National News Archives

EAC reviews single currency timelines as 2024 deadline pushed

East African Community Bank Governors have resolved to review timelines for the creation of a single currency as member states push the implementation to 2031 amid geopolitical tensions.

The regional bank governors reached the conclusion during an ordinary meeting chaired by South Sudan’s Bank Governor on 27 April in Juba.

In attendance were Mr Edouard Normand Bigendako, the Bank Governor of Burundi; Dr Kamau Thugge, Bank Governor of Kenya, Emmanuel M. Tutuba, Bank Governor of Tanzania; Dr. Thierry Migigo Kalisa, the Chief Economist at the National Bank of Rwanda and Dr. Adam Mugume who is the Executive Director at the Bank of Uganda.

The Bank Governors of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia did not turn up and had not representatives at the meeting.

In a joint statement, the Governors who make up the East Africa Community Monetary Affairs Committee said they reviewed the status of the implementation of the March 2023 ordinary meeting which resolved the single currency reunion to 2031.

The Governor said partners states have made progress towards implementing price-based monitory policy frameworks.

These include harmonizing regional macroeconomic and financial statistics to support policy formulation, implementing EAC financial market structure, harmonizing principles and rules for the regulation and supervision of the region’s financial system.

Other achievements noted is the enhancement of risk and crisis management frameworks to ensure stability of the region’s financial system, adoption of climate risk awareness and promotion of the use of regional cross-border payment system.

The Bank governors have now reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the remaining activities set out in the revised monetary union roadmap to achieve a single currency by 2031.

They have tasked themselves to review the performance of the convergence criteria including the timelines to meet the deadline.

In the push for single currency, the regional bank governors will have to grapple with what they called increase inflation due to high global commodities exerting pressure on exchange rate and the adverse impact of climate-change and geopolitical tension.

“The region still faces unfavorable Global Financial conditions due to negative spill overs from geopolitical conflicts and the impact of climate change that continue to weigh on the economic performance of East African countries,” said Majok Nikodemo Arou , the spokesperson of Bank of South Sudan.

Despite improved GDP of the region, a rise from 2.8 to 8.1, the partners states, according to the bank governors, are confronted with high fuel and food import prices, costly market access and pressure on the exchange rate and foreign reserves.

“The region is confronted with high fuel and food import prices putting pressure on the exchange rate and foreign reserves.

‘The increase in inflation in 2022 and part of 2023 , driven by high global commodity prices mainly food and energy prices, have made significant strides towards implementing price-based monetary policy Frameworks harmonizing regional economics and financial statistics to support policy formulations,” he added.

Why NilePet cuts staff salaries by 50%

The Managing Director of Nile Petroleum Corporation says the reduction in staff salaries by half is to ensure none of the employees lose their jobs in face of economic crisis.

“A very informative decision and was also a decision that make sures that everyone is not losing his/her job, but genuinely that was the best option for now off course,” said Eng. Bernard Amour Makeny

According to him, the decision aims to maintain operational continuity amid reduced revenue streams resulting from the geopolitical issues relate oil including the conflict in Sudan.

“We are all affected by geopolitical issues related to oil and good example is the conflicts in Sudan has directly imparted us,” he said.

Makeny told the aggrieved staff to learn to appreciate rather than complaining, citing they are better off compared to civil servants he said have gone for eight months without pay.

Makney clarified that the Nilepet Management presented three options including downsizing of staff to address the crisis, but the Board of Directors opted for the salary cuts to avoid some employees losing their jobs.

“So that was not my decision, it was management decision. Presented to the board of Directors and the Board of Directors looked at the three option, and the best option is what we just chose, cutting salaries by 50% and then observe the situation over time.

However, he warns should the situation escalate, the state-own firm will be forced to lay off what he describes as ineffective staff.

“S0 obviously, we will be subjected to look at who is really effective, who is not effective, who is needed and who is not needed, but that is at the latest stage and the worst case scenarios,” he added.

In March, the Government of Sudan declared a force majeure on South Sudan crude oil on March 16, 2024, citing it is unable to facilitate the transportation of South Sudan crude oil through the Jabalayn-Port Sudan Pipeline due to interruptions from the ongoing conflict.

This meant that Sudan revoked a contractual clause, exempting it from fulfilling its obligations under the agreement due to unforeseen circumstances or events beyond its control.

Kiir removes his executive director, appoints envoy Juach as successor

President Salva Kiir on Friday relieved the Executive Director in his office, Kiir Yor Lual, and his private secretary, Bang Wieu in a Republican Decree read on the state-run TV, SSBC.

In a simila decree, Kiir replaced Yor with South Sudan’s Ambassador to Uganda, Simon Juach Deng, as Executive Director and Wieu with Atak Santino Majak as the new private secretary.

Ex-director Yor, a former commissioner of Aweil East County was appointed to the President’s office in May, 2023 when he replaced James Deng Wal who previously held the office.

His successor, Simon Juach Deng was South Sudan’s Ambassador to Uganda since October, 2022, when he replaced Simon Duku Michael.

GPAA condemns native raiders for deadly attack in Kapoeta East

Authorities of Greater Pibor have condemned the recent attack by armed youth from their area on Kapoeta East County of Eastern Equatoria State that left 32 dead.

According to lawmakers from Eastern Equatoria State at the national legislative assembly, 26 others were wounded and nearly one hundred – mainly women and children were abducted in the 23^rd April – raid on Kauto Payam.

The raiders reported made away with 16,877 heads of cattle and 6,853 goats and sheep.

In a statement dated May 2^nd, obtained by Eye Radio, the government of greater Pibor Administrative Area expressed disappointment over the attack it describes as “wrong decision” by the youth.

GPAA Minister of Information, Abraham kelang confirmed that the recent cattle raid claimed several lives in Kauto.

“The government of Greater Pibor administrative area expressed disappointment and condemned in the strongest term possible the armed cattle raiders for their wrong decision made on 23^rd of April to attack Kauto Payam of Kapoeta East County , Eastern Equatoria State.

He added that Pibor administration under the leadership of Gola Boyoi conveyed his condolences to families of the victims and the government of Eastern Equatoria State over the fatal incident.

‘The leadership of Greater Pibor Administrative area led by H.E Gola Boyoi Gola expresseD his heartfelt condolences to the beloved communities, families of the victims and the government of eastern Equatoria on the recent cattle raid which claimed several lives in kauto, ” Kelang read out a government statement to Eye Radio on Saturday.

However, Eastern Equatoria State MPs have appealed to the national government to pursue and apprehend the culprits to face justice.

They also called on the UN Mission in South Sudan to intervene and provide humanitarian assistance to the affected people in Kauto.

When asked what the Government of Greater Pibor Administrative Area has done towards the incident, spokesperson Kelang said, the leadership would take swift stiff action to recover the looted animals, and hold the perpetrators accountable.

“The authority of GPAA is shocked and dismayed by the recent attack, and it will apply all necessary power to take swift action against those found to be accomplice in Kauto cattle raid on 23^rd April 2024″

“Children and women who were abducted will be recovered and handed over to the government of Easter Equatoria State to reunite with their biological parents, ” he added.

Soldier arrested in Lainya for shooting wife

An SSPDF soldier has been arrested after allegedly shooting and wounding his wife in Limbe Boma of Lainya County a week ago, according to the area authorities.

According to the victims’ uncle, Arkangelo Kur who holds the rank of Lieutenant in the military shot his nice six times at a close-range last Saturday, in Limbe Boma where the couple had disagreed over a family issue.

20-year-old Viola Monday Jacob is currently nursing bullet wounds in both limbs and arms.

She was first taken to Yei hospital before being transferred to the Giyada Military Hospital in Juba.

Chaplain Nemaya, who is an uncle to the victims said, after the incident, Viola’s husband was left wandering at the army Barracks in Limbe Boma, and was not arrested.

When contacted, Lainya County Commissioners Emmanuel Khamis confirmed the incident.

“This lady was shot in Limbe not Laniya because Lainya is the different village, and the husband is arrested now,” he said.

Experts say Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most critical threats to the protection and well-being of women in South Sudan.

National Cabinet approves recovery of grabbed public school lands

The national cabinet has approved the demolition of illegally constructed buildings on school premises and the return of grabbed learning spaces to Ministry of General Education and Instruction.

The cabinet reached the decision on Friday, 3 May, 2024, after the Minister of General Education and Instruction Awut Deng Achuil presented a memo, demanding the return of grabbed public-school lands to the ministry .

“The purpose of this memo was to request the council of ministers to approve the demolition of illegally constructed buildings on the public schools’ lands and the return of the lands to the Ministry of Education and Instruction,” said Jacob Korok, the Deputy Minister of Information.

Korok said the cabinet also banned the sale of public-school land and approved recommendations including the handing over of lands of other ministries that have been are occupied.

“Also, they ( Ministries of General Education and Health) requested the council of ministers to ban state authorities on the sale of school lands, and hold the private business who grab the land accountable.”

“So, the resolution was unanimously passed with recommendations that encompass all the ministries including the ministry of health because it also has lands that are grabbed.”

On April 24^th 2023, The Vice President for Services Cluster had issued a two-week ultimatum for illegal occupants of school lands to vacate the properties, but he faced resistance from land grabbers.

In recent weeks, Central Equatoria State demolished squatters at state public schools include Dar el Salaam, Juba Commercial, Juba One Boys and Juba Girls Primary and Secondary Schools in Juba.

NUF phase two training due soon as Machar submits list of forces

The training of phase two of the necessary unified forces is expected to commence in two weeks-time as First Vice President Dr Riek Machar submitted the list of SPLA-IO forces to President Kiir on Friday, according to Presidential Security Advisor.

President Salva Kiir and his first deputy reached the decisions during a close door meeting Friday.

Today (Friday), we agreed upon the start of the second phase of training the unified forces. the leader of the opposition forces had delivered their lists which were presented to the President of the Republic,” said Tut Gatluak, the Chairperson of the National Transitional Committee,.

Gatluak who is also the Presidential Security Advisor said; The forces of the second phase will enter the camps two weeks from today, according to the President’s directives, and they will be trained and distributed according to the agreement of the military leadership.”

The Presidential Advisor added that both parties are committed to implementing the key provisions of the peace agreement to achieve sustainable peace and stability in the country.

The unity government has so far graduated over 53, 000 of the unified forces, but only about 7% percent of them,a counting for over 4000 have been redeployed, according to the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC).

The announcement to start the training and deployment of the second phase of unified forces comes weeks after the UN Secretary General, US government and the peace monitoring body, R-JMEC called for speedy implementation of the peace agreement.

They stressed the importance of provision of security to guarantee the conduct of , free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful democratic elections at the end of the transitional period.

67,000 S.Sudanese youths acquired vocational skills since 2010 – Hoth Mai

The government has trained 67,000 youths in the vocational training centers across the country from 2010 to 2023, according Labor Minister James Hoth Mai.

The labor official told Eye Radio Dawn Show on Wednesday that the youth have been equipped with skills in the fields of electricity, plumbing, bakery, information technology, tailoring, building, painting, welding, among others.

“From 2010 up to 2023, so far we have trained 67,000 youth in our vocational training centers, government and private sector, and it is really very important to us,” he said

Mai said many of the youth are now employed in various institutions while other others have opened up their own businesses.

“These people are working now, opening their own businesses and after 10 year, 15 years they will have properties, and become even the middle class to be a bridge between poor and rich,” he added.

The government -with some support from donors have established vocational training centers in state capitals from Juba MTC, to Torit, Yambio, Bor, Malakal, Wau, Aweil, and Rumbek.
According to the World Bank, half of the country population are children younger than 18, and more than 72 percent are younger than 30.

It said youth in the country experience many challenges, ranging from limited access to educational opportunities and health services, to high unemployment and limited opportunities to engage in productive livelihoods.

S. Sudan to experience another week of heat stress

The IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Center has anticipated yet another week of ‘episodes of elevated heat stress in South Sudan’ starting Monday, 1, 04, 2024.

In its weekly weather forecast released yesterday, the center said temperature is predicted to be warmer than average across the Greater Horn of Africa.

According to environmental health and safety experts, heat stress includes a series of conditions where the body is under stress from overheating.

Heat-related illnesses include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat rash, or heat stroke, each with its own symptoms and treatments. Symptoms can range from profuse sweating to dizziness, cessation of sweating, and collapse.

The IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Center now says South Sudan is expected to experience the heat stress from May 1 for seven days.

Other countries that are expected to experience the heat stress within the same period are Sudan, eastern Kenya, and central to southern Somalia.

However, during the same period, the Climate Prediction and Application Center predicted heavy rainfall in parts of central to western Kenya, southern and eastern Ethiopia and central Somalia.

In March, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry issued an extreme heat advisory – forecasting temperatures varying from 41 to 45 degrees Celsius for two weeks in Juba and most parts of South Sudan.

Joseph Africano Bartel, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Environment, urged the public to take precautions and avoid direct exposure to sun rays.

Bartel cautioned the public to avoid tedious outdoor activities during the daytime, stay hydrated, take cool showers, stay indoors as much as possible and avoid direct sunlight.

He also suggested regular check on those most at risk including infants, elderly and critically ill several times a day and advised against leaving children or pets alone in closed vehicles.

If in South Sudan, you are also encouraged to wear light weight, light-colored clothing, find an air-conditioned shelter if possible, and the phone number of your doctor or health facility readily available in case of emergency.

EAC Youth Speaker Tombe to host regional conference in Juba

Speaker of the East Africa Youth Parliament has announced plans to conduct an inter generational conference in Juba aimed at developing an agenda for the regional youth.

Savior Tombe did not disclose the date but says, the conference will be held among youth that will be drawn from the eight partner states of the East Africa Community.

The Speaker also said the youth leadership will equally organize South Sudan High Level Youth Forum in Juba to draw together development partners, private sectors and government leaders.

“We want to organize the South Sudan High Level Youth Forum here in Juba. This is going to bring the development partners, the private sector and government leaders together such that we provide awareness on the integration agenda.

Tombe made the remarks to the press after meeting with Central Equatoria State’s Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony on Tuesday, 30/04/2024 in Juba.

This according to him, seek to create awareness and solicit support from the development partners and the private sectors to the integration agenda.

“We want to present to the development partners and private sector the fact that their support in this integration agenda is crucial because the East African Community Youth Policy provides that the development partners and private sectors should support youth programs across the States.”

Additional Tombe said, “We have a discussion as youth of the region in Juba such that we will be able to come up and develop an agenda for the EAC Youth in general.”

The East Africa Youth Parliament (EAYP) is a cross boarder regional policy advocacy platform under the East Africa Legislative Assembly bringing together national sectorial youth leaders from the East African Community partner states.

It ranges from the sub-regional and regional to the East African level, in which young women and men are leaders, entrepreneurs, members of Parliament, national youth council, human rights activists and youth leaders, and representatives from civil society organizations.

The parliament focuses on the inclusion of young people in strengthening democracies, good governance, and political processes through civic engagement & creative advocacy in the East African Partner States.

The Youth Parliament allows young men and women to sit at one table, discuss the challenges and issues at the East Africa level and write resolutions.

With this, young men and women take part in the decision-making processes and physically practice the appropriate ways to advocate and push for their agenda in the decision-making body.