|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Sudan ‘Hopeful’ On Talks With RebelsJUBA, 08 January 2014 - South Sudan government delegation head on peace talks has expressed optimism over ongoing peace talks with rebels loyal to former Vice President Dr. Riek Machar in the Ethiopian Capital, Addis Ababa, saying there is “hope.”
Nhial Deng Nhial, the Head of the South Sudan government negotiation team arrived home from Addis Ababa on Monday for consultations with President Salva Kiir following the start of face to face talks with the rebels in its first day on Monday.
Source: Gurtong trust
Only legal procedures, will determine the release of political detainees, says KiirJUBA, 07 January 2013 – South Sudan Government will not release political detainees, as demanded by the rebel representatives in the on-going talks taking place in the Ethiopia capital Addis Ababa but can do so “only after legal procedures” have been exhausted, President Salva Kiir Mayardit said.
The first face-to-face talks between the Government and the rebel’s representatives started yesterday [Monday] after days of separately deliberating on the ground rules of the talks aimed at ending the three weeks of violence.
“We said in the beginning we are committed to dialogue, but without preconditions, nobody should give us conditions. We still remain committed to that principle. We are now been given conditions that we release political detainees first before talks could go ahead. This is a condition that I will not accept, if it a matter of releasing the detainees, we have to follow legal measures, the legal procedures will have to be followed according to the constitution” President Kiir reaffirmed.
President Kiir while stressing accountability said “We have lost more than 100 lives, ……and if such a number of people have died, property has either been destroyed or looted; we want to know who is responsible to all these loses. It is not just a matter of releasing people who have been the cause of all this destruction, they will be released but not as a precondition for talks”.
At least 1, 000 lives have been lost and 200,000 people displaced following a “foiled coup” attempt in mid December last year. Following the coup attempted, the Government arrested more than ten individuals and accused the former Vice President Dr. Reik Machar who has decleared war against the Government of plotting the "failed coup".
Rebel forces are still engaging the Government forces, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in the two states of Jonglei and Unity despite calls for a ceasefire. The East African regional Bloc- Inter-Government Authority on Development [IGAD] is taking the lead in the mediations.
President Kiir made the remarks on Monday while meeting the Sudanese President Omar Hassan El Bashir in Juba. President Bashir called for an immediate end to the fighting and urged the two parties to take the IGAD peace initiative to end the crisis.
“Violence can not solve anything, we fought among ourselves for 21 years and lastly we had to go to the negotiation table to resolve our difference” President Bashir said while referring to Sudan’s long civil war that ended in the Independence of South Sudan in July 2011. President Bashir reiterated his support to a peaceful solution in ending the currently crisis in South Sudan.
Statement by the AUPSC on the situation in South SudanJUBA, 31 December 2013 – The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 411th meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government, in Banjul, The Gambia, on 30 December 2013, adopted the following decision on the situation in South Sudan;
China calls for calm in South SudanJUBA, 29 December 2013 - China has called for calm in South Sudan, urging both factions to start ceasefire talks as soon as possible, to avert the current situation from deteriorating any further in country, the Foreign Ministry has said.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Friday that the deteriorating situation in the country was cause for concern. East African leaders have also urged the two factions in South Sudan to the end the violence.
"We are negotiating with both sides in the conflict in various ways. China's special representative on African Affairs, Zhong Jianhua, talked with South Sudanese Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin on the phone, calling for calm and restraint from both sides to start ceasefire talks as soon as possible.
"China has maintained close communication and coordination with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union as well as African countries in an effort to allow the international community to play a positive role in relieving the tensions in South Sudan," Hua said.
The Red Cross Society of China has offered emergency humanitarian aid to the people of South Sudan, said Hua, adding that China will continue to provide assistance for South Sudan. Zhong Jianhua reaffirmed China's hope the conflict will be solved peacefully.
"The Chinese government has made it clear that it firmly opposes the use of military force to resolve conflict, especially when it causes heavy casualties ... we also believe that with the joint efforts of African countries, the relevant parties will solve the issue by rational and peaceful means," said Zhong.
Source: Aljazeera news Dialogue on the country’s crisis to commence next weekNAIROBI, 28 December 2013 (NASS) - The Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) has announced that face-to-face talks by all stakeholders to the crisis in South Sudan will commence by December 31, 2013, calling on the government and the rebel groups to immediately cease hostilities.
Please click here to read the full text of the IGAD communique'
Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, News Agency of South Sudan (NASS) SPLA flashes rebels out of Bor, state authorities calls for humanitarian assistanceBOR, 26 December 2013 - The Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) on Tuesday, flashed out rebel forces loyal to the former Vice President Dr Riek Machar out of Bor, the Capital of Jongolei state after holding onto the strategic town for close to six days.
“The situation is calm and secure now, however the problem is the whole place has been looted; the rebels destroyed every thing; shops, houses, banks, Hon. Mugato Chan Gilo, Jongolei state minister for Corporative and rural development who until the capture of the town was camping at the UN compound said.
Shops have been turned ‘upside down’ some burnt to ashes, banks vandalized, Bor main referral hospital was also loot. Pieces of boxes from looted shops and burnt building characterized the ghost town of Bor. Minimum deaths also occurred during the two-day battle for Bor. A few Corpses could be seen lying on the streets.
The Bor branch of Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), a pioneer bank with the widest coverage in the country was not spared. The attackers did not only loot it but also set the building ablaze.
“If at all these group mean to rule this country, why destroy captured property, property of the people of South Sudan”, Hon. South Sudan Information minister Michael Makuei Lueth pondered.
The town is liberated; people taking refugee at the UN Compound must go back their respective houses, Hon. Makuei remarked. He re-echoed the government’s reediness to dialogue with the rebels.
“We are ready to talk with the rebels, Our problem with them is they want the ta lks to be based on three conditions………….the government is not ready for any pre-conditioned talks”, Makuei who is also the official Government spokesman said upon arrival at Juba International Airport from Bor on Wednesday were he led a team of both local and international journalists to see the level of destruction in the capital of South Sudan’s largest state.
Reported by Matata Safi Government ready for ‘unconditional dialogue’ with MacharJUBA, 21 December 2013 (NASS) - The Government has re-echoed its readiness to dialogue with Dr. Reik Machar and his group provided there are ‘no conditions’ attached to the talks.
A ministerial delegation comprising of ministers and high level Officials from Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Somali, Sudan and Uganda, as well as the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security was dispatched on Thursday to Juba, by the Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia, at his capacity as the Chair of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to help broker peace between the Government and Dr. Reik following his ‘foil coup attempt’.
The delegation held meetings with HE Salva Kiir Mayardit and key Government officials on their two-day visit. IGAD played a key role in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement negotiations, ending Africa’s longest civil war that culminated into the independence of South Sudan in July 2011.
Making the remarks on Friday, Hon. Michael Makuei lueth, the minister of Information and Broadcasting and the Official Government Spokesperson, said the regional body is welcome to mediate talks between the Government, that he said is ready any time and Dr Machar. He said Government without any condition is ready to dialogue with any rebel group including Dr. Riak Machar whose whereabouts remains unknown.
The head of the IGAD Foreign Ministers, Tedros Adhanom reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to seek solutions to the political unrest in the country.
Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, News Agency of South Sudan (NASS) AU welcomes the IGAD Ministerial Mission to South SudanADDIS ABABA 20 December 2013 - The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, says the African Union continues to closely follow the evolution of the situation in South Sudan.
Tribal tendencies must end, President Kiir urgesJUBA, 19 December 2013 - President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan is calling on the public to discard tribal tendencies that ‘some people’ are linking the failed coup attempt to. “These tribal tendencies are what we must stop once and for all. We believe in diversity, we are so many, if we turn to tribalism, we can’t move forward”, President Kiir told a news conference at his Office on Wednesday.
The President said what happened on Sunday night must not be labeled as an ethnical fight between the Dinka and the Nuer tribesmen. "The Dinka are the majority of those arrested, if it was the Dinka against the Nuer or visa versa, why are the Dinkas arrested, why the Bari, why the Muru, Chollo Shuluk, and why the Lotukawi,? Kiir Pondered.
Let us embrace ourselves as South Sudanese, President Kiir stressed while addressing the nation. South Sudan, he said is a country for all South Sudanese. He warned those who may want to take the law into their hands that the long arm of the government will get them. "Those who might have killed a person or persons will be taken to court and face the law. President Kiir said some arrests have been made. The president said its the right of every South Sudanese to be pretected.
Two years after gaining it’s hard earned independence, South Sudan on Sunday came under attack in what would later be a foiled coup attempt. The Government is accusing the fugitive former VP of being behind failed coup. However President Kiir said he has not ruled out possibility of dialogue with his former vice.
Reported by our staff writer IGAD to dispatch a high level ministerial delegation to South SudanJUBA, 19 December 2013 – Please click here to read the Statement of the 409th African Union Peace and Security meeting on the situation on South Sudan. Total normalcy has been restored in JubaJUBA, 19 December 2013 – South Sudan ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has issued an assurance to the foreign diplomatic corps, UN and international organizations accredited to the Republic of South Sudan that civil tranquility has been fully restored following the ‘aborted coup of former Vice President Riek Machar’.
As a sign of normalcy, the ministry in a media advisory said Juba International Airport has resumed domestic and International flights; Government ministries at the federal and state levels are discharging theirs duties and businesses across Juba town are open.
‘The ministry of Foreign Affairs can now assure the South Sudanese public and the world at large that Government security forces are in absolute control of the situation. There is therefore no need to panic or engage on haphazard evacuation”, the press advisory signed by the minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin read in part.
More so, the ministry refuted reports particularly in the international media that having been trying to define the ‘failed coup’ along lines of ethnicity.
“The ministry would like to assure the public and the international community that the attempted coup had nothing to do with ethnicity but rather with the power ambitions of Riek Machar and his co-potters. It suffices to mention that out of 11 politicians now detained, only two hail from Nuer Community. This message has been made clear to all communities in South Sudan, including civil society and church leaders”, Dr. Benjamin stressed.
He said any attempt to portray the coup, as an ethnic conflict must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. He said as spelt by the President and Chairman of the ruling party Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM), both the Government and the ruling party have made public commitment to peaceful transfer of power through legitimate and democratic means. Any attempt to use force to seize power, he said should not be condemned but firmly dealt with.
Reported by our staff writter
Juba Airport to re-open by WednesdayJUBA, 17 December 2013 –The Government has ordered the reopening of Juba International Airport, two days after it was closed down following what the Government has described as ‘a failed coup attempt’. Flights, both domestic and international are expected to resume operations by Wednesday December 18, the Official Government Spokesperson has said.
Air and road transport has been crippled in the Capital Juba since Sunday. Hon. Micheal Makuei, also minister of Information and Broadcasting made the announcement earlier today after a security meeting convened at the Office of the President, chaired by the President H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit.
He called on the water suppliers, bakeries and other essential service providers to resume providing ‘these services’ to the people. Furthermore, he called on people who fled their homes, including those currently camping in the United Nation Compounds to return to their homes.
Ten people suspected to be behind the foil coup plot have reportedly been arrested, while five more including Dr. Riek Machar are still at large, Hon Makuei said.
Coup has nothing to do with Nuer as tribe
The Governor of Upper Nile State Simon Kun Pouch, said people must restrain from defining the foiled coup attempt on tribal lines of Nuer or Dinga, saying it has nothing to do with tribes.
“There are people out there saying, what has happened is between the Dinka and the Nuer tribesmen, we the leaders of this country would want state here that this is not true”, said Governor Kun. If you see the people going with Dr. Riek, some are Dinkas, some are Chol, Nuer and other tribes, he explained.
Governor Kun said those ‘yarning’ for power should not do so through violent means but rather wait for election. He said people who want to divide people along lines of tribes are enemies of peace.
Another senior Nuer leader Dr. Riek Gai Kok, who is the national minister of Health strongly condemned the mutiny and urged the group from misinforming the public. “What happened is not a Nuer or Dinka thing, let them not spoil the name of Nuer tribe” Dr. Gai remarked.
Don’t be allowed to be used- Youth leader
The chairman of the Youth SPLM Youth League, Akol Paul Kordit has urged the youth to refuse being used to fight wars that have meaning especial after many decades of civil war. He said President Kiir Mayardit who spent most of his time fighting for the freedom of South Sudan, would want to see the youth ‘fighting for Masters, Degrees or PHDs’ but not to be fighting physical wars.
“All the lives that we lost in this ‘uncalled-for incident’ is a lost to our country” Kordit who is Member of Parliament in the national Assembly noted. He called on the youth both in uniform and civilian clothes to preserve peace.
The injured require blood-Gender minister
Over 130 injured people are receiving treatment at the main referral hospital Juba though authorities say some are in desperate need of blood. Hon Awut Deng, the minister of Gender Social Welfare said many of the victims arrive at the hospital when they have insufficient blood due to over bleeding.
She called on the general public to move in to donate blood, provide food among others. He said doctors are waiting to receive donors.
Reported by Matata Safi Ten arrested over failed coup attemptJUBA, 17 December 2013 – Ten people have been arrested in Juba in connection with the failed coup attempt on Sunday against the democratically elected Government of the Republic South Sudan, the government has announced.
In a press statement at the Office of the President this morning, Hon Micheal Makuei named those arressted as:
1. Oyay Deng Ajak
Five of the members including ‘the leader’ Dr. Riek Machar are still at large, Hon Makuei said. He named the others as:
1. Alfred Ladu Gore
“Those who are still at large will be apprehended, according to our sources, some of them have moved out of Juba town towards the Terekeka areas, north of the Capital Juba, probably with the intention of moving towards the base of Dr. Reik……….. Whether they will reach there is a situation that we will wait to see” Hon. Makuie said.
The minister also said President Kiir early today held a meeting with the leaders and elders of Nuer community in order to clarify the ‘misleading information’ that Nuer as a tribe is been targeted. "The composition of the people involved dismisses this remour.. these people are from various states of South Sudan with only one of them from the Nuer tribe, Mikuei reiterated while said this should be seen a a coup attempted by a group of people not a tribe.
Reported by Matata Safi President Kiir declares curfew in JubaJUBA, 16 December 2013 – The president of the Republic of South Sudan H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit has imposed curfew over Juba city following heavy gunfire that started in the Saturday December 15, in the city and its suburbs. The situation is under control; The curfew, the president says takes immediate effect.
"In response to the criminal acts of yesterday committed by this disgruntle group and for the sake of the security and safety of our citizens I declare curfew in Juba as to be observed from 6PM to 6AM with immediate effect from today, December 16, 2013 until further notice. Security organs are hereby directed to allow the residents of Juba to go about doing their normal work and move freely during the day light hours. The security organs will also undertake full investigation into these incidents and the government will ensure that the culprits answer for their crimes before the appropriate law institutions" President Kiir reiterated.
In a press briefing in the early hours of the day, President Kiir called for calm among the citizens while assuring that “the Government is doing all it can to make sure the citizens are secured and safe”.
Please click here to read the full text of the president's statement Registration of media houses has been misinterpreted, says Information ministerJUBA, 14 December 2013 – The order by the ministry of Information and Broadcasting to register all media houses and freelancer journalists operating in South Sudan has been ‘ultimately misinterpreted’, Hon. Micheal Makuei has said.
In a press briefing on Friday, Hon. Makuei, said the objective of the registration exercise is to “organize and regulate the media as opposed to what has been perceived as ‘a crack down on freedom of expression’.
Secondly as revenue generating entity, the registration process Hon. Makuei said, ought to ensure that media houses stand up to their obligation of paying taxes as required by law. “There is no where in the World where you get a media house or a journalist operating without being registered. It is only in South Sudan that such a thing is happening”, Hon Makuei who is also the official government Spokesman said.
“In order for the ministry to come in and protect ‘journalist X and Y’ against any harassed or arrested, they [journalists] need to first register with the us, There is no way we will just go out there to protect whoever claims to be a journalist,” Hon. Makuei stressed.
Since 2006, the media houses in the country have been operating without being organized and regulated, the minister noted. “The fact that a mistake has been committed does not mean that it must not be corrected. The way my directive was understood, the way it was interpreted and passed to the public was distorted”, Hon. Makuei remarked.
The minister called for professionalism in what is commonly referred to as the ‘third arm of the government’. “I always insist the media must be responsible, accountable and transparent, Responsible in the sense that you report exactly what happened, don’t deviate and make misleading statements and reports”, Makuei urged.
Majority of the media houses, print, broadcasting and online news agencies have already adhered to the exercise. He said. Hon. Makuei however was quick to say that a good number of media houses exist only by name. They are not operational and are not paying taxes, he said adding that the government will deregistered such companies should they fail operate.
He told the media houses that are resisting his directive to choose between waiting for the establishment of the media Authority or register with the ministry which in the absence of the authority is the responsible of regulating the press.
The UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan Toby Lancer on Thursday called on journalists to be fair and professional in their day to day reporting. He said it is important for Journalists to double-check their sources when writing or broadcasting on the radios.
“Do not just pick up some rumor on the streets and belief its true. It is important that the media is professional and contributes to the development of the country. Do not write stories or share things that will contribute to or incite violence”, Lancer said while addressing media houses in a ‘meet and greet’ organized by the United Nations Communications Group. He underlined UN’s commitment to upholding freedom of the press in South Sudan.
Reported by Matata Safi Graduates tipped on getting start-up loansJUBA, 13 December 2013 - Graduates of vocational training institutions have been urged to form themselves into groups in order to improve their chances of getting start-up loans from banks and micro-finance institutions. National Labour Undersecretary Madam Hellen Achiro Lotara said by forming groups or cooperative societies the graduates would be pooling their resources and reducing the risks involved in running businesses.
Kiir in Nairobi to attend Kenya’s jubilee independence celebrationsNAIROBI, 12, December 2013 - President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan is expected to be among the 19 heads of states to grace Kenya’s jubilee independence celebration at Safaricon Stadium today.
President Kiir arrived in Nairobi from the South African Capital Johannesburg on Wednesday, after bidding farewell to the human dignity Icon, Nelson Mandela who died a week ago. President Kiir and the accompanying delegation was warmly received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Senoir Kenyan Officials.
Kenya attained independence from British rule in December 12, 1963 with Jomo Kenyatta, father of Kenya’s incumbent President Uhuru Kenyata becoming the first president of the country.
Reported by Thomas Keneth CE minister meets transport minister over construction of New Juba BridgeJUBA, 12 December 2013 – Central Equatorial minister of physical infrastructure Hon. Jimmy Wongo on Tuesday met with the national deputy minister of Roads and Transport to Hon. Simon Mijok Mijak to discuss the plea of the community whose livelihood will be affected by the construction of the proposed new bridge across the Nile.
Peace and reconciliation committee endorses 2014-2016 action planJUBA, 12 December 2013 (NASS) - The National healing, Peace and reconciliation committee has endorsed it plan of action for the 2014 – 2016, which will include the consultations at all levels, state and national levels. The plan come as a result of the second meeting of committee held in Kuron Village of Eastern Equatoria state on 6, December, the chairperson of the committee Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul said.
ZTE corporation company donates computers to Information MinistryJUBA, 11 December 2013 (NASS) - The ministry of Information and Broadcasting yesterday received twenty (20) Laptops as a Donation from ZTE corporation company in order to enhance the work of the ministry.
Reported by Francis Oliver, News Agency of South Sudan (NASS) South Sudan Pensions Fund Board of Trustees to be appointedJUBA, 11 December 2013 - The government is in the process of appointing the Board of Trustees of the South Sudan Pensions Fund (SSPF). The Undersecretary for Public Service and Human Resource Development, Madam Angeth Acol de Dut, said the SSPF Board would comprise of seven members of high moral integrity appointed by the President.
President Kiir in South Africa for state memorial service of MandelaJOHANNESBURG, 10 December 2013 - The President of the Republic of South Sudan H.E. Gen. SalvaKiirMayardit arrived in Johannesburg yesterday evening heading a high level delegation of Four National Ministers and Senior Officials from South Sudan to participate in the State memorial funeral service of the late freedom icon and former President of South Africa Nelson Madiba Mandela.
“There is no crisis within the SPLM”, Deputy SPLM ChairpersonJUBA, 09 December 2013 – The SPLM top leadership has asserted that there is no crisis in the party as claimed by ‘some elements within the party’.
A group of party members comprising of the former Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, former SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum and some members of the former Cabinet had in a press conference held in Juba last Friday accused the leadership of the ruling party of deviating from the party’s initial vision, direction and corruption among other things.
The party on Sunday issued a press statement where it described the group as “some disgruntled elements” within the party whose intention is to “discredit and distort facts” about the SPLM leadership.
In the press statement read out by the Vice President of the Republic and Deputy SPLM Chairperson H.E James Wani Igga, the SPLM Political Bureau accused the group of using cheap propaganda of ‘Garang boys and anti Garang’ with the intention to divide the people of South Sudan.
“These people are a disgruntled group united by one common cause of having lost power or influence either in the party or in the government. This comes out clearly in their words, whether spoken or written”, the press statement issued by a committee of the party’s Political Bureau and National Liberation Council stated.
“To us in the SPLM, we are more mindful of the vision and the core values of the liberation movement so much that we don’t see our struggle in the narrow lenses of those who referred to other people as “anti Garang” elements. We all cherish our dear iconic leader Dr. John Garang de Mabior who undoubtedly brought this freedom for the people of South Sudan and nobody in his rightful mind could categorize or stigmatize any SPLM cadre as Garang’s boy or anti Garang”, the statement read in part.
Meanwhile, the SPLM has called for the 3rd National Liberation Council (NLC) scheduled for Monday (today) to pass the party’s basic documents consisting of the constitution, code of conduct and the party manifesto. “If these comrades are genuine, they should raise their “so-called crisis or deviations” in the NLC or subsequently in the Political Bureau meeting”, the Vice President stressed.
The party leadership has cautioned the group against inciting the army and threatening to create instability, ‘chaos and disorder’ and falling into an ‘abyss’. The Vice President said the ‘gate as compared to the narrow door’ is open for dialogue within the party.
The Vice President also announced that every member of the SPLM party is welcome for Monday NLC meeting.
Click here to read the full statement.
Reported by Matata Safi South Sudanese students graduate from Kenyan UniversitiesNAIROBI, 9 December 2013 - Over thirty South Sudanese students were among thousands of graduands at the University of Nairobi and Mt. Kenya University on Friday, 06th December 2013. The South Sudanese graduands on Sunday organized community gathering at Harlequin recreational grounds in Nairobi to celebrate this important achievement.
Mandela has been a true symbol of reconciliation, says KiirJUBA, 07 December 2013 (NASS) - The Government of the Republic of South Sudan on Friday joined the rest of the World in extending its condolences to the people and the Government of the Republic of South Africa following the sudden death of the former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela.
Invest in South Sudan, Kiir urges France InvestorsPARIS, 07 December 2013 - President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Friday on sidelines of the Peace and security meeting, taking place in the France Capital Paris, held meetings with a group of France Investors headed by Mr. Lous Duvernois.
President Kiir urged the France Investors to came and invest in South Sudan. He described the Investment laws of the country as “good and attractive” .He said the new country has enormous investment opportunities in infrastructures, agriculture and education.
In a related develop, the president also met with the UN Secretary General Mr.Pan Ki Moon were they discussed matters of bilateral interest. Present on the Friday meeting was Dr. Marial Benjamin Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. President Kiir on Thursday led a high delegation comprising of senior Government Officials to Paris to attend the summit on peace and security in Africa.
South Sudan’s Ambassador to Paris Dr. Andrew Akon Akech Kuol stressed the importance of the Summit saying it will discuss peace and Security and environment challenges affecting the African continent. Andrew said “security in Africa is big concern to the France Government especially the case of Central Africa Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC” He noted that Paris also want to strengthen its cooperation with the African Continent.
Reported by Mabith Ring First South Sudan Investment Conference closes at high noteJUBA, 06 December 2013 - After two days of intense discussion and investment promotion, South Sudan’s inaugural Investment Conference has finally come to an end in the capital, Juba. The Hon. Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. James Wani Igga closed the two-day Investment Conference at Freedom Hall.
The Conference is part of a broader national policy to attract investments in and into South Sudan, and was organised by the Government of South Sudan in collaboration with development partners, led by Netherlands government, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Denmark, UK Aid and USAID.
Speaker after Speaker discussed the potential investment areas for South Sudan in mining and petroleum, in forestry, tourism and animal resources; in infrastructure development including electricity and dams; housing, roads and water transport. Investors already in South Sudan, such as SABMiller South Sudan, Coca Cola South Sudan, Kinyeti Capital, Stanbic Bank, among others, underscored the opportunities in investing in South Sudan and applauded the rapidly improving investment climate.
Speaking on the issue of Regional Integration, the Minister of Finance, Commerce, Investment & Economic Planning, Hon. Aggrey Tisa Sabuni said that South Sudan has applied to join the East African Community. Highlighting the advantages of integration, he said, “Regional integration will promote best practice in business, as well as improve South Sudan’s legal framework”, hence improve South Sudan’s import and export competitiveness. He added that “through integration, South Sudan will be seen as a credible place to invest with a larger market, and as a result, investments into the country will increase”.
In his closing remarks, H.E. the Vice President, Mr. James Wani Igga commended the 900 delegates who had made it to the Conference, and stated that the Government of South Sudan is fully committed to building a strong and competitive private sector driven economy in South Sudan. “We therefore recognize that the private sector is central to the realization of this higher level government objective, and will pursue this policy agenda in close partnership with the private sector, our development partners and other key stakeholders in the economy”, he said.
President Kiir in Paris to attend summit on peace and securityJUBA, 06 December 2013 – President Salva Kiir Mayardit left the country for Paris, capital of France yesterday to participate in the summit on peace and security in Africa, the press Secretary in the Office of the President Ateny Wek Ateny said in a press release issued on Thursday.
Reported by Matata Safi
Former South African president Mandela has died
JUBA, 6 December 2013 – Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first democratically elected black president who led a peaceful transition from minority white rule has passed on. Mandela aged 95 died at his home on Thursday night, the BBC has reported.
Day 2 of the investment conference continues
JUBA, 5 December 2013 - The South Sudan Investment Conference is on its second and last day. The conference, the first of its kind since the country got its independence two years ago is attended by more than 400 foreign delegates and 140 local investors, beside Senior Government officials and development partners.
The aim of this conference is to showcase to local, regional and international investors the business and investment opportunities in South Sudan.
“The Government of South Sudan is greatly encouraged by the strong interest shown by both domestic and international business community in this Investment Conference. I have been informed that many more businesses, both local and foreign, would have liked to participate but the circumstances could not allow them to come.
South Sudan, he said is ready and open to business. God has blessed us and endowed our young country with vast resources, in terms of fertile lands, forests, water resources, mineral and petroleum resources among others. We must work collectively to exploit these resources for the benefit of our people he added.
“The time to invest in South Sudan is now, not tomorrow. Let me also take this opportunity to remind all investors that successful business is about venturing and taking a business risk. Those who wait too long will miss the vast investment opportunities that our country offers”, HE Kiir stressed the urgency for investment in the World’s newest nation.
He called for investors and local people to join hands in the quest to develop south Sudan. To our citizens, I say, partner with foreigners and learn all you can about international business and investment practices. To our foreign partners, I say, work with the citizens of South Sudan and benefit from the local knowledge and support for your business, President Kiir noted. He said investment in South Sudan should be a win-win for both our foreign partners and our citizens.
The African continent is of high priority to the World Bank said Cheikh Uomar Seydi IFC’s Director for Eastern and southern Africa. Last year only, the World Bank invested $5Billion Us Dollars, a significant business growth in the Continent compared to 164 Billion 10 years ago, explained Mr. Uomar.
In South Sudan, he said IFC has been supporting Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs), Private sector as well as working with the Government in putting in place the necessary regulatory and legal frameworks to create supporting investment environment.
To demonstrate IFC’s commitment in South Sudan, he said the organization has begun directly investment in the private sector. He said IFC will continue to look for more opportunities for more investment.
The US Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth has urged investors in South Sudan to take advantage of the country’s eligibility to export freely to the American markets through the AGOA intuitive.
“South Sudan like any other country has its own challenges, we have gone through some of these challenges and I'm happy we are growing and we will continue to grow” said Dr. Okurut Joseph, founder and Director of De Genesis Medical Services in Juba. He outlined energy and funding as the major bottlenecks affecting investors in South Sudan.
Reported by Matata Safi “Time to invest in South Sudan is now…” Says President KiirJUBA, 4 December 2013 – The President of the Republic, HE Salva Kiir Mayardit is calling on both domestic and foreign investors to take advantage of the existing investment opportunities in the country “now and stop waiting for tommorow".
While officially opening a two-day investment conference in Juba, the capital of South Sudan this morning, President Kiir said “Successful business is about venturing and taking risks, those who wait too long may miss out the first investment opportunities that the country offers”.
Reported by Matata Safi South Sudan Investment Conference starts tomorrowJUBA, 03 November 2013 – Juba International Airport has for the last few days witnessed an increased number of passengers arriving into the country as the clock zeros down to the two-day (December 4-5), investment conference to be held in Juba, South Sudan.
The conference has attracted wide interest and more than 400 delegates from 55 countries are expected to attend. An additional 150 are expected from within the country. By the standards of such events these are outstanding figures. The President of the Republic, H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit is expected to deliver the keynote address in the conference to be held at Freedom Hall.
The interest shown in the conference is not without good reason. The target audience and product have been identified. Through the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture the organisers initially identified regional and continental interest. Further, countries outside Africa were prioritized. Evidence of serious interest in investing in South Sudan has already been demonstrated by 40 business proposals already submitted by participants. “South Sudan is a new country with a lot of untapped investment opportunities. For us, it means a new market”, said Liu Qingfeng, the Vice General Manager of Qinhuangdoa TongLian Group, a Chiness ccompany dealing in exporting industries materials and machinery to most Northern and Eastern African countries.
The aim of this conference is to showcase to local, regional and international investors the business and investment opportunities in South Sudan thus crafting a clear roadmap for its diversification programme. The conference will additionally, provide a platform for political leaders and decision makers of South Sudan to interact with investors and CEOs to spearhead the transformation process through open dialogue on South Sudan challenges and opportunities.
“This investment conference is very important for the region in that it brings about integration of the region. Many South Sudanese investorss will be able to share experiences and ideas with the brothers from the region and beyond”, said Hassan Robleh Mohamoud, Djibouti’s ambassador to South Sudan. he said about six companies from Djibouti will take part in the two-day conference.
The conference, which has been organized by the South Sudan Investment Authority with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is expected to promote investment services and not be an end in itself. The conference is expected to offer a special opportunity for partnership between South Sudan businesses and foreign companies.
Already, 60 businessmen have been trained on how to create such partnerships through Danish Government funding and they are expected to participate in the Conference. As of today, over 120 delegates had already arrived.
Reported by Matata Safi
Gov’t to closely work with private VTCs, says Public Service UnderscretaryJUBA, 30 November 2013 - The government will work closely with private vocational training centres (VTCs) to ensure vocational training offered in the country meets international standards.
Madam Hellen said the Ministry in collaboration with other stakeholders was working on a national vocational training policy which once approved would ensure that public and private vocational training institutions provide quality education to the youth.
“It is the duty of the Ministry of Labour and Public Service to regulate and provide guidelines for the operations of vocational training institutions. We are working with private VTCs in order to harmonise vocational training curricula in the country,” said Madam Hellen, adding that harmonisation would ensure that vocational training provided locally was recognised nationally and internationally.
The Undersecretary also urged development partners offering assistance to the Republic of South Sudan in the vocational training sector not to limit their efforts to public VTCs but to extend their support to private institutions as well.
Madam Hellen was speaking in the Ministry boardroom when she received a delegation from the St Vincent de Paul Society of England and Wales who had paid a courtesy call on her. The society runs the St Vincent de Paul vocational training at Lologo in Juba.
Noting that no government has the capacity to employ all jobseekers, the Undersecretary said livelihood skills gained from vocational training would enable the youth to either get into employment or create jobs for themselves.
The delegation which was led by Mr Ian Mawdsley from the UK and Dr Bertram Gordon, the Executive Manager of the Society’s projects in South Sudan, pleaded with the government to exempt training equipment and vehicles meant for vocational training institutions from being charged import duty.
They said the goal of the Society was to provide vocational training that responds to the needs of the labour market in the country, adding that vocational skills were the pillars of development in any country emerging from years of devastating conflict.
Reported by Simon Owaka RSS First Lady in AbujaABUJA, NIGERIA 29 November 2013 - The Republic of South Sudan First Lady Her Excellency Mary Ayen Mayardit arrived in Abuja on Tuesday for a two-day official visit to Federal Republic of Nigeria to part in the Seventh Summit of the African First Ladies Peace Mission. Upon arrival in Abuja, Her Excellency Ayendit was received by her Counter-part the First Lady of Federal Republic of Nigeria, who is also the President of African First Ladies Peace mission Her Excellency Patience Good luck Jonathan.
The mission was fully established in 2012.Madam Onwuzurumba said all the African First Ladies are members of the peace mission including South Sudan, but so far she said only 33 First Ladies out of 54 have been active. She called on all first ladies to be part of the mission.
5th Edition of Public Service Mirror magazine outJUBA, 28 November 2013 - The national Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development has published the 5th edition (April-October 2013 issue) of its quarterly magazine, the Public Service Mirror.
The theme of the current issue is the securing of funding by the Government of South Sudan for the RSS/IGAD Capacity Enhancement Initiative from the Royal Norwegian Government. Also in this must-read issue are the key developments in the labour, public service and human resource development sectors in the 7-months period. Here is a soft copy of the magazine.
Please click here to download the magazine Bentiu oil refinery Construction to commence before next yearJUBA, 27 November 2013(NASS) – The construction of the Bentiu oil refinery is set to commence before next year, the Russian ambassador to South Sudan Sergey Shishkin has said. Ambassador Shishin said his Government is committed to “practical cooperation” with the Government of South Sudan aimed at uplifting standards of leaving in the country.
Work at what is “expected” to be the country’s first home refinery has been delayed mainly due to bad roads caused by the recent floods, which impeded delivery of the required equipment.
Ambassador Shishin who made the remarks while meeting with the Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin today, said the Russian Government in collaboration with the Government will also build the road connecting Bentiu and Juba.
He further said plans are underway to bring in Russian technologies for boosting agriculture besides setting up international and modern business centers in Juba.
In another news development, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) office in juba has announced the expected visit of its president to Juba is “to see for himself the performance of the Organization”.
The head of ICRC in South Sudan, Melker Mabek said the ICRC president’s visit is “to see for himself the performance of the Organization and she said he is expected to hold number of meetings with the Senior Government officials. Mabek said the president would also some visit areas where humanitarian assistance is much needed. The International committee of the Red Cross is planning to conduct training courses for the SPLA on humanitarian laws, Mabek noted.
Reported by Martin Jada Martin, News Agency of South Sudan (NASS) Latest Republican DecreeJUBA, 27 November 2013 - President of the Republic H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit on November 26 issued a Republic Decree No.87/2013 for the Relieve of the Minister of Environment of the Republic of South Sudan. Third Governors’ Forum kicks off in JubaJUBA, 26 November 2013 (JUBA) – The annual South Sudan Governors’ forum has kicked off today in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. Official opened by South Sudan President H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit, the forum is being attended by the Vice President James Wani Igga, all the governors of the ten states, members of the Legislature, key ministers and development partners.
Reviewing the acheivements and challenges facing service delivery, reviewing the progress made in the implementation of the resolutions and recommentations of the Second Governors' forum, focusing on priority areas for implemetnation of South Sudan development plan 2011-2013 and exploration of cross-cutting issues of a strategic nature across the country are the four major objectives the forum strives to achieve.
Since 2006, the Office of the President through the Directorate of Decentralization and Intergovernmental Relarions has been organizing a number of Governors' forums aimed at fast tracking service delivery.
Foreign Affairs minister awarded Honorary Doctorate for peace & good governanceNAIROBI, KENYA 26 November 2013 (NASS) –South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister, Hon Barnaba Marial Benjamin,has been awarded Honorary Doctorate of humane by the Kenyan College of Accountancy (KCA) in recognition of his role in promoting peace and good governance in the region.
In a colorful occasion held over the weekend, Hon Benjamin was selected out of twenty African leaders for the prestigious doctoral award after being found unique and exemplary leader, according to the University Council.
KCA (Kenyan College of Accountancy) was established through the help of British council in 1989 to provide much needed skills in accountancy that both the Kenyan Government and the private sector required. Today forty percent of the Kenya’s accountants come from KCA.
Speaking after the award, Hon. Benjamin thanks the University for recognizing leaders from South Sudan saying such a spirit will make the region become stronger to face the challenge of this century.He also pleaded for the extension of similar university to the country to help address the accounting challenges that the young country is facing.
KCA Vice Chancellor Noah Midamba promised to establish a similar University In Bentiu of the Unity state and also promised to conduct trainings South Sudanese in the fields of energy to help address the issues of petroleum and mining management in the country.
He said plans are already underway in partnership with experts from Israel and Trinidad to develop capacity of South Sudanese in the oil industry.
Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, News Agency of South Sudan (NASS) “Payment of salaries a priority", Finance ministryJUBA, 26 November 2013 - Despite recovering from an 18-month oil shutdown, the Ministry of Finance, Commerce, Investment and Economic Planning continues to prioritize payment of salaries to all Government spending agencies, a press release issued on Monday by the ministry stated.
Reported by Matata Safi Juba Hospital to have undisrupted power supply, says Cabinet Affairs ministerJUBA, 26 November 2013 - Juba Teaching Hospital and other essential institutions will witness undisrupted power supply and clean drinking water for the next six months, a senior Government official has said.
Reported by Abdulrazig Juma Abdall Ministers may soon be required to sign performance contracts, VP IggaJUBA, 22 November 2013 - The government has set in motion plans to transform the civil service as part of measures to improve the delivery of public services. Vice President James Wani Igga said the Council of Ministers had agreed to adopt performance management throughout the government whereby Ministers will be required to sign one-year performance contracts based on projects derived from the mandates of their respective ministries.
VP chairs the Government donors round table meetingJUBA, 22 November 2013 (NASS) - The vice president of the Republic, Hon. James Wani Igga today chaired the Government Donors round table at the ministry of Information and broadcasting meeting Hall, the Government Donors round table was establish by the multi Donors trust fund during the interim period.
Cabinet Affairs minister warms traders of hiking commodity pricesJUBA, 22 November 2013 (NASS) - The minister for cabinet affairs Martin Elia Lomoro warned traders against hiking prices of commodities such as fuel, water, and food items in the country.
3rd Africa-Arab Summit begins in KuwaitKUWAIT CITY, KUWAIT 19 November 2013 - With participation of 77 Arab and African Countries including South Sudan, the Third Africa- Arab Summit commenced today in Freedom Conference Hall in Kuwait City under the theme “ Partners in Development and investment”.
Kuwait Economic Development Fund to Construct Juba Malakal RoadKUWAIT CITY, KUWAIT 19 November 2013 - President Kiir in a meeting held today at Bayan Palace with the Director General of Kuwait Fund for Economic Development Mr. Abdulwahab al- Buder discussed developmental issues in South Sudan in a meeting.
Reported by Thomas Kenneth H.E Kiir meets President of Zain Group CompanyKUWAIT CITY, KUWAIT, 19 November 2013 - President Kiir in the margins of the third Africa- Arab summit in Kuwait on Monday met with the President of Zain Group Company Mr. Asaad Ahmed Al-Biniwan and his delegation.
[Photo: Thomas Kenneth]
H.E Kiir arrives in Kuwait for the African-Arab summitJUBA, 18 November 2013 - The President of the Republic of South Sudan H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit arrived in Kuwait City on Sunday 17th Nov. 2013, leading a high level delegation from Republic of South Sudan to participate in the third Africa-Arab Summit scheduled for 19th – 20th Nov. 2013 in Kuwait City, the Capital of Kuwait State.
Besides, President Kiir is also expected to hold series of meetings with a number of heads of state and governments of Africa and Arab Countries currently taking parts in the summit.
Egyptian investors express interest to invest in South SudanJUBA, 17 November 2013 – A group of Egyptian investors have expressed interest to invest in South Sudan in the areas of aviation, river transport, road and bridges construction, the
After a meeting with Egypt’s Minister of Trade and Industries Hon. Gala M.Elaswy, Hon. Mijak told journalists on Friday that a high level delegation from Egypt is expected to arrive in Juba soon to present their projects to the ministry. The meeting among other things discussed areas of cooperation between South Sudan and the republic of Egypt, the minister said. Mijak warmly welcomed the idea and said the country needs investors to invest in “these” key areas.
The Egyptian Minister said his visit to Juba is to explore investment opportunities and cooperation between the ministry of transport, roads & bridges and the Egyptian government. Accompanied by some Egyptian businessmen, Hon. Gala further reiterated his delegation interest to construct a beef factory in Juba and a railway line to connect South Sudan with its southern neighbor Uganda.
Reported by Lindri Godfrey Alex RSS to participate in 3rd Africa-Arab Summit in Kuwait CityKUWAIT CITY, 15 November 2013 - The Kuwait City, the Capital of Kuwait will on 19th – 20th Nov. 2013, host the third Africa- Arab summit under the theme “Partners in Development and investment” in which the Republic of South Sudan is expected to participate.
President of the Republic H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit is scheduled to attend. The country's advance team comprising of four National Ministers [Minister of Petroleum, Minister of Health, Minister of Telecommunication and Postal Services and Minister of Roads and Bridges] among other senior government officials arrived in the Kuwait capital on Thursday.
Development and investment, food Security and trade were some of the key talking points in the meeting.
Reported by Thomas Kenneth in Kuwait City South Sudan launches $1.1billion consolidated humanitarian appeal for 2014-16JUBA, 16 November 2013 (NASS) - The government together with the aid agencies on Thursday launched the consolidated humanitarian appeal for 2014-16, unveiling an innovative new direction for humanitarian action in South Sudan.
According to UN OCHA food security for many South Sudanese improved although the number of people are severely food insecure and remain worryingly.
Information minister urges traders to desist from hiking pricesJUBA, 14 November 2013 (NASS) – Information minister Hon. Micheal Makuei Lueth has called on traders to desist from hiking prices in the market.
Central Bank revokes devaluation of South Sudan PoundsJUBA, 13 November 2013 – The central bank of South Sudan has revoked a decision it had taken on Monday to devalue the local currency (South Sudan Pounds) following summon by the country’s parliament.
With most goods imported, the announcement came as a shock to most people throughout the country. Main motorists were seen lining up in petrol stations to refill their tanks in anticipation. Food prices also shotup.
"We need media that promotes culture of tolerance and co-existence", deputy information ministerJUBA, 12 November 2013 – After what was once African’s longest civil war, the two countries of Sudan and South Sudan need a responsible media that promotes the culture of tolerance and peacefully co-existence, the deputy information minister has said.
Hon Racheal Nyadak Paul said the media [Sudanese and South Sudanese] should dialogue in order to report in a manner that narrows the differences that still exist between the two Sudans.
“We all know we have come a long way, the two countries have had enough……..and we are all aware of the past. I believe it is the wish of every Sudanese and South Sudanese to see that the people of the two countries live in peace, and you as the media have an important role to play”, she said.
While underscoring the importance of media, she said media too can be destructive. “Responsible reporting in Juba and Khartoum will encourage the two Governments to consolidate what they have achieved and move forward. But when you [both] distort the message, it will spoil every success that we have made. media is an important instrument which should be governed by laws”, she said.
A media that has no ethics is a media that has no principles, she added. Hon. Nyadak made the comments on Monday while opening a four-day media dialogue at Paradise Hotel in Juba. The dialogue organized by the Deutsche Welle (DW) Akademie drew media stakeholders from both Sudan and South Sudan.
She urged media to apply their professional ethic while reporting, while emphasizing that at the end of the day, regardless of the where journalists belong; their major objective is to promote peace and prosperity.
In September last year, media practitioners from the two countries gathered in Berlin in Germany to discuss the issues that tend to divide the two countries with a view of bring better understanding and cooperation.
Maria Frauenrath, Media training and management consultant with the Germany’s DW said, the Juba media dialogue is a follow up of the Berlin dialogue. Germany, like what used to the Sudan, has the same history with Sudan and South Sudan; history of the two major world wars.
Some times people still refer to the world war despite the many years that have past, she noted. Under a post conflict situation, she said it is important for the media to dialogue and have understandings of the issues at hand. It is always go to have direct contact with the other side, she said.
Reading the September 2012 Berlin Declaration, Frauenrath said the journalists agreed to launch a comprehensive media dialogue to enhance positive reporting, they agreed to work towards creating a common media agenda to enable journalists to shoulder their responsibility in promoting peace and development in both countries.
Furthermore, she said the group called for the adaptation of media code of ethics to address professionalism, hatred and inflammatory language among others, called for journalists to focus on social, economic, cultural issues rather than the political matters.
Prejudices and discrimination, reporting in a crisis region, addressing the crisis between Sudan and South Sudan by positive reporting are some of the key topics the media dialogue seeks to address.
Reported by Matata Safi Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for the upgrading of Nadapal – Juba roadJUBA, 11 November 2013 - The Government of the Republic of South Sudan with assistance from Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) intends to upgrade a 341.2km Nadapal Juba road from gravel to paved (bitumen) standard. This road provides transport connectivity between the capital town of South Sudan (Juba) and various County headquarters (Torit, Budi and Kapoeta) in Eastern and Central Equatoria States.
The preparation of this Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) is intended to provide details on procedures of land acquisition, compensation and resettlement of affected persons. It has been prepared based on the findings of resettlement impact assessment done during the month of July 2010 and April 2013, the latter of which is determined as the cut-off date by the MTRB. The assessment identified the impact on property and income sources of affected persons and document the losses therein (Loss of land, houses, trees etc) within the Right of Way (ROW) of the road upgrading project.
Juba Human Resource Training Centre to be transformed into a management development instituteJUBA, 9 November 2013 - The Human Resource Training Centre at Jebel on the Juba-Yei road will soon be transformed into the South Sudan Management Development Institute.
This was one of the recommendations of a draft strategic plan that was prepared during a five-day workshop convened at the centre by the national Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development.
Speaking when he officially closed the workshop, Mr Deng Chuol Malang, an Adviser to the Minister for Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development said the draft five-year strategic plan when fully implemented would transform the institution into a centre of excellence for training public servants in South Sudan. Deng Chuol said the Ministry would prepare appropriate legislation to accompany the draft when it is presented to the Council of Ministers for approval.
The Adviser said the centre which was built with funding from the African Development Bank was currently not operating to its full capacity due to lack of human, financial and material resources, adding that the proposed plan was meant to address these challenges.
In his remarks, Mr Wilberforce Turyasingura of the Uganda Management Institute who facilitated the workshop, said some of the key priority areas addressed in the draft strategic plan include leadership and management, human and financial resources, infrastructure development, and capacity building.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mr Ephraim Wani Peter said a fully functional South Sudan Management Development Institute would save the government millions of dollars spent in training civil servants abroad.
The workshop which drew participants from government ministries, commissions and the University of Juba was organised by the Pretoria-based Public Administration, Leadership and Management Academy with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency.
Reported by Justin Jada and Simon Owaka 121 Civil servants acquires skills in public financial management and good governanceJUBA, 9 November 2013 - The African Capacity Building Foundation through the South Sudan Capacity Building Project has so far trained 121 senior civil servants in public financial management, good governance, budget preparation, auditing and accounts.
Mr Jacinto Lee, a national consultant at the Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development, further said the training was aimed at equipping civil servants at the national level with professional skills in financial management.
Mr Lee who was closing a five-day training workshop in fiduciary management for 65 top civil servants at a Juba hotel said the government was keen on locally conducted training programmes because practically it was not feasible to train all civil servants abroad.
“We all know that it is not practical for the government to afford training of all civil servants overseas. Please keep up the spirit as this in-country customised training is one of the cost-effective ways of meeting the challenge of training needs in government institutions,” he said.
The workshop was facilitated by the Galilee Management Institute which is based in Israel. Speaking at the workshop, the Undersecretary for Public Service and Human Resource Development, Madam Angeth Acol de Dut, said the government was keen on training all civil servants including director generals, undersecretaries and ministers to enable them perform their duties more efficiently.
“Some of the DGs here might have benefited from a training that we conducted through the Kenya-South Sudan Technical Assistance programme where we sent them to Nairobi for three weeks then followed by one week of attachment in the respective institutions in the Government of Kenya,” said the Undersecretary.
Madam Angeth said the government would appraise the performance of its workers especially on whether training they underwent helped improve service delivery. “Through a training tracker that we have implemented in our Ministry, we want to be able to assess who went for what training, what training they have benefited from, and whether it has really made a difference in the way they do their work,” she said.
The South Sudan Capacity Building Project Coordinator, Mr Peter Juma, disclosed that women constituted 30 per cent of the total number of trainees, adding that 75 per cent of the trainees were officers in the top management of government ministries, commissions and chambers. Mr Juma said the training would go a long way in building the capacity of the trainees in corporate governance, strategic planning, policy making and public finance.
Madam Ayen Alier of the Bank of South Sudan who attended the workshop said the training would help foster change for the better in management of public finances in the country.
The African Capacity Building Foundation, which was established in 1991 and has its headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe works to provide a holistic approach towards capacity building in Africa.
Reported by Justin Jada and Simon Owaka More negotiations on RSS EAC membership to commence in March 2014, SabuniARUSHA -TANZANIA, 9 November 2013 (NASS) – Major negotiations into South Sudan’s application to join the East African Country (EAC) are set to begin in March next year, after a high level delegation from the country completed phase one (assessment) of the negotiation process.
More negotiations will start in March thereafter to be followed by a treaty that shall determine South Sudan’s membership status, South Sudan’s minister of Finance and head of the delegation Hon. Aggrey Tissa Sabuni said on Thursday.
The delegation comprising of ministers, members from national assembly and senior government technocrats made a number of presentations in the EAC headquarter in Arusha, Hon Sabuni said.
Three months after declaration of the country’s independence, South Sudan applied to join the regional economic bloc. The East African Community (EAC) is an intergovernmental Organization comprising five countries namely Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi of the Great lakes region.
Originally founded in 1967, it collapsed in 1977, and was revived again on 7 July 2005. In 2008, after negotiations with the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the EAC agreed to an expanded free trade area including the member states of all three.
The secretary general for the east African fast growing economic bloc the EAC, Dr. Richard Sezibera said the this vibrant body is ready to start negotiations with the South.
Coordination is vital in promoting agro production in the country, state minister of agricultureJUBA, 07 November 2013 – For South Sudan to improve on its agro production and boost food security, there is need for inclusive cooperation and coordination between the national Government and the states Governments, Central Equatoria state minister of agriculture and forestry has said.
He also called on the development partners in the country to support agricultural projects in the states in order to boost food production. Another state minister for Animal Resources and Fisheries Hon Dr. Ghada James Kila urged the citizens to engage in farming if they are to turn away from poverty.
Capacity building, centre for all development initiatives, Labour AdviserJUBA, 04 October 2013 - The government has embarked on the preparation of a five-year strategic plan for the Human Resource Training Centre (HRTC) at Jebel on the Juba-Yei road.
Japan earmarks US $ 300, 000 to support the constitutional review process in South SudanJUBA, O2 November 2013 –The Government of Japan has approved US $300,000 (29,475,000 Japanese Yen) to UNDP to support the constitutional review process in the Republic of South Sudan, a joint press statement issued on Friday by UNDP and Government of Japan Embassy in South Sudan stated.
The funding, provided through the Japan-UNDP Partnership Fund, will support the activities of South Sudan’s National Constitutional Review Commission in holding public consultations, especially with women, supporting media strategies to galvanise public participation, as well as the printing and distribution of the Transitional Constitution 2011,
Ms. Johnson expressed her appreciation for the assistance and acknowledged that the contribution is meaningful to support the elaboration of the constitution in a new country and provides a signal to other partner countries.
Reported by Matata safi Information ministry releases first Government Bulletin publicationJUBA, 01 0ctober 2013- The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for last few months has been working to produced “The Official Government Bulletin”. The first issue of the bulletin was in circulation on Thursday and entails key Government decisions made by both the President and ministers on half of the people of the Republic of South Sudan.
"During this early period of nation building, it is essential that men and women across South Sudan understand what the Government is doing in their name. This process of engagement will help strengthen the foundations of democracy and the values of justice, liberty and prosperity we all hold dear" said the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Hon. Micheal Makuei Lueth Please click here to read the full text of the bulletin Information minister briefs SPLM party on the plans and challenges of the ministryJUBA, 01 October 2013 (NASS) -The minister for Information and Broadcasting Hon. Michael Makuei Lueth yesterday briefed the Sudan people Liberation Movement (SPLM) on the plans and the challenges facing the Ministry.
Reported by Francis Oliver, News Agency of South Sudan (NASS) IGAD Civil Service Support Officers hailed for their role in transforming service deliveryJUBA, 31 October 2013 - An Adviser to the Minister for Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development, Mr John Itorong, has hailed the role played by civil service support officers (CSSOs) in transforming service delivery by the Government of South Sudan.
Mr Serumaga said UNDP remained committed to supporting capacity building and other development efforts in South Sudan. A total of 200 CSSOs from the three countries were deployed at the national and state levels within government ministries, commissions and state governments. Forty two Kenyan CSSOs left the country last May.
ICT powers development, says President KiirKIGALI RWANDA, 30 October 2013 - South Sudan may be the youngest country in Africa however its efforts to promote and establish an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) driven economy are high on the government’s development agenda, President Salva Kiir Mayardit said on Tuesday.
He said this would connect the country within itself and the rest of the World. ICT powers development, it creates jobs for the youth, he said.
Agriculture ministry dispatches a team of crop and food assessment field staff to the ten statesJUBA, 30, October 2013 (NASS) - The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme and other food security NGOs is dispatching a team of crop and food assessment field Staffs to the ten states of South Sudan to assess the level of food security in the country.
President Kiir in Kigali to attend the 3rd Infrastructure and Transform Projects SummitKIGALI, Rwanda 29 October 2013 - Four Heads of the States from the Great Lakes Region on Monday concluded the 3rd Infrastructure and Africa Transform Projects Summit held in Kagali, the capital of Rwanda.
The African Union says it understands the frustration of the Ngok Dinka but condemns the conduct of the unilateral Abyei referendumJUBA, 28 October 2013 - The African Union understands the frustration of the Ngok Dinka community of Abyei in determining their future as provided for by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement but strongly condemns the unilateral referendum to determine the final status of the areas, said the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
“The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana is closely following the situation in the Abyei Area. She has learned, with deep concern, of the organization by the leadership of the Ngok Dinka community of a unilateral “referendum”, to determine the final status of Abyei” a press release issued on Monday by the continental body read in part.
While calling for an immediate halt of the exercise, Dr. Nkosazana said the unilateral act is in violation of the relevant decisions of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), and can only heighten tension on the ground and further complicate the search for a mutually acceptable solution within the framework of existing commitments.
Dr. Nkosazana called the decision to conduct the unilateral Abyei referendum “unacceptable and irresponsible” stressing that it poses a threat to peace and has the potential to trigger an unprecedented escalation on that ground.
Acknowledging with appreciation the rejection by the Government of South Sudan of any unilateral action in Abyei, the Chairperson of the Commission further called on the international community, including the United Nations, to condemn the ongoing unilateral referendum in Abyei, and urged UN to prevail upon those concerned to cease it immediately.
Dr. Dlamini-Zuma called for the expeditious implementation of 20 June 2011 Agreement on Temporary Administrative and Security Arrangements for the Abyei Area. She further welcomed the decisions reached by the Presidents of Sudan and South Sudan during their recent Summit in Juba.
The Chairperson of the Commission said she is looking forward to the forthcoming visit of the PSC to Abyei, and expressed confidence that PSC interactions with all parties concerned can assist in defusing the prevailing tension and facilitate a consensual way out of the crisis, with the support of the AUHIP.
Council of ministers directs for the operationalization of Bashir-Kiir Joint CommuniquéJUBA, 26 October 2013 - The National Council of ministers in its regular meeting of Friday October 25, under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit commended the recent visit of the President of Sudan H.E. Omer El-Bahir and directed all the Government committees for implementation of the Cooperation Agreement to operationalize the Joint Communiqué issued during the visit of H.E Omar el-Bashir and follow up implementation of the Agreements.
Hon. Lueth added, the minister of Foreign Affairs briefed the Council that Chinese Red Cross has donated 50,000 USD for the victims of floods, and the Council appreciated Chinese red cross for the donation. Hon Lueth announced that South Sudan was by mistake declared to be one of the Countries with Polio, explaining that the Global Polio Specialize Laboratory Center for disease control and prevention in USA disclosed that an error occurred during the processing of spacemen in the regional Polio conference laboratory in Kenya, and assured that South Sudan is a Polio free Country.
Reported by Thomas Keneth China grants 1,050,000 USD besides medicines and food in responds to the country’s floodJUBA, 26 October 2013 (NASS) - China has responded to the unprecedented floodds by offering one million and fifty thousand USD cash in grants and preparing for materials assistance expected to reach Juba by next week.
In his remarks after the talks, Dr. Sambo said world health organization has lifted South Sudan from the list of the countries affected with polio. Dr. Sambo however urges the government to keep increasing the coverage of the routine immunizations against polio to secure the country.
EAC to discuss South Sudan’s applicationJUBA, 26 October 2013 - Discussions on South Sudan’s application to join the East African Community (EAC) are set to be held in the first week of November, Tanzania’s Daily News website reported on Wednesday.
A statement from the Secretary General of the East African Community, Dr Richard Sezibera disclosed November 7- 8, as dates for the meeting of the High Level Negotiations to take place in Arusha Tanzania, the headquarters of the East African Community.
A special team from the Republic of South Sudan is expected to travel to Arusha where representatives from EAC Member states of Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania will join them in the task force which will commence its work, and determine rules of procedure and programme, the Daily News added.
During its 27th meeting held last August, the EAC Council of Ministers approved the proposed process of handling the negotiations with the Republic of South Sudan to join the East African Community.
The council then established a High Level Negotiation Team; directed the partner states to nominate three members to the High Level Negotiation Team by 30 September 2013, and directed the Secretariat to thereafter convene a meeting of the High Level Negotiation Team to start the negotiations with the Republic of South Sudan.
Sudan’s application to join the regional body was turned down due to lack of common border with any member country of the East African Community.
Vice President launches country-wide polio vaccination campaignJUBA, 25 October 2013 - Personally vaccinating school children at a hospital in Juba, His Excellency the Vice President James Wani Igga calls on all South Sudanese to ensure every child up to fifteen years old is vaccinated against polio.
In his speech to the people attending the ceremony, the Vice President remarked, “Kicking polio out of South Sudan forever is a high priority for me and for the Government of this country. It is our duty and the duty of everyone in the country to make sure children are vaccinated, we are the youngest nation on earth – and our children are the future of the nation. They are the ones who will make South Sudan great. So let them grow up in a country free of polio,” he said.
The Vice President assured the public that the vaccines were completely safe. “The vaccines that I am about to give personally to these boys and girls and the vaccines that the health workers will be given to all of our children across the country and they are absolutely safe; they will not cause any harm to any child, no matter how old they are.”
South Sudan has been on high alert following polio outbreak in the neighbouring countries, of Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia earlier this year. Three cases were confirmed in South Sudan on September 26 in a two year-old girl in Ikotos County, Eastern Equatoria State, and a two year-old and an eight year-old girls both from Aweil County, Northern Bahr El Ghazal State.
There is no cure for polio, but the disease can be prevented by vaccination. The round of vaccinations officially launched by the Vice President began in October 22 and will last for seven days. The current round will cover all of Eastern, Central and Western Equatoria States and the capital cities of the other States. Further rounds of polio vaccinations will cover all parts of the county from over the coming weeks. The Government and partners are determined reach all corners of the country, despite logistic and security challenges.
The current polio outbreak has also affected children who are older than 5 years. One of the girls infected with polio in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State was eight years old, and several children in Somalia have been in their early teenage years. Because of this, the Minister of Health, Honourable Dr Riek Gai Kok noted, “We are taking extra precaution in the current vaccination campaigns. Instead of vaccinating only children from zero to five years old, as we normally do, we will be vaccinating children from zero to fifteen years old. Older children are also at risk in this current outbreak and they too must be protected.”
The WHO Head of country office, Dr Abdi Aden Mohammed committed WHO’s support towards polio eradication in South Sudan, “We shall continue to provide technical and financial support to South Sudan, including training and facilitating vaccinators to reach every child, develop tools that assist in organizing and implementing relevant health promotion initiatives targeting polio guided by the national health goals and current epidemiological evidence”.
The UNICEF South Sudan Deputy Representative Pelucy Ntambirweki highlighted the importance of partnership in defeating polio, not just in South Sudan, but around the world. “Until the day polio is eradicated, no unimmunized child anywhere is free of risk from the virus,” she told the crowd. Despite the current outbreak, she said, “Progress towards the final defeat of polio is unstoppable. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative aims to eradicate polio by 2018. One day soon, we will completely defeat polio and the world will be free of this terrible disease.” In the long run, the best way to protect children against polio is through polio vaccinations received as part of their routine immunizations. Routine immunization is more cost-effective, and more sustainable than house-to-house campaigns. The Routine Immunization rates have significantly improved in South Sudan over recent years, protecting children from six dangerous childhood diseases, including polio, Ntambirki sai.
Protection against polio increases with each polio vaccination a child receives. Parents, teachers and community leaders need to make sure that all children up to fifteen years old are vaccinated each time polio vaccinators visit their communities. Do not fail your children by leaving them unprotected against this debilitating disease, he added. Vocational training centers to be labour-market drivenJUBA, 24 October 2013 - The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that the training being offered in vocational training centres in South Sudan equips trainees with the relevant practical skills and knowledge for the labour market and self-employment.
President Kiir regrets Twic East killingJUBA, 24 October 2013 – The President of the Republic of South Sudan Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit has condemned in the strongest possible terms the recent killing of unarmed civilians in Twic East County of Jonglei State on Sunday 20th of October 2013 by armed groups operating in the area.
The President deeply regrets the “senseless killing of innocent civilians” that resulted into the loss of 79 lives, including women and children.
South Sudan appeals for the appointment of Abyei referendum chairJUBA, 24 October (NASS) - The government of south Sudan is appealing to the African union to appoint the chairperson of the Abyei Referendum Commission so that it can allow Sudan and South Sudan appoint members into the commission.
He noted that it is difficult at moment for oil companies to operate smoothly because their spare parts are on the other side of the border, which is inaccessible at the moment.
Government distances itself from any unilateral decision to conduct Abyei referendumJUBA, 24 October 2013 (NASS) - The government of the Republic of South Sudan has said it will not be part of any unilateral decision to conduct a referendum in the contested border region of Abyei that is not backed by any status.
Bashir - Kiir agree to form Abyei administrationJUBA, 23 October 2013 – Presidents Omar Hassan El Bashir of Sudan and Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan in a one-day presidential summit concluded yesterday in Juba, agreed to form the joint Abyei administration, Council and police organs.
Abyei, a highly contested region between Sudan and South Sudan according to an African Union proposal was scheduled to conducted a referendum this month, however disagreement on who is eligible to vote has put exercise on the balance. Going by the mood in the well attended conference, the feeling that the two countries are heading towards resolving all the sticky post independence differences is evident.
“President Bashir’s reciprocal visit underscores a strong political will by the two leaders to work closely to create a conducive climate for the two countries to proper economically and to live side by side in sustainable peace and stability” the joint communiqué read by the Secretary General of the Government of South Sudan Hon Abdon Agaw Jok read in part. “The meetings were frank, cordial and fruitful”, Hon. Agaw said.
The government of Sudan also agreed to pay the 2 percent share of oil revenue produced in the Abyei areas including arrears to the Abyei Administration. The following are some of the key areas the two heads of states have agreed on in the meeting:
Reported by Matata Safi “Government does not allow employment of children” says Labour UnderscretaryJUBA, 23 October 2013 - The government does not condone the employment of children in construction sites and other hazardous labour, Labour Undersecretary Madam Hellen Achiro Lotara has said.
Khartoum pledges 5000 tonnes of sorghum to address the floodsJUBA, 22 October 2013 (NASS) – The Republic of Sudan has responded to South Sudan’s appeal by pledging 5000 tonnes of sorghum in aid of humanitarian support to the victims of floods in the country.
Improved tourism sector will create jobs for the youth, says Interior ministerNIMULE, 22 October 2013 NASS – The deputy minister of Interior and Wildlife Conservation Hon. Agustino Wani Jadalla has reiterated the commitment of his ministry in working together with the ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Tourism, Animal Resources, Cooperative and Rural Development to improve the South Sudan tourism sector.
Juba ready to host President Bashir tomorrow, says committeeJUBA, 21 October 2013 - A high level Committee tasked with the preparetions for the expected visit of the President of Sudan H.E Omer Hassan El-Bashir has announced today that all is set for the receiption of the president.
Hon Agau described the expected visit of President El-Bahir as a “new land mark” in the implementation of the nine cooperation agreements signed between Juba and Khartoum in September last year in the Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa. Mr. Abdun Agau expressed hope that Abyei as one of the outstanding issues will be tackled in the presidentail meeting tomorrow.
44 civilians killed by rebels in JongleiJUBA, 21 October 2013 (NASS) – More than 44 civilians were yesterday killed and over 50 people wounded in an attack by rebels in Jonglei state. This was announced this morning by the minister for Information and Broadcasting Hon. Michael Makuei during an interview with Bakhita radio.
RSS appeals for international assistance to manage floodsJUBA, 13 October 2013 (NASS) - The government of the Republic of South Sudan has appealed to the international community for support to help it manage floods currently affecting eight states leaving thousands hungry and displaced.
Over 40 diplomats oriented on the foreign policiesJUBA, 19 October 2013 (NASS) - At least 40 new South Sudanese diplomats have been oriented on communication techniques and methods of how to perform better on foreign policies.
WCC planning a meeting with Khartoum over AbyeiJUBA, 18 October 2013 (NASS) - The World Council of Churches (WCC) is in the process to bring Khartoum on the table to ensure the issue of Abyei is addressed.
A high-powered Ugandan delegation expected in JubaJUBA, 18 October 2013 (NASS) - A high-powered delegation from Uganda will arrive in Juba soon to dialogue with the government of South Sudan on contentious issues that are currently affecting the relations between the two countries.
Poor performance in School and later in life associated with malnutrition, says WFPJUBA, 16 October 2013 – Poor performance at school and later in life is associated with mulnutrition, the UN World Food Program has said. Undernourished girls and boys face barriers in health, in school performance and later, in the workplace, which limit their human potential and their capacity to contribute to the societies in which they live; said the World Food Program (WFP) Executive Director Ertharin Cousin.
Prioritising nutrition today is an investment in our collective global future. The investment must involve food, agriculture, health and education systems, the WFP Executive Director in a press statement today as the world marks world food day.
“Today some 842 million people, more than one in eight people in the world suffer from chronic hunger. Yet even more - around two billion people lack the vitamins and minerals needed to live healthy lives”, Cousin said. If the global community invested US$1.2 billion per year for five years in reducing micronutrient deficiencies, the benefits in better health, fewer child deaths and increased future earnings would generate gains worth US$15.3 billion, she remarked.
“We know that hunger and malnutrition can have negative long-term economic consequences by reducing the earning potential of individuals, Nutrition programmes that bolster children’s cognitive and physical potential are important in South Sudan at a time when the focus is on nation-building and economic development,” said WFP South Sudan Country Director Chris Nikoi.
This year alone, Mr. Nikoi said WFP has delivered special food supplements, designed to treat and prevent undernutrition, to almost 400,000 children, pregnant women and nursing mothers through out the country. “Our nutrition programmes are designed to combat the risk of illness, or even death, in children, and to ensure that undernourished pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers have sufficient nutrients and calories,” he added.
The theme for this year’s World Food Day is Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition. The UN WFP is marking the day by highlighting the power of nutrition to transform individuals, societies and economies, and the need to make it central to all development efforts.
Reported by Matata Safi Korean millionaires to invest in South SudanKAMPALA, 14 October 2013 (NASS) – South Sudan will soon witness a number of investors from Korea coming willingly to invest in diverse natural resources in the country.
South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia agree on measures to control the KaramojaKAMPALA, 14 October 2013 (NASS) - The government of the Republic of South Sudan together with Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia through the support of IGAD have today signed a communiqué in Kampala to disarm and control the movement of the Karamoja group who are raiding cattle and posing insecurity in South Sudan.
South Sudan requests AU for an extraordinary summit on AbyeiKAMPALA, 14 October 2013 (NASS) - South Sudan has requested the African Union for an extraordinary summit on the Abyei referendum whose fate currently hangs in the balance.
South Sudan supports deferral of Uhuru’s case, urges ICC to review justice systemKampala, 13 October 2013 (NASS) - South Sudan has issued a statement supporting the deferral of the ICC case against the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and urging the court to review its justice system.
Government of Eastern Equatoria warns Karamoja cattle raidersKAMPALA, 13 October 2013 (NASS) - The government of Eastern Equatoria State has warned the Karamoja group who ran from a disarmament exercise in Uganda to stop cattle raiding or else the state will be forced to take serious measures against them.
“No African leader shall be tried internationally while in service”, AUADDIS ABABA, 13 October 2013 (NASS) - South Sudan together with the other African countries have adopted one of the most powerful decisions by the African Union preventing African leaders and heads of state from being tried in any international court during their period of service.
However heads of state like the Sudanese President Omer Hassan al Bashir, and the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta will benefit from this decision if the ICC will respect and take it seriouly. President Kenyatta is supposed to appear before the ICC early next month, but the African Union rejected the move urging the ICC to defer the trial.
“If the International Criminal Court does not respond to its request to defer the case of the Kenyan president, the African Union will postpone the trial and make Uhuru not attend the trial till the ICC responds,” said Tedros Adhanom, the Chairperson of the African Union Executive Council.
ADB to establish a public financial management system for the governmentJUBA, 11 October 2013 (NASS) - The African development bank (ADB) in collaboration with the government is in the process of introducing a public financial management system in a bid to easy and improve the management of public funds.
Accept the AU proposal on Abyei, EU Special Envoys urges
JUBA, 9 October 2013 (NASS) - The Special Envoy of the European Union to Sudan and South Sudan, Rosalind Marsden is urging Juba and Khartoum to accept the proposal presented by Thabo Mbeki, on determinig the final status of Abyei.
Latest Republican OrdersJUBA, 8 0ctober 2013 - Please click the following hyperlinks to read the latest Republican Orders Top ANC delegation in Juba to strengthen ties with SPLM
JUBA, 8 September 2013 – A high level delegation from South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) is in Juba for talks aimed at deepening ties with the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLA). The delegation led by the ANC Vice President Cyril Ramaphosa touched down at Juba International Airport this morning and was received by the SPLM Deputy Secretary Hon. Ann Itto.
South Sudan like South Africa gained independence after a long struggle for freedom. There is need for the two ruling parties, with a common historic background to work together in order to serve better the interest of people of the two countries. Hon. Ramaphosa said.
“We will be holding a number of talks with the leadership of the SPLM as directed by our leadership especially President Jacob Zuma, we will exchange views and ideas on how the two parties can serve better the interest of our people both in South Africa and South Sudan” the ANC Vice President said.
While South Sudan under the leadership of the SPLM has achieved it strategic goal of independence, Hon. Ramaphosa said the ANC shall rally behind the party as it embarks on the new path of nation building.
Dr. Itto also the acting Secretary General enlisted empowering the two parties to provide leadership for nation building, empowering and developing women and youth, building solidarity across the region among others as being the key objective of the MOU.
Reported by Matata Safi Government embarks on mass vaccination following measles outbreak in MalakalJUBA, 4 September 2013 - Measles outbreak has been reported in Malakal, the state capital of Upper Nile. Dr Makur Kariom the Undersecretary of the ministry of health said the ministry together with (WHO, UNICEF) having started conducting mass measles vaccination campaign targeting over 31,303 children between the age of 6 months to 5 year.
10 out of 15 suspected measle cases reported from the state’s main referral hospital tested positive during the period of the last one month. Those affected are between the age 6-18 months and they continue to receive treatment at the Malakal Teaching Hospital Hospital, the Dr. Makur said.
Hon. Molale on his part noted the challenges the country is facing in the implementation of the 2013, September corporation agreement with the republic of Sudan saying a successful implementation would bring the much needed development.
Plans to downsize country’s diplomats commenceJUBA, 3 September 2013 (NASS) - The ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has kicked off plans to downsize the country’s missions abroad. A nine member committee was on Monday unveiled and sworn in, and will be tasked with analyzing all the diplomatic missions in relations to their placement and advice the ministry on the next course of action.
Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, News Agency of South Sudan (NASS) Fire guts South Sudan HotelJUBA, 2 September 2013 – Fire has gutted South Sudan hotel for the second time destroying property millions of South Sudanese Pounds. The hotel located along Juba-Ministries roads and behind Millennium Hotel caught fire at around 11am local time.
Asked what could have caused the fire, he said a possibility of an electrical malfunction could have caused the fire though he said a committee would be formed within 24 hours to investigate the fire outbreak.
No deaths or injuries were reported. Many of the people putting up in the hotel were out for work by the time of the fire. The hotel is connected to both Government power and a generator. Mr. Garang however said a number of the hotel electronic gadgets were burned the peivious day after they had switched the power supply to the city power. He said though the problem was later rectified. By the time of the fire outbreak, the hotel he said was running on a generator.
The South Sudan fire brigade and UNMISS fire fighters managed to bring down the fire after nearly one and half hours saving the eastern wing from fire. “This is a great loss, we know how much it cost us to put up this hotel. More than 80 percent of the rooms are burnt, this means that a lot of money has been lost” Garang said.
Scenarios of fre gutting hotels has been common in the past with the now closed Benjing hotel getting burnt twice.
Reported by Matata Safi China pledges 200M Yuan to South SudanJUBA, 2 September 2013 NASS - The government of China has pledged 200 million Chinese Yuan, an equivalent of about three million US Dollars to the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to support the ongoing development efforts in the country, a senoir government official has said.
He said the Vice president besides meeting with the different heads of the states, he is cuurently engaged with the South Sudanese diaspora in Michigan to share with them the challenges and progress the government is making.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||