Category: News

535 graduate from Catholic University of South Sudan

Five hundred and thirty-five students have graduated this year from four campuses of the Catholic University of South Sudan.

The event took place at the main Campus in Juba on Saturday.

The students conferred with degrees and diplomas in specialized fields such Economics, Business, Education, Arts and Social Sciences, Agriculture, and Computer Science, have completed from the university’s branches in Yambio, Rumbek and Juba.

Stephen Ameyu Cardinal Mulla, who doubles as the university’s Chancellor and the Chair of the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops Conference affirmed the conferment of degrees and diplomas to the students.

“By the virtue vested on me by the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference owner of Catholic University of South Sudan. I hereby declare on this day of Saturday the 4th of May, 2024 that those whose names have been called as annual 11th and the 12th groups of graduates of Catholic University of South Sudan in the same order the graduates are awarded diplomas in their area of specializations.”

Cardinal Mulla congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to be agents of change.

It’s not clear how many student obtained First Class Honors, but Angel Leke Omec is one of them.

Leke who studied Bachelors of Education in English and Literature under a church scholarship along with several others, dedicated her certificate to a catholic priest for the support to finish her tertiary education.

“In a special way, I  thank Reverend Father Matthew Pagan, the Vice Chancellor of the Catholic University of South Sudan who granted me, and other students university scholarship, without which I would not have stood here.”

Leke has encouraged the university to continue offering scholarships to the needy students to uplift their lives.

“I implore the university to continue granting scholarship to needy students so that they can be empowered to make difference in their lives.”

On what next after college life, Leke said; “It is our responsibility to bring about positive change in our country, and the world by effectively applying the skills and knowledge we acquired not only for ourselves but to make our university proud.”

Kumuru Valerie Mbangi, a student of Catholic University at the Yambio campus is another who graduated with first class honors in Economics.

Mbangi encountered hurdles during his studies as the campus  according to him, has ill-equipped labaray and lack reading materials, but relied on the internet to boost his studies and successfully complete his research work.

The graduates are the 11th and 12th batches since the establishment of the university in 2007.

 

 

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.

 

Son of Sudan’s leader dies in Turkey

Mohamed Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, son of Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman and Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, reportedly passed away on Friday in Turkey, the Sudan Tribune has reported.

He had been hospitalized since March after sustaining injuries in a motorcycle accident.

Genera al-Burhan arrived at Ankara Airport in the early hours of Saturday, where he was received by Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz ahead of his son’s funeral.

Details surrounding the accident remain unclear, but reports indicate Mohamed Abdel Fattah al-Burhan collided with a commercial vehicle last March.

He received treatment at Bilkent Hospital in Ankara until his passing.

Several Sudanese officials, including governors and ministers, offered their condolences.

These included Minni Minnawi (Governor of Darfur), Gibril Ibrahim (Finance Minister), Mohieldin Naim Mohamed (Minister of Energy and Mining), Ahmed Osman Hamza (Khartoum Governor), Mohamed Ahmed Hassan (Governor of Gedaref), and Al-Tahir Hajer (leader of the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces).

Neither the Sovereignty Council nor the Sudanese government has issued a formal announcement or condolence regarding Mohamed’s death.

Uganda’s Catholic church running out of wine – reports

The Catholic Church in Uganda is facing a critical shortage of altar wine, local media report.

The shortage is said to have persisted since February. It is being attributed to the war in Gaza, which has delayed imports.

Local media report that the church’s holding firm, JW InterServices, this week alerted dioceses regarding the matter, and advised them to cautiously use the stock they already had.

The church gets its wine from Spain and the product is normally shipped through the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.

But because of a change in route, a consignment that had been due to arrive at the beginning of April, was now due by the end of this month.

“The ships have been diverted to take longer and safer routes through the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean which has caused a major crisis and delays of their arrival to Mombasa port,” the Observer newspaper quoted 

JW InterServices’ managing director, Father Asiku Alfred Tulu, as saying.

Altar wine is an important part of the ritual of Holy Communion – through which Christians remember the sacrifice of Jesus’ death.

Ugandan govt closes Karuma Dam bridge

Uganda National Roads Authority has announced the closure of Karuma Bridge on Monday citing the bridge structure have deteriorated.

“Karuma Bridge will be closed to all lorries, trailers and buses from Monday 06th May 2024. Only passenger vehicles carrying up to 28 passengers will be allowed to use the bridge.

“The continued exposure of the bridge to the ever-increasing heavy traffic is likely to accelerate its deterioration and serviceability, if not addressed in time,” it said.

UNRA said it has commenced the process of identifying a competent contractor who will undertake the restoration of the bridge structure as quickly as possible.

The intervention is expected to be completed in 03 months. In the meantime, UNRA has identified alternative routes to all road users.

According to the advisory, “Motorists from Kampala heading to Gulu/West Nile are advised to use Luwero — Kafu – Masindi – Paraa (Murchison Falls National Park) to connect to Pakwach or Gulu via Olwiyo and vice versa from motorists from Gulu/West Nile.”

While Motorists to Lira are directed to use Iganga – Nakalama – Tirinyi – Pallisa – Kumi – Soroti – Lira and vice versa.

“The Government of Uganda is currently fast-tracking the process to secure funding for the construction of a new bridge at Karuma as a long-term solution,” UNRA added.

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 23rd 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 2nd, 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 23rd  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 23rd 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.

 

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