---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "John Ashworth" <[email protected]> Date: 25 Dec 2013 12:10 Subject: [sudan-john-ashworth] Civil society, the media and the UN To: "Group" <[email protected]>
1. Statement of Sudanese and South Sudanese Civil Society on the Conflict in South Sudan Geneva, Kampala, New York, Tuesday 24 December 2013 We, the undersigned, representatives of civil society organisations from Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan wish to express our deep concern about the military confrontations that erupted in the Republic of South Sudan on 15 and 16 December 2013. We are utterly disturbed that the violence, which started in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, has now spread to other parts of the country. This unexpected development threatens the foundation of the nascent nation and puts to jeopardy the safety and well-being of its citizens. We wish to stress our conviction that violence and the destruction of lives and livelihoods serve no purpose and deepen the humanitarian and human rights challenges faced by the government and people of South Sudan. It is also our belief that open and free dialogue that yield a mutually accepted agreement reached through the informed opinion of all the concerned parties, constitute the only way to resolve the current political differences in South Sudan. We appeal to the political leadership of the Republic of South Sudan to put the interest and aspirations of the populace for peaceful coexistence, progress, development and happiness as their prime objective and mission. This requires greater political sacrifices from all the conflicting parties in South Sudan and we are confident that all those concerned in that part of our country are bestowed with the necessary courage and wisdom to pursue such objectives. We appeal to the President of the Republic of South Sudan to release, with immediate effect, all persons held for expressing political views critical of the government performance and to start, without conditions, a process of national reconciliation and political dialogue with such persons and with those who are currently under arms against the government. We appeal to the Heads of State and Government members of the African Union, particularly members of the IGAD countries, to continue to place the situation in South Sudan as a top priority on their agendas and to consider rendering their good offices and personal intervention with the parties to the conflict in view of reaching a negotiated peaceful settlement of the on-going conflict. We appeal to all States neighbour of the Republic of South Sudan to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs or to extend military or similar support to any party to the conflict or to take advantage of the situation for ulterior motives, but to play instead a role of promoting dialogue and reconciliation between the parties for a peaceful South Sudan. We appeal to the humanitarian community to redouble their efforts in providing the necessary humanitarian assistance and make available basic materials needed by a growing number of civilians in different parts of the country. We pay due tribute to all the victims of the on-going conflict, including UN staff and peacekeepers, who lost their lives on the line of duty. Signed: 1. Abdelbagi Jibril: Darfur Relief and Documentation Centre 2. Dr. Abdelgabar Adam: Darfur Human Rights Organization of the USA 3. Abdelmageed Haroun: HAND 4. Biel Botrous Biel: South Sudan Human Rights Society for Advocacy 5. Bushra Gamar Hussein Rahma: South Kordofan Human Rights and Development Organisation 6. Faisal El-Bagir: Journalists for Human Rights (JHR-Sudan) 7. Dr. Farouk Mohamed Ibrahim: Sudanese Organisation for the Defence of Rights and Freedoms 8. Hafiz Mohamed Ismael: Justice Africa Sudan 9. Hala Alkarib: Regional Director, SIHA Network 10. Dr. Hamid El-Tigani Ali: Associate Professor, American University in Cairo 11. Jimmy Mulla: Voices for Sudan 12. Dr. Luka Biong Deng: Kush Inc. 13. Mahjoub Mohammed Salih: Editor-in-Chief, Al-Ayam Newspaper 14. Mohamed Abdalla El-Doma: Darfur Bar Association 15. Dr. M. Jalal Hashim: Sudanese Association for the Defence of Freedom of Opinion and Conscience (SADFOC) 16. Nabil Adib Abdalla: Sudan Human Rights Monitor 17. Dr. Nada Mustafa Ali: Visiting Professor, Women and Gender Studies, Clark University 18. Nasredeen Abdulbari: Columbia University 19. Niemat Ahmadai: Darfur Women Action Group 20. Osman Hummaida: African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies 21. Rashid Saeed Yagoub: Journalist , France 22. Shamsaddin Dawalbait: Project on Democratic Thought and Islamic Reform 23. Professor Sidiga Washi: Babiker Badri Scientific Association for Women Studies 24. Sabri Elshareef: Center for Democracy and Peace, New Jersey 25. Dr. Suliman Baldo: Sudan Democracy First Group 26. Suliman Hamid: Blue Nile Center For Justice and Human Rights For media contacts: 1. Geneva: Abdelbagi Jibril: +41 79 737 97 49 and +41 76 360 95 26 2. Kampala: Biel Botrous Biel: +256 778 89 67 45 3. New York: Suliman Baldo: +1 646 467 37 24 END1 2. Petition on responsible reporting of the situation in South Sudan http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/south-sudan-crisis-and-responsible-reporting?share_id=PLTdvkWxVd&utm_campaign=twitter_link_action_box&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=share_petition END2 3. UN Security Council SC/11230 ________________________________ Security Council 7091st Meeting (PM) UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 2132 (2013), SECURITY COUNCIL INCREASES UNITED NATIONS MISSION’S MILITARY PRESENCE IN SOUTH SUDAN Responding to the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, the Security Council today unanimously adopted a resolution which, among others, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and overall increased force levels of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). In resolution 2132 (2013) the 15-member body decided that the Mission would augment its military component up to 12,500 troops of all ranks, as well as a police component up to 1,323, including appropriate Formed Police Units. Authorizing the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps to facilitate inter-mission cooperation, the Council also approved the appropriate transfer of troops, force enablers and multipliers from other missions, in particular the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). Speaking after the vote, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the urgency and collective resolve of the Council, stating he was “determined” to ensure that UNMISS had the means to carry out its central task of protecting civilians. He expressed deep concern about the reports of ethnically targeted violence, including extrajudicial killings and mass graves. The displacement of civilians was spreading, with 45,000 people seeking protection at the bases of the South Sudan Mission. “There is no military solution to this conflict,” he underlined, adding that it was a political crisis and required a peaceful, political solution. The United Nations was working closely with parties on the ground to establish a basis for negotiations. The Secretary-General also thanked the troop- and police-contributing countries and commended the peacekeepers. Emphasizing that those responsible for attacks on peacekeepers and civilians would be held personally accountable, he stated: “They should know the world is watching.” However, even with ongoing support, he cautioned, the strengthening of the Mission’s protection capabilities would not happen overnight and even with additional capabilities, every civilian in need would not be protected. The parties were responsible for ending to end the conflict. Having called upon President Salva Kiir and opposition political leaders to come to the table and find a political way out, the Secretary-General concluded: “Now is the time for South Sudan’s leaders to show their people and the world that they are committed to preserving the unity of the nation that was born out of their long struggle for independence.” Francis Mading Deng ( South Sudan) said that his country’s people “do not want to fall back into the abyss of war from which they have suffered for over half a century”. South Sudan was experiencing a period of complex internal conflict and the Government, under very difficult circumstances, was doing as much as it could to restore calm and stability to the affected areas in the country. He expressed “deep appreciation” for the proactive response of the Secretary-General and the Council, exemplified by the decision to reinforce the Mission, saying that “it had been heartening” to witness the protection provided by the Mission in its compounds to tens of thousands of civilians. Acknowledging the appeals of the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations for South Sudanese leaders to offer the nation a framework for peace and reconciliation, he added that the same spirit was reflected in a press statement by President Kiir, which called for an immediate end to violence and urged Riek Machar and his forces to rise to the challenge of nation-building. The meeting began at 3:05 p.m. and ended at 3:18 p.m. Resolution The full text of resolution 2132 (2013) reads as follows: “The Security Council, “Expressing grave alarm and concern regarding the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian crisis in South Sudan resulting from the political dispute and subsequent violence caused by the country’s political leaders, “Recalling its 17 December and 20 December 2013 press statements, and previous resolutions 1996 (2011), 2046 (2012), 2057 (2012), and 2109 (2013), and acknowledging the 23 December 2013 letter from the Secretary-General (S/2013/758), “Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of South Sudan, “Condemning the fighting and targeted violence against civilians and specific ethnic and other communities occurring across the country that have resulted in hundreds of deaths and casualties and tens of thousands of internally displaced persons, “Further condemning reported human rights violations and abuses by all parties, including armed groups and national security forces, and emphasizing that those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law must be held accountable, “Welcoming the strengthening of the human rights investigation capacity of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) with the support of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Commending the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Ministerial Group’s initiative, as supported by the United Nations and African Union, in seeking to open the dialogue and mediate between key leaders, and urging all parties to cooperate with this initiative, “Commending the active steps taken by UNMISS to implement its mandate and give refuge in its premises and other forms of assistance to the civilians caught in the fighting, “Condemning in the strongest terms attacks on and threats made to UNMISS personnel and United Nations facilities, demanding that all parties respect the inviolability of United Nations premises and to refrain from any violence against those gathered at United Nations facilities, and in this regard reiterating its condemnation of the attack on the UNMISS camp in Akobo, on 19 December, which resulted in the death of two Indian peacekeepers and the wounding of another, as well as at least 20 other casualties of individuals seeking UNMISS protection, “Determining that the situation in South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region, “Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, “1. Calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the immediate opening of a dialogue; “2. Demands that all parties cooperate fully with UNMISS as it implements its mandate, in particular the protection of civilians, andstresses that efforts to undermine UNMISS’ ability to implement its mandate and attacks on United Nations personnel will not be tolerated; “3. Endorses the recommendation made by the Secretary-General to temporarily increase the overall force levels of UNMISS to support its protection of civilians and provision of humanitarian assistance; “4. Decides, therefore, that given the urgent circumstances of the situation, UNMISS will consist of a military component of up to 12,500 troops of all ranks and of a police component, including appropriate Formed Police Units, of up to 1,323, requests that the Secretary-General keep the new levels of troops and police in UNMISS under continuous review, and requests that the Secretary-General report to the Council within 15 days on the steps taken to implement this resolution, and at least every 30 days thereafter; “5. Authorizes the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps to facilitate inter-mission cooperation and, if needed and subject to further Council consideration, complementary force and asset generation, and authorizes, in order to reach the new levels of troops and police within the overall troop ceiling set out in paragraph 4 on a temporary basis, appropriate transfer of troops, force enablers, and multipliers from other missions, in particular MONUSCO, UNAMID, UNISFA, UNOCI and UNMIL, subject to the agreement of the troop-contributing countries and without prejudice to the performance of the mandates of these United Nations missions; “6. Urges the concerned Member States to facilitate the deployment and redeployment to and from UNMISS, and encourages all Member States to respond to United Nations efforts to mobilize troops and resources; “7. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.” http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sc11230.doc.htm END3 ______________________ John Ashworth Sudan, South Sudan Advisor [email protected] +254 725 926 297 (Kenya mobile) +211 919 695 362 (South Sudan mobile) +27 79 832 8834 (South Africa mobile) +44 750 304 1790 (UK/international) +88 216 4334 0735 (Thuraya satphone) PO Box 52662 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya This is a personal e-mail address and the contents do not necessarily reflect the views of any organisation -- -- The content of this message does not necessarily reflect John Ashworth's views. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, John Ashworth is not the author of the content and the source is always cited. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "sudan-john-ashworth" group. 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