The government is expected to implement a five-year project to help enhance the resilience of communities to better cope with natural disasters, after it received nearly 200 million US dollars in segments from the World Bank this year. Continue reading Gov’t to implement floods mitigation strategy after securing millions in funding
Category: News
Armed youth surrender hundreds of rifles, machine-guns in Tonj North
Local chiefs in Tonj North County of Warrap State are reported to have collected 359 AK-47 rifles and 3 PKM machine guns, voluntarily surrendered by armed youth in the area.
The guns were handed to the government following meetings with the high-level security committee who are currently in the area.
According to police source, the security committee comprising the Chief of Defence forces Gen Santino Deng Wol, Inspector General of police Gen Majak Akec Malok and Director of Internal Security Bureau Gen Akol Koor Kuc allegedly received the weapons and 90 herds of stolen cattle.
“The security committee received 359 AK47 rifles, three pkm and 90 herd of cattle that were looted by criminals from Rualbet payam of Tonj North County Warrap state,” said a police statement.
The delegation of senior security officials visited Tonj North County early this month, after deadly fighting between the army and armed youth.
The team, headed by Gen. Santino Deng Wol went to the area to restore peace and stability after the clashes that left more than 20 dead.
“The guns were voluntarily collected by the Chiefs of the area following their meetings with the Heads of security committee who are currently in Rualbet payam,”said the statement seen on the official Facebook page of the national police.
Continue reading Armed youth surrender hundreds of rifles, machine-guns in Tonj North
Prof. Elkhazin announces research scholarships for university students
A world-renowned expert on the Nile water has offered research scholarships on flood mitigation for university students. Continue reading Prof. Elkhazin announces research scholarships for university students
Cabinet endorses increment of teachers’ salary by 100%
The Minister of General Education and Instruction has said the Council of Ministers agreed to adjust the salary structure of teachers with an increment of 100 percent. Continue reading Cabinet endorses increment of teachers’ salary by 100%
UN data: South Sudan’s population falters around 11 million
A new United Nations population index has projected the lowest global population growth in 70 years, with South Sudan’s population faltering at only 11 million people. Continue reading UN data: South Sudan’s population falters around 11 million
Toposa Juba dwellers want wounded invaders punished
Some Juba-based toposa leaders are calling on the authorities in Eastern Equatoria State to hold accountable over 40 wounded raiders undergoing medical treatment at health facilities in the area.
The suspected raiders reportedly sustained injuries after attacking cattle camps in Kapoeta North County last week.
They are said to be receiving treatment at the Napak and Kimotong Primary Health care centers in Eastern Equatoria State.
Yesterday, Eastern Equatoria State governor, Louise Lobong said, he was organizing for the evacuation of 51 wounded attackers to greater Pibor Administrative Area on a humanitarian ground.
Mr Lobong however, called on the offenders to desist from future attacks and abducting children.
But the Juba-based Toposa Community wants justice to prevail over the matter.
“The Toposa community request the state government to arrest the wounded raiders who are currently receiving medical treatment at Napak and Kimotong Primary Health center in Kimotong payam”, said Paul Napwon Yoane, the Chairperson of Toposa Community Union in Juba.
“And we further request Lafon County administration to do the same and bring the raiders to face justice. The lives of the people killed during the two attacks will not go without justice.”
The community leaders said the latest violence in Kapoeta North undermined the August 2021 Kali community peace conference.
The conference had resolved that the communities of greater Kapoeta and the surrounding areas coexist peacefully.
“We are not for war and we don’t want war but because the whole of South Sudan is bleeding. In fact the only state that there was hope for South Sudan is Eastern Equatoria,
“…but this one now seems to be something organized and it seems to be a kind of proxy war which is very dangerous”, said Napwon.
“So until now we are for peace and if there is any possible way of the government of South Sudan intervening, including the international community, we are for peace.”
The traditional leaders also demanded that the thousands of heads of cattle are recovered and returned to there rightful owners.
$7m oil money set for road rehabilitation in Renk County
Renk County Development Committee in Upper Nile State has launched a seven-million US dollar road rehabilitation project using oil money. Continue reading $7m oil money set for road rehabilitation in Renk County
“Set aside 1929 Sudan-Egypt Nile water deal for new initiative,” Makuei
The government spokesperson has told the national legislature to enact the Nile Basin Cooperation Framework agreement to enable South Sudan to become a member.
It’s not clear what prompted the call, but the recent reception from the Egyptian government of dredging equipment by the Unity state government sparked a public outcry.
The equipment were to be used to open the Bahr-el Ghazal-Naam tributaries to the Nile River.
This, according to some officials, was aimed to mitigate the devastating impact of floods in the Upper Nile and Bahr el Ghazal regions.
However, President Salva kiir over the weekend suspended the project until a proper environmental socioeconomic impact studies are carried out.
Historically, the 1929 Anglo-Egyptian treaty granted Egypt a veto power over construction projects on the Nile River or any of its tributaries to minimize any interference with the flow of water into the Nile.
The 1959 agreement increased water allocations to both Egypt and Sudan.
Egypt’s water allocation was raised from 48 billion cubic meters to 55.5 billion cubic meters.
However, due to controversies surrounding the shares of the Nile, the Nile basin countries came up with an agreement framework in May 14, 2010.
Four countries that participated in the deal known as Cooperation Framework Agreement were Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda – with Burundi and Kenya signing it later.
Between 2013 and 2019, member states; Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda except Kenya and Burundi ratified the agreement.
Meanwhile, Egypt and Sudan are non-signatories to the agreement.
Speaking during the ongoing public consultations on the suspended planned to dredge the Nile tributaries, Minister Michael Makuei said South Sudan is not yet a member of the Nile Basin agreement.
He said there is need for the country to join the bloc, but the parliament should enact a bill that can allow the country to be a member.
“I think as a new state, if there is a new initiative, call the Nile Basin Initiative, let us set aside all the agreements and commitments that were made by Sudan government.
“Why should we not sign the Nile Initiative and forget about it because we are not bound by it, we are not a party to it. And Sudan government did not come to remind us about the water agreement.
“If we are not reminded, then let us proceed. So, issues of agreement should not worry us.
“The most important thing is my request to the parliament to pass a Nile Basin Initiative act so that we approve it and finalize it. Whoever will come to talk about it, we will face him.”
NILE BASIN TREATY
The regional treaty established principles, rights and obligations to ensure long-term and sustainable management and development of the shared Nile waters.
According to its provisions, the Nile Basin States shall assume the obligation to cooperate on the conservation, management and development of the Basin and its waters.
The treaty establishes a legal basis for a permanent and joint management institution, the Nile River Basin Commission (NRBC), which is vested with legal personality as well as enhance Nile cooperation.
The institution is to ensure that national development projects are coordinated with basin-wide development to achieve optimal use of the Basin’s resources and increase national benefits of regional cooperation.
Ratification process and entry into force.
Ratification process and entry into force
AN EXCERPT FROM NILE BASIN FROM NILE BASIN ORGANIZATION
The Treaty is subject to ratification.
It will not enter into force until at least 60 days after six countries have ratified or acceded to the document and deposited with the African Union.
Signature of the CFA is an intermediate step by which countries indicate their willingness to ratify the Treaty in the future; yet they are under no legal obligation to ratify.
Signature of the treaty puts countries under an obligation not to set any acts that would undermine the objective and purpose of the CFA. (As of March 2011, the CFA has been signed by six countries.)
As long as the treaty has not entered into force the text can be renegotiated; if this results in text changes the new document will be again subject to the two step process of signature and ratification. The Treaty has not legal effect on States that do not sign or ratify the document.
Nile Basin Countries which do not sign or ratify the CFA are not bound by it.
Nimule Police Inspector shot in leg amidst protest
The Inspector of Police in Nimule town has said he is nursing a gunshot wound after a stray bullet hit his left leg during a demonstration that followed the killing of a chief in the area Monday.
Major David Kasmiro told Eye Radio mourners had blockaded the Nimule-Juba High over the killing of Anzara Chief yesterday.
Ebele John was shot dead and two others wounded on Monday morning while they were attending a funeral meeting.
The funeral was of Moses Kanyiri and John who were killed in cold blood in Mugali Payam on Friday.
One other person was abducted and her whereabouts are unknown.
Angered by the Chief’s demise, the mourners took to the streets and placed the bodies of the three victims in the middle of the Juba-Nimule Highway.
“I went out from the office of the traffic because I was there in meetings with some chiefs on the other side. And when we reached the main road where the dead bodies of the three people” said Major David Kasmiro, the Inspector of Police in Nimule town.
The move disrupted movement of motorists for hours, prompting the police to shoot in the air to disperse the protestors.
However, a stray bullet, according the area Inspector of Police, hit his left leg breaking his ankle.
“There was a lot of random shooting towards us from the different organized forces.
“Therefore, I was shot in my left leg and it was broken, and my health is good, now I am trying to be referred for good treatment.”
David Kasmiro, however, says he is now in a stable condition.
Court hearing of S. Sudanese denied graduation in Kampala kicks-off
A Ugandan High Court has started hearing on the case of South Sudanese students who were denied graduation at the Kampala University main campus last month, according to a team leader.
About 300 South Sudanese students missed their graduation after Badru Dungu Kateregga, the Kampala-based Vice Chancellor abruptly notified them he had closed the Juba branch.
But the protesting students said they had paid their tuition for years at the controversial Kampala University of South Sudan.
The tuition was allegedly channeled via the University’s account at the Number One Charter Bank in Uganda.
On the eve of the graduation, the students petitioned the Ugandan High Court to put on hold the graduation until the matter is resolved – which failed.
However, the court presided over by Judge Wamala Boniface Monday held a first hearing over the case.
One of the affected students, Oyiki Sirino Castino, who had presented the students’ petition to the court confirmed to Eye Radio Monday evening.
According to Sirino, the Vice Chancellor’s unnamed lawyer tried to obstruct the court alleging that he was not authorized to represent the students, but the Judge refuted his claims.
Sirino said some Ugandan lawyers have offered to represent the students in the court.
“Our lawyer asked whether one can represent the students including those 900 who are absent. The judge responded and said one person can represent thousands of students.
“Our lawyer says he will be ready in four days to file the rest of the cases and the judge said he will give the two parties up to 15th of next month to submit their arguments to his office.’
The next hearing is scheduled to take place on the 17th of August