Memoscar Lasuba, Author at Eye Radio

Oil flow set to begin as Sudan lifts force majeure

Posted on January 7, 2025January 7, 2025 by Memoscar Lasuba

Petroleum Minister Puot Kang has announced the resumption of oil production in Upper Nile state, which is due tomorrow following the resolution of pipeline and security concerns and the lifting of force majeure by Sudan.

He confirmed the restarting operations at Blocks 3 & 7 on January 8, 2025 with the full support of the international partners.

“Today (Tuesday), we are making a press release on the kick-off date for DPOC resumption in Block 3 and 7, on behalf of the Ministry of Petroleum and the government of the Republic of South Sudan.”

These are such as China National Petroleum Company (CNPC), China Petroleum & Chemical Corperation (SINOPEC), and South Sudan Tri Ocean SSTO.

Minister revealed that Dar Petroluem Operating Company and Bashier Pipeline Company (BAPCO) have been instructed to commence operations immediately.

“I would like to bring to the attention of the public that since last year, the Ministry of Petroleum, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum of Sudan, the partners, DAR Petroleum the BAPCO, which is the company responsible for Pipeline and partners have been working tirelessly through, several technical and political meetings and arrangements to ensure resumption of block 3 and 7 .

According to him, the production is estimated at 90,000 barrels a day for six months starting tomorrow.

“You all know it is going to be a gradual process. You will not get the required figure in one day, but our target is 90,000 barrels a day.

“This is what the pipeline will accommodate in the first phase and then thereafter. So, in the first six months, our target is 90,000 barrels a day then thereafter. We will go.”

Minister Puot added that the government and partner have arranged on how payment of the cash shall be made on behalf of exited Petronas until a entity takes over from Petronas.

“We have arranged with partners as to how we shall be paying the cash call on behalf of Petronas until when the government of South Sudan has named officially the Entity that shall take over from Petronas. That arrangement, we have done it and we believe that it will not affect deep of operation or DPOC, SPOC in any manner.

Minister Kang commended the companies for ensuring the challenges that hindered the resumption of oil flow and production.

“My special thanks go to foreign partners CNPC, SINOPEC, and SSTO for the attempted support technical and financial to realization of this resumption.

“There were several concerns from the partners about the technical Readiness of the pipeline lifting of force majeure and security assurance.

“But those concerns were addressed by letters from BAPCO, the company responsible for the pipeline on the redness of the pipeline itself, and a recent letter from Sudan’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum that its the fourth of January 2025 for the official lifting of force majeure.”

The main pipeline carrying oil from South Sudan through Sudan for export was halted in February last year because of damage stemming from war in Sudan. Continue reading “Oil flow set to begin as Sudan lifts force majeure”

Travelers express sense of relief as some states clear out roadblocks

Posted on January 7, 2025January 7, 2025 by Memoscar Lasuba

Some state governments including Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Eastern and Western Equatoria states have embarked on the removal of illegal checkpoints as per the resolutions of the 8th governors’ forum.

Last week, Warrap State governor Francis Marial ordered the removal of illegal checkpoints and road blocks along highways in compliance of the resolutions of the recently concluded governors forum.

On January 6^th, 2025, Northern Bahr Al Gazal state embarked on similar move.

Videos shared with Eye Radio show the commissioner of police in Northern Bahr el Gazal and security escorts dismantling erected barricades along the roads.

Speaking at the state border point with neighboring Western Bahr el Ghazal yesterday, Major General Basilio Thomas Wani confirmed the removal of the illegal checkpoints.

“Currently (Monday), we are the entrance of Aweil town. This is the only entrance to people coming from Western Bahr El Gazal and Aweil South County.

“We are here to implement the orders of the security committee to remove all illegal checkpoints and roadblocks in the state. We are standing here now and the security are removing these checkpoints at the entrance of Aweil town.”

Travelers, mostly drivers of commercial vehicles have received the move with sense of relief.

Kook Noon who is a regular traveler between Juba and Norther Bahr el Ghazal has applauded the government for the decision.

However, he pointed out that there are still road blocks from Cuiebet in Lakes State and in Wau of Western Bahr el Ghazal.

“I came from Juba one week ago and in the side of Rumbek, there was no checkpoints but when I came from Cuibet through Wau, I found checkpoints and it is very annoying to see these robs and the drivers giving money in both sides.

“If the government thought of removing the illegal checkpoints, it is something very good because this what we the citizens wanted. I thank the government for coming up with this.”

Western Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria States governors took similar decision yesterday, directing the organized forces to remove all Illegal checkpoints from their respective states.

In a statement dated January 6^th, seen by Eye Radio, Governor Louise Lobong Lojore directed the state Ministry of local government and law enforcement to monitor the implementation of the directives.

Munuki woman stabs husband, police officer killed in latest police report

Posted on January 7, 2025January 7, 2025 by Memoscar Lasuba

The national police have documented isolated incidents between January 2nd and 5th, 2025 including the killing of a police officer in Jonglei State and stabbing of a man by his wife in Juba.

Colonel John Kassara Koang Nhial who is spokesperson for the National Police Service, said on 2nd January at 4:00 PM, an armed criminal ambushed and fatally shot a police officer end route to Mareng Police Station in Jonglei state.

A case was initiated at Duk Padiet Police Station, and investigations are ongoing.

Colonel John Kassara says a 35-year-old man was robbed of his Bajaj motorcycle by an unidentified armed criminal along the Iblang Bridge-Womfi Juba Road on 2nd January at 7:00 PM. The case was said to have been reported to Torit Police Station.

While On 2nd January at 9:00 PM, a 24-year-old woman stabbed her husband to death in Munuki residential area near St. Kizito. The motive of the killing is unclear but the Munuki Western Police Division in Juba opened a case, and the accused was reportedly apprehended. Col. Kassara said investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, the police stated that a robber broke into a residence within an IDP camp in Unity State, stealing over one million South Sudanese Pounds on 3rd January, 2025.

He added the case was reported to the local IDP Police Station, and investigations are underway. Continue reading “Munuki woman stabs husband, police officer killed in latest police report”

Nation-wide registration of sight impaired persons kicks off

Posted on January 6, 2025January 7, 2025 by Memoscar Lasuba

The Association of Persons with Visual Impairment has today officially launched registration of the blind persons across the country in order to improve data keeping and address challenges facing the vulnerable group. Continue reading “Nation-wide registration of sight impaired persons kicks off”

Mobile court releases 150 juveniles from Juba prison

Posted on January 6, 2025 by Memoscar Lasuba

The mobile court operating in Juba Reformatory School at Juba Central Prison successfully released 150 juveniles, including 10 girls, following court sessions held in December, 2024.

The sessions, according to County Court Judge Achok Chan Reec commenced on December 6 and concluded on December 31^st.

Judge Reec revealed that the court, comprising four judges two from county courts and two from high courts addressed various cases involving minor harm, serious harm, theft, murder, rape, and gangsterism

She added that the sentences in the related offenses ranged from one to five years.

“We adjudicated many cases, which reduced the congestion in the reformatory in Juba National Prison. We released 150 children, including 10 girls, and they were released either on bail or on bond,” she said.

According to Judge Achok the court’s efforts resulting in the release of juvenile on bail, bond, or due to the absence of complainants, some of whom abandoned cases over time, has reduced congestion in the reformatory.

“Some reports were dropped after evaluation due to the complainants abandoning or being absent from the case for a long period”, she added.

Judge Achok emphasized the challenges faced during the sessions, including difficulty contacting complainants due to inactive phone numbers and delays caused by their unavailability.

She said the judges worked six days a week, handling up to ten cases daily, achieving resolutions through reconciliation and settlements.

“During our work in the reformatory in adjudicating cases, we used to work six days a week without holidays, as the number of cases we adjudicated in a day reached ten cases.

“One of the biggest challenges we faced was the complainants’ faults and the lack of their phones in service, which made it difficult to reach them after opening the report because they would disappear.”

The judge also highlighted the importance of family involvement in providing structure for children to prevent delinquency.

“I noticed in the reformatory is that raising children is not easy and they live in a state of emptiness. I hope that families, in order to keep children away from the street and prison, will occupy them with something to release their energy.”

She said beyond delivering rulings, the court facilitated consultations between specialists, children, and families to address underlying issues and promote rehabilitation.

“We were able to reach solutions in some cases through reconciliation and settlements, and we held consultation sessions for children and families by specialists, and our role was not limited to rulings only.” Continue reading “Mobile court releases 150 juveniles from Juba prison”

Mabior urges President Kiir to stand firm against Tumaini detractors

Posted on January 6, 2025 by Memoscar Lasuba

Politician Mabior Garang has urged President Salva Kiir to stand firm against detractors of the Tumaini Initiative and uphold his promise to keep the nation from returning to war.

In a post on his Facebook page dated 6, Jannuary, 2025, Mabior Garang described the Tumaini Initiative as a hope after the slow pace of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.

Mr. Garang said the Tumaini Consensus is more than a negotiation that presents an opportunity to achieve fundamental change for the civil population.

He said while it is not perfect, the peace initiative “represents a fresh chance to make what he describes as revolutionary corrections for the mistakes of the past peace agreements, adding that “it is imperative South Sudanese support it as a path to total peace.”

According to Garang, an anti-peace faction within R-TGONU, composed of unelected Members of Parliament and unpopular politicians, has undermined efforts to reach an agreement.

This group, he said, portrays Tumaini as a threat to President Kiir while simultaneously pursuing their own regime change agenda.

He argued that during the first round of negotiations, significant progress was made, including the initialing of nine protocols but some anti-peace factions shifted the goalposts, derailing the process.

Garang said the second round stalled as a new R-TGONU delegation demanded to start from scratch, delaying progress and dashing citizens’ hopes.

As Tumaini resumption approaches, Garang urged the people of South Sudan to remain vigilant.

He also urged President Kiir to stand resolute against these detractors and uphold his promise to keep the nation from returning to war.

Garang added that it has been over a decade since South Sudan plunged into the abyss.

Despite the immense sacrifices that secured the revolution and birthed the nascent Republic, the civil population continues to languish in abject poverty.

According to Mabior, the agreement implementation has been weak, focusing almost entirely on forming the government while neglecting the reform agenda.

He called for unity of the citizens to support peace and hold leaders accountable.

Last week, President Salva Kiir encouraged parties to the Tumaini Initiative in Nairobi to embrace compromise on positions in order to successfully conclude the peace process.

In his New Year address, the President said the peace parties have made real progress in implementing the 2018 peace agreement although elections were postponed.

Kiir added the adjournment of what would have been South Sudan’s first elections was due to practical reasons, including the economic hardship in the country.

He confirmed that the Tumaini Initiative peace negotiation will resume in January, and called on the opposition to show patriotism and put the interest our country first through compromise.

Boy killed, another wounded in Aweil North grenade explosion

Posted on January 6, 2025January 6, 2025 by Memoscar Lasuba

A grenade explosion killed a 12-year-old boy and injured an 8-year-old boy on Sunday, according to the Commissioner of Aweil North in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

Kiir Chan told Eye Radio an exclusive interview this morning that the incident occurred on Sunday at around 5PM at Kodi residential area in Malual Center Payam of Aweil North County.

According to him, the boys he identified as Ngor Mayar Deng and Ngor Ngor Deng had found the grenade at a water point when it exploited.

The explosion killed 12-year-old Ngor Mayar on spot, injuring eight-year-old Ngor Ngor.

“Today [ Sunday] a grenade accident occurred in Malual Center Payam in Aweil North County, which led to the death of a 12-year-old child named Ngor Mayar Deng Yel, who died immediately, and an 8-year-old child named Ngor Ngor Ken was injured, with a wound in his mouth and leg”, he said.

Commission Chan said the critically injured boy is being treated at Aweil Civil Hospital.

He described the incident as tragic, highlighting the dangerous remnants of conflict and the risks posed by unexploded ordnance, especially in regions with a history of violence.

” I am appealing to the citizens and all the children that if there’s any metallic item you found, please don’t touch it because this maybe grenade”, he added.

South Sudan is still faced with dangerous unexploded ordinances since its independent in 2011.

Cardinal Ameyu says whole country stressed, urges peace

Posted on December 20, 2024 by Memoscar Lasuba

Cardinal Stephen Ameyu has said the whole country is stressed due to the extreme delay to pay salaries for government employees while urging the citizens to use the Christmas to embrace peace.

Last weekend, Finance Minister Marial Dongrin Ater confirmed that the payment process for civil servants had already begun after President Salva Kiir directed him to pay one month’s salary to civil servants and organized forces by Monday this week.

In his Christmas message this morning, the Archbishop of the Catholic diocese of Juba highlighted the resilience of the citizens despite the none-payment of government employees for close to 12 months.

According to the religious leader, the church had twice this year called on the government to pay the civil servants.

Cardinal Ameyu now stresses the need for the country to rally together and talk about how to over this issue.

“I know the whole country is really stressed, the whole people are stressed and I think it is important for us to all rally together and to talk about this because we cannot stay for 12 months without salary and we expect that people will survive.

“But because the people of South Sudan are resilient, they are able to survive until today. And so, we have already appealed, asked the government several times, twice this year

“As a body of the bishop conference, we have asked them to give salary to the workers. But also, as an Ecumenical body, we have also said the salary of the civil servants should be given.”

Meanwhile, Cardinal Ameyu urges the citizens to embrace to embrace the spirit of peace and reconciliation, citing what Tumaini Initiative signals.

“Let this Christmas season be a time to embrace the spirit of peace, hope and love that Tumaini embodies. May we come together as a community, sharing kindness and compassion with one another.

“Just as Tumaini Peace Initiative fosters unity and reconciliation, let us reflect on the gift of harmony and the joy of togetherness”, he said.

Sudan demands apology from Uganda over Gen. Muhoozi’s ‘derogatory’ remarks

Posted on December 20, 2024 by Memoscar Lasuba

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry has demanded an official apology from the government of Uganda for what it describes as”offensive and dangerous” remarks by Uganda People’s Defense Forces’ commander-in-chief the who threatened to seize Khartoum as soon as US President Donald Trump takes office.

On Tuesday, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba posted on x (formerly Twitter) that he intends to capture Khartoum as soon as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Reacting to the statement on Wednesday, Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said; “This unprecedented and deviant utterance displays an incredible level of disrespect for international law, the ethos of inter-state relations, and the principles of mutual respect between sisterly and friendly nations.”

It went on to state that threatening war, violating national sovereignty, or defying the United Nations Charter, the African Unions Constitutive Act, and the international law should not be trivialized or used as a means for seeking attention or sensationalism.

On this basis, Sudan’s foreign ministry said it’s government demands from Uganda’s government for the utterance, it describes as offensive and dangerous.

The de facto Khartoum regime also called on the African Union, regional and international organizations as well as the international community to condemn these statements, adding that these pose a clear threat to the region and international peace and security.

Ugandan government reopens Karuma bridge

Posted on December 20, 2024December 20, 2024 by Memoscar Lasuba

The Ugandan government has this morning reopened the Karuma bridge to light cars and buses in what it describes as Christmas gift to those who ply via the Gulu-Kampala route.

In a message shared on x, the Uganda Revenue Authority stated that its team successfully completed asphalt laying on the bridge deck and approach road, signaling the near completion of the repair work

The Karuma bridge was closed to traffic on September 23, 3034 to enable critical repair after the authorities discovered a significant structural defect.

The reopening of Karuma Bridge comes as a relief for travellers, especially during the festive season, as it provides a crucial connection for routes heading north.

However, heavy truck operators will have to wait for further updates as repairs on the bridge continue to ensure its safety and durability for all traffic.

The Ministry of Works and Transport has urged road users to cooperate and adhere to the guidelines to facilitate smooth operations during the phased reopening.