Mr. Pagan holds talks with AU’s Peace and Security Commissioner JUBA, 13 June 2013 -South Sudan’s Chief Negotiator and Secretary-General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Cde. Pagan Amum yesterday in Addis Ababa held talks with the African Union Peace and Security Commissioner Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra.
The two sides reviewed the status of implementation of the agreements which were concluded in September 2012 between the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Sudan, the African Union peace and Security website reported. South Sudan Chief Negotiator Pagan and Lamamra, AUPS commissioner They also exchanged views on the current challenges and prospects for an early resolution of the issues affecting continued and satisfactory progress in the process of the implementation of the Cooperation agreement. Commissioner Lamamra expressed confidence that the two countries, South Sudan and Sudan will both support the proposals of the Chairperson of the AU High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and fully cooperate in their implementation. Reported by Matata Safi China pledges support in resolving differences with Sudan JUBA, 12 June 2013 (NASS) – The Government of the People’s Republic of China has pledged to support efforts towards finding solutions to the oil problems between Sudan and South Sudan. The outgoing Chinese ambassador to South Sudan, Li Zhiguo made this pledge yesterday after a meeting with South Sudan’s minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin. China's outgoing ambassador Zhiguo in a meeting with Dr. Benjamin. [Photo: Ajang Monychol] Dr. Benjamin briefed the ambassador on South Sudan's position following the announcements made by the President Omar el Bashir of Sudan that he will stop the flow of South Sudan's oil through his territory on allegations that the Republic of South Sudan is supoorting rebels fighting in the two Sudanese states of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. The Chinese diplomat who underscored China’s good relations with the South Sudan said “Our friendly relation with South Sudan has been so long and will be cherished by two of us”. Dr. Benjamin urged the Chinese government to talk to the government of Sudan over the latest developments between the two countries. He said shutting down of the country's oil flow or going to conflict doesn't solve anything but instead affects development and stability of the two countries. Dr. Benjamin reaffirmed South Sudan’s commitment to fully implement the cooperation agreement. UK ambassador meeting Dr. Benjamin [Photo: Ajang Monychol] In a related development, Dr. Benjamin in his office yesterday met with the British ambassador to South Sudan, Ian Hughes. The two discussed the current relations with Sudan. Ambassador Hughes said the United Kingdom and the Troika are working to see that the problem is resolved. Reported by Martin Jada, News Agency of South Sudan (NASS) PANOS to develop RSS information systems JUBA, 12 June 2013 (NASS) - The Ugandan based PANOS Eastern Africa organization has expressed great interest to participate in the building and development of information systems in South Sudan. Dr. Melakou Tegegn, the organization’s executive director disclosed this yesterday after a courtesy call on South Sudan’s minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin. Dr. Benjamin (second right) and his deputy Atem Yaak Atem (l) pose for a photo with Dr. Tegegn (r) and Mr Taban. [Photo: Ajang Monychol] Dr. Benjamin, who welcomed the initiative, urged the organization to continue with the program which he said will help in the nation building process. Dr. Tegegn said their program would focus on how the media can be a tool towards attaining sustainable development. Meanwhile Mr. Alfred Taban, a prominent South Sudanese journalist and the Editor-in-Chief of the Juba Monitor newspaper backed the initiative saying it will help the government to understand the feelings and demands of the citizens. PANOS is a regional NGO working in the east and horn of Africa serving nine countries in the fields of media. Reported by Martin Jada, News Agency of South Sudan (NASS) President Kiir challenges Sudan’s rebel-support claims JUBA, 11 May 2013 – South Sudan’s President Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit has challenged Sudan to provide evidence of the continuous allegations that South Sudan is supporting rebels fighting to topple the government of Sudan. President Kiir who was responding to statements made by the Sudan’s President Omar el Bashir last Saturday, said South Sudan has more serious demands to attend to other than to support rebels in a foreign country. “If we have money, we have a lot of services that our people need. Our people need roads so that they can connect to each other. They need hospitals, schools and clean drinking water. We cannot leave these demands and buy guns to support their rebels”, President Kiir told the press at the State House in Juba yesterday. President Kiir reacting to Preisent Bashir's Saturday statements yesterday [Photo: by Matata Safi] President Omar el Bashir was reported to have ordered his oil minister to shut down the pipelines carrying South Sudan’s oil “if it [South Sudan] does not stop supporting the rebels of Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) fighting his government in the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile. Quoting a famous Arabic proverb, President Kiir said Bashir is behaving like someone who slaps you; he goes crying and later accuses you of having fought him. Sudan, he said is supporting rebels of Yau Yau and many others that have already taken up government amnesty. The President explained that weapons that were brought in by the militia leader General Jonathan Olony who heeded to his amnesty, among others, testify to Khartoum’s support to rebels to destabilize South Sudan. He wondered how Khartoum can be accusing South’s of supporting its rebels. President Kiir said Sudan’s accusation of the South’s support to rebels fighting in the Sudanese territory is a mere attempt to derail the implementation of the September Cooperation Agreements. He urged his northern counterpart to use the already established mechanisms within the Cooperation Agreement to channel any complaint “if at all he has credible complaint against the government of the Republic of South Sudan”. Furthermore, he said the decision to prevent South Sudan’s oil from transiting through Sudan to the international markets seriously undermines the September peace pact and the implementation matrix. Since no official notification has been addressed to the government of South Sudan, President Kiir said his government will remain committed to the unconditional implementation of the Cooperation Agreement. President Bashir’s utterances, President Kiir said are a test to the African Union High Implementation Panel, which is the main broker of the September Agreement as well as the United Nation Security Council. Click here to read the President's statement. Reported by Matata Safi President Kiir urges Abyei citizens to return home JUBA, 11 May 2013 - President Salva Kiir Mayardit has called on leaders of Abyei in Juba and elsewhere to head to the oil rich region to spearhead the return of the people of Abyei ahead of the much expected October referendum. He said it is important for all the people of Abyei to return to the area and get registered to vote in the referendum. “I told my brother Deng Alor [the minister of Cabinet Affair] that they [Abyei leaders working in South Sudan] should go to Abyei and mobilize the people register for the referendum,” President Kiir said. He said nobody will be allowed to vote in Juba or elsewhere in South Sudan for the Abyei referendum. President Kiir [Photo by Matata Safi] Khartoum’s push for the nomadic Arab pastoralists to take part in the Abyei referendum denied the people of Abyei their right to determine where they would want to belong as per the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). A new date (October this year) has been fixed by the African Union for the Abyei referendum. Nonetheless, the Abyei Administration, Abyei referendum Commission as well as the Abyei police are yet to be formed. A return arrives in Abyei town [Photo: by Matata Safi] President Kiir expressed dissatisfaction with the African Union and the UN Security Council on their stance on Bashir. The African Union is not doing much to tell Bashir to move out of Abyei Area. Reported by Matata Safi Campaign against Child Marriage launched JUBA, 11 June 2013 NASS –South Sudan’s ministry of Gender Child and Social welfare in collaboration with United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) yesterday launched the Campaign against child marriage as the country prepares to join the rest of the continent in commemorating the International Day of the African Child. Celebrated every June 16, The Africa Child Day, has been established by the Organization of the African Unity (now the African Union) in 1991 in honor of the children killed in the 1976 uprisings in Soweto. A protest by school children in South Africa against apartheid resulted in the public killing of the unarmed young protesters by police officials. “It’s important to note that in South Sudan there are a number of harmful social and cultural practices that are been practiced. These include but are not limited to the; Child Marriage, forced Marriage economic Value attached to girl Child (the use of dowry price) tattooing and piercing of children, milk teeth extraction and breaking of the teeth, preference attached to child’s gender (son preference as regards education) female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and scarification” said Dr. Priscilla Joseph Kuch the ministry’s Deputy Minister Deputy minister Dr. Kuch at the launch [Photo: by Simon Matiop Akol] Dr. Kuch said child marriage is a very critical issue in the Country and she said it is being practiced in all the States of South Sudan. “The rate at which young girls a being married off has become very alarming and this limits their development prospects and participation in education and other developmental activities” She said. she called on all stalkholders join efforts to fight harmful practices against children in South Sudan. The 2010 South Sudan Household Survey (SHHS) indicates that about 40 percent of the girls are married when they are still below 15 years; child marriage is also stated as one of the main reasons why there are very few girls who complete basic primary school. Members of UNICEF and Gender staff at the launch [Photo by Simon Matiop Akol] The theme of this year’s celebration has been ‘”Elimination of the Child Marriage in South Sudan “Our main focus is on creating awareness about the various harmful practices and how they affected our children and also look at what the way forwards as regards eliminating these practices” the Deputy Gender Minister said. The national celebrations will be held’s at Nyankuron Cultural Centre this Fridaywith the rest of the states convening at their respective state capitals to mark the day. Reported by Simon Matiop Akol (NASS) RSS to sign core UN human rights conventions JUBA, 11 June 2013 - Justice Minister Hon John Luk Jok yesterday appeared before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva and officially acknowledged South Sudan’s decision to sign several core human rights conventions. The minister’s visit marks the first time that the Republic of South Sudan has appeared before the Human Rights Council in order to update the Council on the human rights situation in the country. When the new nation of South Sudan was born in July 2011, the government pledged to adopt several core conventions. “By signing the eight core international and regional conventions, the government of the young nation has shown its commitment to the inalienability and universality of human rights,” Hon Jok said. The South Sudan Transitional Constitution grants fundamental rights to all South Sudanese people to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms at all levels. The Constitution further affirms the sanctity of those rights and freedoms by stating that they are non-derogable and are to be upheld and protected by the Supreme Court and other competent courts. Since its independence, South Sudan has taken great strides in state and nation building by developing institutions, structures and systems for democratic governance, upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights. Hon Jok added, “We will relentlessly work towards the implementation of these instruments through our domestic institutions and laws.” After The President signs the instruments of accession, the instruments will be deposited with the United Nations Secretary General for official adoption. RSS has no official notice of oil shutdown JUBA, 9 June 2013 –The government of the Republic of South Sudan has said that it has not received any official communication from the government of Sudan regarding the alleged intention to shut down South Sudan’s oil from being exported through Sudan. Speaking to the press in Juba after an emergency meeting, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, South Sudanese minister of Information and Broadcasting said South Sudan’s Council of Ministers will continue with discussions till Monday 10, where a statement will be issued. President Omar el Bashir is reported to have issued the warnings on Saturday while inaugurating an electricity plant in Shil’ab area of Khartoum. He allegedly accused the government of South Sudan of supporting rebels of Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) fighting his government in the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile. “The oil of South Sudan will not pass through Sudan ever again,” the Sudanese media quoted President Bashir as having said. Dr. Marial who is also South Sudan’s government spokesman, warned of environmental consequences should Khartoum go ahead to implement a sudden oil shutdown without involving authorities in South Sudan. “The pipelines within South Sudan are owned by South Sudan and the rest by Sudan; ordering a shutdown, there are agreements and technical issues that need a time frame. Any abrupt shutdown can cause a “back pressure” on the pipelines consequently resulting into an oil spill”, said Dr. Benjamin. He said South Sudan will continue to implement the Cooperation Agreement as agreed by the two countries. Dr. Benjamin urged the African Union High Implementation Pannel (AUHIP), the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) as well as the UN Security Council to take note of such threatening statements. Dr. Benjamin said since the resumption of oil production in early March, South Sudan has pumped about 6 million barrels of oil into Sudan territory destined for the international market. In the same press briefing, Col. Philip Aguer, South Sudan’s Army spokesman also accused the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) of violating the Cooperation Agreement by crossing into South Sudan’s territory on Saturday. Col. Aguer said the Sudanese Army was sighted in Kuake in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state. He called the incursion “unacceptable” and said the government of the Republic of South Sudan will launch an official complaint to the African Union about it. Reported by Matata Safi Pagan briefs President Kiir ahead of African Union team of experts meeting JUBA, June 8, 2013 -South Sudan’s negotiating team has announced it will be heading to Addis Ababa, the Capital of Ethiopia to submit the country’s position to the African Union team of experts on borders as well as to discuss teams of reference for the resolution of the disputed and claimed areas. This was disclosed yesterday by country’s Chief Negotiator Cde. Pagan Amum Okec after a meeting with the president of the Republic H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit The team, Mr. Pagan said will hold talks on implementation of the oil agreement as well as the formation of the oversight committee to monitor the flow of the country’s oil through Sudan based on “ very clear terms” among other issues. Though he did not specify when the team will be leaving, Mr. Pagan said his team will also engage Sudan on its continued “false” allegations against the Republic of South that its supporting rebels opposed to the Khartoum government “The civil war inside Sudan is a Sudanese war with two Sudanese parties to the conflict”. Pagan said. Pagan (r) and Thebo Mbeki, AU/HIP lead mediator in a previous meeting in Juba [File photo: by Matata Safi] Furthermore, he called on the government of Sudan to remain committed to fully implement the cooperation agreement. South Sudan’s position, he said is to develop relations with Sudan, relations of cooperation in all the fields in pursue of the mutual interests of the people of the two countries On the final status of Abyei, Mr. Pagan urged the government of Sudan to accept the AU/HIP proposal as the basses for final resolution of the problem of the Abyei area. “It’s unfortunate that the government of Sudan has been rejecting that proposal and has been allowing the aggravation of the situation including attempts of forceful displacement and settlement of non Ngonk Dinka residence in area” he said. Reported by Matata Safi Juba to hold the 21st Nile Council of Ministers meeting. JUBA, May 6 2013 - Ministers in charge of Water Affairs in the Nile Basin countries will on June 20, convene in Juba, the capital of the Republic of South Sudan for the 21st annual Nile Council of Ministers (NILE-COM) meeting. The annual regular meeting of the Nile Basin Intiative (NBI) governing body will deliberate on how to move the Nile cooperation forward and discuss administrative issues such as assessing the performance of the NBI work plan for the previous year fiscal year, review and approval of the work plan and budget for fiscal year 2013/2014. The meeting will also review and endorse a number of strategy and policy documents. The official Nile Basin Website stated. The Nile- COM meeting will also witness handover of the leadership of the Nile Council of Ministers from Rwanda to South Sudan. South Sudan joined the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) on July 5 last year taking number seven on the alphabetical listing order of the member states thereby assuming the one year leadership of the body after Rwanda. The other members include Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. “South Sudan has stake on the Nile Basin waters, its usage, management and development”. Said Alier Bullen Ngong, the Director General of Water Resources and Management in South Sudan’s Water Resources and Irrigation ministry. Members of the Organizing Commitee in a meeting yesterday [photo: by Matata Safi] Ngong said South Sudan stands to benefit from the common basket funds that are within the regional block. He said South Sudan laying between downstream and upstream of the Nile , upon assuming chair of the regional block will use its position to coordinate with various position within the NBI to spearhead the existing cooperation. Ngong made these remarks yesterday in Juba while chairing a meeting of the organizing committee at Water and Irrigation Board room. 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