13 mothers separated from children in “forced repatriation” to S. Sudan -MP

At least thirteen women have left behind more 20 children after they were forcefully repatriated to South Sudan allegedly by authorities in Sudan.

That’s according to a lawmaker at the National Legislative Assembly.

Fadwa Shaowai, an MP from Renk County of Upper Nile State said the women had fled to Madani from Khartoum following the onset of the Sudan’s conflict.

When the fighting extended to Madani recently, they fled to Senar where they were asked to produce Sudan Nationality Identity Card.

Shaowai said the women reportedly told the Sudanese authorities they are South Sudanese, but they are taken to court which ordered their repatriation to South Sudan.

The women, according to the MP, were picked a car and brought Wunthou in the border of South Sudan, leaving their children behind.

” When we asked them what happened, they said Sudan’s government asked them to produce their national identity cards . When they told them (Sudanese officials) they are not Sudanese but South Sudanese, they were taken court.

“Because they don’t have ID cards, the Sudan government prepared car, picked them and took them from Senar to Wunthou in the border of South Sudan.

according to the MP Shaowai “one of them has seven kids, another has a five-month baby, also another has a month old baby.”

The lawmaker said that the deputy governor of Upper Nile State tried intervened two weeks ago during his visit to Wunthou border area, but was unsuccessful.

“We were in the visit with the deputy governor when did several calls and they (Sudanese authorities promised to bring those kids, but till today (Tuesday), those kids have not been brought.”

She appealed the national government to intervene and rescue the more than 20 children, by establishing contacts with the Sudanese authorities.

 

 

 

 

Political analyst backs call for state of emergency in Tambura

A political analyst has added his voice to the call by Western Equatoria State religious leader for declaration of state of emergency in Tambura County, and initiation of dialogue to address the root causes of the violence.

Tambura County has witnessed a series of violence that  left one person dead, and several houses razed down.

Catholic priest Luke Yugue and his boda-boda rider was also reportedly abducted along the Nagero-Tombura County road in what is the first of its kind in South Sudan.

A week ago, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tambura urged President Salva Kiir to declare a state emergency in Tambura County as inter-communal tension sparked by banditry attacks engulf the area.

They have also called for independent probe into the conflict and humanitarianism assistance to the tens of thousands of displaced persons.

“These tribal tensions have raised a lot of concerns, and the call that has been made by the clergy leaders is one of the areas that people can just work on because we need some kind of reconciliation now,” said Atem Simon.

Atem Simon called for a community-based solution, but suggested the declaration of state of emergency as the first step going forward.

“We need some kind of communal-based resolutions that concentrate on how to maintain peace in the area and how to reconcile the local communities. The Declaration of state of emergency is the first step but it will not solve the problem as usual,” he said.

For a state of emergency to work if decided, Atem said it will “need more serious steps towards implementing government strategy or civil society strategy or church mediation imitative  or also to get some kind of help and support to start  dialogue openly.”

According to the State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, as of last week, over 51,000 people – mainly women, children, and elderly persons, were displaced from various locations in Tambura County.

On Monday, national lawmakers formed a nine-member committee by Kom Kom Geng who is an SPLM member, and deputized by lawmaker James Mabor, an SPLM-IO representative.

According to the parliament, the committee members are independent individuals who do not hail from western Equatoria state and are non partisan to the conflict.

They are tasked to interview victims, County and State authorities and other stakeholders to establish the root causes of the violence, and identify the parties involved.

245 members of gang groups charged with violence in Juba

At least 245 young men charged with gang violence were on Tuesday arraigned in court in Juba, the police spokesperson Major General Daniel Justine has told Eye Radio.

The suspects were arrested during a police crackdown between November in 2023 and early this year.

Following their arrest, the Interior Ministry in collaboration with Central Equatoria State Legal Department had formed a committee to investigate the suspects.

According to General Justin, the suspects arrested were more than 400 in number, but some of them have be discharged.

“Now we have 245 cases and  they have been taken to the court and the court started today. We registered cases of death where some of them killed their colleagues,” Gen. Justin said.

Some of the suspects are being detained in Rajaf Payam of Juba County. “We shall see tomorrow (Wednesday) how many will be convicted, or released, or remain under detention.”

Gen. Justinesaid the cracking down on criminal activities among young people is still ongoing.

Khim Swaqq to artists: Grow home content before external collabos

In South Sudan’s music scene, only a few artists have been able to turn their talent into profit but this comes with consistence and quality.

That’s what Dance-hall music star, and song writer Khim Swaqq is asking local artists to strive for.

By the time of writing this story, Swaqq’s latest drop  -Love Letter on YouTube in February earned 216,873 viewers with just over 12,000 subscribers.

He said it takes professionalism, and strategic business-oriented mindset to get this far

Swaqq encourages local artist do what he calls side hustle to support quality production and distribution of their music through professional channels such as YouTube.

“The target should be business, and you need to invest in your desire.

“If I am not gaining,  I will pack myself off to the village. Start looking at music as a money-oriented.”

Swaqq is opposed to native artists who dash the international stage with one or two songs and seek collaborations with foreign artist.

“Let us conquer our few population with good content and we should dance at home before dancing abroad. We are good at what we are doing, we just that need to allow yourself to grow.’’

Swaqq approach to music is not just as an art but combines with strategic entrepreneurial mind-set.

Currently based in Uganda, Swaqq has garnered acclaim for his unique blend of sounds and energetic performances.

His work not only showcases versatility across genres but also reflects the rich cultural tapestry of East Africa.

By treating music as both passion and business, Khim Swaqq sets an example for aspiring artists, demonstrating that success in the music industry that requires both talent and a strategic mindset.

With a growing fan base and a collection of awards to his name, Khim Swaqq continues to push the boundaries of dance-hall music, creating a vibrant and inclusive musical experience in the region and beyond.

Thousands of returnees languishing in Northern Bahr el Ghazal -official

Thousands of internally displaced persons are in dire need of food assistance in Northern Bahr el Ghazal , according to the state Relief and Rehabilitation Commission.

The commission’s chairperson Lual Awach is appealing for a quick response to address the desperate situation of returnees who are in dire need of food assistance in the state.

He told Eye Eadio on Tuesday that the returnees have stuck on transit and unable to go to their respective destinations due to lack of transportation.

“Am appealing to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management for intervention by lobbying to all humanitarian agencies and well-wishers for a quick response since the situation of the returnees getting worse day by day.

“I am also appealing to all humanitarian agencies operating in Northern Bahr Al Gazal State for urgent response to returnees by providing food assistance,” he said.

Awach said the situation of the returnees is worsening day by day with most of them camped in schools, under trees and in open places in the main town.

“Now when you come to Aweil town, there are returnees sleeping in the public schools, come  on the streets, others under the tress, and even the open places in the main town.”

According to the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in the State, there are estimated 52,55 returnees in the state.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MP calling for protest was interrogated, says another lawmaker

The leadership of the national parliament says it will follow up on a member who was interrogated for speaking out about the plight of citizens in the country and hinting at peaceful protests due to inaction of the August House over the rise of commodity prices. Continue reading MP calling for protest was interrogated, says another lawmaker

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