Memoscar Lasuba, Author at Eye Radio

R-JMEC urges prompt talks between Kiir, Machar

Posted on March 9, 2023March 10, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

The Reconstituted Joint and Monitoring and Evaluation Commission is encouraging consultation between President Kiir and his First Deputy Dr Riek Machar to resolve the sacking of the Defense Minister as soon as possible.

“R-JMEC welcomes the decision of the President and First Vice President to meet and discuss the issue of the removal of the Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, and the swapping of the two ministries,” said peace monitor Charles Tai

Last week, President Salva Kiir dismissed the Minister of Defense Angelina Teny and the Minister of Interior Mahmoud Solomon.

In a separate decree, Kiir also swapped the two ministries between SPLM-IG and SPLM-IO.

Angelina Teny, an SPLM-IO politician was appointed to the defense ministry in March 2022, a month after the unity government formation.

Meanwhile, General Mahmoud Solomon was appointed in November 2021, as minister of the Interior replacing Paul Mayom Akech.

Reacting to Kiir’s decrees, the main opposition party, SPLM-IO said the party was not consulted in the decision to replace Angelina Teny.

The press secretary in the office of first vice president Puok Both Baluang said the presidential decree was a violation of the peace agreement.

However, an expected meeting between President Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar has been postponed twice this week.

The principals’ meeting was meant to discuss the recent unilateral decrees and violations of the peace agreement.

In a statement issued Thursday, the peace monitoring body RJMEC says it welcomes the decision of the President and the First Vice President to meet and discuss the issue of the removal of the ministers.

Charles Tai, the chairperson of the peace monitoring body called on the parties to observe the letter and spirit of the 2018 peace deal.

“We urge the Parties to observe the letter and spirit of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which is founded on collaboration, consultation, and agreement between the parties.”

The peace body added that it is important that the crisis is resolved as soon as possible so that the peace agreement continues to be implemented in a timely manner.

Plan Intl calls for women freedom in digital space

Posted on March 9, 2023March 9, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

Plan International is calling for freedom and assistance to women to develop the necessary digital skills to engage in the digital space.

It made the appeal on the International Women’s Day on Wednesday.

In a press statement issued by Paul Lusato, Plan International Country Director, the organization said although different actors to have been pushing for some strategic reforms against gender vices in recent years, progress has been slow, and the gender divide is still huge.

The organization emphasized the need to inculcate the culture that supports digital empowerment of women and girls.

This, it said, would enable them to compete equally in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as well as in other fields.

This shift is required as 75% of jobs are expected to be these fields by 2050.

As an organization, Plan International said it is committed to supporting the digital empowerment of women and girls its Girls Get Equal campaign that seeks equality for girls and women in all spheres of life, including areas of innovation and technology.

However, contributions form others others can make a difference.

“We call on air stakeholders and partners to create and support efforts and avenues that enable women to be innovative and maximize the benefits of technology,” it said

According to Plan International, “historical and socio-cultural dynamics of South Sudan have over the past years positioned women and girls in very vulnerable spot.”

“Women and girls continue to face gross violations, discrimination and exclusion, which is a major hindrance to development.”

Plan international “over the past years, Plan has worked with and supported thousands of women and girls through our various programs in areas of Education,”

These include protection, medical and psycho-social support to many survivors and potential victims of GBV Sexual as well as Reproductive Health & Rights, and Economic Empowerment.

WFP to provide vulnerable citizens food vouchers worth $5m

Posted on March 9, 2023March 9, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

The United Nations World Food Program will provide voucher to the tune of $5 million in food assistance to the most vulnerable people including the elderly and lactating mothers across the country.

Mary Helen, the World Food Program Country director said the UN food agency was working with 5000 groups of farmers in Yambio to deliver the supplies.

She said the target is to double last year’s 22 metric tons of the food purchase from local farmers.

“We are working with more than 5000 groups of farmers in Yambio to connect with school needs. we want to increase the amount from 22 metric tons next year,” announced Hellen in the state-own TV, SSBC

For his part, the acting minister of Foreign Affairs, Deng Dau saID the beneficiaries are mainly elderly people, lactating mothers and vulnerable families.

They will use UN provided cards to obtain the food aid from the designated farmers’ shops where the food agency will later pay in cash.

“According to her, that money is the tune of $5million and this is what will be given to vulnerable people like old age, Lactating mothers,

“So, the UN will give [beneficiaries] cards which will be used to buy food from shops and then UN pays these particular shops,” he added.

In June last year, the world food program purchased more than 22 thousand metric tons of sorghum from local farmers in Renk County of Upper Nile.

The Head of the WFP Field Office in Renk, Leonidance Andrew Rugemalila, said WFP had paid more than 7 million US dollars to the local farmers and suppliers to secure the sorghum consignment last year.

UK’s sanction on Gen. Nando not new – Lul Ruai

Posted on March 9, 2023March 9, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

The spokesperson of the South Sudan People’s Defense Force has described the sanction imposed on one of its officers by the UK government as something not new.

UK government sanctioned James Nando who is a Major General with South Sudan People’s Defense Forces on the eve of International Women’s Day yesterday.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cheverly said that General Nando was responsible for sexual and gender-based violence in Tambura County in 2021.

The sanction comes two years after the UN human rights division accused him of committing human rights violations and abuses during the conflict in Western Equatoria.

Prior to joining the SSPDF, Major General James Nando was the SPLA-IO division commander under Dr. Riek Machar in Western Equatoria state.

On 26^th March 2020, General Nando joined the SSPDF along with soldiers loyal to him.

According to the UN human rights, General Nando led an effective command and control over individuals within his power and was responsible for serious human rights violations committed in Tambura.

When contacted, General Nando declined to comment on the sanction.

Meanwhile, responding to the UK sanction against General James Nando, the spokesperson of the SSPDF says the sanction is not something new.

Major General Lul Ruai said the UK’s government was echoing previous sanctions.

“Well, they are just echoing what was done previously, and this is how they work, it is not a new thing,” he said.

According to the UN Human Right division for South Sudan, between June and September 2021, clashes between the SPLM/A-IO and Major General Nando-led SSPDF and their respective affiliated armed militias in Tambura resulted in the killing of 440 civilians.

Kiir fires Mayiik, appoints Deng Dau acting Foreign Affairs Minister

Posted on March 9, 2023March 9, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

President Salva Kiir on Wednesday relieved Mayiik Ayii Deng and appointed his deputy, Deng Dau, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Continue reading “Kiir fires Mayiik, appoints Deng Dau acting Foreign Affairs Minister”

UK sanctions SSPDF General, James Nando

Posted on March 9, 2023March 9, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

The United Kingdom government has sanctioned SSPDF army General, Gen. James Nando for allegedly committing crimes against women and girls in Western Equatoria State.

Continue reading “UK sanctions SSPDF General, James Nando”

Tanzania’s president shows up at opposition event

Posted on March 8, 2023March 8, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

For the first time in Tanzania’s history, the president has attended an International Women’s Day event organized by the main opposition party, Chadema.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s presence was welcomed by Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe, who said it was the fruit of meetings aimed at achieving reconciliation.

Ms. Samia, who addressed thousands in the meeting, said that reconciliation was ongoing in Tanzanian politics and that some steps had already been taken meanwhile others were in progress, including the finding of a new constitution.

In her address, President Samia added it had been difficult to start the reconciliation process as some in her ruling party “were not ready”.

“There were a lot of debates here and there, and the same appeared to the country’s opposition. So both parties have some of its people who are not happy with the step of political reconciliation,” Ms. Samia added.

She is Tanzania’s first female president, having taken office following the death of John Magufuli in 2021.

Mr. Magufuli was accused by the opposition of being authoritarian and cracking down on its leaders and members.

Local leaders in Manyo County demand freezing of oil revenue account

Posted on March 8, 2023March 8, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

Community leaders in Manyo County are calling for the immediate freezing of the area development account after the Commissioner dismissed the chairman and two members of the 3 % oil share revenue committee

On Sunday, Commissioner Peter Awon Adong sacked Ibrahim Ajageng, the community chairperson alongside Musa Ali and one other.

In the order dated 21s of February 2023, Awon said he made the decision following a consultation with the community members.

In response, the community representatives wrote to the Upper state governor, stating that the commissioner’s order was unilateral.

According to the letter, dated March 3^rd, 2023, the community leaders said the commissioner dismissed the individuals after they protested alleged misuse of the fund.

They described the move as illegal and demanded that the community development bank account be frozen until the matter is resolved.

The dismissed chairman of the Committee, Ibrahim Ajageng spoke to Eye Radio Wednesday.

” The commissioner did not mention in his order any reason for the dismissal, he didn’t mention anything, but some days back we disagreed on some issues,

“He come up with his law to regulate the work of the Committee and gave himself 30% of the fund which we rejected.”

When Eye Radio contacted, the commissioner of Manyo County Peter Awon Odhong says he has not yet seen the community’s press release that was issued since last week.

” I have not yet got the letter. If I get it I will be in a position to respond to you,’ he said.

In February this year, the government of Upper Nile State resolved that all the counties in the state will benefit from the three per cent of oil revenues allocated to oil-producing areas in the state.

Why ICT expert Eva Yayi mentors school girls in digital field

Posted on March 8, 2023March 8, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

Information communication technology is being immersed in people’s daily lives at an increasingly younger age globally- something innovator like Eva Yayi has taken upon herself to inspire young South Sudanese Continue reading “Why ICT expert Eva Yayi mentors school girls in digital field”