The Inspector General of the National Police Service has warned officers who insist on delving into politics will be asked to either choose to serve in the police or be regarded as politicians. Continue reading “Officers meddling in politics asked to quit police”
Author: Memoscar Lasuba
Israel and Hamas agree a deal to release hostages
Israel and Hamas have agreed a deal to release 50 hostages being held in Gaza during a four-day pause in fighting
The start of the pause will be announced in the next 24 hours – if successful it will be the first break in fighting since 7 October
On Wednesday morning, Israel confirmed its ground and air operations in Gaza are continuing, before the pause starts
Hamas says 150 Palestinian women and teenagers will be released from Israeli jails under the deal
The group adds that hundreds of lorries of humanitarian aid, medical supplies, and fuel will be allowed into Gaza
Israel’s government insists that this isn’t the end of the war, reiterating its commitment to “complete the elimination of Hamas”
Israel began attacking Gaza after Hamas fighters crossed the border on 7 October, killing 1,200 people and taking about 240 others hostage
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 14,000 people – including more than 5,000 children – have been killed in Israel’s campaign
WES MPs reject tabling of 2022/2023 fiscal budget
Some lawmakers in Western Equatoria on Tuesday rejected a presentation of what they termed as a postmortem for the fiscal year 2022/2023. Continue reading “WES MPs reject tabling of 2022/2023 fiscal budget”
Gogrial East weekend’s peace rally disrupted as gunmen opened fire
A weekend’s peace rally in Gogrial East County of Warrap State reportedly turned into chaos after an unknown group of gunmen opened fire during the occasion.
State officials and national lawmakers led by Governor Manhiem Bol Malek were conducting a peace rally when random shootings dispersed the crowd on Saturday.
The mission was to amicably resolve the conflict that erupted earlier this month between the Apuk Giir section of Warrap and the Marial-bai community of Jur River County in Western Bahr El Ghazal State.
William Wol Mayom, the State’s Information Minister says the meeting turned into chaos when sudden gunfire erupted as a local youth representative was about to address the rally.
The media has it that, in the process of the commotion, one civilian was reportedly killed but the government Spokesperson expressed doubts that the government officials were the targets of the shooting.
The incident according to the Minister, prompted some youths to run into houses and came out with firearms including AK-47 rifles and machine guns, and started moving towards the direction of the delegation’s convoy.
The incident forced the officials and delegation to run into the vehicles to make inquiries about the attack before they arrived safely in Kuajok in the evening.
Mayom adds that the government has formed a fact-finding committee to ascertain the problem.
SSPDF Gen. warns no winner in Abyei-Twic war, calls for dialogue
The SSPDF Commander of Division Three is appealing for open dialogue between the conflicting communities of the Abyei Administrative Area and Twic County of Warrap State.
Major General Akuei Ajou Akuei says that the ongoing war between the two neighboring communities is meaningless and calls for its immediate end.
“In fact, the war will not favor any side because this war is meaningless, what I have realized is Abyei and those of Twic and Ngok are brothers and now the elderly people are the people causing this conflict,” said Akuei.
“So it is better people should sit and resolve it, because this war nobody will champion, they will lose their youth in a meaningless war,” he added.
But General Akuei has accused unnamed senior figures from both communities of fueling the conflict between Abyei and Twic Country of Warrap.
He also condemned the actions of influential individuals from both communities, whom he refrained from identifying, for exacerbating the tensions between both communities.
The military commander’s statement comes following recent reports of violent clashes, which resulted in the loss of at least 68 lives and injury of dozens of others.
General Akuei is now appealing for a dialogue to bridge the divides between these neighboring communities.
Speaking to the media yesterday, he said nobody will win this and urged the need for immediate intervention and a shift towards peaceful negotiations.
Yesterday, the Embassies of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Rumameer of Abyei Administrative Area and Twic County of Warrap State.
Troika Embassies called for calm and restraint while urging those in a position to influence the communities involved to take appropriate steps to prevent further escalation and push for an end to the violence.
Jonglei State: Bodyguard ‘accidentally’ shoots his forehead
A soldier guarding the premisses of Jonglei State Governor accidentally shot and wounded his forehead while inspecting a cocked gun on Monday, according to Denay Chagor’s press office. Continue reading “Jonglei State: Bodyguard ‘accidentally’ shoots his forehead”
PPC Chairman pledges vibrant political landscape ahead of elections
The Chairperson of Political Parties Council Engineer James Akol Zachayo has pledged he will work to foster a vibrant political landscape in the country while the Youth and Sports Minister seeks unity of the youth to lay a strong foundation for nation-building.
On Monday, President Salva Kiir oversaw the oath-taking by the Politial Parties’ Council leadership and Youth and Sports Minister Dr. Joseph Geng Akec which was administered by the Deputy Chief Justice, Dr. John Gatwech Lul.
In his remark, Mr. Kiir directed the new members of the Political Parties Council to work in tandem to shape the political landscape of the country, as it heads towards a democratic process, the Office of the President reported.
He also directed the new Minister of Youth and Sports to foster unity among the youth across the nation.
The Chairperson of Political Parties Council Engineer James Akol Zachayo says the institution will work to foster a vibrant political landscape in the country.
On his part, Youth and Sports Minister Dr. Joseph Geng Akec pledges to work to bring the youth together in a bid to lay a strong foundation for nation-building.
President Kiir will bring good things to EAC, says Undersecretary Beny
The Undersecretary in the Ministry of EAC Affairs says President Kiir’s assumption of the regional leadership due Friday will not only bolster the country’s diplomatic ties but will improve regional security and enhance cross-border trade among others.
President Salva Kiir is expected to assume office as head of the East Africa Community on Friday.
According to Beny Gideon, the move will enable President Kiir to have a stronger voice in the discourse surrounding regional issues that affect South Sudan, East Africa, and Africa as a whole.
He also says the chairmanship will bring about economic opportunities that could open up economic prospects and increase trade opportunities within the region.
“There are many good things for South Sudan taking over the leadership of the Community. South Sudan’s gaining the East Africa Community Chairmanship will enhance our diplomatic standing within the region.
“Being at the forefront of regional decision-making will allow President Salva Kiir to have a stronger voice in the discourse surrounding regional issues that affect South Sudan, East Africa, and Africa as a whole.
“The other opportunity is economic opportunity. South Sudan’s involvement in the East African community will open up economic prospects and increase trade opportunities within the region.
“So, being the chairman of the East African Community will enable South Sudan to negotiate favorable deals, promote cross-border business relationships, and attract foreign direct investment to boost the country’s economy,” Beny, the Undersecretary told Eye Radio on Monday.
He adds that the leadership will promote regional integration, collaboration, and cooperation among its member states.
Beny also says that President Kiir’s chairmanship will provide an opportunity to foster closer regional ties and harmonize the policies for areas like infrastructure development, security, and resource management.
“President Salva being the Chair of the community will definitely provide an opportunity to foster closer regional ties and harmonize policies for areas like infrastructure development, security, and resource management.
“But equally important, he said “we have a good number of professional staff, and many more are yet to be recruited now in accordance with the East African Community employment policies if there are arising opportunities for employment.”
He goes on to argue that there were no genuine reasons for South Sudanese to criticize the country’s membership in the EAC.
Citing the delay in remittance of the annual financial contributions, Beny said this was not a deliberate failure of the government adding that, the government has been honoring the treaty obligations regardless of all circumstances.
The Undersecretary says the government did not fall short of payment and that, the country has now channeled 50 percent of its annual contribution and it is in the process of transferring an additional 50 percent in order to have zero balance.
Political Parties’ Council leadership, Youth Minister Dr. Geng worn-in
The Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Joseph Geng Akec and the leadership of the Political Parties Council were sworn into office on Monday, 20/ November/ 2023.
President Salva Kiir officiated the oath-taking administered by the Deputy Chief Justice, Dr. John Gatwech Lul.
In his remark, Mr. Kiir directed the new members of the Political Parties Council to work in tandem to shape the political landscape of the country, as it heads towards a democratic process, the Office of the President reported.
He also directed the new Minister of Youth and Sports to foster unity among the youth across the nation.
The Chairperson of Political Parties Council Engineer James Akol Zachayo says the institution will work to foster a vibrant political landscape in the country.
On his part, Youth and Sports Minister Dr. Joseph Geng Akec pledges to work to bring the youth together in a bid to lay a strong foundation for nation-building.
Troika deeply concerned over Abyei-Twic violence, calls for restraint
The Embassies of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America have expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Rumameer of Abyei Administrative Area and Twic County of Warrap State.
Based on causality figures presented by both neighboring governments, at least 68 people have been killed in the recent revenge attacks with dozens wounded.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families and communities where the causalities occurred,” the embassies said in a joint statement Monday.
The Juba-based western Embassies called for calm and restraint while urging those in a position to influence the communities involved to take appropriate steps to prevent further escalation and push for an end to the violence.
They also renewed their call on the transitional government to urgently withdraw its troops in line with the 2011 status of forces agreement citing a UNISFA report of SSPDF presence in Abyei.
It said, and I quote; “The troika note our particular concern at ongoing UNISFA report of SSPDF presence in Abyei, increasing the presence of weapons in the region threatening Abyei demilitarized status”
