February 8, 2016 (BOR) – The governor of South Sudan's Jonglei state, Phillip Aguer has pledged to promote gender equality and the girl-child education in the region.

Women march bare-footed for peace on Women's Day in Yambio town, March 8, 2016 (ST)

Aguer made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking during an event organised to commemorate International Woman Day in the capital, Bor.

He cited some of the women's struggle, saying they should be recognised for their efforts.

“It's the great day in which women struggle for social and economic equality, the right of women to vote and the right to hold political position in the government”, said Aguer.

Promoting girl child education, he added, addresses setbacks the women often face.

“The only way to promote women rights and equality is through education. We have to make sure that we eradicate illiteracy among the women because I know that our girls are in schools but there are still adult's women and men that are illiterate. We have eradicated illiteracy among the women because they have great burden in the development of our home economy”, stressed the governor.

The current political crisis, he stressed, has hit women hardest in their respective families.

“As we are still crying for the prices of dollar, it is the women of South Sudan that are the backbone of our home economy. Even if you are working and earning whatever income, the income we get through women activities is more than our daily income”, said Aguer.

Khalim Masih, the head of the United Nations mission in Jonglei state, said the annually celebrated the International Women Day was a very important day to all South Sudanese women and girls to tell them about their right.

“Not only us men who bring the joy and peace to the family. If we often forget that who have women have equal rights. ”, said Masih.

“Together we can make it happen, we can deliver together, we cannot afford to forget that”, he added.

According to the state minister for gender, child and social welfare, Suzan Lith Aluong, South Sudan has endeavored to promote its women to become dynamic leaders in all societies and government institutions.

She, however, admitted that women still had a long way before they can attain equal rights with men.

“There is a long way to go before women get equal rights to represent leadership and take charge of higher positions. At the state level, we shall make sure that women are well represented”, said the minister.

“We are demanding more seats for women in the near future because we still lack the required 25% women representation [in Jonglei]”, she added.

TEARS AT WOMEN'S DAY EVENT

Meanwhile, International Women's Day celebrations in Yambio county saw hundred of women dressed in black shed tears, while a somber mood filled the venue for the event.

The occasion was organised by the Women's Union and the ministry of gender, child and social welfare with support from various UN agencies.

Christine Ngbaazande, the chairperson of the women union said women in Gbudue state opted to make this year's Women's Day an event for fasting and prayer to God for peace and forgiveness to those who wronged others.

She called on government to end impunity, promote justice to end violence against women and girls as well as forgive youth who recently took arms.

The Gbudue state governor, Patrick Zamoi said the state and national government's were fully committed towards supporting and protecting women enshrined in South Sudan's Transitional Constitution and other laws.

(ST)

March 9, 2016 (NYALA) - An unidentified armed group has killed a former local official in South Darfur state late night on Tuesday at his home.

Pro-government janjaweed militiamen on top of a heavily armed pickup patrol the main road out of the Kirinding-2 refugee camp at the outskirts of Al-Geneina, April 24,07 (Reuters)

A hail of bullets were fired at the ex-commissioner of Al-Radoum locality Abdel Sadig al-Sharif by unknown gunmen in his home in Ghibaish area, 15km south of Buram locality in South Darfur.

Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune Wednesday that 4 gunmen stormed al-Sharif's home and fired a hail of bullets at him, saying he sustained severe wounds in his chest and belly.

According to the witnesses, he was rushed to Buram Teaching Hospital where he died of his wounds.

A large crowd from the residents of Buram locality have accompanied al-Sharif's body to its final resting place and expressed resentment over the killing of one of the traditional administration figures in the area.

South Darfur has witnessed over the last two years a wave of kidnapping, murder and looting which prompted state authorities to declare an indefinite emergency situation and impose a daily curfew.

The state also banned riding of motorcycles by more than one person, holding weapons while wearing civilian clothes, vehicles driving around without license plates, and wearing a Kadamool (a turban which covers the face).

(ST)

March 9, 2016 (JUBA) - A senior cabinet minister in the government of South Sudan has denied that security services personnel have been given orders to torture or kill people with different opinions about performance of the government.

S. Sudan cabinet minister Martin Elia Lomoro (Photo KT Press)

This is despite indications that the practice has been repeatedly highlighted in multiple reports about how government operatives conduct themselves, specifically with how they deal with members of the media and activists.

Reports say South Sudanese authorities have since tried to muzzle freedom of speech and expression as a ploy to silence critics or those with critical views about performances of the government.

But cabinet affairs minister Martin Elia Lomuro told Sudan Tribune it is not a policy of the government to torture and kill people.

"First of all I am denying that certain things occur with the knowledge of people in authority. I also would like to say clearly that torture and killing is not part of the policy of the government,' cabinet minister Lomuro responded in an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

“If there are people who think that what happens are government supported activities, then let them know that these are not government sanctioned activities. No government would turn against her own people, never,” he vowed.

Minister Lomuro has categorically denied that the government had sanctioned torture, intimidation, killing and all other repressive forms against people with critical views and opinions.

“I would like to make it clear once again that the government has never issued any orders nor instructions regarding this and I am sure security services have never received such orders. So anybody accused of such charges is doing it out of parameters of laws and the constitution,” he said.

The senior government official was reacting to a question asking whether it was now the policy of the government to kidnap, torture, and dump and even kill people with views and opinions critical about the poor performance of the government, given that journalists and activists have always fallen victims of such heinous acts without interventions from the government.

His comments also followed the incident in which journalist, Joseph Afendi, went missing on 4 March after being abducted by men driving a white vehicle without number plates. Afendi was later found dumped near a grave yard and badly beaten. His legs, according to the photo image shared widely on social media, were marked with what appeared to be deliberate burns from plastic substance.

Some of his relatives and colleagues told Sudan Tribune on Monday and Tuesday that they found him burned with fire on the thighs. He was burned with fire and one of his arms is broken as a result of beating.

Afendi has now been flown out of the country for medical attention. Many relatives expressed fear the brutal way he was handled by those who abducted him may have a severe effect on his reproductive system.

The motives of the government operatives targeting the journalist remain largely unclear as this was the second attempt on his life.

In December 2015, however, security services personnel arrested and held him without charge for almost two months. Afendi was the editor of El Tabeer Arabic newspaper which the government operatives shut down after harassing its management.

Observers attributed the cause to an article which Afendi himself had written in his column and was critical of the performance of the entire leadership of the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) under the overall leadership of President Salva Kiir.

South Sudan's human rights record has repeatedly come under sustained internal and global scrutiny before and after gaining independence from neighbouring Sudan in July 2011.

(ST)

March 9, 2016 (PAGAK) – South Sudan's first vice president designate, Riek Machar, who is also the chairman and commander-in-chief of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and Army (SPLM/SPLA-IO), has conducted a mass deployment of hundreds of senior military officers to various army divisions and brigades in the country.

Members of the SPLA-IO Military Command Council (MCC) listening to briefing on security arrangements, Pagak, November 8, 2015 (ST photo)

The new reorganization and assignments come as the opposition leadership is soon expected to form a transitional government of national unity (TGoNU) with President Salva Kiir in accordance with the peace agreement, duped as the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS).

The warring parties signed in August last year the peace deal to end 21 months of civil war which erupted on 15 December 2013.

According to provisions on the security arrangements to last for the most part of the expected three years of the transitional period, pending reunification of the rival forces, there will be two national armies in the country. One will be commanded by President Kiir and another will be commanded by his first deputy, Machar.

The two armies will be equally treated as co-national armies with different structures and commands until when they will be reunified into one national army following implementation of security sector reforms as stipulated in the IGAD sponsored peace deal.

In the orders signed by Machar and issued on 5 March 2016, extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, the commander-in-chief of the opposition army deployed hundreds of officers to various army divisions and brigades.

The deployments also follow the previous assignments of senior military commanders in the top army command during which chief of general staff, 1st Lt. General Simon Gatwech Dual and his deputies were assigned.

The following officers, according to the latest orders, are deployed at the General Headquarters of SPLM/SPLA (IO) as directors of military departments.

GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
1) Lt. General John Both Teny (General Headquarters Commander), 2) Lt. General Thomas Mabor Dhol (Director for Operations), 3) Maj. General Thoi Chany (Director General for National Security and General Intelligence Services – NSGIS), 4) Maj. General John Mawich Makuach (Director for Administration and Finance), 5) Maj. General Joseph Awan Nyiko (Administration of C-in-C), 6) Maj. General John Luk Bayek (Director for Officers), 7) Maj. General Peter Tap Gatdet (Director for NCOS affairs), 8) Maj General William Kuol Chuol (Director for Military Justice), 9) Maj. General Gatwech Yiech Rom (Director for Logistics), 10) Maj. General Stephen Gawar Manyok (Director for Wounded Herous), 11) Maj. General James Puch Yaka (Director for Signal and Electronic Warefare), 12) Maj. General Stephen Chuol Dieng (Director of Medical Corps), 13) Maj. General John Both Luak (Director for Organization), 14) Maj. General John Chuol Dhol (Director for Production), 15) Maj. General Gabriel Puok Ngunoah (Director for Military Police), 16) Maj. General James Buony Muon (Director for Moral Orientation) and 17) Brig. General Duoth Dejuol Kuony (Director for Support Units (Engineer, Air Defense and Artilleries).

SECTOR 1 (DIVISION 1, DIVISION 7 AND AGUELEK)

The following are deployed to Sector One headquarters which includes divisions 1, 7 and Aguelek based in Upper Nile state.
1) Lt. General Johnson Ulony Thubo (Commander), 2) Maj. General James Gattiek Diar (Deputy Commander), 3) Maj. General James Yak Dayiem (Administration and Finance), 4) Maj. General Jacob Gatwech Chuol (Operations), 5) Maj. General James Nguen Tuong (Production), 6) Maj. General Samuel Ngob Nyith (Training and Research), 7) Maj. General Stephen Bol Kulang (Officers and NCOS affairs), 8) Maj. General Marko Liah Chany (Logistics), 9) Maj. General Joseph Aban Thong (Moral Orientation), 10) Maj. General Diing Chan (Military Intelligence), 11) officers in charge of support units (engineer, air defense and artilleries), signal; medical corps; and military intelligence to be appointed.

DIVISION 1
1) Maj. General Joseph Gai Gatluak (Commander), 2) Maj. General John Kuleker Kur (Deputy Commander), 3) Brig. General William Nuai Deng (Administration and Finance), 4) Brig. General James Thou Ruach (Operations), 5) Brig General Parjiek Toang Liak (Brigade One Commander), 6) Brig General James Gatluak Nhial (Brigade Two Commander), 7) Brig General James Gatjang Nguen (Brigade Three Commander), 8) Brig General Simon Diang Latjor (Production), 9) Col. Chuol Jock Reath (Training), 10) Col. Peter Koang Thor (Military Intelligence), 11) Col. Mathon Dobuol Dak (Division Headquarters), 12) Lt. Col. James Kueth Koak (Moral Orientation), 13) Lt. Col. James Kuony Thichuong (Support Units), 14) Captain Kiir Tai Riek (Medical Corps), 15) Captain Stephen Thou Bol (Military Police), 16) 1st Lt. Peter Kech Koa (Signal) and 17) Cde William Deng Bichok (Legal Advisor).

DIVISION 7
1) Major General Peter Puok Koang (Commander), 2) Maj. General Simon Diang Duoth (Deputy Commander), 3) Maj. General Samuel Jok Kuai Toch (Operations), 4) Administration and Finance (to be appointed), 5) Brig General Wuor Gai Thanypiny (Brigade One Commander), 6) Brig General James Kuot Duop (Brigade Two Commander), 7) Brig General Peter Riek Pieny (Brigade Three Commander), 8) Brig General James Nyuot Puot (Moral Orientation), 9) Brig General Gatluak Thorew Nen (Production), 10) Brig General Gatdor Luony Yoam (Training), 11) Brig General John Puot Gatluak (Support Units – Engineers, Air Defense and Artilleries), 12) Brig General James Mawich Dol (Logistics), 13) Col. Mawich Wanteat Gatluak (Military Intelligence), 14) Lt. Col. Gatkuoth Gatluak Mazier (Medical Corps), 15) Lt. Col. Koang Nhial Gai (Military Police) and 16) Major Yousuf Abdallah (Signal).

FORCE TO JUBA

The following officers are deployed to command the forces going to Juba: 1) Maj. General John Mabie Gar (Juba Force Commander), 2) Brig. General James Thow Kuach (Juba Force Deputy Commander) and 3) Brig. General John Malual Biel (Tiger Republican Guards Commander) in Juba.

SECTOR TWO
1) Lt. General Magwek Gai Majak (Commander), 2) Maj. General George Gathuoi Thak (Deputy Commander), 3) Maj. General Thomas Kedol Thong (Director for Operations), 4) Maj. General James Gatluak Chol (Director for Logistics), 5) Maj. General James Liah Diew (Director for Administration and Finance), 6) Maj. General James Juol Banak Gatkuoth (Director for Moral Orientation), 7) Brig. General Robert Maluk Guek (Director for Signal), 8) Brig General William Deng Manyiel (Director for Production), 9) Brig General John Maker Gatjiek (Director for Officers and NCOS affairs), 10) Brig General Marol Bath Badeng (Director for Support Units – Engineer, Air Defense and Artilleries), 11) Director for Training and Research to be appointed, 12) Col. James Kuer Puot (Director for Military Intelligence), 13) Col. John Puok Kueth (Director for Organization), 14) Col. Tut Koang Wapuoy (Director for Medical Corps) and 15) Director for Military Justice to be appointed.

DIVISION 4A (NORTHERN DIVISION)
1) Major General Tito Biel Wie (Commander), 2) Maj. General John Turuk Khor (Deputy Commander), 3) Maj. General James Chuol Nyak (Administration and Finance), 4) Maj. General Makal Kuol Deng (Logistics), 5) Maj. General George Gatbaany (Operations), 6) Brig General Abraham Kokwei Jiech (Brigade One Commander), 7) Brig General Stephen Bab Hoth (Brigade Two Commander), 8) Brig General Paulino Nyok Kier (Brigade Three Commander), 9) Col. John Palata Bathoy (Support Units – Engineers, Air Defense and Artilleries), 10) Col. Peter Pul Biliu (Training), 11) Col. Kur Dhiaydor Tutroal (Moral Orientation), 12) Col. Peter Nguany Gai (Production), 13) Heads of Military Intelligence; Signal; Medical Corps; and Legal Advisor to be appointed.

DIVISION 4B (SOUTHERN DIVISION)
1) Major General Samuel Dok Wanjang (Commander), 2) Maj. General Moses Ruei Khor (Deputy Commander), 3) Maj. General James Tut Yap Koung (Operations), 4) Maj. General Stephen Bol Puk (Administration and Finance), 5) Maj. General Peter Toar Nyual (Logistics), 6) Brig General Yoanis Mawich Yiel Tuor (Brigade One Commander), 7) Brig General John Thilkuei Yakah (Brigade Two Commander), 8) Brig General Wicyual Guei Leah (Brigade Three Commander), 9) Brig General Gatwech Diew Chany (Officers and NCOS affairs), 10) Col. Jeremiah Kapyang Pay (Production), 11) Col. Nhial Bol Thak (Moral Orientation), 12) Col. Stephen Gatnyai Chidong (Training), 13) Col. Gatdiet Gok (Support Units – Engineers, Air Defense and Artilleries), 14) heads of Signal; Military Intelligence; Medical Corps; and Legal Adviser are to be appointed.

SECTOR THREE (DIVISION 8 AND COBRA DIVISION)
1) Lt. General Peter Thuok Chuol Luak (Commander), 2) Maj. General James Nhial Wathkak (Deputy Commander), 3) Maj. General Michael Wal Nyak (Operations), 4) Maj. General Simon Wicjang Reat (Administration and Finance), 5) Brig General Stephen Lul Koang Pan (Organization), 6) Brig General Awan Malual Amol (Medical Corps), 7) Brig General David Hoth Lual (Production), 8) Brig General Michael Yien Kuany (Training), 9) Brig General Simon Hoth Duol (Moral Orientation), 10) Brig General James Mandith Gatkuoth (Logistics), 11) heads for Support Units (Engineers, Air Defense and Artilleries); Military Intelligence; Signal; Officers and NCOS affairs; and Military Justice to be appointed.

DIVISION 8
1) Major General James Otong Liah (Commander), 2) Brig General Simon Yien Deng (Deputy Commander), 3) Brig General Peter Gathiep Nyal (Administration and Finance), 4) Brig General James Yien Yuol Bithou (Operations), 5) Brig General James Nyak Ruei Chuol (Training), 6) Brig General John Kiel Them (Brigade One Commander), 7) Bri General James Mandith Gatkuoth (Logistics), 8) Brig General William Tut Gol Deng (Brigade Two Commander), 9) Brig General Ruol Yuol Wach (Moral Orientation), 10) Brig General John Koang Bol (Division Headquarters), 11) Brig General Thor Gang Lual (Brigade Three Commander), 12) Brig General Char Bol Tutlieth (Production), 13) Brig General Peter Manyang Gatluak (Military Police), 14) Brig General Peter Gatkuoth Reat (Support Units – Engineers, Air Defense and Artilleries), 15) Brig General John Joak Mut (Medical Corps), 16) Lt. Col. James Bang Nguot (Military Intelligence), 17) Lt. Col. James Duoth Biel (Signal) and 18) Legal Affairs to be appointed.

COBRA DIVISION
1) Major General Hassen Ismail Konyi (Commander), 2) Commander (to be appointed), 3) Brig General James Olerum (Operations), 4) Logistics, 5) Administration and Finance, 6) Brigade One Commander, 7) Brigade Two Commander, 8) Brigade Three Commander, 9) Military Intelligence, 10) Moral Orientation, 11) Signal, 12) Officers and NCOS affairs, 13) Production, 14) Training, 15) Support Units – Engineers, Air Defense and Artilleries, 16) Medical Corps and 17) Legal Advisor to be appointed.

SECTOR FOUR
1) Lt. General Dang Yiech Thanypiny (Commander), 2) Maj. General Peter Liem Bol (Deputy Commander), 3) Maj. General Peter Gatwech Thor (Administration and Finance), 4) Maj. General John Kang Riek (Operations), 5) Maj. General Stephen Pal Kun Keak (Moral Orientation), 6) Director for Logistics (to be appointed), 7) Brig General Samuel Mut Gai (Support Units – Engineers, Air Defense, Artilleries), 8) Directors for Military Intelligence; Signal; Officers and NCOS affairs; Production; Training and Research; Medical Corps; and Military Justice to be appointed.

DIVISION 3
1) Major General Thomas Tut Riek (Commander), 2) Maj. General Peter Ruach Wie (Deputy Commander), 3) Maj. General John Chuol Nguot (Administration and Finance), 4) Maj General James Kayier Lual (Logistics), 5) Maj General James Duoth Lam (Division Headquarters Commander), 6) Brig General Paul Gatnor Ruot (Moral Orientation), 7) Brig General Bol Rambang Ruach (Operations), 8) Brig General Sudan Ngor Kuany (Brigade One Commander), 9) Brig General Chuol Ngor (Brigade Two Commander), 10) Brig General Hokdor Chuol Diet (Brigade Three Commander), 11) Major David Gatnyoach Nen (Military Intelligence), 12) Directors for Moral Orientation; Signal; Production; Training; Support Units – Engineer, Air Defense, Artilleries - ; Medical Corps; and Legal Advisor to be appointed.

DIVISION 5
1) Major General James Khor Chuol Giet (Commander), 2) Maj. General David Thuok Chuol (Deputy Commander), 3) Maj. General John Gatwech Thowath (Operations), 4) Maj. General John Chuol Kuon Chigach (Logistics), 5) Brigadier. General Paul Bor Biel Dhol (Finance and Administration), 6) Brig General Gordon Pam Nguany (Brigade One Commander), 7) Brig General Simon Lual Kueth Dang (Brigade Two Commander), 8) Brig General Chuol Yoa Guok (Brigade Three Commander), 9) Brig General Bor Chuol Deng Mawaar (Division Headquarters Commander, 10) Brig Brig General Peter Alberto (Legal Advisor), 11) Brig General Jacob Nhial Wie Puot (Productions), 12) Lt. Col. Majok Bol Maani (Military Intelligence) and 13) heads of Moral Orientation; Signal; Production; Training; Support Units – Engineers, Air Defense and Artilleries; and Medical Corps to be appointed.

SPECIAL BRIGADE TWO
1) Major General James Ochan Puot (Commander), 2) Maj. General Kamal Lumi (Deputy Commander), 3) Directors for Operations; Logistics; Administration and Finance; Military Intelligence; Moral Orientation; Signal; Support Units – Engineers, Air Defense, Artilleries – and Medical Corps to be appointed.

SPECIAL BRIGADE ONE
1) Major General Yoanes Okich (Commander), 2) Deputy Commander; Operations Commander; heads of Logistics; Administration and Finance; Military Intelligence; Moral Orientation; Signal; Support Units – Engineers, Air Defense and Artilleries -; and Medical Corps to be appointed.

NEWLY CONFIRMED OFFICERS

The following officers have been confirmed in the rank of Major General with effect from 15 August 2015: 1) Major General Martin Abucha, 2) Major General John Chuol Kuon Chigach, 3) Major General Stephen Chuol Ding and 4) Major General James Makuar Gatluak.

Additional deployments may follow soon to the various army Divisions and Special Brigades.

(ST)

March 9, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Wednesday said its fighters repulsed a government attack near Alfarshia area, north of Dilling town in South Kordofan state.

A SPLA-N rebel soldier, in South Kordofan (AFP)

Last Saturday, the Sudanese army said its troops were ready to start the “Decisive Summer” campaign in South Kordofan following the arrival of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) troops in the state's capital, Kadougli.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Wednesday, SPLM-N official spokesperson, Arnu Ngutulu Lodi, said their fighters in South Kordofan under the command of Brig. Gen. Daud Ashaya rebelled a government offensive attempted to occupy SPLM/N controlled area.

The statement stressed that SPLM-N fighters dispersed the attackers and pursued them into Alfarshia garrison, saying 13 government soldiers were killed and several others wounded.

It added that SPLM-N fighters destroyed one mounted Land Cruiser vehicle and seized one RPG-7 missile launcher in good condition, pointing that 3 SPLM-N fighters were killed and three others injured in the attack.

The Sudanese army spokesperson was not reachable for comment.

The border states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile state have been the scene of a violent conflict since 2011 when fighting broke out between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army.

In November of last year, the warring parties failed to strike a cessation of hostilities deal.

Following the collapse of talks, Sudan's defence minister Awad Ibn Ouf said the army would raise the state of preparedness in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile, vowing to actively seek to recapture the SPLM-N stronghold of Kauda.

(ST)

March 9, 2016 (JUBA) - Festus Mogae, head of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), has called on South Sudan's rival parties to undertake radical economic measures to reform the economy of the country instead of placing too much hopes on foreign intervention to elevate suffering and deteriorating economic situation in the country.

Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Chairperson Festus Mogae meets with community leaders and civil society groups during a visit to Bentinu on January 14, 2016 (UNMISS Photo)

JMEC is a peace implementation overseer body created by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc comprising eight Eastern African member countries, including South Sudan.

The body which is representative of all rival parties and observers is chaired by Mogae, former Botswana president. It monitors the implementation of the peace deal signed in August last year between President Salva Kiir's government and the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by the first vice president designate, Riek Machar.

Mogae, who delivered a prepared speech at the joint session of the JMEC on Wednesday in the national capital, Juba, explained that the economic situation in the country was deteriorating and was hurting mostly the poor and ordinary South Sudanese without or with little income.

“The idea that world powers will restore this country's economy to what it once was is unrealistic. Oil prices may rise, or they may not. Irrespective of whether they do or not, this cannot be counted on. Solutions must be found from within,” he said.

He referenced the parts of the peace agreement which deal with economic reforms, stressing that these require the formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) as stipulated in the agreement.

He however pointed out that formation of the transitional unity government would not be the solution to the deteriorating economy without exhibiting political will and desire for reforms.

“But formation of the government will itself be insufficient to ensure international economic assistance. Help will be dependent on the competence of those who are appointed to key economic management positions, on the degree of adherence to the agreement's provisions, and the seriousness with which appropriate economic policies and necessary reforms are pursued,” he said.

The former Botswana president recommended that the parties come out to discuss steps they would take immediately to help the economy.

“Since the Transitional Government is not yet formed, I would encourage the Parties represented here to consider what action can be taken immediately, today, as well as what action can be immediately taken upon formation of the Transitional Government.”

In the matter of economic reform, he added, the timelines in the agreement may have been overtaken by events, emphasizing there is urgency of the situation which requires further cooperation, and, as with the humanitarian dimension, practical and decisive action.

He said JMEC was willing to assist the parties in whatever way it could to consider what steps could be taken to mitigate further economic decline.

There are concerns that the economic situation in South Sudan is fast deteriorating, sending chilling fears of uncertainty in the country.

(ST)

March 9, 2016 (KAMPALA) - South Sudanese refugees living in northern Uganda are unhappy about delays in implementing the peace deal signed by President Salva Kiir and the armed opposition (SPLM-IO) leader, Riek Machar in August last year.

A South Sudanese woman upon arrival at Kiryandongo refugee camp 16, Feb, 2014 (ST)

One such refugee is Gatdet Gatnyang, who is disturbed that no meaningful peace has been realised six months after the warring parties signed the agreement, while violence still persists in several parts of the world's youngest nation.

He says President's Kiir's decision to create 28 new states does not help.

“It is an obstacle to the people of South Sudan because it is creating more problems especially the recent violence that occurred in Malakal at the United Nations IDPs [internally displaced peoples] camp. It is the outcome of the 28 [newly created] states,” Gatnyang told Sudan Tribune.

“I don't think the creation of the 28 states is going to be peaceful,'' he added.

Gatnyang says many South Sudanese do not identify with South Sudan as a nation, but rather with their tribes. He blames the South Sudanese government for the recent attacks at a UN camp in the Upper Nile state capital, Malakal.

Rebecca James, 18, blames both President Kiir and Machar for failing to discipline some errant soldiers still carrying out attacks across the country.

“They were given a lot of time to understand themselves and forgive each other. But they have done nothing more, they are still killing people up to these days and for me I don't have any trust in them,'' said Rebecca.

She urged the international community and the East African regional bloc (IGAD) to put pressure on South Sudanese leaders to stop the violence.

The desire to return home, many South Sudanese say, is a dream that can become a reality when peace and stability are fully restored in the country. They, however, doubt their leaders' commitment to fully implement the compromise peace agreement.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

March 9, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – A group of South Sudanese government troops have defected and joined the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by Riek Machar, an rebel official told Sudan Tribune Wednesday.

SPLA soldiers in Malakal, capital of the battleground oil-state of Upper Nile on 15 May 2014 (Photo AFP/Ivan Lieman)

The armed opposition's secretary for information, documentation and orientation in Sobat state, Kech Nguoth Tiem claimed several government forces deserted their barracks and joined the rebel movement's base in Nyatot on 8 March.

The opposition official did not, however, mention total numbers of those who allegedly defected to the rebels in Sobat, but insisted that the defectors were "very many".

“After the group arrived, they were received by the SPLM-IO emergency joint patrolling team stationed in Ketbeek. The government then followed and demanded to take back those who surrendered, but the move was rejected by the forces of SPLA-IO,” said Tiem.

According to the opposition official, government forces opened fire on the SPLA-IO forces in Ketbek station after the opposition group's patrolling team who received the defectors refused to hand over those who defected.

“Fighting erupted and the government force were chased and repulsed back to their base in Wechyaradiw,” he said.

He further alleged that government forces launched offensive shelling and bombarded SPLM-IO positions on Wednesday in Pandanyang, NorDeng, Dhoreding and this was followed by subsequent attacks at rebel bases in Ketbeek.

“The government forces in Wechyaradiw have been defecting to SPLM-IO one by one three months ago and continue until yesterday”, said Tiem.

They defectors allegedly claimed they abandoned their base in protest against harsh conditions, lack of food and other necessary supplies within their Wechyaradiw base.

The army has, however, not officially reacted to claims allegedly made by the defectors.

The two South Sudanese rival factions on Tuesday traded fresh accusations of military confrontations in Upper Nile's Nasir county in violation of last year's peace deal.

(ST)

March 9, 2016 (NYALA) - A Darfur rebel commander Wednesday broke away from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and announced his commitment to the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

19 fighters led by former JEM commander Mahdi Adam Ismail arrived to the capital of South Darfur State, Nyala, where they announced their split from the rebel group, saying they "opted for peace after negotiations led by the traditional leaders".

Ismail further told reporters in Nyala that they handed over four combat vehicles and their weapons to the security services in the city in preparation for the implementation of the security arrangements.

The defection of the rebel commander is the third of its kind in the rebel group since the signing of the DDPD in July 2011. The most important split was led by Mohamed Bashar and Abdel Karim Dabajo in 2012.

A smaller group led by Younis Mansour Arbab broke away from JEM after its defection in April 2015's battle when the group massed all its troops and attacked South Darfur state.

JEM spokesperson Gibril Ibrahim Bilal admitted the defection in a statement he extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, saying that Ismail had been authorized to move out of the rebel base with four vehicles after claiming he wants to meet people wishing to join the group in a location not far from the whereabouts of the movement forces.

"Ismail was allowed to move with four vehicles three of it are armed and the fourth was an ordinary vehicle. He was accompanied by 15 fighters most of them had no knowledge of his plan," Bilal further said.

However, the splinter rebel leader told reporters in Nyala that dozens of rebels are heading to Alradoom area in South Darfur coming from Daim Zubair area outside Raja county in Western Bahr El Ghazal region, South Sudan.

He said they would integrate the Sudanese army in accordance with the DDPD and called on the armed groups to listen to the voice of reason and join peace and development.

After receiving the defectors at premises of the state government, South Darfur deputy-governor Tayeb Hamid Abu Rida granted amnesty for all members of the group.

He further called on the holdout armed groups to opt for peace, stressing that talks are the only and best way to get rights. Also, he said the state government will provide all the needed facilities to the group until the implementation of the security arrangements and their integration in Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).

The commander of the 16th Infantry Division, Major-General Adel Hamad al-Nil said they escorted the dissident group until their arrival to the South Darfur state capital.

The Sudanese army had been blamed for not ensuring protection to Mohamed Bashar after the signing of a peace agreement in Doha in April 2013. His convoy was ambushed while he was returning to Darfur from Chad.

(ST)

March 9, 2016 (WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Wednesday removed a private cement factory from a blacklist of Sudanese firms and individuals subjected to economic sanctions.

OFAC posted a notice Wednesday to its website announcing the deletion from its sanctions list of "Atbara Cement Company Limited, P.O. Box 36, Atbara, Sudan".

Atbara cement manufacturer was added to OFAC's Sudan list in 1999 when it was owned by the Sudanese government.

In late 2002 the factory was privatized and sold to the African Development and Investment company based in Dubai and owned by three Arab businessmen: Sheikh Suleiman Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Rajhi, Sheikh Saleh Kamel and Sheikh Ibrahim Mandarin.

One year later, Al-Rajhi who is also a Saudi philanthropist becomes the only owner of the cement company and decided to dedicate its revenue to charity works.

In April 2011 , Washington removed the private Bank of Khartoum from a blacklist established in 1997.

(ST)

March 10, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Unidentified gunmen killed a South African soldier in an ambush on a patrol of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in North Darfur (UNAMID), said a joint statement released by the United Nations and African Union on Thursday.

A Nigerian peacekeeper based in El Geneina, West Darfur, inspects a car, with remnants of blood, transporting Senegalese soldiers ambushed by unknown assailants. Three soldiers were killed on 13 October 2013 (Photo: Albert Gonzalez Farran/UNAMID)

“The attack took place 40 km southwest of Kutum, North Darfur (on Wednesday) , while the peacekeepers, on patrol, were travelling from Kutum to Djarido,” said the statement.

Another South African soldier was wounded during the assault.

The deadly ambush was condemned by Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon.

“The Chairperson and the Secretary-General express their sincere condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper and to the Government of the Republic of South Africa. They wish the wounded a full and speedy recovery,” said the statement.

The two leaders called on the warring parties in Darfur to respect the integrity of the peacekeeping mission.

Also they urged the Sudanese government to probe the attack and bring the culprits to book.

On 24 February, the South African presidency announced the withdrawal of its troops from Darfur in next April.

There are some 850 South African deployed in Darfur with the UNAMID since 2008. The South African troops are in Darfur since 2004 as they were also part of the African Union forces in western Sudan.

The South African National Defence Force lost several soldiers in Darfur in the past years

(ST)

March 10, 2016 (BOR) – Four children abducted by suspected Murle men have been rescued in Jalle village of South Sudan's Jonglei state, an official told Sudan Tribune.

The map of Jonglei state in red

Bor county commissioner, Isaac Mamer Ruk said community members rescued the children after the Murle attacked Kuei; a boma located at an island on the River Nile.

All four children, the commissioner said, were below 15 years age.

Ruk said the attackers entered Bor county villages through Maar, one of Twic East's payams, which borders Bor county to the south.

The eastern part of Jalle payam currently has more forces deployed to patrol the villages, according to the Bor county commissioner.

During the raid, Ruk said, one of the attackers was killed while another was earlier wounded died on reaching Bor civil hospital.

He condemned the raid in his county and strongly urged members of Boma state to control the perpetrators and bring them to books.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, suspected criminals reportedly stormed Baidit payam and also attempted to abduct some children.

“The youth opened heavy fire into papyrus reeds where they were hiding on Wednesday evening. We believe some of them were injured as they cried inside there”, said area chief, Makech Kuol.

He added that the children, who emerged unhurt from the reeds, estimated those who carried out the attack to be 10 in numbers.

(ST)

March 10, 2016 (JUBA) - A senior presidential aide in South Sudan's government has claimed that several splits within the leadership of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) under the leadership of the First Vice President Designate, Riek Machar, was the cause for recent ceasefire violations in Nasir county of Latjor (Upper Nile) and Unity states.

Rebel fighters walk in front of a bushfire in a rebel-controlled territory in Upper Nile State, South Sudan February 13, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Goran Tomasevic)

Presidential advisor for security affairs, Tut Gatluak, told Sudan Tribune on Thursday that his office has continued to receive reports from the governors and SPLA commanders in the states of Unity and Upper Nile of repeated violations of ceasefire by forces allied to Machar.

“In areas of Leer, there are reports that the SPLM-IO forces have been attacking villages there. The same thing has been reported in areas around Nasir. When we ask JMEC [Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission] they say the SPLM-IO [is] committed to the implementation of ceasefire, but what is happening on the ground is different,” said Gatluak.

The senior presidential aide explained that his office has been working hard on the directives of the president to ensure that nobody is left out in the peace process.

“We have been talking to other groups to join peace so that they do not become an obstacle to the implementation. Actually the issue of splits is now one of the causes of the violations of ceasefire because some of the commanders who differed with Riek Machar may not be happy and they may be causing some problems,” he said.

His comments followed reports circulated on social media and internet based forums by Gordon Buay, one of government's ambassadors, that two commanders of the SPLM-IO forces, who allegedly participated in the recent clashes around Nasir town on Tuesday, have defected from SPLA-IO. He said they told their supporters and members of their communities and clans that they are not any longer part of the peace agreement with Riek Machar.

Commander Reath Gai Tuach and commander James Duoth Lam Juk, according to the reports, have allegedly informed chiefs in areas under their control that they rejected the leadership of Machar.

The two commanders are reportedly having a force of 1,200 that included the White Army loyal to them. According to Buay, they already ordered their forces to besiege Nasir town and launched more attacks hoping that they would capture it. Both the commanders hail from Gajiok sub-clan of Jikany Nuer and are loyal to Duer Tut, who is the SPLM-IO Governor of Sobat state.

Duer Tut, according to Buay, is allegedly upset with reports alleging Machar has a plan to replace him with somebody from Gajaak sub-clan as a rebel governor. He allegedly ordered the two commanders to breakaway and attack Nasir town.

However, the armed opposition's secretary for information, documentation and orientation in Sobat state, Kech Nguoth Tiem, who is under the leadership of governor Duer Tut, dismissed the allegations by the government.

Tiem claimed that the fighting around Nasir was sparked when several government forces deserted their barracks and joined the rebel movement's base in Nyatot on 8 March.

The opposition official did not, however, mention total numbers of those who allegedly defected to the SPLA-IO in Sobat, but insisted that the defectors were "very many.”

He blamed the government for violating the ceasefire, saying they came out of the town and opened fire to the SPLA-IO forces in their position. According to the opposition official, government forces opened fire on the SPLA-IO forces in Ketbek station after the opposition group's patrolling team who received the defectors refused to hand over those who defected.

If the government's narrative is confirmed, the development would be the third split in the movement after Peter Gatdet and Gathoth Gatkuoth with seven other generals broke away from the group under Machar and called for his dismissal in August 2015.

Major General Makuac Teny also recently announced breaking away and formed his own movement. Government supporters have claimed that the third split involving Commander Duoth Lam and Reath Gai would serve as a proof that Machar has no control over armed opposition forces.

It would also be a reminiscent to the 1991 events when Machar's faction of the SPLM broke up into splinter tribal and sectional factions after breaking away from the group under the overall command of the founding leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/SPLA), John Garang de Mabior.

(ST)

March 10, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudan's armed opposition faction, SPLM-IO, has warned that the disagreement between the government and the opposition faction over cantonment areas of troops in Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal regions may “derail” the implementation of the peace agreement.

The head of the rebel delegation, General Taban Deng Gai, signs a ceasefire agreement, ending more than five weeks of fighting in South Sudan following negotiations in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on 23 January 2014 (Photo: Reuters)

The government under the leadership of President Salva Kiir has refused to allow establishment of cantonment areas for the opposition forces led by the first vice president designate in Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal regions, arguing that the opposition forces are not in these two regions.

The position of the government is that the cantonment areas be confined to the states of Upper Nile region, saying there are no opposition fighters in Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal in order to consider them for the arrangement.

Bu Taban Deng Gai, the chief negotiator for the SPLM-IO and head of the advance team in Juba, said the stalemate over the matter may derail the peace agreement. He proposed that regional heads of state and government should intervene.

“I want the public to know that this is a problem that may delay peace and may derail this peace. It may actually harm this peace process implementation,” said Deng, speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) on Wednesday.

According to the peace agreement signed in August 2015, there should be cantonment areas for rebels and government forces where they will be trained for a period of at least 18 months before reunification.

Information minister and acting leader for government team, Michael Makuei Lueth, said there are no SPLA-IO forces in Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal.

“The government position is that these people (in Equatoria and Bahr eL Ghazal) are not included in the agreement because the agreement says ‘all those who were previously in combat are the ones that will be affected by the agreement,” said Makuei, speaking beside Deng at the same briefing to reporters late on Wednesday in Juba.

Makuei argued that there was no fighting in Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal when the peace agreement was signed six months ago, and that only a handful of individual politicians from Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal joined the SPLM-IO with no forces on the ground to fight.

He said some of them started to organize to fight only after they knew that the peace agreement was already signed, adding they don't qualify to be part of the SPLA-IO army.

“And anybody who started fighting after the agreement will not be considered as a combatant who will benefit from the cantonment,” he added.

Instead, he said, the JMEC and permanent ceasefire monitors will decide together with the parties to the agreement the next course of action. But he admitted that “it will be difficult to fully observe permanent ceasefire without agreement on cantonment areas.”

SPLM-IO senior leader present in Juba, Deng, said that there was need to establish cantonment areas across the country.

“We should agree that there must be cantonment for the forces in the whole of the country. This is interest of everybody. Is interest of the government, is interest of the people of South Sudan,” he said.

Deng said there is another “obstacle” delaying the formation of transitional government of national unity, explaining that Troika countries have refused to transport to Juba heavy weapons carried by the opposition forces.

“The Troika that has money and the EU [say] that they can only transport persons with light weapons like AK47 [Kalashnikov]. But they will not transport large machine guns like PKM or RPG 7,” he said, referring to the United States, Britain and Norway – the Troika countries that have offered to transport SPLM-IO forces to Juba ahead of arrival of first vice president designate, Riek Machar.

“There is a commitment from the donors that they can transport these forces without their organic weapons – which is a problem now,” he added.

The Wednesday JMEC meeting agreed that the government will ferry SPLA in opposition to Malakal from Kaldak, a few kilometres south of the Upper Nile state capital.

No date has been agreed to transport the first phase of troops, which numbers 1,370 .

(ST)

March 10, 2016 – (YAMBIO) – Government of South Sudan has deployed a company of the South Sudanese army (SPLA) military police comprising 150 men to join hands with the civil national police to boost security, maintain law and order in Yambio county of Western Equatoria state.

South Sudanese SPLA soldiers are pictured in Pageri in Eastern Equatoria state on August 20, 2015 (Photo AFP/Samir Bol)

The newly appointed governor of the newly created Gbudue state (Western Equatoria), Major General Patrick Raphael Zamoi, declared on Tuesday to thousands of citizens who gathered to celebrate the International Women's Day in Yambio, that due to reports and complaints from the local people about harassment, looting and burning of houses from elements of soldiers, a company of SPLA military police has arrived in Yambio to protect the community.

“There are some people who are seen with red cap on their heads who are soldiers, those ones are not fighters they have come to join the civil police here to protect you,” Zamoi said.

He stated that the military police will be interested to deal with the soldiers who have been harassing the people or looting properties in the town.

“People should not be scared by them because I informed you before that we shall receive a team from Juba who will come to base in Yambio to work together with police,” he said.

Community leaders in Yambio and human rights groups have reported that SPLA participated in killing of civilians, looting, and raping in Western Equatoria state during the conflict which engulfed the state since last year.

Also armed youth are accused of killings, rape and looting on roads and in homes is some areas in Yambio county and in other counties in the state.

According to some eyewitnesses, the military police started arresting any soldier found with military uniform in the bars and in the market with exception of those on duty who are allowed to dress smart and not move with guns in the residential areas.

The state authority and SPLA leadership in Yambio recovered a good number of valuable items in the hands of individual soldiers which were looted during the conflict. According to the governor, the military police will also monitor movement of valuable items in the hands of the soldiers and thieves at night.

Western Equatoria has been experiencing insecurity of which several armed groups are fighting with the government forces in several counties in greater Western Equatoria state. Many people in those counties are reportedly killed and thousands fled their homes to the bushes and others to the neighbouring Congo.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

March 10, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopian Prime Minister on Thursday said his country hasn't made any change of policy towards its long-time rival Eritrea.

Ethiopian prime minister Haile Mariam Desalegn (Photo: Getty Images)

Hailemariam Desalegn made the remarks today at a parliamentary session while presenting a semi-annual report to Ethiopian MPs'.

The premier told the lawmakers that Ethiopia will remain firm and won't drop the “Five Point Peace Plan” position it issued in November 2004 as a way forward to resolve the deadlock.

Ethiopia's long-standing policy calls on arch-rival Eritrea to engage in dialogue without conditions although it occasionally loosens that position.

However, Eritrea insists Ethiopia must accept in principle the international border commission's ruling which favoured Eritrea's position.

The Ethiopia-Eritrea border commission ruling then awarded the flash point, Badme town to the Red Sea nation. But Ethiopia refused to withdraw its forces from the town demanding for more bilateral dialogue to resolve the standoff.

Hailemariam said Ethiopia will continue to work on normalising relations with Eritrea.

He however accused the regime in Asmara of hijacking the efforts of normalizing ties between the peoples of the two countries.

The Ethiopian premier on Thursday once again threatened that his country would continue to take “proportionate” military actions against Eritrea if Asmara continuous the acts of provocation and destabilization of Ethiopia.

But, he reaffirmed that any retaliatory action will be in accordance with international rules and laws.

The Premier has also responded to query from an MP with regard to the recent cross border mass kidnappings carried out by Eritrean soldiers against dozens of Ethiopian miners near the shared border.

With that regard, Hailemariam hinted Ethiopia was considering retaliatory action to rescue the captives had Eritrea failed to free them.

“They [Eritrean authorities] have immediately freed the captives. Should they fail to do so they well know what consequences would have followed” Hailemariam told the parliament.

“Our policy is crystal clear and we will firmly continue it” He added.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister has also responded to a number of questions raised by MPs.

Questions covered a range of areas including the recent unrest in parts of the country, transport problems, good governance, on mega projects under construction such as hydro power, sugar, and railway.

(ST)

March 10, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – The leadership of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) said the recent deployments of senior military officers to various army divisions and brigades is preliminary.

Riek Machar gestures as he speaks to rebel General Peter Gatdet Yaka (not seen) in a rebel controlled territory in Jonglei on February 1, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Goran Tomasevic)

Official spokesman of the top opposition leader, Riek Machar, said a final list of deployments will be issued once feedbacks and recommendations are received from sector commanders and their commands.

“The 5 March deployment list of senior officers which was published today, Thursday, 10 March, by the Office of the Chairman and Commander-in-Chief is preliminary,” James Gatdet Dak clarified to Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

“Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of SPLM/SPLA (IO), Comrade Dr Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, has called on the Sector Commanders and their Commands to send to his office feedbacks within 10 days so that he will work on a comprehensive list of deployments,” he added.

Dak further explained that the preliminary list of deployments only composed of the army divisions in greater Upper Nile region, adding that the deployments in greater Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal regions will follow soon.

“We want to clarify that deployments for Sectors and Divisions in Greater Equatoria and Greater Bahr el Ghazal regions have not yet been issued and will be issued soon,” he said.

The media official in the office of the Commander-in-Chief also added that Machar has urged the sector and division commanders in the two regions to send their recommendations soon to the General Headquarters in Pagak.

He further explained that the top opposition leader on Thursday sent to all units the message, urging the commands to act soon.

(ST)

March 10, 2016 (JUBA) - An ethnic Shilluk force, known as the Tiger Faction New Forces (TFNF), which defected from Commander Johnson Olony's Aguelek forces last year, has rejected appointment of their top leader as commander of Special Brigade One, saying they will not join the peace agreement unless President Salva Kiir revoked his creation of 28 states and gave back the annexed Shilluk lands including Malakal, capital of the newly established East Nile state (Upper Nile state).

A member of South Sudanese rebel patrols the streets of Malakal, on March 4, 2014 (Photo AFP/Andrei Pungovschi)

In the recent preliminary deployments of hundreds of senior military officers of the armed Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) from Greater Upper Nile region, which Sudan Tribune published on Thursday, Major General Yoanis Okich of the TFNF was deployed as commander of the Special Brigade One by the opposition leader, Riek Machar.

However, the spokesperson for the TFNF dismissed the appointment, saying his forces will not join the SPLM-IO or take part in the implementation of the August 2015 peace agreement until the issue of the 28 states is resolved.

“TFNF was established by patriotic sons/daughters of South Sudan as a loud rejection to the un-constitutional establishment order 36/2015 which divided the Republic of South Sudan into 28 unpopular states. Hence it would only seize its political and military struggle against the dictatorial regime in Juba if its revokes the unpopular establishments order 36/2015 and restore Shilluk territories as per 1956 borders,” partly reads a press statement signed by Brigadier General Otowang Achwang, military spokesperson of TFNF, and extended to Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

“Once again we seize this opportunity to reassure our supporters that your gallant people's revolutionary movement the Tigers will not be part of any forces or agreement that does not address the political grievances upon which it was established,” it said.

He said the ethnic Shilluk breakaway faction will continue with the armed struggle, saying appointing their commander in the SPLM-IO army structure was rejected and would therefore not shake their “revolutionary convictions.”

Forces in the Shilluk kingdom split last year from the main stream faction of Aguelek which joined the SPLM-IO under the overall command of Lt. General Johnson Olony.

General Olony is the appointed overall commander of the SPLA-IO's Sector 1 headquarters, which includes Division 1, Division 7 and Aguelek forces based in Upper Nile state.

President Salva Kiir on 2 October 2015 unilaterally decreed creation of 28 states in contravention to the peace deal which is based on the existing 10 states.

The decision has been controversial since last year with the East African regional bloc, IGAD, intervening and calling on Kiir's government to suspend the operationalization of the new states until the parties to the agreement reach a consensus and without which they should revert to the 10 states.

(ST)

March 10, 2016 (YEI) – A three-day conference is underway for participants to come up with a 500-days development plan for South Sudan's Yei River state government.

Yei River state governor David Lokonga (L) and deputy Abraham Wana March 9, 2016 (ST)

The event, under the theme, “Together we can achieve”, consolidate roles being played by civil societies, development partners and development plans.

Participants are expected to deliberate on the importance of planning in resource allocation, effective service delivery, church and civil society roles in development.

While officially opening the workshop, the governor of Yei River state David Moses Lokonga advised the participants to work as a team in order to develop a vision for services and development of the state.

“My fellow participants, I would like to urge you that today is a special conference that is actually to bring you together to set a destiny and prepare a journey where you are going. In this, you can be able to define the state and see other things that you are going to do to reach your destiny,” the governor told the participants.

“There is no time to be wasted. The challenges that are ahead of you will be turned into opportunities,” he added.

The three-day conference attracted four county commissioners, mayor, ministers, directors, bishops, civil society representatives, youth and several women groups.

(ST)

March 11, 2016 (JUBA) - The United Nations have decided to investigate the response of its peacekeepers deployed in South Sudan to clashes that broke out in a camp of displaced persons under their protection in Malakal last February.

New internally displaced persons living in big tents in a UN base in Malakal (Photo Beatrice Debut/MSF)

This decision which is announced by U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Friday comes after the Rwandan peacekeepers were accused of being complicit with the South Sudanese army elements in the 17 February attacks on the IDPs which left over 40 people dead, over 90 wounded with many more still missing.

"Still on South Sudan, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support are convening an Independent High-Level Board of Inquiry to conduct an in-depth investigation into the UN Mission's response to clashes which broke out in the mission's protection of civilians (POC) site in Malakal on 17 and 18 February,” said Dujarric..

“The UN Mission is also reviewing enhanced preparedness measures and contingency planning for its Protection of Civilian sites," he further said remarks at a press conference at the UN Headquarters in NY today.

In a letter dated 20 February 2016 addressed to the United Nations deputy secretary general for humanitarian affairs, the resident of Malakal camp who are from Shilluk and Nuer ethnic groups said the Rwandan cooperated with the SPLA in the attack.

The residents called for an independent investigation into the deadly incident and said the attackers who belong to the SPLA forces wanted to remove them from the area which is now part of the new state of Eastern Upper Nile, given to Dinka of Padang community.

UNMISS chief apologized for failing to protect the camp and vowed to deploy more troops there to deter future attacks.

Also the bloody attack was condemned by the Security Council, European Union and Troika countries (United States, United Kingdom and Norway).

(ST)