The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby has described the killings in Kajo-Keji County as a massacre and said he was aggrieved and saddened by the tragedy. Continue reading “Archbishop Welby aggrieved by Kajo-Keji “massacre””
Author: Memoscar Lasuba
Hosts Algeria and Senegal will face each other in the African Nations Championship final
Hosts Algeria will play Senegal in the final of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) after both sides won their semi-finals on Tuesday.
Fennec Foxes’ striker Ayem Mahious, the tournament’s leading scorer, contributed two goals as the hosts comprehensively beat Niger 5-0.
The 25-year-old, who plays for USM Alger in the Algerian top flight, scored his fourth and fifth goals of the tournament in the first-half to set up an emphatic victory in Oran.
Captain Ayoub Abdellaoui, formerly of Swiss club Sion and currently with MC Alger, and substitute Sofiane Bayazid were also on target while Algeria had Niger defender Boureima Katakore to thank for an own goal.
The score-line matched the biggest victory in the 15-year history of CHAN and was the widest winning margin in a semi-final, surpassing the 4-0 success for Morocco against Cameroon in the last edition two years ago.
In the other semi-final, Senegal progressed with a slender 1-0 victory over Madagascar in their first appearance in the CHAN – the tournament for African players based in the continent’s own domestic leagues – for 12 years.
Pape Diallo, 18, scored the all-important goal, heading into the net on five minutes after some indecision from Madagascar goalkeeper Zakanirina Rakotoasimbola.
The final between Algeria and Senegal will take place at the Stade Nelson Mandela in Algiers on Saturday with 40,000 people expected to attend.
Both nations now target lifting the trophy for the first time to succeed Morocco, who won the fifth and sixth editions of CHAN but opted out of this year’s competition amid diplomatic tensions with their North African neighbours.
East African leaders vow to ‘destroy’ al-Shabab
Regional leaders meeting in Somalia, have agreed on a joint offensive operation against the Islamist militant group al-Shabab.
The “search and destroy” operation will boost the momentum built up by government forces who have made huge gains over the past few months, including recovering territory controlled by the al-Qaeda-affiliated group.
“The time-sensitive campaign will prevent any future infiltrating elements in the region,” said the communique signed by the leaders of Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya
It did not provide any details about the operation.
Al-Shabab, which launched mortar shells in Mogadishu ahead of the leaders’ meeting, has not responded to a request for comment, news agency Reuters reports.
The militant group has been fighting since 2006 to topple Somalia’s central government and establish its own rule based on its strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.
It occasionally attacks hotels, military bases, and government establishments in Somalia and in the region.
Maintain peace, turn up to receive Pope Francis, Kiir urges citizens
President Salva Kiir has called on South Sudanese to maintain peace across the country during the ecumenical visit by Pope Francis and two other Christian leaders.
The Holy Father is expected to arrive in South Sudan on February 3rd in the company of the Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev Dr. Iain Greenshields.
They will be in the Democratic Republic of Congo from Tuesday until Thursday before coming to South Sudan on Friday.
Speaking during a Sunday Prayer at the Sant Theresa Cathedral, President Salva Kiir appealed to South Sudanese to turn up in big numbers to welcome the Pope on Friday.
He said the three elderly religious leaders are coming with a huge delegation and many other people.
“I will just repeat and appeal to all the faithful to turn up in big numbers on Friday 3rd of February to receive the Holy Father and his delegation. This is what I will advise,
“The Holy Father is coming with a very huge delegation and many other people, the bishops, the cardinals,
“I urge all the South Sudanese to maintain peace across the country during the Papal visit. This harmony is important during our Holy Father’s stay in our country”, he said.
The historic papal trip will mark the first time a Pope has visited South Sudan, and only the second time a Pope has visited the DRC, which is home to Africa’s most prominent Catholic population.
The government declared Friday as a public holiday, saying the visit is very important to the country.
It on Friday advised the public not to cause chaos during the ecumenical visit.
Govt optimistic Pope’s visit will bring peace to S.Sudan – Makuei
The government spokesperson says there is optimism that the Pope’s visit alongside two eminent religious leaders will bring peace to South Sudan. Continue reading “Govt optimistic Pope’s visit will bring peace to S.Sudan – Makuei”
Man with deteriorating health seeks assistance for medical
A 35-year-old man suffering from a fluid build-up in his brain is appealing to well-wishers for financial support to get treatment for the condition.
The medical condition known as hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the ventricles deep within the brain.
This excess fluid causes the ventricles to widen, putting pressure on the brain’s tissues.
James Buoyar Mel is a former worker of the Norwegian Refugee Council.
He says the illness occurred after falling sick to typhoid before experiencing visual deterioration and pressure in his spinal cord in 2017.
Following his sight checkup,he was then transferred to Nairobi, Kenya in 2018 where he was given some medicines to help reduce the spread of the disease to other parts of his brain.
According to Buoyar, a Kenyan medical doctor who attended to him advised him to back after 5 years for a follow-up.
But the condition has worsened over the years despite taking the medication.
The father of four says he is currently jobless and cannot make it to Nairobi, Kenya for the medical follow-up.
Speaking to Eye Radio on phone yesterday, he put a call to the well-wishers to assist him to review his health status as the given period has drawn.
“I happened to have a sickness which has become a burden on me and I can’t afford anymore to look for medication outside South Sudan,
“So, if there is anyone within the community there with the will to help take me outside again for treatment.”
Worrying about his kids, Buoyar said the illness has become a burden to him and he wants to restore his health to support them.
“I don’t have anything since I have no work. My wife is with me and four children who are even still very young,
“This thing is worrying me and that is why I have to look where I can help so that I start supporting myself alone”, he said.
Judge gives prosecutor a week to complete investigations into Syrians’ killing
The Court Martial in Juba has given the public prosecution a week to complete investigations into the killing of three Syrians and a South Sudanese by an SSPDF soldier in Warrap state early this month.
This came after the court corrected complaints raised by the suspect’s defense lawyers who last week accused it of a conflict of interest.
This is because one of the judges was a member of the investigative committee.
The accused private Yak Garang Yak 40 years was arrested for allegedly killing four workers of a construction company.
The incident happened in the Akon village of Gogrial West on the 7th of this month.
During Saturday’s first hearing, the military public prosecution Lieutenant Colonel, Andrew Riak Nyau said the suspect was accused to have reported drunk to work by the workers, which led to his suspension.
Riak said the suspect went home and took a gun when shot the four construction workers dead, injuring another.
He requested the court to consider all the legal procedures according to the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Riak also called on the court to give him enough time to complete the procedures and investigations.
On his part, the suspect’s defense lawyer Captain Francis Laboka requested the prosecution to bring the crime exhibits including the weapon, two mobile phones, and the car that the suspect used to escape.
However, the Presiding Judge of General Court Martial Maj General Majok Michael Chan adjourned the court session to the 10th of next month to hear from the complainer.
“This is an issue of public opinion, and it needs a speedy resolution, but this does not prevent the justice system from taking the right path. Please do not procrastinate in the procedures. All procedures and investigations must be completed,
“As for the Public Prosecution, we will give you a period of one week to complete the procedures, and if they are not completed within a week, you must submit a request to extend the period.
The Military Public Prosecution filed a police case against the suspect under sections 206, 305,329 of the South Sudan 2008 penal act 2008 and 76 and 69 of the SPLM 2009 Act. –
Cabinet okays drafting of permanent constitution to start
The Council of Ministers has given a green light to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to commence the processes involving the drafting of a permanent constitution of South Sudan.
This followed a presentation by the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Ruben Madol yesterday.
“It was deliberated upon and the cabinet adopted. They approved the presentation and the Minister of Justice is authorized to operationalize it,” Michael Makuei, the unity government spokesperson said.
Makuei said the exercise has begun and will take a year to complete, but warned, the completion may delay or finish earlier depending on the progress made.
“The process is starting now, and it is likely to end on February 24, 2024. So, it is a process and its time depends on the progress made. If there is no progress, it may delay, or if there is real progress it may finish earlier”
According to him, the process will commence with reconstituting the defunct National Constitutional Amendment Committee, forming a Constitutional Drafting Committee, and a Preparatory Sub-committee.
He said the constitution drafting committee will begin the work after the necessary preparations are put in place.
While the Preparatory Sub-Committee ensures the transactions and businesses of the National Constitutional Review Committee.
The minister added that once the constitution is drafted, it will be submitted to the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Ministry before it is subjected to a national conference.
The national conference that will draw 120 South Sudanese will then look at it before it is tabled at the parliament.
Before passing the bill, the official said, the national parliament will be transformed into a constituent assembly to deliberate the document.
Diaspora Chollo women fund-raise in aid assistance to IDPs
Chollo women in the diaspora have provided some humanitarian assistance to conflict and flood-affected people in the kingdom.
The diaspora women fund-raised the support for victims of the recent ethnic violence.
” We here, we do contributions of 3 or 4 $ to support the community, but we don’t have funds”, Veronica Ajak, the focal person of the group told Eye Radio in a phone interview from the US.
Ajak said the union managed to raise money and buy food and medicines which they delivered to the IDPs in Malakal and Kodok in the Upper Nile state.
“They [chollo members] managed to buy the medical stuff for Chollo areas. We reached Malakal, and we supported some of the families there. We also managed to support those in Kodok”, she said.
The Chollo Women’s Union for Development was founded in 2021 in the US.
Freed Ugandan fans turn to Kagame for London trip to watch Arsenal
Arsenal fans who were freed after arrest for celebrating the club’s win against Manchester United have appealed to Rwandan President Paul Kagame to help them travel to London to watch a home match at the Emirates Stadium.
Felix Bagiire, a radio presenter, said Mr. Kagame was a renowned Arsenal fan who they admire.
Making the request to Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni would “politicize everything”, he added.
“Man United fans talked a lot before the match, they even went to church hours before the match, and [ex-Manchester United player] Gary Neville has been trashing our team’s chances so beating them made us very happy,” Mr. Bagiire said.
Seven of those arrested were released after a night in custody where police interrogated them for any links to opposition politics.
Police said the one who remains in custody had been linked to a previous incident of theft.
Upon their release on Tuesday, the group was invited to the capital, Kampala, where they met police spokesperson Fred Enanga
They also met Asan Kasingye, the chairman of Arsenal fans in Uganda.
Arsenal scored a dramatic last-minute goal to win 3-2 in Sunday’s match against fierce rivals Manchester United.
The fans believe Mikel Arteta has instilled enough confidence in the team to battle for the premier league title.
Mr. Bagiire said they will mobilize 10,000 fans in May to celebrate Arsenal’s victory – which they are sure is on the cards.
“I started supporting Arsenal when Thierry Henry was playing and I’ve never seen them lift the trophy,” he said. “This is our chance.”
