President Salva Kiir has directed the Chief of Defense Forces, Santino Deng Wol to deploy the unified forces to conflict-affected areas in the Upper Nile state. Continue reading “Kiir directs Army chief to deploy unified forces to Upper Nile”
Author: Memoscar Lasuba
BBC REPORT; Mozambique’s Ex-President Guebuza’s son jailed for 12 years
The son of Mozambique’s former president has been jailed for 12 years over a vast $2.2bn (£1.8bn) fishing project scandal that triggered an economic crisis in the country.
Ndambi Guebuza, son of former president Armando Guebuza, was among 11 people found guilty of embezzlement and money laundering.
Kickbacks were also given to some senior politicians.
The consequences of the crime “will last generations”, the judge said.
Judge Efigenio Baptista also said Ndambi Guebuza financed his taste for luxury through the crimes of embezzlement and money laundering.
Others given prison sentences include Gregorio Leao, head of the Security and Intelligence Service (SISE) under Mr Guebuza, and Antonio do Rosario, who became chairperson of all three newly-created state companies that took the loans.
Judge Baptista said they “were expected to be the guardians of public assets for being high ranking leaders responsible for security but instead, they are the key culprits”.
One notable absentee from the trial has been former finance minister Manuel Chang. He has been detained in South Africa since December 2018, in response to an arrest warrant issued by authorities in the United States, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering.
He denies any wrongdoing.
President Guebuza left office in 2015 after a decade in power.
However, his Frelimo party remains in charge – as it has been since independence in 1975.
How did the scandal happen?
Between 2013-2014, three newly established companies took on $2.2bn (£1.5bn) of debt, much of it without the knowledge or approval of the country’s parliament. Despite this, the Mozambican government stood as guarantor of the loans, meaning the state would repay the money if things went wrong.
The money was allegedly used to buy a large tuna factory and a maritime security fleet, as well as to finance other deals involving companies in which the state is a leading shareholder.
In 2016, the government swapped some of the debt for a conventional bond, issued by the state. Soon afterwards, it admitted the full scale of the borrowing, triggering an economic crisis in Mozambique.
The country’s currency lost a third of its value, inflation surged and foreign donors pulled out.
Auditors also reportedly discovered $500m of the money was missing.
The loans were issued by Credit Suisse and the Russian bank VTB, with three former Credit Suisse bankers pleading guilty to US charges of money laundering over the case.
Late last year UK authorities fined the investment bank $178m over the tuna corruption scandal.
The bank was also ordered to write off $200m of debt “tainted by corruption” that was owed by Mozambique.
The fine was part of a $475m settlement with UK, Swiss and US regulators.
OCHA, partners strongly condemn violence in Upper Nile
The humanitarian community in South Sudan has strongly condemned the ongoing violence in Upper Nile State, saying the insecurity is hindering partners from saving IDPs.
In a statement dated 07.12.2022, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs shared with Eye Radio news desk, indicated that over 9,100 people have been displaced following the recent surge in violence in Fashoda County.
It says the clashes which broke out in mid-November between armed elements have also resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, the abduction of women and children, destruction of properties and livelihoods.
“The humanitarian community in South Sudan is appalled by the continuous violence that has a devastating impact on the lives and livelihoods of ordinary women, men, and children – those vulnerable who are already affected by the dire humanitarian situation in the country suffer most,” the statement partly read.
Peter Van der Auweraert, who is the UN Humanitarian Coordinator said over 2,300 people arrived at the Malakal Protection of Civilians (POC) site since the start of the crisis.
He said as the conflict extended, an estimated 5,000 people were displaced to Melut County from Manyo County.
The Humanitarian Coordinator said local responders reported that at least 75 percent of the newly displaced are women and children, with many children separated from their caregivers.
There are also reports of a significant number of people crossing into Sudan, while others are hiding in swamps.
This surge of new arrivals, he said has put additional pressure on the already limited capacity of partners to provide services to support them, with limited space for them to stay.
Peter Van der said “Humanitarian partners are working tirelessly, around the clock, on multiple frontlines to provide the newly displaced people with critical supplies and services,”
However, he said, the ongoing insecurity is hampering the ability of humanitarian partners to deliver life-saving assistance to thousands of people, forcing partners to put assessment missions on hold.
Van der Auweraert has urged the Government and local authorities to ensure safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian partners to all those in need.
He also called upon the parties to the conflict to cease all violence and act in full respect of international humanitarian law.
“I can’t stop those fighting in Upper Nile”, says President Kiir
President Salva Kiir said at the closing of the convention of the SPLM National Liberation Council on Tuesday he cannot stop the war in the Upper Nile region.
It’s not clear why the head of the state made the remarks, but he said there was fighting going on in the Eastern Nuer area and the Chollo Kingdom in the Upper Nile state.
According to Kiir who was spoke on the SSBC, those fighting “are our brothers” and called on all the leaders to stop the war to bring peace to the people.
“There is war in Eastern Nuer in Jakow and there is war in the Chollo Kingdom. Who are those fighting there, they are our brothers and sisters and I cannot stop them. Sustainable peace in our country we have been using,’ Kiir said.
The chairperson of the SPLM vowed that his leadership will not take the country back to war and revenge on those who are causing the problems.
His remarks came a day after the Upper Nile state government said it was helpless to stop the violence in the restive region.
DR Congo rebels reject ceasefire deal
The M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have said that a ceasefire supposed to take hold on Friday evening “does not concern” the group. Continue reading “DR Congo rebels reject ceasefire deal”
Gov’t suspends Rome peace talks indefinitely
The government has suspended its participation in the Rome peace talks indefinitely, citing the non-signatory South Sudan Opposition Group has been buying time to prepare for war. Continue reading “Gov’t suspends Rome peace talks indefinitely”
Giroud equalizes country mate Henry’s record as France win 4-1 over Australia
France came from a goal down to win over Australia with four goals in their World Cup campaign as Giroud scores twice to equal Henry’s record as France’s all-time top scorer with 51.
Rabiot and Mbappe also score headers as France dominate the match.
Goodwin had given Australia a shock early lead, but Rabiot leveled it in the 27th minute. A header from Giroud five minutes later put France in the lead before Mbape’s 68th and Giroud’s second goal at the 71st -minute.
France will face tougher challenges but they showed good character to come from behind and looked excellent at times tonight.
Saudi Arabia declares Wednesday public holiday to mark World Cup win over Argentina
Saudi Arabia has said Wednesday will be a national holiday as, on the Jeddah Corniche by the Red Sea as its seismic 2-1 World Cup win over Lionel Messi’s Argentina was celebrated as a coming of age.
The national football side’s remarkable victory was being seen as both a triumph on the pitch and a huge moment on the global sports stage, where the regional power has long sought a place in the spotlight.
Outsiders against an Argentine team on a 36-match winning streak surely delivered that and, on Tuesday afternoon and evening, it was all that mattered to Saudi leaders and the fans who circled public squares in convoys of cars, waving the country’s green flag and proclaiming a new era of international football.
The public holiday will be for all state employees “and the private sector, and male and female students in all educational stages”, the government announced on Tuesday evening.
“We are so happy about the result. It was an exceptional match from our falcons,” said Ghassan Alwan, 42, marketing director at the Saudi ministry of housing. “Our faith in our players was in the right place. We wrote history tonight.”
“Incredible, massive, amazing, fantastic,” added Abdulrahman Abed, a sports editor.
“Congratulations to everyone. This means a lot to every Saudi. This will give a huge boost to every Arabic team in the World Cup.”
Euphoria reached the inner circle of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was pictured embracing his brothers after the full-time whistle, as well as sports cafes and public parks across the country.
Returnee woman shot dead in Yei, 2 suspects apprehended
Police in Yei County are holding two suspects in connection with the killing of a returnee woman on Sunday.
Continue reading “Returnee woman shot dead in Yei, 2 suspects apprehended”
Update: Two dead, dozen wounded in Juba-Nimule road attack
Two people are confirmed dead and eleven others are being treated for minor injuries at Juba Teaching Hospital – following the road ambush at Jebelen area on Monday, health authorities said. Continue reading “Update: Two dead, dozen wounded in Juba-Nimule road attack”
