Category: Governance

SSRA notifies Kenyan oil dealers on order exempting UN from e-permit

South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) has notified the Kenyan oil dealers about the abolition of  petroleum accreditation permits imposed on UN agencies in the country.

Anyieth Jacob Ajak  who is the Chief of South Sudan Revenue Authority Customs Office in Kenya’s Eldoret, Kisumu and Nakuru on 7th May informed managers of the Kenyan Pipeline Company about the decision.

In the letter addressed to KPC General Mangers and oil marketing companies, Mr. Jacob said: “I would like to propel these directives to all OMCs and shipper who tensely deal with SSRA Customs office that all fuel cargoes designatedd for UN agencies are fully exempted from paying e-petroleum accreditation permits in accordance with Ministerial order NO RSS/MOFP/J/M/05/2024/017 issued by the minister of Finance and Planning South Sudan.”

Mr Jacob also notified the Kenyan oil dealers of the abolition for fly booking for fuel cargoes destined for South Sudan.

The government’s decision comes after the embassies of Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States express concern over the imposed taxes including the e-Petroleum Accreditation Permit, customs fees, and charges, among others, hindering humanitarian aid efforts in South Sudan.

 

NBS boss maintains census is impossible before slated polls

The Chairperson of the National Bureau of Statistics has maintained that conducting population census is not possible before the December 2024 elections.

The Revitalized Peace Agreement mandates the RTGoNU to conduct a National Population and Housing Census before the end of the Transitional Period.

The slated elections to signal end of the transition, are just six months away.

Dr. Augustino Ting Mayai says the government has approved the budget for the process but the Finance Ministry has not released the cash due to shortages.

“We know for fact that there is still a demand for census in order to inform elections but it is also known to a lot of people that the resources that are required for the census conduct has been approved but they have not been released because they don’t exist.

“The Ministry of Finance is not having enough resources. So, it’s not that the government is holding onto the resources, the resources are not there.

“We are waiting for revenues to come through and we begin with what is called planning and cartography process where we will put in place the committees at the County levels, at the State levels and also, we begin to map where people live and this is where cartography services,’ he said.

However, he said, even if adequate resources are made available today, he will need at least nine to sixteen months to roll out the exercise.

“All of these processes need about nine months to complete and given the fact that elections are basically not too far away.

“Even if resources were made available, I would like to reiterate this,  as I said it last time, the census as mentioned will not be available at the time”.

Dr. Ting expresses his institution’s readiness to provide input to the government to inform all processes that are associated with the democratic transition.

But he said, this still requires resources.

“As far as the political process in the transition, the leadership will sit down and decide what is done, my role as the Executive Chief is to provide input when I am asked to do so, and I will need the resources to do so.

“… those resources when they are  made available, the Bureau of Statistics stands ready to execute its mandate and we are happy to inform all the processes that are associated with this transition.”

In February, Dr. Ting suggested that the government can conduct elections for the Executive and the members of the Council of States while the Members of Parliament waits the census.

He also suggested for extension of the transitional period for three months to enable him have the census results in order to inform the electoral process but the time frame has relatively changed and that this needs over a year to implement.

Dr. Ting had also suggested for the usage of the 2008 census figures to inform the process if elections is to be conducted in December.

He also provided an option for the bio-metric registration if the government maintains December 2024 elections period.

Wau-based activist reports being threatened after students’ protest

The Coordinator of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization in Western Bahr el Ghazal has raised concerns over his safety after he was questioned by the security personnel following the recent students’ demonstrations in the state capital Wau.

“I’m seeing that my life and the lives of my colleagues and institution are in danger,” said Stephen Robo.

On Monday, hundreds of students at the University of Bahr el Ghazal took to the Wau town streets to protest the lack of food ratios at the campus.

According to the students, they had no food for three weeks, and despite raising the concern, the state government did not respond to their complaints.

The students chanted “No food, No Elections” slogans as they marched to the streets with sticks and pieces of bread, demanding urgent an intervention.

During the protest, Western Bahr el Ghazal Deputy governor ordered for a truck of food he said, was enough sustain the students for only one week.

According to CEPO’s Stephen Robo coordinator based in Wau, following the protest, security personnel summoned him, accusing him of instigating the protest.

Speaking to Eye Radio yesterday, Robo distanced himself from the Bahr el Ghazal University students’ demonstrations.

“I have been summoned by the National Security in the state on a report somebody wrote  about me in relations to the last students’ demonstration at the Bahr el Ghazal University.

“In the allegations, they’re saying you as Stephen Robo [and others] we are behind the school demonstration demanding for food while chanting Kiir must go.

We explained that as Stephen, I’m not a student at the University. We are not doing any activity with the students at the University.”

When contacted by Eye Radio, Western Bahr el Ghazal state Information Minister Nichola Samuel said he had no information about the threats against the activist.

“I have no information about this please. The Coordinator of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization in the state did not contact me. However, let me confirm and collect some information from this news,” he said.

 

 

Kiir returns to Juba after launch of peace talks in Nairobi

President Salva Kiir Mayardit has returned to the country after launching the Nairobi Peace Talks with the holdout groups, his office press unit has reported.

Mr Kiir arrived on Friday and was received by First Vice President Dr Riek Machar, newly appointed Governor of Central Equatoria State, Gen Agustino Jadalla, and his advisors, Tut Galuak and Kuol Manyang Juuk among others.

Speaking upon Kiir’s arrival in Juba yesterday afternoon, Foreign Affairs Minister Ramadan Abdalla Goc said the peace process aims order to restore a comprehensive peace in South Sudan.

Goc said President Kiir reiterated his administration’s determination to negotiate with the holdout groups to reach a peace deal.

During his opening address at the peace process, President Kiir said he hope the holdout groups shared the same conviction and aspirations as his government to bring peace to the country

 

Govt, holdout group kick-off peace talks in Nairobi

A high-level peace negotiation between the unity government and the non-signatory groups to the 2018 peace deal on Thursday kicked off in Nairobi. Kenya.

The government is negotiating with Real SPLM lead by Pagan Amum, General Paul Malong of the South Sudan United Front and Stephen Buay of the South Sudan People’s Movement

The National Salvation Front led by Thomas Cirilo has remained out of the process.

Some heads of state including Kenyan and Zambian Presidents William Ruto and Hakainde Hichilema took part in the opening of the Nairobi peace process.

Others in attendance were US Ambassador to Kenya, former African Union Commission chairperson Mousa Faki and representatives of the regional body IGAD, among others.

Speaking during the event, the leader of Real SPLM who represented the opposition groups describe the peace talks as their last opportunity, and called on the parties to take the process seriously and engage in an inclusive dialogue.

Amum also called on the parties to over come hatred, saying this is not the time for it.

” We are the founding mothers and fathers of this new nation. Our historical task is to lay the foundation of this new nation. This is our historical task after Independence and to achieve that, we have to engage in dialogue.

“We have to be positive. We have to overcome this hatred that has filled our hearts. This is not the time for that. Especially now that the world is changing and many crises are even coming up beyond the one that we have created ourselves.

“I believe this is our last opportunity and we must take this seriously and engage in dialogue and it must be an inclusive dialogue. What we need is not another peace agreement peace agreements are not being implemented.

“What we need is serious, we need to stop seeing ourselves as enemies. We are brothers and sisters President Kiir. We are brothers and sisters.”

For his part, the high-level peace negotiation chief mediator Lazarus Sumbeiyo urged the leadership of the parties to mandate their representatives to fully engage on issues, and makes decisions in the best interests of the people of South Sudan.

“In view of this we appeal to the leadership of the parties in the negotiations to mandate their representatives to fully engage on issues and makes decisions in the best interests of the people of South Sudan.

“We have to learn from the past and one of the clear lessons is that implementations of series of agreements on South Sudan has remained a challenge.

“The question that will concern us and occupy our efforts is to come with a brand-new birth on implementation, the innovation around are responsive implementation programs that is clearly numerated, costed and enforceable.”

Meanwhile, Kenyan President William Ruto has encouraged the Unity government and the non-signatory groups to the negotiation to redouble their efforts and reach a conclusion on the Sant’ Egidio peace process

He said the peace negotiation presents an opportunity to the parties to design a path good for all of them.

“I encourage the revitalized transitional government of national unity, the real SPLM and the South Sudanese United Front to stay the course and redouble their commitment to this mediation.

“The path you have chosen is noble and what you have accomplished so far under this initiative is admirable, here is your opportunity to design a future worthy of all of you and all the vision you have.

“I take this opportunity to welcome all delegates from South Sudan to Kenya and encourage you to feel at home because indeed it is home. I also wish the parties successful mediation and to our partners I argue you to stay with us all the way until we settle this.”

For his part, President Salva Kiir who officiated the peace negotiation process hopes that non-signatory opposition groups have a similar conviction and desire as the unity government for peace in South Sudan

“ We have to negotiate in good faith and with an open mind we hope that the non-signatory opposition groups have a similar conviction and desire for peace in South Sudan, which if  achieved will  bring everlasting stability and economic development in the region,” he said

 

 

“Let Clement Boro Bridge be a source of unity “, Bahr el Ghazal citizens told

The Minister of Roads and Bridges has called on the citizens of greater Bahr el Ghazal to use the Clement Boro Bridge as a uniting factor after the Chinese government handed it over to the unity government.

In 2020, the government of China offered to build a bridge over the Jur River in Wau.

One year after the construction, the national Council of Ministers resolved to name it as Clement Mboro Bridge in remembrance of the late veteran politician who hailed from Western Bahr el Ghazal.

The naming angered natives of Jur River County.

Yesterday, the Chinese government handed the bridged to the government of South Sudan in Juba on Monday.

The Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan MA Qiang said the clement Mboro bridge is one of the fruits, nourishing bilateral relations between his government and the people of South Sudan.

Amb.Qiang made the remarks after the handover ceremony yesterday

“2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the initiative which was proposed in 2013.The clement Mboro bridge is one of the fruits nourished by the initiative between China and South Sudan,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Minister of Roads and Bridges Simon Mijok Mijak said the bridge should be symbol of unity among the people.

“The name did not come just simply… It should not be a dividing factor, the name should be a unifying factor and Veteran Clement Mboro was a uniting factor of South Sudanese.”

For her part, the governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal Sarah Cleto says the bridge is not only important to Bahr el Ghazal region but to the whole country.

” Bridges are among the most powerful and important symbols in human society, symbols of connection, cooperation and harmony. When peace and healing comes then it is the construction and rehabilitation of bridges that marks our progress.

“Clement Mboro is very important for our communities in greater Bahr al Gazal region, Western Equatoria state and the whole of South Sudan,” she said.

The official launch of the bride has been halted due to disputes over its naming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abyei authorities defend SSPDF troops’ presence in the area

The deployment of government troops to a demilitarized zone in Abyei Administrative Area is due to a small number of UNISFA forces in the area, according to spokesperson Bolis Kouc.

Bolis Kouc is reacting to the call by the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations on South Sudan’s government to withdraw its troops from the demilitarized area of Abyei.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix warned their presence could further fuel tensions in the area.

He was cited on Tuesday by AFP as saying  “We are deeply concerned about the presence of South Sudanese security forces in southern Abyei since October 2022,” adding that “additional military deployments took place in March and April of this year.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix told the security council that Several thousand UN peacekeeping forces are deployed in the region and their work is being hindered by South Sudanese forces.

In response, Abyei Information Minister Kouc said the SSPDF soldiers were deployed in the area to defuse tension between the communities of Ngok and Twic.

” The army came and centered in the area of Agok.  Agok is a vital area and it’s an area that faced a conflict between the two communities of Twic and Ngok.

“When the army entered the Agok area by the permission from the government and it was during the time of the former administrator Kuol Dem,” he said

He said the soldiers are out of the Abyei box, and are only concentrated in the Agok area to monitor the situation in the area

“They will be deployed in the bordering area between Twic and Ngok, and this bordering area between Twic and Ngo.”

Besides, he said the Ghanaian peacekeeping forces of UNISFA in the Southern Kiir river are small in number.

“The argument and the issue are that the peacekeeping forces of UNISFA which is from Ghana in the Southern of Kiir river is small in the number,” he added.

Gola bans security & public personnel from age-set fight

The government of Pibor Administrative Area has prohibited security apparatus, public personnel and community based organizations from participating in age set fights in the area.

Chief administrator Gola Boyoi Gola issued the order 3rd May.

” I Gola Boyo Gola, Chief administered of greater Pibor administrative area, do hereby issue this administrator order prohibiting all security apparatus, civil servants’ employees, staffs of international, national and community base organization from participating in age-set fight in 2024, with immediate effect from 3rd May,” his order reads.

Gola further warned any individual against violation of his order, else, each will face a consequence including arrest and termination of working contract with humanitarian organizations.

Others include arrest and dismissal from the rank and file of military or organized forces and civil servants’ employees from the government.

Age sets, according to Murle heritage, are social groups that are mostly for men in a particular age group that they will typically belong to for the rest of their lives.

Boys are born into a specific age-set distinguishable by name, colour and scar patterns traditionally made on the skin. One generation has an age span of 10 to 15 years.

Traditionally, there comes a time for each generation to become decision-makers for their people.

Age-set fight involves fighting between the opponents often for influence in the community but since the civil war, the traditional form of entertainment has been compromised as it involved the use of guns.

 

Six officers arrested in Kuajok tragic civilians detention

Authorities in Warrap State have arrested six officers including the commander of Brigade 4 in Kuajok over death of seven suspects in a military detention container early this week.

The deceased were reportedly locked in a 20-foot shipping container on Sunday when they suffocated to death.

One of the eight initially arrested was said to have survived.

Warrap Information Minister William Wol said the suspects who were accused of various crimes were held in a facility not designated for detention and those responsible did it without authorization from the state government.

Wol said six officers including the commander and military intelligence responsible for the Barpuot Military Barracks as well as a captain in-charge of detention were arrested yesterday on the orders of the governor.

The three other suspects are non-commissioned officers who were managing the detention container.

“They were arrested yesterday (Tuesday) immediately – all of them , no one escaped,”Wol confirmed to Eye Radio

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