Africa

May 28, 2016 (JUBA) - The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in South Sudan said it was due to receive 37 new explosive detection dogs as part of an increase in the presence of such dogs throughout the world's youngest nation.

A sniffer dog in South Sudan (UN courtesy photo)

UNMAS, in a statement, said the explosive detection dogs regularly support the UN Police to conduct searches of protection of civilians' sites, cargo and entry points.

The dog will further will help detect prohibited or hazardous items, all of which are swiftly removed by UNPOL so that internally displaced people and others under the protection of the UN mission in South Sudan remain safe from harm.

Currently, UNMAS reportedly has six explosive detection dogs that focus on entry point control and cargo searches.

“In 2015, 19,781 vehicles, 13,587 bags and 970 buildings were searched using these teams,” said UNMAS in a release.

According to UNMAS, on arrival, the dogs will be transferred to temporary kennels in Gumbo, Juba, where they will be acclimatized and paired with future handlers.

“Once the dogs are settled they will be paired with expert handlers who will complete additional training tailored specifically to South Sudan,” further said the UNMAS release.

UNMAS, however, stressed that while some of the dogs will remain in Juba to work at the UN Thom Ping base, UN House, the protection of civilians' sites and at the UN airport, many would be transferred to Bentiu, Bor and Malakal.

The dogs, it stressed, are working animals and have been specially trained to perform the roles they will undertake.

“They are safe and friendly animals and have been screened for illness and disease and received the necessary vaccinations,” further reads the UNMAS statement.

“The welfare of the dogs is of prime importance to UNMAS, as is the safety of the communities within which they will be working,” it added.

(ST)

May 28, 2016 (JUBA) - A senior South Sudanese government official said time should be given for the country's newly formed Transitional Government National Unity (TGoNU) to evolve, at the expense of justice for victims of the atrocities committed during its conflict.

United Nations Security Council meeting which unanimously adopted resolution 2228 (2015) extending the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) June 29, 2015 (UN Photo)

Daniel Awet Akot, a presidential advisor on military affairs, said it was time for the international community to open a new page in relations with Juba and support the implementation of the peace agreement instead of advocating for the establishment of a hybrid court.

Akot said President Salva Kiir took many steps in the implementation of peace accord and it was time to thoroughly follow by ending "a vestige of the Cold War between foreign countries with varying political, security and economic interests in the young country."

“The priority now is the need from the international community to stand with the transitional government of national unity and provide the necessary support to be able to establish itself and function. The second priority is to encourage the parties to build trust and to demonstrate willingness to work together as a team then the time for the rest will come,” Akot told Sudan Tribune Saturday.

“Establishing the court now when the agreement itself has not been implemented is not a priority. It will derail the process”, he added.

A senior diplomat at the country's foreign affairs ministry separately told Sudan Tribune that he prefers implementation of the peace accord remains first priority.

“I think those calling for establishment of hybrid court now are like people trying to put the cart before the horse. It will not work. Establishing the court now implies that officials on both sides who have issues to answer before the court, and who are in the government will not be happy and if they are not happy, it will affect the process”, said the diplomat, who preferred anonymity.

Gordon Buay, a South Sudanese envoy in United States, said establishing a court now “would create chaos” in the country.

“Establishing a hybrid court now will not foster reconciliation. It would increase the level of anarchy, because the parties to the conflict are now in the government. The best way to handle this is to allow them implement the peace agreement”, Buay said Thursday.

His comments came in response to a report by the Enough Project, which advocated for establishment of a hybrid court to try officials who committed atrocities during the war.

The US-based Human Rights Watch said the transitional government of national unity, should ask the African Union to promptly establish the hybrid tribunal envisioned in the August 2015 peace deal to try serious crimes in South Sudan.

“National authorities should also investigate and fairly prosecute human rights violations. The UN peacekeeping mission should also report publicly on the abuses and the government's response,” it said in a report issued Tuesday.

According to the rights body, South Sudan government soldiers carried out a wide range of often-deadly attacks on civilians in and around the country's western town of Wau.

The soldiers, it alleged, killed, tortured, raped, and detained civilians and looted and burned down homes in the attacks.

Abuses in the Western Bahr el Ghazal region reportedly took place during government counterinsurgency operations that intensified after a peace deal was signed last year.

The attacks, the rights body stressed, underscored the need for the national unity government to take immediate steps toward accountability for crimes by all warring parties since the start of South Sudan's conflict in mid-December 2013.

(ST)

May 28, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Members of Sudan's Troika have condemned the Sudanese government's aerial bombardment of civilians in Kauda and Heiban area of South Kordofan including the bombing of St. Vincent Elementary School on 25 May.

Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir (AFP Photo/Ashraf Shazly)

The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-M) said the government warplanes dropped barrel bombs on Heiban area on 1 May, killing six children from one family.

The movement pointed that it filed a complaint to the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Leila Zerrougui demanding an official investigation on the Heiban incident.

Also, SPLM-N has earlier said it is making contacts with the French Bar Association to file charges against the Sudanese government on behalf of the victims' families.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Saturday, the Troika countries, including the Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States held the Sudanese government responsible for protecting all its citizens, saying they were appalled by its aerial bombardment of civilians in Kauda and Heiban.

“We urge all parties to end the violence and allow immediate humanitarian access to those in need. We believe that the Roadmap presented by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel represents the way forward” read the statement

In written statements extended to Sudan Tribune Friday, SPLM-N secretary general Yasser Arman condemned the indiscriminate aerial bombardment of civilian areas in South Kordofan and warned that the dropped bombs also "hit Sudan's unity and lead to tear the national fabric".

The Sudanese army has been fighting SPLM-N rebels in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states since 2011 and the armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

SPLM-N Spokesperson Arnu Ngutulu Lodi, Saturday reported fresh clashes with the Sudanese army in Alzraq area, adding that a Sudanese Antonov plane bombed Uru area southeast of Heiban with 10 incendiary barrel bombs but there was no casualties among civilians in the area.

Also, Lodi said that a Sudanese military Antonov on 26 May dropped 12 barrel bombs on Um Serdiba area in Um Dorain County with killing 12 cows.

He further said that in a separate air strike on 24 May an Antonov bombed Shawry area in Heiban County with six barrel bombs causing fear and panic among the civilians.

Meanwhile, the Troika countries expressed deep concern over the government's de facto expulsion of the Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan Ivo Freijsen last week.

The statement stressed that the government's move contributes to the increasingly difficult environment to address humanitarian needs in Sudan particularly as the humanitarian situation remains critical, with over 5.4 million people in need of assistance.

“We fully support OCHA's mandate in Sudan and call on the government to review this latest decision, and lift restrictions on the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to all Sudanese affected by crisis and conflict” read the statement

Last week, the Sudanese government declined to renew a stay permit for Freijsen but denied to describe the move as de facto expulsion saying the latter was appointed for an interim period and should be replaced by a permanent official.

A Sudanese official told Sudan Tribune under the cover of anonymity that Freijsen continued to "issue subjective and inaccurate reports about the humanitarian situation in Sudan" besides his repeated allegations that the government doesn't allow access to the needy population.

He added that Freijsen issued undocumented reports on government bombing of civilians in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Jebel Marra besides accusations on restrictions imposed by the Khartoum government on humanitarian workers.

(ST)

Senegal's Mohamed Diame scores as Hull City defeat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 in the play-off final to win promotion to the Premier League.

Sierra Leonean striker Alhaji Kamara scores for DC United, three months after being cleared of a heart defect.

By Julius Uma

May 26, 2016 (JUBA)- Removal of key Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) has contributed to a 14% reduction in time taken to import goods from one East African country to another, a recent independent evaluation of the NTBs trade programs within East Africa has shown.

Containers stationed at the Kenyan port of Mombasa (Getty Images)

It currently takes only 26 days from 33, to export goods from each of the East African Community (EAC) nations, hence a 20% reduction in the time taken.

The independent evaluators based their findings on NTBs program valued at US$ 7.89 million across the EAC partner states, supported by TradeMark East Africa (TMEA).

The programme, it said, identified 112 NTB's and had resolved 87 of them by the time of the evaluation was done.

According to the report, the enactment of The EAC Elimination Act positively impacted on the NTBs programme.

The Act seeks to empower the second clause under Article 13 of the Customs Union, which aims at establishing a legal mechanism for identifying and monitoring removal of NTBs.

Establish in 2005, the Customs Union, through its Protocol, subsequently agreed to strive towards the removal of internal taxes and non-tariff barriers on intra-EAC trade.

“This is a significant milestone in the growth and development of EAC. Non-Tariff Barriers remain an obstacle in growing prosperity in the EAC region,” acknowledged Frank Matsaert, the CEO of TradeMark East Africa (TMEA).

TMEA, he said, invested around US$7.89 million in the NTBs project and total programme benefits are expected to be in the range of US$35-45 million at constant trade volumes.

“A reduction of NTBs will invariably lead to more trade in the region, which is ultimately our goal, of growing prosperity through trade,” added Matsaet.

A reduction of transit transport time, the report says, has led to reduction in cost of transporting goods in the region. For instance, it adds, NTBs reduction has contributed to the reduction in cost of transporting a 40 foot container from Mombasa to Kigali, from US$6,500 in 2011 to just US$ 4,800.

This, evaluators estimated, generated a saving of approximately US$7 million on the Mombasa-Kigali route.

“Similarly, inland transportation times from Dar es Salaam to Kigali dropped considerably, now to 3.5 days,” it was noted.

The time taken to export from Uganda has successfully reduced from 35 days in 2010, to less than 30 days in 2015.

Moses Ahabwe, a Uganda trader, admits that the removal of NTBs has tremendously increased regional trade by unlocking economic potential through, increased physical access to market, enhanced trade environment and had generally improved business competitiveness in East Africa.

“Any increase in trade activities contributes to increased economic growth, a reduction in poverty and subsequently increased prosperity,” he told Sudan Tribune.

Statistics from Uganda's trade ministry show that the conflict in South Sudan had negatively affected trade in the country. Very traders were willing to take goods to South Sudan due to insecurity, which affected Uganda's exports.

Commodity prices also shot up due to the devaluation of the local currency, South Sudanese Pound, which has gravely impacted on the transport sector in the country.

The most affected are importers of food items and general household goods who have to deal with sharply increased prices to bring in goods from neighbouring Uganda, Kenya and Sudan. Many investors have left local and regional businesses collapse, while unemployment has increased.

Formal exports to Sudan reportedly earned Uganda $80.83 million in financial year 2012/13, $236.28 million in 2013/14 and $308.54 million in 2014/15. Similarly, informal exports for Uganda stood at $127.6 million in financial year 2012/13, $125.3 million in 2013/14 and 113.67 million in 2014.15, which showed why South Sudan is Uganda's biggest trade partner.

South Sudan, which recently joined the EAC, is a big beneficiary of Northern Corridor and will gain from various interventions that have increased the corridor efficiency. In South Sudan, TMEA is working with National Monitoring Committee to implement NTBs elimination strategy. As part of the move, however, the various NTB's which used to be encountered along Nimule-Juba border, such as check points, have been eliminated, in addition to Police and customs officers trained on integrity and transparency and a communication plan developed for the sustainability.

William Deng, a South Sudan wholesale businessman, says removal NTBs has contributed to reduction in time taken to import goods from East African countries.

Analysts, however, argue that elimination of NTBs still remain a great challenge to, not only regional trade and integration, but also a subject that partner states grapple with in the quest of growing trade within the regional bloc. Despite this fears, the widely held view is that elimination of NTB's to trade remains priority for TMEA in reducing the costs of trade in EAC and increasing efficiency of EAC corridors.

(ST)

May 27, 2016 (BENTIU) - At least 53,200 children in South Sudan are vaccinated at internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in Bentiu, capital of Unity state and Malakal, capital of Upper Nile state, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

A South Sudanese child is vaccinated for measles as part of an MSF campaign in 2011 (Photo: Avril Benoit/MSF)

The vaccination was in response against an increased number of measles cases in the two oil producing states of Greater Upper Nile region. The joint humanitarian response occurred after sever suspected cases of measles reported in the United Nations Protection of Civilians (PoC) sites in Bentiu and Malakal.

IOM said vaccination campaign targeted children less than five ears of age, living in both camps. The campaigns vaccinated nearly 45,900 children in Bentiu and 7,300 children in Malakal, reaching over 90 percent of the target children.

The campaigns were implemented in collaboration with International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, Médecins Sans Frontières, UNICEF, WHO and World Relief.

“The success of these campaigns is due to intensive social mobilization, effective collaboration and leadership of the Health Cluster. But routine immunizations should be strengthened both within and outside of PoC sites to reduce the likelihood of further measles cases, especially among children,” said IOM Migration Health Emergency Coordinator, Dr. Andrew Mbala.

Measles is a transmittable disease that can become life threatening if complications, such as pneumonia, arise. Children and displaced populations living in crowded areas are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of measles and other contagious diseases.

Another IOM Health Rapid Response Team is currently on the ground in Yirol East and West counties to provide measles vaccines for another 46,900 children under five. Health actors have reported 31 suspected measles cases in the two counties this year.

IOM's primary health care clinics in Bentiu and Malakal, as well as in Renk clinics are providing regular vaccinations against common diseases, such as tuberculosis, cholera and polio.

Last week, IOM had also vaccinated 575 children through routine vaccinations.

South Sudan Ministry of Health and Health Cluster have reported around 1,321 suspected measles cases have been confirmed early this year in South Sudan.

(ST)

May 27, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan People's Liberating Movement-North (SPLM-N) Secretary General, Yasir Arman has denied there is a rift at the heart of the opposition coalition ''Sudan Call'' after a recent meeting between the leader of the National Umma Party (NUP) Sadiq al-Mahdi and the African Union Chief Mediator Thabo Mbeki.

Malik Agar, SRF leader (L) and Sadiq al-Mahdi NUP president shake hands after the signing of Paris Declaration on 8 August 2014 (ST Photo)

Earlier this week several newspapers in Khartoum published statements allegedly attributed to the NUP Secretary General Sara Nugdalla slamming the SPLM-N for objecting a meeting between al-Mahdi and Mbeki to discuss the opposition's rejection of a peace plan the latter proposed last March.

In written statements extended to Sudan Tribune Friday, Arman said the SPLM-N didn't object the meeting but interacted positively and made some proposals together with other opposition groups.

He disclosed that the meeting was held under the request of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), adding that al-Mahdi and NUP leadership are on a continuous and direct contact with the SPLM, and Sudan Call leaders.

''Al-Mahdi enjoys our respect and we are consulting each other to strengthen joint action''. He further added they are in almost daily contact with the NUP leadership.

Arman further pointed an accusing finger to the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) and the government controlled newspapers, saying they are behind these fabricated statements "to cover the failure of the dialogue" conference in Khartoum.

He further said they have no problem with the African Union mediation.

"The SPLM-N does not have a fight with the AUHIP and ready to meet them, but we will not accept to join (the government controlled dialogue process in Khartoum),'' he stressed.

Last March, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), NUP, Sudan Liberation Movement - Minni Minnawi (SPLM-MM) and the SPLM-N rejected a Roadmap Agreement brokered by the mediation and signed by the Sudanese government.

The peace plan provides to hold a cessation of hostilities, that Khartoum had longtime rejected, and to open humanitarian access to reach civilians in the war affected areas. However, it ignores some confidence building measures included in a previous roadmap endorsed by the AU Peace and Security Council in September 2014.

So, the opposition groups demand to hold an inclusive pre-dialogue meeting in order to discuss a package of conducive environment measures of the AUPSC decision 465. Also they criticize the Roadmap Agreement for endorsing the ongoing dialogue process in Khartoum as basis for the national constitutional dialogue process they call for.

The rebel leader also admitted that the ongoing multi front military campaign launched by the Sudanese army on their positions in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states is the largest military attack since 2011.

However, he said they inflected unprecedented losses on the Sudanese army, pointing that Khartoum hoped at least to retake the control of the SPLM-N controlled areas in the Blue Nile State, but they failed to achieve this goal.

On the other hand, he condemned the indiscriminate aerial bombardment of civilian areas in South Kordofan and warned that the dropped bombs also "hit Sudan's unity and lead to tear the national fabric".

The SPLM-N recently organized a campaign against the bombing of civilian-inhabited villages locations in the rebel held areas.

(ST)

May 27, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese army (SPLA), has denied reports that its forces detained captives, including civilians, in shipping containers which many times resulted to death a result of suffocation.

SPLA soldiers sit at the back of a pick-up truck in Malakal, Upper Nile state January 12, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Andreea Campeanu)

The report released by Amnesty International on Thursday said dozens of detainees were held in dire conditions in poorly ventilated metal shipping containers at Gorom area.

However, Brigadier Lul Ruai Koang instead accused the Amnesty International of violating protocol and SPLA's chain of command when it directed its concerns to the commander of the Tiger Battalion, General Marial Chinuong, instead of to the President, General Salva Kiir or to the minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Deng Alor Kuol.

“First and foremost, Gorom is not a detention facility but a refutable Military Training Center,” Koang said.

He said the SPLA had 62 SPLA-IO prisoners of War detained in a different facility but were all released between July and September 2015.

“Before concluding, SPLA would like to point out insufficiencies and lack of leadership demonstrated by the Author of the Report. The report was based on faulty information leading to a release of a shallow document that completely lacks substance,” he added.

The SPLA, he said, urged the people of South Sudan, the region and the international community to disregard the report and consider it as a piece of paper laden with unsubstantiated stories.

“Finally, SPLA urges the highest authority/body governing Amnesty International to be more careful, rigorous and thorough in the appointment of regional directors before its well- built image is tarnished and credibility compromised,” he said.

(ST)

May 27, 2016 (KHARTOUM/ZAWIA) - Hundreds of Sudanese families have fled several Libyan cities captured by the Islamic State (ISIS) towards the Mediterranean coast in the hope of emigrating to Europe, said activists.

ISIS fighters in Derna, eastern Libya (Photo Reuters)

Malik Mohamed Salih , an official working for a program that seeks to curb illegal migration and facilitates voluntary return of Sudanese community in Libya, said more than 300 families had left Sirte and Derna after ISIS seized control of the two cities.

He told Sudan Tribune that Sudanese families had also fled Benghazi, Ajdabiya and Sabratha following clashes among various Libyan factions, pointing to the difficult conditions of hundreds of the Sudanese in the city of Obari.

Salih added that most of the families have arrived in the city of Zawiya, 48 km. west of the capital Tripoli, stressing that the three shelters in the city can't accommodate the large numbers of fleeing persons from various nationalities.

He said that his program managed to rescue several families who sought to illegally emigrate via the Mediterranean, demanding the Sudanese government and embassy in Tripoli to support efforts of voluntary return to Sudan.

Salih pointed that an aid group by the name of Al-Nasr Organization for Development and Relif launched an urgent appeal to avoid what it described the “huge explosion” in the number of illegal migrants living in the shelters following the rescue of four boats during the past couple of days.

He stressed that 135 illegal migrant who were in the first boat have arrived in the shelter at dawn on Thursday, saying the number of migrants in the shelter has reached 2200 people while it is designed to harbor only a quarter of that number.

Salih, who arrived at the shelter on Friday, pointed to the presence of Sudanese and Palestinian families, calling upon aid groups to provide support for the families in Zawiya.

On Tuesday, Libyan coastguards said they detained 550 people trying to reach Europe illegally, pointing that those detained were from several African countries and included three children and 30 women, eight of whom are pregnant.

Following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's 40-year-rule in 2011, Libya has slided into chaos and has become the most important transit country of illegal migrants to Europe.
Also, ISIS presence in Libya has become a source of threat not only to its neighbouring countries but also to Europe.

Last April, the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) David Rodriguez said that the number of ISIS militants in Libya has doubled during the past year.

He pointed that there are now between 4,000 to 6,000 ISIS fighters present in the country, growing by roughly two times during the past 12 to 18 months.

On 19 January 2016, the head of the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Mohamed Atta, said it would deploy troops to the western borders with Libya to prevent infiltration of ISIS fighters and combat cross-border crimes.

(ST)

May 27, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Joint Sudanese- Ethiopian Higher Committee (JSEHC) would hold its third meeting in Red Sea state capital, Port Sudan on May 31st to discuss a number of security and economic issues.

The visiting Ethiopian public delegation during a visit to Merowe Dam about 350 kilometres (220 mi) north of the capital Khartoum, on Sunday 10 May 2015. Tabitha Butrus, state minister of water resources and electricity accompanied the delegation (Photo SUNA)

The JSEHC meeting would be preceded by the meeting of the joint Sudanese-Ethiopian technical committee which will be held in Port Sudan from 29 to 30 May.

The two-day meetings are expected to discuss several issues including the free trade zones, transit trading, banking cooperation besides the security of the joint border between the two countries.

The Sudanese side would be headed by the Vice-President Hasabo Mohamed Abdel-Rahman while the Ethiopian side will be chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen.

On Thursday, Abdel-Rahman was briefed on the ongoing arrangements to hold the meeting besides the latest work of the concerned committees on the various issues under discussion.

On Friday, the official news agency (SUNA) quoted the state minister of finance Abdel-Rahman Dirar as mentioning the need for opening Ethiopian banks in Sudan to facilitate the financial transactions and to use the Ethiopian and Sudanese currencies to settle trade transactions between the two countries.

Last February, the central banks of Sudan and Ethiopia signed a banking cooperation agreement allowing the Ethiopian Commercial Bank to open a branch in Khartoum within three months.

Also, In June 2015, Ethiopia agreed to proposals offered by Sudan to establish free trade zones near the border between the two countries.

Farmers from two sides of the border between Sudan and Ethiopia used to dispute the ownership of land in the Al-Fashaga area located in the south-eastern part of Sudan's eastern state of Gedaref.

Al-Fashaga covers an area of about 250 square kilometers and it has about 600.000 acres of fertile lands. Also there are river systems flowing across the area including Atbara, Setait and Baslam rivers.

Last January, the technical committee tasked with redrawing the border between the two countries said it would complete its work on the ground during this year.

Sudan's Gadarif and Blue Nile states border Ethiopia's Amhara region. The borders between Sudan and Ethiopia were drawn by the British and Italian colonisers in 1908.

The two governments have agreed in the past to redraw the borders, and to promote joint projects between people from both sides for the benefit of local population.

However, the Ethiopian opposition accuses the ruling party of abandoning Ethiopian territory to Sudan.

(ST)

May 27, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan's main hospital, Juba Teaching Hospital, has resumed power supply after experiencing more than two weeks of power outage, forcing doctors and other health practitioners to use torches, candles and oxygen cylinder.

President Kiir (center) with Health Minister Monytuil (right) tour Juba Teaching Hospital after the opening ceremony on 6t March 2008. (ST File Photo)

The power shortage at the main teaching hospital, located at the heart of the national capital, Juba, sparked sharp criticism from members of general public as well as raising eyebrows from among high level members of the government.

The development forced some government officials, including health minister, Riek Gai Kok, to make statements attempting to absolve himself from any responsibility and depicted officials in other relevant institutions such as the ministry of finance and economic planning and the ministry of electricity and dams as well as the ministry of petroleum and the national oil corporation as being responsible for the outage.

Reacting to the development, President Salva Kiir, following the public outcry, decided to order a supply of one year fuel to the hospital to resume normal operation while his government explores permanent ways to address the matter so that it does not have to recur in future.

“These are times when the head of state takes a leadership decision and intervenes decisively. The issue of power shortage at Juba teaching hospital was creating commotions among members of the public and creating unnecessary situation between colleagues, institutions and the patients,” a presidential aide told Sudan Tribune on Friday.

“Now the thing has been addressed. The power supply resumed yesterday and the hospital is now working normally. You can go and see it for yourself now,” he proudly explained.

The hospital staff members, according to a source whose assignment does not allow him to speak to the media, have also received one month payment to allow them wait for the rest of the remaining months.

“The staffs have received one month pay. They have received the payment for the month of April. This is a result of the decision of the president to pay the lecturers of the public universities who have gone on strike and the hospital workers who were considering to also go to on strike,” said the official.

(ST)

May 27, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudan's transitional government of national unity (TGoNU) in its cabinet sitting on Friday has unexpectedly passed a resolution approving establishment of cantonment areas for the forces of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) in Greater Equatoria and Greater Bahr el Ghazal.

A batch of the SPLA-IO forces after arrival in Juba, 1 April, 2016 (ST Photo)

Micheal Makuei Lueth, information minister, told reporters after the council of ministers meeting that cantonment areas will be identified in Greater Equatoria region for the SPLA-IO forces under the commander-in-chief, First Vice President, Riek Machar.

He said the task will be carried out by the Joint Monitoring Ceasefire Committee (JMCC), a body established under the August 2015 peace agreement to monitor the implementation of the security arrangements across the country.

JMCC membership is composed of members from the rival parties and partners in the peace agreement.

As for Greater Bahr el Ghazal, Lueth said the JMCC will also assess the level of the SPLA-IO forces in that region to determine whether to identify cantonment areas as well.

He further said cantonment sites for the SPLA-IO forces are yet to be identified in Greater Upper Nile region by the JMCC despite the fact that the agreement earlier approved establishment of the assembly areas in the oil producing region.

The issue of the cantonment of opposition forces had been contentious, with minister Lueth earlier vowing not to allow the SPLA-IO forces to be assembled in Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal regions.

However, the breakthrough to establish opposition's cantonment areas in Equatoria and probably in Bahr el Ghazal was reached in the cabinet meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir and attended by his first deputy, Machar, among other cabinet members.

The information minister, in the statement broadcasted on South Sudan Television (SSTV) also revealed that the matter had heated debates that took several hours.

Lueth further said those who will be allowed to assemble in Equatoria will be the soldiers who took part in the Juba clashes of December 2013. He did not however say how to identify those who took part in the clashes, but added all must report to the cantonment areas with their guns as one of the criteria.

The minister also accused armed men who claimed to be members of the SPLA-IO for causing insecurity on the roads, killing a number of people.

He said a security report presented to the cabinet indicated that insecurity was deteriorating in the country.

“Security situation is discouraging, it is deteriorating,” he said.

He added that the First Vice President, Machar, who chairs the SPLM-IO and commands the SPLA-IO was directed by the cabinet to control his forces in Equatoria region as well as his commander, General Johnson Olony, in Upper Nile region.

The minister also said the SPLM-IO leadership was directed to order his forces to open up supply routes and allow governors of Greater Upper Nile, appointed on the basis of 28 states, to reach their areas.

Lueth also added that the commander-in-chief of the SPLA, President Salva Kiir, and the commander-in-chief of the SPLA-IO, Riek Machar, were also directed to order the release of prisoners of war being held by the either side.

The cabinet could not discuss the status of the 28 states and reconstitution of parliament.

(ST)

The United Nations Security Council today approved a two-month extension of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), allowing adequate time for the 15-member body to consider the outcome of its recently-concluded visit to the Horn of Africa country.

In the wake of protests in Guinea-Bissau, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged all political stakeholders and their supporters to act responsibly, refrain from violence and avoid an escalation of the situation by settling their concerns through dialogue.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the meetings of the political dialogue for Burundi, held in Arusha, from 21 to 24 May under the auspices of the Facilitator of the East African Community (EAC), Benjamin William Mkapa, former President of Tanzania.

By Francis Ayul Yuar

South Sudan Constitutional legal provisions on Borders/Boundaries

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed on January, 9th, 2005 between the Sudan government and the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Army and the Movement (SPLA/M) which ushered in a new political dispensation, but never the less maintained the boundaries between Sudan and South Sudan as being from the 1st Jan 1956. The same constitutional legal provisions has continue to govern the borders and the boundaries within Southern Sudan administrative institutions. The understanding of this provision laid the foundation for CPA constitution. This legal framework is made crystal clear in the Constitution of the Upper Nile State, 2006 (Article 1(1); to the independence of South Sudan on July 9th, 2011. Based on the (CPA) stipulations, Dr. John Garang de Mabior(RIP), SPLM/A the C-in-C and chairman, issued the cancellation order on 16th July, 2005 of the SPLM/A administrative structures in the liberated areas, including Lam's so called Shilluk (Collo) Counties and adopted (10) Ten states administrative structures. By virtue of this later order from the same author, 1st order therefore ceased to be operational, and subsequently replaced by the later. Anyone still clinking to this fallacy of the first order to claim the ownership of Malakal town is making nothing but a mockery to the legacy of our beloved late Dr. John Garang in his grave

Dinka Padang (Jieng) of Ngok Lual Yak Borders/Boundaries with Shilluk (Collo)

Dinka Ngok Lual Yak derived its name from the famous leader of Nyok warriors, known as Lual Yak. Ngok Lual Dinka (Jieng) consist of two main sources of migrants that formed today Ngok Lual tribe in Upper Nile State. Those that hailed from Ngok Jok with their original home being Abyei and Biemnhom. And few clans that hailed from Thoi section of Khorfulluth that are believed to be part of Duor section of (Jieng) Padang. There are evidence to believe that few families originated from non Dinka groups, such as Anyuak and Nuer that got assimilated. This section shall specifically discuss views that are solely expressed and shared among the Ngok Lual Yak section of Dinka Padang (Jieng) only, in relations to their Border/Boundaries with Shilluk (Collo) community. Tradition and oral history of Dinka Ngok (Jieng) section of Ngok Lual Yak said that, White Nile is officially known to have been the portcullis that demarcated and separated Shilluk (Collo) with Dinka Padang (Jieng) of Ngok Lual Yak. This natural separation has been observed and respected by both sides. Shilluk (Collo), locally called Eastern bank of the White Nile, as Lok-Jang, translated as River side of Dinka (Jieng) and referred to western bank of White Nile as Lok Collo, translated as River side of Shilluk (Collo).

Ngok and Shilluk (Collo) have had cognizant relationship that has encouraged internal migrations of Shilluk (Collo) to the east bank of the White Nile as well. According to Ngok Lual Yak oral history, Shilluk (Collo) community started migrating to east bank of the Nile as early as (1921-1930). They temporary settled on the eastern bank of the White Nile in the present day Doleib Hills (Bur Achol). It is confirmed that these Shilluk (Collo) families were welcomed by the subsection of Dinka Ngok, called Pagak who were the inhabitants of the place. Ngok Lual Yak leaders confirmed that those that came were mainly in-laws that had internal fights on the west bank. Oral tradition also said that Doleib Hills was locally known as (Bur-Achol) in Dinka. Names Doleib Hills was invented after the Hills Millers of the Catholic Church Mission. As mentioned early, several factors, including conflicts between and among different Clans in Shilluk (Collo) west bank kingdom forced families and individuals to cross over and settled among the Dinka Padang of Ngok Lual Yak in Upper Nile State.

We are made to understand that subsection of Baliet clan known as Pagak are the original inhabitance of Doleib Hills (Bur-Achol).They allowed these influx of Shilluk (Collo) to settle among them in (Bur Achol). As time passed, number of other Ngok Clans moved East of Sobat, pushing the Anyuak further to the east toward Ethiopian border. As result, Pagak subsection number shrinks over the years against this constant massive influx of Shilluk (Collo) from the west bank of the White Nile into their villages. Subsequently exposed to peaceful assimilation by the Shilluk arrivals. Today, they are called Pathuoro, or Kuai-Jang in Shilluk, which literally translated as families from the Dinka origins. A Dinka Ngok Lual Yak elder Mr. Gabriel Nyok Abiel strongly confirmed that this section (Pagak), though speak Shilluk have been bringing offering to Luak-Dengdit Shrine up to the latest of 1978. Though culturally Shilluk (Collo) by all qualifications, still considered themselves Dinka Ngok and the original inhabitants of the land Doleib (Bur-Achol).This interesting historical analogy has remains me of the fight over Jerusalem in the Bible between Palestinians and the Israelites. They both traced their genealogy to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But due to the power of centuries of displacements and assimilations, these two kind are fighting over the identity of Jerusalem. Edomites tribes hailed from the descendants of Esau, a twin brother to Jacob. They end up Speaking Arabic language and are Muslim today because they settled on the mountains areas in Palestine's land of Canaan. Subsequently mixed with Ishmael Arabic speaking groups that formed a large number of Palestinian ethnics in Israelite.

Whereas, family of Jacob with his (12) sons moved to Egypt and later returned to the Palestine land as Jews with Judaism as religion and Speak Hebrew language. The rhetoric questions therefore asked is, who are the real owners of the Palestine land? Perhaps this rhetoric question shall help readers to judge between Shilluk (Collo) and the Dinka (Jieng) of Lual Yak in the contest of Doleib Hill. In the after mass of the Dinka Ngok Lual Spiritual leader, called Kur Ajak de Lek. Known locally as Beny nhial. There came another Shilluk (Collo) family of a very significance importance in the name of someone called Guol Akwot. He was of radh family lineage and had some misunderstanding with radh (king) of Collo on the west bank of the White Nile. He was again received and given due temporary accommodations in a place called Anak-diar and Mijok village respectively.

Anak-diar, in Dinka (Jieng) language, is combination of two words: Anak, or nak (verb) which basically meaning, to kill and diar in the other hand or Dior (noun) basically meaning a woman or women. Word Anak-diar therefore is compound words, which means, women killer. Oral history authentically confirmed that Guol Akwot might have either intentionally or accidentally killed his wife. That incidence prompted king (radh) to decree death on his head. Fearing the unfair judiciary system in the kingdom, he fled to East bank of the White Nile for safety and settled among the Dinka of Ngok Lual Yak. The authenticity of this facts has been confirmed by many elders interviewed. That due to the status of this family, they were therefore first settled in a place called Anyuantim. One (1) km South of Luak-DengDit. This is in the middle of Baliet County. This was purposely done to ensure their safety in the middle of Ngok tribe. This narrative scarcely confirmed Dr. Lam's claims of extending the border of Shilluk (Collo) to 47km east of the White Nile, along Sobat River up to Anyuentim village. Perhaps Dr. Lam, in some of his writings, alluded that Shilluk (Collo) Border with Ngok Lual Yak is as far as Anyuantim village. He might have thought that since these families happened to have temporary settled in this village. The village in question must be annexed to be part of Shilluk (Collo) land. This of course is another fallacy, for you cannot claim a land with less regards to its historical considerations. We give him the benefit of doubt though. I want to believe that an intellectual of his type perhaps must be aware of how these families end up in Baliet County in the first place but chose to ignore. Their settlement was nothing but good African gesture of welcoming visitors. To this family after number of years hailed prominent politicians in the person of Hon Dr. Othwon Awer and others, that are today caught between the rock and hard places?

In the subsequence of these inter-tribal relationships of 1890s. Oral traditions acknowledged that, Reth Padiet married a girl from Pagak subsection. A sub-clan of Baliet called Achol Guer. She gave birth to Dak Padiet. Dak became the King of Shilluk (Collo) and gave birth to a son, named Kwongo Dak Padiet. Few of these men considered themselves sons and daughters of East bank of the White Nile. Today' politics of Ethnicity has exacerbated conflicts, characterized by tribal tensions. General understandings is that after the arrivals of Shilluk (Collo) migrants to (Bur -Achol). Dak is said to have cautioned his tribesmen in one of the occasion when he was king. He advised his tribe (Shilluk) that have crossed to the Eastern bank of the White Nile, to live in peace with his maternal uncles. The Pagak sub-clan of Baliet of Ngok Dinka (Jieng) being his uncles were not aware of what is going to befall them a head. Had they had known early, we wouldn't have this paper to write either.

We are made to believe that Baliet Clan of Ngok Lual Yak lived in an area North of Sobat River including Bur-Achol as mentioned early. Which was home of Pagak subsection and, the present day village of Toffiqia) and Malakal town respectively. After the establishment of Malakal town, as Provincial Head Quarter in 1921, Baliet Clan, being cattle herders, moved Eastwards with their cattle and settled on the Sobat River. Displacing another clan of Ngok Lual Yak called Duut. This oral history is reflected in a traditional Dinka (Jieng) Songs of Duut clan. Part of Pagak sub-Clan moved with Baliet eastwards and settled on Sobat River. However, few remained behind in the present day Doleib Hills (Bur- Achol). They decided to embrace Shilluk identity and subsequently became Shilluk (Collo). They are referred to as Pathuoro, or Gol Guer. Meaning, the family with Dinka (Jieng) origins or, simply, the family of Guer Malual, of Pagak sub-clan. Guer Malual is believed to be the owner of Doleib village (Bur-Achol)). Doleib Hills is a combination of an Arabic and English words. Hills names derived from Mill Hills. They were Christian Catholic Mission that was operating in 1901-1982 in Doleib. The migrations of Shilluk (Collo) and their temporary settlements on east bank has continued, warranted by factors observed early. There were those that solely came in search for farming. Others came to live with their brothers or sons in-laws. But as noted above, majority came in search for jobs opportunities in the established City of Malakal. This was the case with Melut (Maluth), Renk and Akoka eventually. While migrating to the east bank was abrasive in nature, Shilluk (Collo) outsmarted Dinka Padang by carrying with them names of their villages.

Dinka Padang (Jieng), to some extends contributed to Shilluk (Collo) agenda to change the Dinka villages' names on East bank of the White Nile. After these settlers renamed Dinka villages on East bank, Dinka, out of ignorance agree to call those villages as dictated by Shilluk settlers. The examples of transferred names from the West bank of the Nile includes Panyiduai, Ogot, Makal and Lul. Even as evidence of their temporary residence on the east bank became more permanent, Shilluk (Collo), still takes the remains of their love ones to the West bank for burials. Perhaps Issues of spirituality cannot be deceived. This alone is a practical evidence that disqualified their claims on the east bank of the Nile. The African Traditional Religion (ATR) practice of taking the deceased to his/her ancestral homes for burial is practiced across Africa. This is also shared by some countries in East Asia and Europe. Many people from Bahr El-Ghazal, Equatoria and Upper Nile who grew up and lived in Malakal can testify to this traditional practices. Even during the conflicts, such as the conflict of 1973 in Malakal between the Nuer and the Shilluk (Collo). Shilluk descendants crossed to the West bank of the Nile for safety. This psychological and spiritual world view was again seen in the after mass of December, 2013 conflict as well. When Dr. Riek Machar rebels stormed Malakal. All Shilluk crossed the river to the west bank. The Dinka Padang in general remains on the East bank of the Nile as dictate by this African traditional beliefs that said, safety always associates with ancestral homes. Safety is perceived to be associated with one his/her ancestral homes of any tribe, Ethnicity or Race. This is also true across Africa and the world at large. Upper Nile States Tribes fall trapped in this beliefs.

Dr. Francis Ayul Yuar can be reach via:francisnyok@yahoo.com

By Ambassdor Dhano Obongo

Leadership is a noticeable exercise of practices and not something incomprehensible that cannot be understood by normal people. With feedback and usage, those with desire and perseverance can considerably improve their skills to do so. A football federation worker. a team organizer, a middle, manager, an account executive, an athletic team captain, the mailroom worker, or just about any other individual we come in contact with can use his drive to learn how to lead.

Leadership has an objective and aim to achieve whatever common goal brought the members of the group together. Whether deliberate or unintended a procedure of human communication fosters the objective and aim.

There can be no leadership without someone to lead. The affiliation is only fruitful when the coworkers desire to follow the leader. Leaders need followers. Leaderless societies do not occur. Whenever two or more individuals come together, there is no such thing as unrestrained, unobstructed, or uninfluenced manner of behavior.

Leadership involves group effort without conspiracy or flattering. An indication of its existence is willingness to labor together as a team rather than alone in reaching goals. There is a process of give and take with the leader effective when the group achievement is larger than what could have been accomplished by individuals.

Some individuals exhibit better trends toward leadership than others. They develop knowledge, capability, and constant exertion to learn. They exhibit the finest ethics and principles of the group. They do deeds not just exhibit characteristics. The leader contributes, shares talents, and imparts knowledge to others.

We need to learn the biblical perspective of leadership. Christ came with a new definition for Christian leaders set forth in the tenth chapter of Mark's gospel. The account indicates how religiously unperceptive the disciples were. James' and John's wish for authority could only be understood if they succumbed to servanthood. Christ Jesus overturns earthly values saying:

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.''

This is the new definition for real leadership. God bless South Sudan.

The author can be reached via email address; dhao01obongo@gmail.com

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