a decision to free renowned dance-hall artist Vybz Kartel, born Adidja Azim Palmer from prison.

The case and imprisonment of Vybz Kartel

Vybz Kartel, a towering figure in dancehall music, was initially sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014 for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, a case fraught with controversy and public debate. The prosecution’s case hinged on circumstantial evidence, including text messages and voice notes allegedly implicating Kartel in the crime. Despite fervent claims of innocence from Kartel and his legal team, the court convicted him, sentencing him to serve a minimum of 35 years before eligibility for parole.

The conviction did not dampen Kartel’s influence in the music industry. Even from behind bars, he continued to release music, much of it allegedly recorded prior to his incarceration, maintaining a strong presence on the dancehall scene and retaining a devoted fan base.

However, the idea Kartel’s most recent music was prerecorded is debatable as it often refers to current events. Jamaican authorities have denied allowing Kartel to record in prison. Despite this, he released his most successful album from there – 2016’s King Of The Dancehall.

The appeal

Vybz Kartel’s legal team tirelessly worked to overturn the conviction, arguing that the evidence against him was flawed and tainted. They pointed to discrepancies in the handling of digital evidence and alleged tampering, which they contended should invalidate the prosecution’s case. In 2020, the case was brought before the Privy Council in the United Kingdom, Jamaica’s highest court of appeal, which initially upheld the conviction.

However, the persistence of Kartel’s defense team, coupled with new forensic evidence and technological advancements in digital forensics, led to a reopening of the case. The new evidence presented a compelling argument that the digital evidence used to convict Kartel had been compromised, leading to a breakthrough in the long-standing legal battle.

The landmark decision over Vybz Kartel

On July 31, 2024, the Jamaican Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Vybz Kartel, citing the compromised integrity of the evidence as the primary reason for overturning the conviction. The court’s decision to free Kartel was met with jubilation from his fans and supporters, who had long believed in his innocence and campaigned for his release.

In a statement, Kartel expressed his profound relief and gratitude, saying:

Justice has finally been served. I have always maintained my innocence, and today, the truth has set me free. I thank my legal team, my family, and my fans for their unwavering support.

Critical issues with Jamaican justice

Beyond music, Vybz Kartel’s case has highlighted critical issues within the Jamaican justice system, particularly concerning the handling and reliability of digital evidence. Legal experts believe that this case will prompt a reevaluation of procedures and protocols to prevent similar miscarriages of justice in the future.

The public reaction to Kartel’s release has been overwhelmingly positive within the dancehall community. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of support and celebration from fans and fellow artists:

Ten journalists from City Review and Al-Hagiga suspended for protesting low pay

Posted on July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 by Koang Chang

The management of City Review and Al-Hagiga newspapers has suspended 10 journalists in response to their protest over low wages. Continue reading “Ten journalists from City Review and Al-Hagiga suspended for protesting low pay”

S. Sudanese women urged inclusion in AU peace roles

Posted on July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 by Memoscar Lasuba

South Sudanese women elites have urged their inclusion in African Union’s peace and mediation programs in the continent.

Acting Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, Yolanda Awel made the remarks after the launched of a national network of women in conflict prevention and mediation known as FemWise South Sudan National Chapter.

It is a subsidiary mechanism of the the African Union which was established by its Assembly of Heads of State summit on July 4th, 2017.

Minister Awel says South Sudanese women have experience in conflict resolution as they participated in various negotiations including the 2015 and 2018 peace agreements.

“We already got experience here, we already have got people who have got a lot of knowledge, let us use them in the region, let us use them locally and let us use them also internationally.

“I urge all political stakeholders to cease this unique opportunity to recognize South Sudan FemWise network as the major contributor of effective voices of women in achieving peace,” she said.

Minister Awel believes that the network will serve as a resource for dialogue and negotiation.

“The network will also serve as the necessary resource for dialogue and negotiations. Some of these conflicts that we have would have not taken place if somebody had just come in and say hold on.”

One of the main objectives of the FemWise Africa Network is to strengthen the role of women as mediators and negotiators at the peace table.

It also serves in ensuring a channel for women’s meaningful and effective participation in the peace process, including as heads of official high-level mediation missions, among others.

For his part, the head of the AU Mediation and Dialogue Division appealed to South Sudan to continue strengthening the role of women in mediation, prevention, and resolution of conflicts.

“I urge us all not to stop here but rather to remain committed to strengthen the role of women mediators to prevent and resolve conflicts at all levels for the Africa we want,” said Dr. Akok Manyuat Madut.

He added that the priority of the network is to build the capacity of South Sudanese women in early warning, conflict prevention, and mediation ahead of the anticipated December 2024 general elections.

“It is for this reason that members of the chapter are already undergoing a capacity building training on early warning, conflict prevention, mediation which will continue to place over a four-day period.

South Sudanese feel neglected to participate and contributed to regional and international arena particularly in mediation of peace talks involving conflicts among member states and elsewhere in the continent.

S. Sudanese refugees in Sudan’s White Nile state facing dire conditions – Official

Posted on July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 by Koang Chang

The Human Rights Commission in Upper Nile State has reported that South Sudanese refugees, prevented from leaving Sudan’s White Nile State, are facing dire conditions.
Continue reading “S. Sudanese refugees in Sudan’s White Nile state facing dire conditions – Official”

Two bodies of drowned soldiers in Pibor recovered

Posted on July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 by Memoscar Lasuba

Authorities in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area have recovered two of three bodies guards who drowned in the river following bees attack on a boat on Monday.

Sunday, Body guards of the Administrator of the Greater Pibor and other officials, drowned after a swarm of bees attacked a passenger boat they were traveling in.

According to the information minister, the deceased body guards were headed for Likwangole where the administrator had flown earlier a head of the launch of a peace initiative.

Uliu Akwer Nyaluch told Eye Radio that a swarm of bees invaded a passenger boat and attacked those on board.

He said the incident forced the boat driver to lose control that led the boat to capsize in the river.

“They got attacked by bees. Due to loss of control by the driver, the boat got capsized and drowned into the water.

“Some of them were in bad condition at that time when we brought three of them to the Pibor hospital and recovered after 2 days. But those killed were carrying guns with some bullets,” he said.

The boat accident involved 15 passengers altogether. However, Akwer said only three bodyguards of the high-level officials drowned to death.

“We have got about two bodies and only one is still missing. We have not confirmed whether that person is alive,” he added.

Kenya confirms first Mpox case

Posted on July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 by Memoscar Lasuba

The Kenyan government has confirmed the country’s first Mpox case at a Taita Taveta border point with Tanzania.

The virus was detected in an individual who was travelling from Uganda to Rwanda through Kenya, Kenyan local media have reported.

This comes weeks after Kenya issued a travel advisory to all counties and border entry points to prevent spillover from the recent outbreaks of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo where thousands of people infected as of June.

According to medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF), DR Congo has recorded more than 12,300 suspected cases and 479 deaths in the first half of this year.

In a statement, the Kenyan Ministry of Health did not disclose any more information about the individual but advised Kenyans to be vigilant and wash their hands often in order to reduce risk of infection.

“Wash hands often with soap and water or hand sanitiser. If you have symptoms, seek health advise and avoid close contact with other persons…avoid close contact with persons with suspected or confirmed disease,” the Ministry said in a statement.

“Person-to-person transmission can occur through direct contact with infectious skin or other lesions such as in the mouth or on the genitals. The disease can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets.”

The virus is endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as forested areas in East, Central and West Africa.

The Central African Republic has become the latest country in the region to declare an outbreak of the mpox virus, the BBC has reported.

Continue reading “Kenya confirms first Mpox case”

Uganda expands into S. Sudan as Juba keeps silent

Posted on July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 by Memoscar Lasuba

Another encroachment of the Ugandan game rangers has been reported along Lotukei and Bira areas of Ikwoto and Budi Counties of Eastern Equatoria state

Local authorities in the area say the Ugandan forces including UPDF and Game Rangers encroached and established army barracks and reserves inside South Sudan’s territory.

Simon Loyaha, the Administrator of Lotukei Payam told Eye Radio that the rangers settled in the Kanangorok area while the army is building a new centre in Karua, in Lotukei Payam – both areas of Budi County.

“These people are in the place called Kanangorok where there is a hot spring, they are settling there now. And at the moment they are also building new center in the place called Karua next to the village where I am.

Meanwhile, other places reportedly occupied by the Ugandan forces include parts of Bira and Tebokoi Boma, bordering Uganda’s Karenga and Kabong districts.

“They are trying to create roads within the park. The road also comes to the place where South Sudan ended at, and are putting their outpost.

They are also creating a road within the park because they said this is a conservation area where they conserve animals. And you will find there are roads entering deep into the places,” said Lokang Augustine, the Secretary of Civil Society Coalition in Budi.

Mr Lokang who is also the administrator of Budi Hospital told Eye Radio that the Ugandan army have established outpost and opened roads into South Sudan game reserves.

Augustine said the Ugandan rangers and army have also installed Global Positioning Satellite GPS with South Sudan.

“I remember last year there was wiring within Kidepo and were putting GPS when I had called one of our MP who is Honorable David because he is also among the committees for the borderline.”

Similar issues of Border encroachment have been reported in Magwi County this month.

However, South Sudan authorities reportedly formed a committee for resolve border disputes although the body has not provide any update on the progress.

Luol thankful to supportive President Kiir for incredible basketball team

Posted on July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 by Memoscar Lasuba

The head of the South Sudan Basketball Federation has applauded President Salva Kiir for supporting the team’s initiative that he says is now portrayed as a good example in the African continent.

Luol Deng made the “thank you message” after the country’s team recorded their first ever win in the Paris 2024 Olympic competition in France.

On Sunday, the Bright Stars took to the floor in the men’s Group C contest against Puerto Rico in Lille, beating them 90-79 points.

The bright stars are competing in the Olympic basketball tournament for the first time in history in what is described as an amazing achievement for the youngest country in the world.

Western media has it that the Miami Legend has been funding South Sudan’s national basketball program out of his pocket for four years.

Miami Heat cited South Sudan coach Royal Ivey as saying; “He (Luol) pays for gyms, hotels, plane tickets – everything. Kudos to Luol and the staff. We wouldn’t be able to put this team together without them.”

Luol’s journey with the team traced four years back when he started reorganizing and structuring the basketball team including investing in skillful players from within and in the diaspora.

“Four years ago, we started this amazing journey that brought us to the Olympics where we just recorded our first ever win historically,” he said.

But the Basketball Federation President Luol Deng said without the support of the President, the gain made wouldn’t be possible.

“Here we are now and we have so much more to gain. I want to thank the government of South Sudan, I want to thank the Ministry but most importantly, I want to thank the President H.E Salva Kiir. Without him, this wouldn’t be possible.

“When we first started this journey, nobody knew where it would take us, after couple of years, everybody started seeing the potential of what we can do.

“Not only the Basketball South Sudan, not only to the nation in uniting us but also to the continent, Africa and by his support and the government’s support, we have been a great example to the rest of the continent and the rest of the world”.

South Sudan’s Bright Stars will play the United States of America tonight in an anticipated heated contest.

EAC calls for public awareness to combat Mpox outbreak

Posted on July 31, 2024 by Koang Chang

The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat has called on EAC Partner States to educate their citizens on protecting themselves and preventing the spread of Mpox. Continue reading “EAC calls for public awareness to combat Mpox outbreak”

Lawmaker wants ministers summoned over Budi youth’s killing

Posted on July 31, 2024 by Memoscar Lasuba

A lawmaker has requested the national parliament to summon four Ministers and Eastern Equatoria State governor over the recent killing of Budi natives by Ugandan wildlife rangers.

These include the Ministers of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Wildlife and Conservation, and Defense.

Honerable Oreste Lopara Simon who is representing Budi County of Eastern Equatoria State made the call during a parliamentary sitting on Monday.

His call comes after 12 South Sudanese citizens were reported killed in Budi County, Eastern Equatoria State on July 12th.

The nationals were allegedly shot by Ugandan game rangers inside South Sudanese territory.

At the time of the attack, the youth were 29 but some of them fled into the bushes. Two among them were trapped in a cave in Kidepo Valley, but later managed to escape and return safely after a brief exchange of gunfire with Ugandan game rangers.

Lawmaker Lopara said the Ugandan wildlife wardens attacked the youth inside South Sudan territory.

He requested the parliament to summon the officials to explain what measures they have taken to address this tragic incident.

“I request this house to summon the Minister of Wildlife and Conservation, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Minister of Defense, and the Governor of Eastern Equatoria State to come and explain to this august house what measures have been taken and what can be done so that our people do not continue to die at the hands of foreigners in this country.

“People died in Budi County; they were killed by Ugandan game wardens in South Sudan, and it is the Ugandan government that is responsible for killing them within South Sudan,” he said.

In response, the Speaker of the National Parliament, Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, stated that the house has taken note of the issue.