Date: 2 June, 2014

Your Excellences,

June 3, 2014 (SSNA) -- Over many years, the international community—through ignorance and/or attempts to dismiss the need for full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)—has actually reduced the chances for a sustainable peace in South Sudan. We have watched as the people of South Sudan have suffered from violence for decades, and now are subject again to ongoing violence and hardship. Ultimately this derives primarily from the failure of the international community to secure full implementation of the signed peace agreement.

We believe the only way to avert renewed humanitarian tragedies is to implement fully the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (2005), and to secure full compliance with the cessation of hostilities agreement of May 9, 2014. Ignoring the full implementation of CPA threatens the safety of both South Sudanese and marginalized citizens of Sudan, forcing people in a range of ways, particularly in the border areas. Examples of these dangers include the assassination of Abyei leader Koul Deng Kuol and the Bentiu massacre, in which thousands of South Sudanese, as well as Darfuri refugees, were murdered. We therefore call upon the international community to stand strongly with the people of South Sudan and play a positive role in securing full implementation of a comprehensive peace agreement for all parts of the two Sudans. For our part, as people of South Sudan, we want peace and fully support the cessation of hostilities agreement signed on May 9, 2014; and we urge that relief assistance be provided to war-affected victims, and that access be facilitated to all areas where the Internally Displaced Persons might be located.

We support the IGAD process in ensuring a comprehensive agreement between the GRSS and SPLM-in-opposition, as well as former detainees, in Addis Ababa; we urge that the next phase of dialogue should be occur within an inclusive Transitional Government authorized to supervise the implementation of any final peace agreement. Such an inclusive Transitional Government should engage in a process of constitutional review, urge reconciliation and healing, provide basic social services, defense and law enforcement, and initiate reconstruction.

We support the democratic principles that are enshrined in our constitution, specifically with respect to elected government officials and members of parliament. We strongly believe that the interim constitution and the permanent constitution itself must respect the basic tenets of democracy in all structures and institutions.

We demand that any atrocity crimes committed during the current civil war be investigated and prosecuted by our national legal system.

To support effective peace efforts, we urge that the money recently pledged by donors' conference in Oslo (Norway) should be focused on South Sudanese children and their families, especially those affected in the states of Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Unity. Building schools and hospitals in the affected areas must also be a priority. Affected families should be supported in settling in their native villages and towns.

We urge that solutions to issues raised by the current conflict in South Sudan come from the people of South Sudan themselves and not be imposed by foreign actors imposing their own will.

We seek to avoid setting a pattern of acquiring power through military means and thus violating the constitution; democratic power must come only through the ballot box. We urge that any interim government be headed by the current democratically elected president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, until new elections take place. At the same time we call for political accommodation of the SPLM-in-opposition, former detainees, and other South Sudanese political parties; we call on the mediators of the peace talks to maintain transparency and reflect civil society voices and views in re-structuring the interim government as well as proposals for the current, and ultimately permanent, constitution.

We urge the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the rebels in opposition, plus all South Sudanese political parties and other civil society organizations, commit themselves in a national conference to reject war and embrace peace by signing a national document in a broader peace and reconciliation conference to save the people of South Sudan from future wars.

Therefore, we urge that any reconciliation process, national healing conferences and restructuring system of governance and sessions takes place inside South Sudan and must be compatible with a peaceful and constitutional transfer of power through elections.

We also urge that there must be an overall plan to focus on human resources as a means of nationbuilding, including former rebels; we also urge that soldiers be trained in special vocational schools to qualify them for jobs. Only this can support peace in the long term.

We urge all stakeholders to commit themselves to the peace process without pre-conditions, and we are committed to engage all stakeholders inside South Sudan under auspices of South Sudan National Inclusive Transitional Government that shall supervise timely implementation of Addis Ababa Peace cease-fire agreement. Key priorities should be in the areas of defense and law enforcement, reconstruction, the process of National Reconciliation and Healing, provision of basic social services, the process of national constitutional review to agree on a system of governance, conducting a national census, reviewing the Political Parties Act 2012, and conducting General Elections.

Signed by: South Sudanese Citizens

June 5, 2014 (SSNA) -- The National Youth Union would like to condemn in the strongest possible term the prevention and confiscation of the passports of Peter Abdelrahman Sule, the leader of United Democratic Front (UDF) and his delegations by the security regime personnels at Juba airport yesterday.

This is a crime against individual freedom of free movement. This continues unacceptable behaviours of the Kiir regime will only deepen and complicates the crisis more. Kiir and his militias are not interest in peace. They just want to continue sucking the blood of South Sudanese.

We call upon the IGAD to intervene make sure this process is inclusive, representative and transparency and not to be undermine by Kiir and his cohorts in Juba. I am urging the conferees to engage in genuine and constructive dialogue to arrive at comprehensive and peaceful political settlement to the ongoing crisis.  As the leadership of the National Youth Union, we will continue to call for inclusive process which involves all the stakeholders and not excluding anyone.

Thanks,

6^th/06/2014

Subject: Never Again Interfere With Greater Equatoria Public Interests

Your Excellency,

June 7, 2014 (SSNA) -- We the Greater Equatoria Youth Leadership have met on 5^th/06/2014, and resolved to issue the Vice President of Republic of South Sudan James Wani Igga, with a formal statement having noticed you have entered with unnecessary interference into affairs of people Greater Equatoria Region popular demands for federal governance.

Mr. VP, the GEYL, would like to outline critically to you that, never again interfere with demands and interest of people of Greater Equatoria public, as well as their public opinion concerning anything that affects their daily living conditions, when you are playing your political cards.

For your information Mr VP, the current government you are currently serving is destined to collapse, and it has lost respect at all levels from the grass roots across South Sudan, except few selective benefactors whom you are furthering their agenda and trying keep them continue to ruin the country at the expense of the orphans, widows and citizens of South Sudan from all forms services they deserve.

Mr. VP, the GEYL are utterly disappointed, and would like to formally extend this letter to your end, for the purpose of people of Greater Equatoria interests, informing you that the Greater Equatoria Youth Leaderships and their subjects have resolved officially to withdraw any political support from you for being ideologically and politically bankrupt, and therefore, we won’t compromise peace, stability, development and equal opportunity in South Sudan.

Mr. VP, the GEYL would also want to remind you that, you are one of the prime causes of the current crisis in our country. When you were the Speaker of Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly for over nine years, you have excessively exploited and indirectly destroyed the country. Nevertheless you have been imparted all the powers to direct the country on right path including the powers to impeach the President Salva Kiir, of all these you created no good history for the people of South Sudan.

The GEYL have now discovered that, your political career benefited only you, and serves only those whom you serve their agenda, noting that principally you have no any practical and political theory to be desired. We have observed your nerve characters of indecisiveness, and always act for your selfish purpose leaving the mass population of people of South Sudan at disposal of destructors.

In this letter, the GEYL is taking this chance to inform you to make a choice, or remain silent not to indulge yourself into any areas of public interest people of greater equatoria, in trying to overstep popular demands of the citizens to be subjected continuously under doctorial regime in which you are trying to preserve.

Mr. VP, the current political circumstance is dragging you toward your final political career, if you are not careful or else you will be implicated into dilemma you will certainly regret. In good faith, we are advising you to know that you are serving in unpopular government that is at the stage of diminishing era, because it has lost all the trust of people due to ongoing disappearance of people, killing and looting at every corner of Juba, and parts of government control areas.

Mr. VP, finally, South Sudan has reached to proximity, for your information the Army under government is no long interested to fight the war any more for a government that is not caring for their families, their needs, and address peace and stability of the country, as result significant number are deserting their army positions.

Equally the same, we take this opportunity to denounce manners the Minister of Cabinet Affairs Dr. Martin Elia Lomoro is conducting himself, in this regards this particular minister does not representing any interest of people of Greater Equatoria, something both the Vice President Wani Igga and Minister Martin Elia must be cautious about it

We therefore advice you that you have choice to make, resign or be silent to do with anything that concerns popular demands of people of Greater Equatoria Region particularly the element of federalism all the people of the region are embarking on.

29th May 2014

Your Excellences:

June 7, 2014 (SSNA) -- It is with heavily saddened hearts that we, the Concerned South Sudanese in the United Kingdom, reach to you for assistance in stopping the ongoing carnage in South Sudan.

We remain appreciative of the roles played by your countries in the realization of South Sudan the Right to Self-Determination, an achievement if not for your continuous endeavours would have not been easy to accomplish.

It is unfortunate that the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which brought an end to the previous two decades of war and enabled the people of South Sudan to vote for the country of their own in the 2011 referendum, did not do much in the way of a democratic transformation.

Today South Sudan is once again caught up in a war that pits its two largest ethnic communities against one another. Although the crisis in the country might have begun as a political disagreement within the ruling SPLM/A, the reality on the ground today significantly portrays an indiscriminate killings between the Dinka and the Nuer. In some instances other tribal groups like the Chollo (Shilluk) were too caught up in the midst of these killings and suffered some worse losses of lives to target killings, displacements and loss of property. Thousands of innocent lives have already perished and over a million people are forced out of their homes as a direct consequence of this war.

We are aware and appreciative of all the efforts being put together by the Troika and the other members of the international community as represented in the United Nations Security Council, the European Union and the African Union and the regional body of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in an attempt to stop the current war to save South Sudan the risk of going the Rwanda way of 1994 genocide.

However, given the pace by which the peace talks between the government of President Salva Kiir and the rebels of the SPLM/A, in Opposition, there is much to be concerned about. The Cessation of Hostilities signed on May 9th by the president Mr. Salva Kiir and former vice president Dr Riek Machar and that mediated by the IGAD signed on the 23rd January 2014, both have never been observed by the warring sides.

We believe that much needs to be done from the side of the International Community including your respective governments in a way of bringing pressure to bear on the two sides.

The declared targeted sanctions by the Obama administration are welcomed. However, we understand that most of these individuals orchestrating the crazy killings have their assets outside the USA. Unless the other countries like Australia, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Britain and some European Countries join in executing these sanctions, the intended purpose of the sanctions may not bring about the expected outcome.

While everything is being done to bring an end to the war, we would like to draw the attention of those involved in the process to realize a couple of issues:

§ We ask that the peace talks in Addis Ababa should deal with national issues comprehensively, prioritizing discussion on arrangements for cessation of hostilities and permanent ceasefire, civilian protection and opening of safe humanitarian corridors.

§ It is important that any solution to this crisis takes into full consideration the feelings of the victims, who are very much traumatized by the actions of mainly the two leaders of SPLM/A President Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar, including their notorious commanders, should not be rewarded by a way of power sharing.

§ The people of South Sudan can only put behind them the ongoing trauma caused by the onslaughts if they see the main perpetrators brought to justice and not rewarded by political positions or any form of incentives.

§ The Government and the rebels to immediately cease fire and fully abide by the conditions of the IGAD peace agreements signed in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. They should have quickly recognized the impact of the war right from the beginning and since both have not taken responsibility, we urge that they should be forced to accept unconditional cease fire and end the killing of innocent civilians, followed by accountability towards their roles in this war.

§ The people of South Sudan can only feel that justice has been served when the current government is replaced by a Credible Interim Government of National Unity excluding President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the former Vice president Dr Riek Machar.

We support a national dialogue where all political parties, civil societies, women organizations and various faith groups to come together to discuss; the future form of governance for the country, immediate reform in all government institutions for the common good, the permanent constitution and the guidelines for the Interim Government of technocrats and it’s mandates, and to effect preparation for the first True Democratic General Election post-independence.

The SPLM/A leadership of President Salva Kiir and former president Dr Riek Machar should accept that a fair and just society and democratic political governing system in South Sudan cannot be engineered and constructed only by SPLM/A dominated by the two ethnic communities, it is not going to achieve the purpose of total democratic principles because South Sudan is a multi-ethnic nation with different political parties and diverse regional, cultural and social variations.

We believe that if every point raised in this letter is given due consideration and implemented, peace and stability can return to South Sudan quicker than ever expected.

With the backing of the international community and specially the Troika, an interim administration to be run by technocrats from within the South Sudanese communities, will for sure prepare the country for its first ever general elections under a fair democratic constitution.

Thanks in anticipation for your most needed support and looking forward for your response.

Yours sincerely,

On behalf of the Concerned South Sudanese in the United Kingdom

Contact:

Date: 07/06/2014

Subject: Firm Support Behind CES Governor Clement Wani Konga

Your Excellency,

June 7, 2014 (SSNA) -- We the Greater Equatoria Youth Leadership today resolved to take this opportunity to underscore its common position to stand firmly behind the Central Equatoria State Governor Clement Wani Konga for his visionary leadership skills, and leadership’s directives for the people of CES, and Greater Equatoria at large in regards to federal system in South Sudan.

The Great Equatoria Youth Leaderships would also wants to comment state fast position of Governor Clement Wani to enlighten and confirm commitment of CES government to realized demands and interest of citizens of CES and Equatoria people in general in regards to establishment and implementation of federal governance in South Sudan.

It’s our moral responsibility to participate in establishment of a system that suits fostering of peace, development and delivery of social services to entire citizens of South Sudan without creating imbalances and discriminations.

The GEYL supports unity of people Greater Equatoria, and that all of us must stand firmly behind our leaders who are open to their subjects, and decide on their Behave at this critical political development in our country. In this regards, the GEYL congratulate Governor Clement Wani Konga for addressing the State citizens and make them inform on the nature of political dynamic currently engulfing our country.

It’s now very clear; our country is heading unto irreversible decision that required unity, trust and commitment from all sides of citizens and leaderships alongside those who might carry deliberate evil plans in contradiction to the popular will of the people of greater Equatoria and South Sudan as well. We concur with Central Equatoria State Governor in stating that the demands of people through dialogue must not be mixed with misinformation.

The GEYL would like to encourage the two governors of Eastern Equatoria state Louise Lobong Lojore, Western Equatoria State Joseph Bakasoro, to carry similar sensitization and enlightenment to all their citizens under jurisdiction in Equatoria Region on position for establishment of democratic federal system of governance, as best system that define clear cuts of powers and empower participation of citizens at various levels of governances.

The GEYL would also want to inform, greater equatoria youth in general to get more prepared, that the management of public affair starts today, as such it’s our strong believe to struggle for just freedom, equality and final liberty for the people of South Sudan who since 2005 have failed get the fruits of the freedom they have fought for.

Press Release

June 8, 20104 (SSNA) -- Ladies and gentlemen of press, allow me to welcome you and thank you for being with us here.

Thank the organizers of this conference and thank God for having brought us together today

In first position, I would like to take this opportunity to salute the memory of all those innocent civilians, babies, children, youth, women and elderly people who were massacred and still being killed in Juba by Kiir’s regime since the 15^th of December 2013 up to today.

Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen of Press,

Allow me to remind you that, when SPLM took arms in 1983, it was to liberate the marginalized people of Sudan by then, in order to establish a new Sudan of socio-economic justice.

The war ended with the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement in January 2005, that gave us our independence through the 2011 referendum, unfortunately six months and 21 days after the signing of the CPA our hero, late Dr. John Garang died in that dreadful incident.

SPLM/A leadership designed Salva Kiir by than to replace that organized, articulate and visionary leader, (late Dr. John), that was in fact the beginning of our nightmare.

Since then, Kiir manages both the party SPLM and the Government on tribal basis and dictatorial manner, decisions taken outside party structures, not sure of himself, Kiir has never been neither for reform of the party nor internal democracy within the party.

To maintain their positions, Leaders in the party as well as in the government must show loyalty to Kiir rather than to the party or the country otherwise one is immediately removed from his or her position

Tribalism, nepotism and corruption have been the core values of Kiir’s Regime, economic empowerment and appointment to most important and sensitive positions are made accordingly.

Kiir recruited more than 10 thousands soldiers from one ethnic group (his own ethnic group) and calls them presidential guards, it was curious, president of a Country that is composed of sixty four tribes recruits, trains and arms people from one tribe to guard him.

Nobody was aware that, Kiir and his group were in fact planning for the destruction of South Sudan that they are doing now.

On the 15^th of Dec. 2013, the fighting erupted in Juba, the following day Kiir made a statement, indicating that, what happened was an attempted coup.

I was among those who thought it was a coup, simply because one couldn’t believe that a leader, president of a country like South Sudan can tell untruth to his people and to the whole world as Kiir did.

Three days after, all indicators and events show that it was not a coup but a well organized-scene or scenario to enable Kiir and his group Kill those innocent Nuer simply because they belong to the same ethnicity with Dr. Riek Machar, Kiir’s challenger.

Between 16^th and 20^th December 2013, Kiir decided to kill even his own supporters from Nuer, as a result office managers, members of families and bodyguards of some ministers, Governors and senior officials including members of the SPLM National Liberation Council loyal to Kiir were killed simply because they were Nuers

The situation forced the members of Nuer community in Juba to run to UNMISS for safety, Kiir accused them of being rebels, for that Kiir’s regime put pressure on NGOs and UN agencies not to serve those IDPs in Juba while others in other places like Lakes State were being served normally.

Kiir brought foreign troops to participate in internal conflict, pay them more than the SPLA, all this time, Salva Kiir never visited the SPLA troops on the ground while the president of Uganda can go up to Bor to visit his troops without being accompanied by Kiir, is South Sudan still sovereign?  

By doing so, Kiir has created detestation among South Sudanese people

Despite the quick response of IGAD and willingness of SPLM/A in Opposition to resolve the current conflict in our Country, Kiir is not committed to peace, as a result he has been violating the cessation of hostility agreements signed in January and in May 2014 by attacking areas under control of the SPLM/A in opposition.

Another evident; upon his arrival to Juba after the signing of the agreement on cessation of hostility Kiir stated that he was forced to signed that agreement and not according to his will.

Let us imagine president whose people are suffering because of war is not willing to accept peace unless under threat, now who in the government of South Sudan is going to implement this accord if the president signed it under threat.

Kiir want the War to Continue perhaps his mission is not yet accomplished, he has not yet killed enough South Sudanese.

For these reasons and other more, and because the SPLM is currently divided in to two, I have the conviction that the legitimate SPLM is the one that chaired by Dr. Riek Machar.

I have decided to joined my comrades in the SPLM/A in opposition to fight the tyranny and dictatorship, in order to establish a federal South Sudan, South Sudan without tribalism, without nepotism, without corruption, Country of socio economic justice with equal distribution and redistribution of wealth and chances, a sure just and a modern Nation. To have this South Sudan, Salva Kiir must be in Prison and not in palace.

Being an elected president Kiir doesn’t have the right to kill South Sudanese who elected him. if elected leaders are forced to resign because of a boat or train accident why not forcing Kiir to leave the power knowing that he cause the death of hundred of thousand of South Sudanese.

Now my question goes to those leaders, who are still in Kiir’s Government, what are you doing in a Government that kills your People?

Knowing that people of your constituencies are either fighting the Government or in refugee or UNMISS camps, what is the purpose of continuing to be in such Government?

Please stop convincing the IDPs to come out from UNMISS, knowing that the Government doesn’t assure their protection outside instead facilitate their killing.

In conclusion,

Allow me to congratulate the members of our negotiating team for the great role they played and still being played to bring peace to our country. Congratulate our youth, the South Sudanese youth all over the world for their courage, their determination and loyalty to their decision to fight until Kiir accept peace and Kiir’s regime is out and all those responsible for the killing of innocent civilians are judged.

Addis Ababa, June 8, 2014 (SSNA) -- The Spokesperson for South Sudanese rebels’ military wing said government troops with their foreign allies have deserted their positions in Jonglei State, warning that such a move could result in a ‘wind of change'.

Federal Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the military Spokesperson for the Sudan people’s Liberation Army (in opposition) added that their forces have reoccupied the deserted outposts, saying the decision was made due to security reasons.

“Kiir’s troops and UPDF’s forces that had been occupying Gadiang forward base in Duk County, Jonglei had abandoned it along with Poktap, and Wernyol barracks. Other smaller military outposts were also abandoned. Salva’S forces and Allies are currently heading to Bor vie Panyagor, the Administrative HQs of Twic East County”, Beig. Gen. Koang wrote on his social media wall.

“SPLA’s Gallant Forces are occupying abandoned bases to avoid security vacuum and possible lawlessness”, he added.

General Koang also warned that the whole country could see “winds of change”, unless Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), the main protector of Kiir’s government maintains forward bases.

“With no UPDF forces in forward bases, Bor is left vulnerable to winds of change, Juba and eventually the whole country”, he warned.

Fighting erupted in Juba late last year, tens of thousands of people have been killed, and more than a million people have fled to the neighboring countries.

Peace talks between the two warring factions are continuing in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

By Tut Pal Ding

South Sudanese in Melbourne Australia had a euphoric political symposium with the maverick democratic governance advocate and the leader of Greater Equatria Council of Rights ((GRECOR) Dr Wani Tombe.

Melbourne, June 10, 2014 (SSNA) -- In a forum attended by over 600 South Sudanese community members and Australian friends of South Sudanese, Dr Tombe wowed the audience who were glued to their chairs for the whole two-hour duration of the forum by his frank articulation of the causes of the conflict. Those in attendance included some recognizable faces who are members of the main Australian political parties as well as representatives from law enforcement agencies. Dr Tombe gave a candid political oration on the current political, humanitarian military affairs in the country.

The meeting which took place on Sunday 1^st June 2014 in Dandenong, South Eastern Melbourne’s suburbia known for it’s a large South Sudanese population was organized by the South Sudanese Crisis management and Advocacy Group (SSCM&AG) and the SPLM-In Opposition. SSCM&AG is a body that has been working with the community leaders and NGOs aiming to raise awareness about the plight of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South Sudan with international community to remedy the suffering of innocent civilians. SSCM&AG also work with political leaders in the area of dialogue to try to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the current conflict in South Sudan.

Dr Wani Tombe is touring South Sudanese communities in diaspora highlighting the root courses of the conflict as well as proposing mechanisms to end the war. Dr Tombe traced back the root causes of the conflict back to colonial era decisions where ethnic groups of the then Southern Sudan were lumped together without proper consideration about their ability to co-exist with one another.

Dr Tombe also squarely put the current crisis on leadership failures within the ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) which he described as political grouping where the rulers believe in “zero-sum political philosophy” in which for example, group A believe in the elimination of group B for group A to exist. Dr. Tombe liked this kind of leadership mentality to that of Adolf Hitler which led to the Second World War. This comment was understood to mean the thinking of many people around the president Salva Kiir whose intentions and behaviors have been labeled as tribally motivated. This group of advisors and occasionally including the president himself is viewed as protecting Dinka interests. Many critics ceased on comments which were made on records by the president during a tour of the Greater Bahr el Ghazel Region in which he asked the audience whether they will allow anyone to take the leadership from them, in which the crowd interposed “it will not happen”.

Dr Tombe and GRECOR have accused the government of committing massacres against Nuer tribe simply because his arch rival, the former vice-president Dr Riek Machar, the leader of the current armed rebellion in the country. Tombe told the audience that what happened to Nuer can happen to any ethnic group if the current leadership sees them as threat to their stay in power.

Tombe, who hails from the Greater Equatoria Region, moved on to address possible solutions to the war where he called for a legitimate uprising to overthrow the government.

Speaking directly to the people of Greater Equatoria, Dr Tombe called for all the sons and daughters of Greater Equatoria to abandon Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and not fight for a government with tribal motivations on how to run the country. Tombe clarified his remarks are not a call to violence but a call for citizens to exercise their rights to determine how and who they would like to govern them.

Gatluak Deng Gai, the Chairperson of the SSCM&AG advised the audience who, as it could be observed, represents all sides of the South Sudan politics, to act as citizens of one nation and be active stakeholders in running their country. Mr Gai told the audience to take and use whatever they can from the presentation and use it to make South Sudan a better place.

H.E. Amb. Seyoum Mesfin,

10 June 2014

Re: Civil Society Representation in the IGAD-led Peace Talks

Your Excellencies,

June 10, 2014 (SSNA) -- I am writing to you on behalf of the secretariat of Citizens for Peace and Justice (CPJ), a coalition of South Sudanese civil society organizations (CSOs) formed to promote a peaceful and just resolution to the crisis in South Sudan, in order to set the record straight about CPJ and to voice our deep concern with the manner in which the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has gone about selecting representatives of civil society to participate in the peace talks in Addis Ababa.

Origins of CPJ

CPJ was formed in January 2014 at a consultation in Nairobi to explore the causes of the conflict in South Sudan and examine the role that civil society could play in resolving the crisis. CPJ made its first public statement on 15 January (available at http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/ArticleView/mid/519/articleId/14588/categoryId/120/Statement-On-The-Crisis-In-South-Sudan-By-Citizens-For-Peace-And-Justice.aspx). The statement called for the peace process to be expanded to include voices from all sectors of South Sudanese society. It also said that for sustainable peace to be achieved, the peace process had to go beyond the political dispute within the leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) that sparked the violence to address the fundamental governance problems that South Sudan has been grappling with since the end of the last war in 2005.

The 23 signatories to the 15 January statement included many of the most prominent members of South Sudanese civil society, all of whom have a longstanding presence in the country. At that first meeting, a seven-person interim committee was formed, which would later become the CPJ secretariat. The organizations represented in the secretariat include: Assistance Mission for Africa (AMA), Nuer Peace Council (NPC), the ROOTS Project, South Sudan Democracy and Elections Monitoring and Observation Programme (SSuDEMOP), South Sudan Law Society (SSLS), the Sudd Institute and Voice for Change (VFC). All seven organizations are registered as legal entities under South Sudanese law and have a demonstrated track record of working at the national, state and local levels in South Sudan.

From 9-12 February 2014, CPJ held a second civil society conference in Nairobi to expand its membership and to stimulate thought about the substantive issues that we felt needed to be addressed in the peace process, including: transitional governance arrangements; constitutional reforms; truth, justice and reconciliation; security sector reform; economic reform; and humanitarian support. As can be seen from the list of signatories to the 17 February conference statement (available at http://www.southsudannewsagency.com/news/press-releases/direct-participation-of-civil-society), participants were overwhelmingly drawn from organizations that were either operating in South Sudan or had recently fled to neighboring countries to escape the violence.

Initial Selection Process of Civil Society Representatives

In March 2014, IGAD invited CPJ and a number of other civil society networks, including the South Sudan Civil Society Alliance (SSCSA) and the National Non-government Organizations (NNGO) Forum, to help organize a conference to develop a modality for civil society engagement in the peace process. A 13-person secretariat was brought to Addis Ababa to draft the conference agenda, participant list and conference materials. An entire day was spent vetting conference participants according to a strict criteria in order to ensure that the conference included civil society organizations with well-established networks in South Sudan, that the participating organizations were independent and not partial to either the Government or the SPLM-in-Opposition, and that the individual participants reflected the full diversity of South Sudan.

At the conference, 14 individuals, seven men and seven women, representing the full diversity of South Sudan were selected to represent civil society in the IGAD-led peace talks. Six of the 14 representatives were members of the SSCSA executive, including the chairperson and deputy chairperson of the SSCSA. CPJ was selected to serve as the focal point for following up on the issue of civil society engagement with IGAD in Addis, while the SSCSA was selected as the focal point for activities in South Sudan.

On 17 May 2014, IGAD notified CPJ that its request for civil society representatives to be accredited to participate in the peace talks had been approved. IGAD requested five additional names to be added to the list of 14 to maximize the representativeness of the group. Three additional individuals from the SSCSA secretariat and two individuals from state-level CSOs were added, bringing the total number to 19. In June 2014, the 19 civil society representatives traveled to a stakeholder symposium being organized by IGAD in Addis Ababa with the understanding that this would be an opportunity for them to formalize their relationship with IGAD and the peace talks.

A New Selection at the Stakeholder Symposium

The stakeholder symposium got off to a late start due to concerns expressed by some of the stakeholders about the participation of the 19 independent civil society representatives. It was a somewhat chaotic scene. Both the Government and the SPLM-in-Opposition had arrived with their own syndicated civil society organizations. Groups of civil society organizations that were not invited to the event were also mobilized to attend in the hopes that they would be able to convince IGAD to let them participate in the process.

The day after the symposium ended, Ambassador Lazarus Sumbeiywo called the civil society representatives for a meeting. Roughly 40 individuals, including 16 of the 19 independent civil society representatives, several groups that traveled from Juba of their own accord, and other CSOs affiliated with the Government and Opposition were in attendance. Ambassador Sumbeiywo announced to the room that they should elect seven representatives to participate in the peace talks: one chairperson, two women, two youth and two elders. The announcement came without any advance notice to the 19 independent civil society representatives and without explanation as to why a new selection process would take place. The group in attendance proceeded to elect the seven representatives; only one of the 19 previously selected representatives was retained.

The Way Forward

CPJ has not yet received an official explanation from IGAD as to why the 19 civil society representatives that had been notified that they would be accredited to the peace talks have been replaced by a new group of seven individuals selected in such a hasty manner. The new group of seven does not reflect the diversity of the outgoing group, and as a result of this decision, many of the most capable and highly regarded CSOs in South Sudan have been cut out of the process.

CPJ is committed to working for the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan and we will do what we can to support all stakeholders in the process. Nonetheless, we would be remiss if we did not express our deep concern at the course that civil society participation has taken. We urge IGAD to reconsider its decision and to sit with CPJ and other independent civil society coalitions and networks to find out how this situation might be remedied in a manner that is amenable to all concerned parties.

Yours sincerely,

Press release

(Put a smile on someone’s face)

Nairobi, June 12, 2014 (SSNA) -- Since the fighting erupted in South Sudan Juba on 15^th December, 2013 which resulted to death of 20,000 lives from Nuer ethnic group, displacement of thousands from their homes to either UNMISS compounds or seek refuge in neighbouring countries and also resulted to the worst famine ever in the history of South Sudan, Students from Nuer ethnic community in particular both at home and those who were taking their studies in east Africa became the victims of South Sudan crisis.

According to our statistics 180 students from various universities and colleges in Kenya had dropped out due to financial constraints from their initial sponsors who are either killed, escaped from their places of work or join the freedom fighters, we are saddened by the situation these students are going through and we are obliged to share it with all friends stakeholders and people of goodwill and see how best we could rescued these brilliant students from their faded away future,  we also have 150 secondary school students some of whom are candidates to sit for their KCSE in few months to come, these students are stranded at their places of residents and are hoping a good Samaritan will appear through God’s will.

Nuer students’ union take this task as a core responsibility since the objectives of the union clearly stated that the institution shall lobby for scholarships and financial assistance to assist those who are interrupted in the middle of their studies due to financial inadequacy. We are appealing to the people of goodwill to ‘’put a smile on somebody’s face’’ and that’s our hashtag.

Education is known worldwide as the key to every country’s prosperity. i.e Socially, politically, and economically. Currently, the greater Equatoria children are busy with their academic programs, Bhar el ghazal also the same so only greater Upper-Nile is affected by this crisis both at home and in east Africa where students are supported by their relatives and parents in South Sudan, we are afraid that in the long run this vibrant community shall lack human capital where intellectual capacity is required given our burst resources. We are appealing to all people of goodwill and generosity to intervene in this specific problem and take someone back to class by doing so you would have contributed positively to South Sudan human development. My office is also asking all well-wishers to connect us with any organizations dealing on such projects so that we shall forward our proposal to them with all the detailed statistics.

We would be glad to contact us and give you more information on those students affected by this crisis in the middle of their studies.

Juba, June 13, 2014 (SSNA) -- The government of the Republic of South Sudan is caught off guard and alarmed by the recent disclosure by the Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni, who publicly admitted in a closed-door IGAD meeting in Ethiopia that there was no coup and that the nearly six months old conflict was in fact caused by fighting between different units of presidential guards.

The admission by Juba’s main backer, Kampala, sends shockwaves across the young nation and Diaspora, leaving Juba’s political elites with few options, if there is any, to defend the alleged coup.

The South Sudan News Agency has obtained a leaked memo sent from the office of president Kiir to his inner circle.

In the memorandum, president Kiir praises Museveni for standing with him in what he called “difficult time”. However, Kiir, who is alarmed by Museveni's admission, cautiously complains and wonders as to why Museveni decided not to discuss the matter with him before announcing it.

“President Museveni is the only leader who defends this government. He is a true friend to me and my government”, Kiir said in the memo.

“The president of Uganda acted in the IGAD meeting without consulting me. An urgent meeting needs to be held as soon as possible. I warn you not to talk against him [Museveni] or his government in the media”, the memo reads in part.

Nevertheless, president Kiir is hopeful, asserting that he had a good talk with his Ugandan counterpart, Museveni.

“I talked to him yesterday [Wednesday] and he promised me that I should not worry about what he said in the IGAD-meeting”, the memo added.

Fighting erupted in Juba late last year between different units of presidential guards after months of political crisis among senior leaders of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party.

Kiir accuses his main-rival, Former South Sudanese Vice president Dr. Riek Machar, of planning a coup, Machar denies the allegation saying Kiir designed the alleged coup in an attempt to get rid of his political adversaries. The alleged claim of a coup has been rejected by regional leaders, the African Union, and western powers, leaving Kiir to rely on Museveni.

For Immediate Release

June 13, 2014 (SSNA) -- In response to an article written by a certain J. Nguen Nyol entitled “Another $227 Million Dollars Scandal Involving South Sudan’s Chief Negotiator Nhial Deng Nhial”, I would like to bring to the attention of the public that the false allegations branded against the Government Chief Negotiator in Addis Ababa were designed by the rebels’ leadership to tarnish the image of Hon. Nhial Deng Deng. The author of the article is not only a nephew of Riek Machar but also a representative of the rebels in Canada. Had he not been instructed by Riek Machar to tarnish the image of Hon. Nhial Deng, one would not waste his time responding to such a malicious article.

The article alleged that Hon. Nhial Deng misappropriated “$250 million dollars between 2008—2011” of public money by approving a dubious contract to buy trucks for the SPLA. The allegation does not auger well with the way contracts were approved back then because any contract could not be signed by a Minister unless approved by the Council of Ministers. It has to be noted that Riek Machar, who now authorized the false allegation labeled against Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial, was himself the Vice President who usually chaired the meetings of the Council of Ministers. If such a contract was signed by Nhial Deng as alleged by Nguen   Nyol, with the approval of the Council of Ministers as laid out by the rules of the government business, commonsense has it that the then Vice President, who happened to be the current rebel, would be complicit in the alleged scandal. If a Council of Ministers chaired by Riek Machar approved a dubious contract alleged to have been signed by Nhial Deng back then, the people of South Sudan may question the leadership competence of the man who is now tarnishing the image of Nhial Deng.

It is a public knowledge that Riek Machar used to chair most of the meetings of the Council of Ministers at the time President Kiir was the First Vice President of Government of National Unity (GoNU). If such a scandal happened back then, one may wonder why it was not raised at that time. But the motive of the rebels is nothing other than an attempt to tarnish the image of a well-respected gentleman who is known for integrity and wisdom. Hon. Nhial Deng is one of the few former Ministers who has never been implicated in any financial scandal, let alone having any personal grudge with anybody.

The people of South Sudan are aware that Nhial Deng Nhial is not on the list of the seventy five officials named by the President in 2011 to have embezzled public funds. When President Kiir prepared the list of the government officials suspected to have embezzled public money, there was no single evidence which implicated Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial. Most of those on the list are now on the side of Riek Machar fighting President Kiir for removing them from the cabinet because of embezzling public funds. Thus, the allegation labelled against Hon. Nhial Deng by Riek Machar’s nephew is baseless and it should be deemed as a political witch-hunt.

The motive behind renegade Riek Machar’s false allegations against Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial is the failure of Nhial Deng to join his faction before he staged a coup on December, 15, 2013. When Riek Machar was mobilizing members of the SPLM Polit Bureau and National Liberation Council against the Chairman of the SPLM Party, he thought that Nhial Deng would join him along with the rest of “Garang’s boys” to unseat President Kiir from the chairmanship of the SPLM.

However, being a visionary leader, Hon. Nhial Deng rejected to join Riek Machar in the 2013 SPLM infighting because of his treacherous history of 1991 and his constant tribal politics of destruction. Cde Nhial Deng realized in 2013 that Riek Machar was not in fact a democrat but a power-hungry warmonger who was bent to return the people of South Sudan to 1991 factional war. As he envisioned, indeed Riek Machar returned the people of South Sudan to 1991 factional war when he staged a coup on December, 15, 2013.

In conclusion, South Sudan public should be made aware that Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial has a clean bill of health when it comes to corruption because has never been implicated in any financial scandal. If Riek Machar is honest to himself, he should disown those who joined his rebellion while their names appeared on the list of seventy five officials suspected to have embezzled public funds.

Contrary to the allegations labelled against Nhial Deng, the people of South Sudan are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Riek Machar is a leader of corruption lords who rebelled against the government after their removal from ministerial positions. A rebellion of corruption lords cannot defeat the people of South Sudan who yearn for development and economic prosperity. The people of South Sudan cannot be hoodwinked by George Orwell’s pigs who looted and raped the public funds from 2005 to 2013.

For Contact:

PRESS RELEASE

Addis Ababa, June 18, 2014 (SSNA) -- We the Consortium of External Civil Society Organisations of South Sudan (CECSOSS) are extremely disappointed with the delay of the critical phase of this round of peace talks, that should lead to an end to the senseless suffering and deaths of innocent civilians, and provide space to address the eminent famine. We particularly deplore the very issue which contributed to this unfortunate situation, the lack of transparency, that has marred the initially good gesture by IGAD of including all stakeholders.

The Consortium of External Civil Society Organisations of South Sudan (CECSOSS) represents forty two (42) South Sudanese organisations registered in South Sudan, but currently operating outside Juba due to the crisis that started on December 15, 2013. It is worth mentioning that individual groups within this consortium have been separately engaging with the IGAD Special Envoys on the peace process, since the beginning of the crisis.

It is worth noting that the consortium has not been represented among the civil society peace delegates from Juba, despite efforts to directly get in touch with IGAD on the issue, as per our letter to Amb. Mesfin Seyoum dated June 6, 2014. Neither have we received any response from his office to date, and as a result, the consortium representatives missed the symposium. 

In the effort to participate in this key point of the process, the round table peace talks that was scheduled for June 12, we the selected representatives of the consortium made our way to Addis on June 10 and requested a meeting with the IGAD Special Envoys on participation in the round talks, but are yet to secure an audience with them.

We are greatly concerned that the civil society representatives from Juba do not sufficiently include the representation of vulnerable groups directly affected by the conflict (refugees, internally displaced persons and the persons with special needs). It is therefore unfortunate that the very population directly affected by this conflict are not represented in the selected CS delegates.

We therefore call for:

1. A transparent process of re-selection of civil society delegates to the round table peace talks to be undertaken immediately, and should include those representing the communities directly affected by the conflict. As most of these groups are already here in Addis, this should not take more than a couple of hours.

2. An immediate resumption of the talks, and in this regard we strongly feel that the current mediators are challenged. Hence we strongly believe including a female member to the three-man team of IGAD Special Envoys is necessary, and will change the staled dynamics of the talks here in Addis. We recommend African women who have successful experiences in similar peace processes, to join the peace talks with immediate effect.

Signed,

Consortium of External Civil Society Organisations of South Sudan

Date: 23/062014

June 23, 2014 (SSNA) -- The Greater Equatoria Youth Leadership in support of Opposition, whole heartedly would like to promptly state here that, the decision of Defense Minister Kuol Mayange Juuk to resign from the bloody thirsty and dictatorial regime is wise and appropriate.

GEYL considers you, and will never forget the bold leadership example you have taken toward sustainable peace, and development for the people of South Sudan, because it’s totally inhuman to kill and deprive your own citizens whom you have liberated them from the yoke slavery, and now their dignity are reduced to nothing at the expense of power greed, and personal interests.

Mr. Juuk, you deserve our endless respect, congratulations and future supports as Greater Equatoria Youth Leadership, who are following every inch of President Kiir’s self imposing agenda to suppress, kill and loot resources of the state.

In that view we immediately also called upon our entire members of National Legislative Assembly from Greater Equatoria Region, and other regions who have people of South Sudan at their hearts, equally to resign unconditionally from their positions from National Legislative Assembly, and go back to their respective constituencies if they still need our supports, both materially and in kind, in the future.

We consider that if the MPs of National Legislative Assembly move to resign, it will have an important factor and effect to speedy peace process, and weaken the unwanted regime to continue. The GEYL will be encouraged by our MPs who really have nationalism charisma, and the country before their own interest.

It’s must be a well noted for all our intellectuals, politicians and citizens, that President Kiir in the last two weeks, has started his own exist strategy whether peacefully or destructively by ordering his militia men, to start transportation of all his pigs, and cows including other valuable belonging from Western part of Juba at Luri to Northern Bahr El Ghazal State, his home area.

The GEYL are also closely noting, the Kiir reshuffling agenda, and policies of create disunity and in disintegration among the people of South Sudan from what best desired the majority of our citizens to bring a lasting peace and stability on country. The GEYL advices all the youth from different states should waste no time to ensure that they join hand to put an end to a regime that does not safeguard the interest of the citizens of South Sudan.

Signed: The Greater Equatoria Youth Leadership

Juba, June 25, 2014 (SSNA) -- After weeks of internal wrangling, the speaker of South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly (SSNLA), Manasseh Magok Rundial, has secretly replaced heads of parliamentary committee without following parliamentary procedure. The new chairs are widely speculated to be staunch supporters of president Salva kiir Mayardiit.

The move surprises most of the MPs with leading members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and opposition party threatening to boycott all parliamentary legislative sessions, unless the speaker reverses his decision.

A secret document obtained by the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) explains reasons as to why the speaker chooses to act without following parliamentary procedure. The document signed by the government's Legal Affairs Advisor, Telar Ring Deng, further reveals political tactics, maneuverings, and conspiracy to counter the growing nationwide call for federalism to be established in hope to end the ongoing political crisis in the country.

“Mr. Speaker, we have no time to waste. You must remove any head of any committee who acts against the government interests. Any member of Parliament who talks about the so-called FEDERALISM must go”, Telar Ring Deng, the Legal Affairs Advisor in the office of president said in the document.

“Some MPs are not helpful in this senseless war. We don’t want those [MPs who are not openly supporting the government]. There is no give and take with supporters of rebels”, Deng warned.

Telar Ring Deng has a story of stony relationship with the young nation’s MPs. In August of 2013, his bit to become the country’s Justice Minister was trashed, with most MPS calling his legal record “bogus and tainted”.

Deng’s contentious comment, linking unnamed MPs to the ongoing rebellion did not surprise MPs who are furious about action taken by the speaker, Rundial.

Three influential members of Parliament who spoke to the SSNA on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal confirmed the change and declared that the main reason the speaker removed the committee chairs is because the government doesn’t want people who publicly express their support for a federal system of government.

“Here in Juba, people simply don’t talk about federalism, especially if an individual wants to see a fully-established federal government in the country”, One of the MPs who talked to the SSNA acknowledged.

“We will not allow these illegal appointments to stand. Parliament is different from an Executive office; these threats from a government’s legal affairs advisor are the very same reasons we went to bush and fought against Khartoum’s regime", he declared.

Meanwhile, the main opposition party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) rejected the procedure, calling it “inequitable and nonsense”.

President Kiir has on many occasions indicated that he will not tolerate anyone who criticizes his government. In 2013, he asked anyone who publicly criticizes his government to leave, asserting that a person cannot criticize the government and expect to be a part of government at the same time.

On July 23, 2013, Kiir dissolved his entire cabinet and reduced the number of national ministers, claiming he wants a lean government.

Fighting erupted in Juba late last year between different units of presidential guards after months of political crisis among senior leaders of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party.

Press Release No: 3

Addis Ababa, June 26, 2014 (SSNA) -- The SSRRA would like to refute the false claims made by the so call Mabor Bol on 26^th June 2014 which appeared on Sudan tribune website, claiming to be county commissioner of Uror County. These false and unfounded allegations against people movement (SPLM/SPLA) and freedom fighters is a calculated move by Kiir cronies and simpletons to penetrate Free and Liberated Areas (FLA) under humanitarian and relief assistant cover.

The SPLM/SPLA-humanitarian wing (SSRRA) has been facilitating and continue to facilitate the unhindered relief and humanitarian assistant to the most affected population in the SPLM/SPLA control areas according to the terms and conditions provided in the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COH) singed on 23 January 2014 between SPLM/SPLA and Government of South Sudan in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The World Food Programme (WFP) which has started relief and humanitarian assistant to our civil population through airdropping of food items was facilitated by SSRRA on the 18^th March 2014 and up to 14^th April 2014. This operation was carried out successfully with full coordination between SSRRA, WFP and other UN Relief and Humanitarian Agencies.

The regime in Juba is using relief and humanitarian assistants to conduct espionage activities in the SPLM/SPLA controlled areas.

The UN agencies and other relief and humanitarian agencies are in direct contact with the SSRRA offices in Addis Ababa and in Nairobi. Any relief and humanitarian assistant are always done with direct coordination with SSRRA offices.

We want to reiterates our commitment to the unhindered humanitarian access to all affected areas under the SPLM/SPLA as stated clearly in the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COH).

Thanks,

Washington, DC, June 26, 2014 (SSNA) -- The Republic of South Sudan has been named as the world’s most fragile country by the United States-based research institution, The Fund for Peace.

In its 2014 report titled: “Fragile States Index 2014”, the agency places South Sudan on top of its list under what it calls Very High Alert status. Other countries listed in the same category are Somalia, Central African Republic (CAR), Congo (D. R.), and Sudan.

JJ Messner, the co-director of the Fragile States Index said that the main reasons South Sudan tops the list of weak and failing states are fractured leadership, chronic instability, and the growing ethnic nature of the violence in the country, according to the BBC.

The report signifies that the young republic has serious problems that need immediate solutions and that it could collapse.

South Sudan has a history of ethnic rivalry, social barriers, among others.

June 27, 2014 (SSNA) -- We the Uror youths have rejected this plank attack and a cold war wanted to be used by the self claimed commissioner,its a way to plan and forge a route to accomplished the fail assassination attempt tried by the Kenyan pilots in the name of humanitarians food agency to the conflict effected people living in Uror, Nyirol and Akobo west and east respectively.

Peter Mabor Bol whose office base became the county coordination office was appointed during the crisis of December 15/2013, by the dictator regime in Juba. He has taken the powers to his own hands and busy planning more harm to the united Nuer nation and to the Royal people of Bieh state (Lou Nuer). But the gods of the land will not allowed Him to carryout his evils plans to destroy our beloved home land. Your wicked thinking will always fail in the evils forest.MABOR BOL ATTEMPT TO DESTROYED UROR COUNTY AND GREATER LOU NUER.

First, the April meeting in Marial Benjamin,s home to discussed how to attack Uror county and the capturing of Ayod will mean to defeat Dr. Riek Machar rebellions despite the sending of Aerial bombardment to bomb Pamai cattle camp. All these report he was the chief negotiator.

Secondly, the desperate commissioner was also among these who bribe the Kenyan pilots and his crews to go down to the county carrying 20 bags of poisons maize, Two silence pistols with two magazine each twenty bullets. This process was done to eliminate the top rebel leaders including the spiritual leader Dak Kueth Deng.

Now He again came up with the claimed that Rebels are blocking ways for the humanitarian food access to take assistant to the vulnerable and the victims of Salva Kiir poor leadership who are in rebels held Territory.

This is a fabricated lie and we will not take it anymore because the self claim commissioner and his group in the national government are just after their interest and not the interest of the citizens.It is difficult to trust a person who killed your wife,brother,child,father,destroyed your house and stole all the properties you have. It’s not also easy to put truth on somebody who used cluster bombs to kill you and He claim to gives you food.

How will we know whether it’s not clusters bomb or chemical weapons that he need to airlift and drop to us?

He is a lair!! A big liar that is working his benefit out of the innocent blood.

We the Uror youths association have rejected this process, we term it as a plan to killed more innocent souls and it should be block! The commissioner is a traitor,assassin,and he is after money we cannot trust him, and we will never ever make a mistake to  trust him. He is running after endangered US dollars.

Our message to the government of south Sudan is short and brief "We are not a part of your government and you should not worry about our suffering." Urorian are not fishes to be trap by the snail on the hook.We are wise and strong we know where to turn to and it should not be your direction. We are a great family and we will survive no matter what circumstances.

Juba regime is no longer truth worthy they are not to be believe because their hands are full of innocent blood. The regime is famous of wide spread corruption,pogroms, Carnage,dictatorship,poor governance,ethnic cleansing and tribalism/nepotism.

We denounce this government and it should not continue to fool people giving empty promises to the citizens. We are calling to the international community to put an eye on this thugs and gangs who are destroying the reputation and the image of our beloved country south Sudan.

The people down in villages have said enough is enough to Salva Kiir and his Servant Peter Mabor Bol.

We are strong to protect Uror county till remain the last man standing.

Regards,

God bless you,

H. E. Ethiopian Prime Minister & Chairperson of IGAD, Haile Mariam Desaleg

Date: June 28, 2014

Sub: (STAKEHOLDERS PROTEST): Concerns South Sudanese Canadian Community Members an Leaders

We Hope Our Article Reaches IGAG Mediating Leaders in Peace: There Was No Coup on December 15, 2013, Right? Le Begin There!

Canada, June 28, 2014 (SSNA) -- As concerned South Sudanese and more importantly; members of the Diaspora in Canada who are indirectly and directly hardly affected by this conflict in South Sudan, we have as various community leaders and members in Canada have decided to bring our concerns to the attention of IGAD, African Union, European Union, the United Nations, the United States of America, Canada, and other international bodies that the peace and reconciliation currently in progress in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that it does not satisfy the immediate victims of the current conflict.

For any peace process or negation to be fair, all sides have to be included. If the Government of South Sudan was able and allowed to bring its civil society, faith group, and other members to participate on behalf of the Government of South Sudan in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia because it has all the resources and power,, it is equally important that Rebel’s side or vulnerable groups who fled the country and those who are currently Internally Displaced Persons in various United Nations Camps inside South Sudan and in abroad should be included. Otherwise, Salva Kiir’s Government is participating in the negation by itself. We the South Sudanese Community Members in Canada believe that if the IGAD leaders were able in mediating peace talks in the past not just the current crisis, they would be the best neutral bodies to succeed in this current conflict as well. Indeed, IGAD leaders were the ones who negotiated the North-South Sudan Civil War that cemented with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 in Nairobi, Kenya which paved the way for “self-determination” for the people of South Sudan to choose for their referendum which eventually led to the succession of South from the North Sudan in 2011.

It is unfortunate if the same IGAD Leaders who are very experts and knowledgeable in mediating North-Sudan Sudan wars have only picked one side to recommend how the conflict has to be solve and excluded others (their own regional people) from participating in the roadmap that we all believe can bring a lasting peace in South Sudan. That is unbelievable for many of us if the same IGAD Leaders who could advise the rest of the world of how and who should be included in the dialogue are struggling to include the victims in the negation process. That is not a wise process.

South Sudan Stakeholders Forum for Peace and Reconciliation

South Sundaes Nuer Canadian Community and various South Sudanese Community members and leaders in diaspora Canada in particular have disqualified the selection process and denounced it as biased. This is because all the civil society, youth group, and faith-based organizations were “handpicked” groups which are dominated by the pro-government societies from Juba. There is no different from the government itself. Yes, they can participate in the peace process and reconciliation but not by themselves. Since there was No Coup that made Salva and his group to kill the Nuer children and women in the Nation’s Capital City Juba, those who are still suffering in the UN Camps either in South Sudan or outside should be the main victims whose views should be first considered no matter where they are. Those who are in various UN Camps known as IDPS comprised of all South Sudanese communities are the very victims to be given a chance in the peace process. For example, if all South Sudanese in diaspora were given a chance and participated during the referendum voting across the globe in 2011, why can’t they be participating again when there is crisis that requires all the stakeholders’ participation? Remember this is the beginning of a nation building. We, the South Sudanese Nuer Canadians and other South Sudanese in diaspora would like to invite the IGAD Mediators to look at or consider how we believe/view the real peace process and recompilation should be like.  Ron Claassen, a long-time restorative justice practitioner, put it like this.

To resolve any type of wrongdoing, three things have to happen [be considered in the peace process]:

•  The wrong or injustice must be acknowledged.
• Equity needs to be restored from the society.
• Future intentions need for nation building to be addressed in order to prevent the future violent.

Indeed, we the South Sudanese Canadian members and leaders wanted the “civil society organizations and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the UN Camps and in abroad from the neighbouring countries, such as those who have fled to Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, and Ethiopia to be part of the so called “inclusive roadmap”, as they are the very main victims. We strongly believe the representation of the above mentioned groups is important in order to incorporate their views on how to end the crisis. We also recommend the followings as genuinely and healthy approach for the interests of nation building, the Republic of South Sudan.

• First, focus on the harms and consequent needs of the victims as well as the communities and the offenders are core values. Our grave concerns are the non-representations of others stakeholders within the civil society and faith group who are participating in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia peace talk between the government and the rebel. It is simply failing the whole process and demoralizing innocent people’s hope and aspiration.
• Second, putting right requires that we address harms and causes. Addressing the obligations that result from those being harmed by the obligations of the offenders/perpetrators, the communities and societies at large are vital.
• Third, uses of inclusive and collaborative processes are crucial at this difficult time for all the people of South Sudan to be reintegrated again.
• Four, involving those with a legitimate stake in the situation, including victims, offenders, community members, and society.
• Five, seek to put right the wrong so various communities regain trust.

In her excellent handbook, Restorative Justice: a Vision for Healing and Change, Susan Sharpe summarized the goals and tasks of……peace process this way:

The Goals of Peace Process by Neutral Mediators should have the followings.

• Put key decisions into the hands of those most who are affected by crime.
• Make justice more healing and more transformative than fake peace, and
• Reduce the likelihood of future offences [for nation building].

[How to] Achieving these goals requires Neutral Mediators like IGAD to:

• Encourage collaboration and reintegration of victims and offenders (perpetrators), rather than coercion and isolation.
• Victims are involved in the [peace] process and some out of satisfied,
• [Actors] offenders understand how their actions have affected other people and take responsibility for those actions.
• Provide opportunities for dialogue, direct or indirect, between victim and offender as appropriate to form a genuinely and healthily recompilation for nation building.
• Find meaningful ways to involve the community and respond to the community based of crime.
• Outcomes help to repair the harms done and address the reasons for the offences (specific plans are tailored to the victim’s and the offender’s needs) and
• Victim and offender both gain a sense of “closure,” and both are reintegrated into the community based on positive agreement to avoid the future crime.
• Mediators to show respect to all victims and offenders (perpetrators).

Guiding Questions of Peace Process to restore Trust

• Who has been hurt?
• What are their needs?
• Whose obligations are these [who are the responsible for the crime]?
• Who has a stake in this situation?
• What is the appropriate process to involve all the stakeholders in an effort to put things right for the future?

Degrees of a Meaningful Peace Process to be considered by the IGAD:

• Does the model address harms, needs, and causes?
• Is it adequately victim-oriented process?
• Are offenders/perpetrators encouraged to take responsibility?
• Are all relevant stakeholders involved?
• Is there an opportunity for dialogue and participatory decision-making?
• Is the model respectful to all parties?

Based on the this view, we, the South Sudanese Canadian members (people) are concerned because it is our country, and we strongly believe that South Sudanese are all responsible when it comes on how the future of South Sudan Governance System will look like. This doe not need short cut or favoring one side by the mediators (IGAD). We, the South Sudanese Canadians who write this letter (article) have convinced that it is our hope the two most important issues, particularly inclusiveness of the rebel side, civil, faith group, students across South Sudanese in the neighbouring countries, and the formation of federal and transitional systems will be critically looked at for the interest of our nation to be like other African Countries and be able to contribute in both our affairs and in African or the world issues as well.

Decree after decree used by Salva Kiir Government was not what we the ordinary people of various South Sudanese were fighting for during the 21 years Sudan Civil War. We wanted the IGAD Mediating Team to be aware that ordinary people were not fighting to groom for a dictatorship in South Sudan, sorry! Peace and Reconciliation with looters of resources and the shown their philosophy be good guys during transitional government?  There is no short cut by all the warring parties should it be from Salva Kiir Government, Dr. Riek Machar Rebels, and Group 11 comprised of Pagan Amum, Majaak Agot, Luk Joak, and the like. Sorry comrades. There is no short cut at this time for you the previous official whom some of you have been looting public resources in the name of struggle has no place at this critical time. Some of the G-11 members have dirty hands even during the development of the transitional constitution that Salva and his blood machine used to exterminate others.  In the SPLM Party, you have no place, you the G-11 whom we the public were fighting for their release from jail in Juba. We wanted to make your behaviours public you the following comrades of Mr. Pagan Amum, John Luk Jok, Majaak Agot, and the rests of the G-11 who have turned the public trust down unless you have to convince the public that you guys did really try to wage the so called coup attempt on the December 15, 2013 without Dr. Machar. Coming to a federal system?  The people of South Sudan are badly indeed needed a federal system in the Republic of South that will governance all of us (all stakeholders) with respect for the rule of law and diversity. In Canada, to compare all these issues faced by both mediators and South Sudanese when it comes to all these problems facing the Republic of South Sudan, they could find only one answer to solve them: federalism. The provinces [states] dared not remain separate, nor could they merge. They could (and did) from a federation, with a strong central government and parliament, but also with an ample measure of autonomy and self-government for each of the federating communities” in Canada, responsible government, the national cabinet, the bureaucracy, political parties: all these are basic feature government. The rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Chatter are:

Democratic rights for example, the right of every citizen to vote for their representatives of federal and provincial legislative, the right to elections at least every five years, though in time of real or apprehended war, invasion or insurrection, the life of a federal or provincial legislature may be prolonged by a two-thirds vote in the legislative assembly.

Fundamental freedoms (conscience, religion, thought, expression, peaceful assembly, and association).

In any democratic country like Canada or the United States, Mobility rights (to enter, remain in, or leave one’s own country, and to move into, and earn a living in, any province (or state) subject to certain limitations, notably to provide for “affirmative actions” programs for the socially or economically disadvantaged) is one of the federal system that we hope South Sudan dearly ought to have at this time.

There should be no fear economically and educationally as most South Sudanese become eager to have a federal government where an elected governor is accountable to his or her citizens in the respective state or province, where commissioners or mayors are accountable for their jurisdictions not the president of the country. Constitutionally, it contains a section on equalization and regional disparities that the national government and parliament and the provincial governments and legislatures are committed to promoting equal opportunities for the well-being of all citizens, furthering economic development to reduce disparities in opportunities, and providing essential public services of reasonable quality to all citizens” and this should fit in the life of all South Sudanese as well.

That the government and parliament are committed to the principle of making equalization payments to ensure that provincial [state] governments have sufficient revenues to provide reasonably comparable levels of public services at reasonably and comparably levels of taxation. Tax payer money should not be pocketed individuals associated with blood machine leaderships. We, the South Sudanese Canadian Community members and leaders equally believe South Sudan can also be a federal nation as Canada and the United States of America. As diaspora members, we advise the IGAD Meditating teams to take the entire consensus from all the stakeholders into the account not the government supporters only. We do not want Juba Government, Civil and its faith groups to be the ones recommending the peace process and reconciliation as legitimate entity and exclude the very victims whose relatives and loved ones were systemically massacred in Juba on December 15-19, 2013. IGAD wanted South Sudan to have a just a lasting peace and harmony, we the South Sudanese in diaspora urge the regional and international members were to address harms, causes, and to explore the harms that the perpetrators have done to the victims of South Sudanese whom most of them those are still staying in the United Nations Camps across South Sudan since this conflict started; we would have a genuine and a lasting peace in South Sudan if Salva Kiir and his blood machine criminals who are to be held responsible and answerable to their fake coup. We hope the IGAD leaders and other international community leaders (the UN) will put this view under their considerations in the peace talk and the reconciliation. It is very crucial to note that we, the south Sudanese Community Leaders and members in Canada always appreciate the IGAD roles since North-Sudan Sudan Civil War, and now you have stood up with us. We will always appreciate your commitment as you wanted our country to be a viable state. Congratulation IGAD Leaders!

Yours Sincerely,

Press Statement

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Addis Ababa, June 30, 2014 (SSNA) -- South Sudan became Independent on the 9th of July 2011. Millions of the people of the Republic of South Sudan and well-wishers celebrated the birth of the new nation. I was blessed to have witnessed both the hoisting of the flag in South Sudan (July 9th 2011) and in the United Nations Head Quarters in New York (July 14th 2011). This well earned sacrosanct Independence of the South Sudan was through millions of heroes and heroines who sacrificed their lives for a just cause in 1955 to 1972, the war of the Anya Nya One, 1975 to 1983, the war of Anya Nya Two and 1983 to 2005, the war of SPLM/A.

December 15th 2013 will always be in the history of the new nation as the darkest spot. The President of the Republic, Salva Kiir Mayardit dragged the new nation into a war by recruiting, arming, and directing the Presidential Unit (Tiger Battalion), mainly from his home area, to disarm the Nuer component of the unit.  I am innocent. I have never, or any of my colleagues in anyway ever plotted a coup to overthrow Salva Kiir government. The war broke out and Kiir directed his part of the unit to slaughter the Nuer in the unit and around Juba. This move triggered the current war imposed on all of us starting with his former Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, whom Kiir wanted to assassinate. Former VP Dr. Riek Machar Teny ran for his life and all the G11 were detained using a false accusation such as an attempted coup d'etat. This false alleged coup triggered the massacre in Juba, and subsequently many innocent lives lost in Bor, Malakal, Bentiu and many places. My dear people the Nuer, Dinka, Shilluk, and many other innocent lives from other communities were lost because of this senseless war. My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.

To set the record straight, we the December 6th 2013 Political Leaders (G11), namely Pagan Amum Okiech, Deng Alor Kuol, John Luk Jok, Kosti Manibe Ngai, Gen. Oyay Deng Ajak, Gen. Dr. Majak D’Agoot, Gen. Madut Biar Yel, Gen. Gier Chang Aluong, Governor Chol Tong Mayay, Dr. Cirino Hiteng Ofuho, and Amb. Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth together with Dr. Riek Machar Teny, Madame Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, Taban Deng Gai, Dr. Peter Adwok Nyaba and Alfred Lado Gore - who had a press conference in Juba were and are united on the issues of “critical reforms” in the SPLM and the Government of the Republic of South Sudan using peaceful means. It was President Kiir who introduced violence into this   in -house SPLM Political struggle. The war, which was imposed on all of us by Kiir, separated the group on the fateful night of December 15th 2013. The G11 (former detainees) were detained, and Dr. Riek Machar Teny and others escaped and ran for their dear lives. Because of the imposed war by Kiir, Dr. Riek and his group waged a war of resistance for survival. All of the mentioned leaders above the  “reformists group” will continue to work together to end this imposed war peacefully.

I was detained with my Comrades on December 16th 2013 until April 24th 2014 and we were taken to court, charged with treason and many other charges, all carrying a death sentence. I have spent 130 days in prison. This ordeal of solitary confinement led me not to be bitter toward anybody but to think through and increased my resolve to work for a new beginning in South Sudan.

The new beginning is a new South Sudan where I would want to see “ the war to stop, and have a South Sudan free from ethnic politics and embrace all the critical reforms including institutionalization of a federal system  ”. This South Sudan will only come if “a new leadership emerges, peace with justice and accountability is realized, genuine reconciliation is launched, development to affected areas is implemented and a federal system (where resources are devolved to states and local levels instead of concentrating the resources to the Central government) is achieved”. This is going to realize the dream of our Late Leader and Hero Dr. John Garang De Mabior, which stated “taking towns to villages”.

Now I have decided to join the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army under the Leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny, Chairman of the SPLM and Commander In Chief of the SPLA, and work for peace and reaffirming my commitment to a peaceful resolution to the conflict as it was stated by the agreement of May 9th 2014 by the two Principals which says “no military solution to the current conflict in South Sudan”. The war has devastated and divided our communities. The healing and reconciliation is needed within our communities. Other countries such as Rwanda went through genocide like South Sudan and they reconciled and I am sure we will reconcile as communities.

I am sure the best way for South Sudan to heal and come together we must reach out. Changing the nature of the State and political dialogue requires major change in attitude and changes in political leadership. One has to relate to the region and to the rest of the world. We are not living on an island – as such we have to reach out to our neighbors and our friends in other parts of the world – from America to Norway to China and India.

Finally, I would like to thank my wife, Rachel Nyahok Gatkuoth, kids (Duop, Nyamal and Nyewech), my entire family, best friends and well wishers, regional leaders, international community leaders and the entire leadership of the SPLM/A for standing with me and working for my release during my ordeal in Prison where I was basically on “death row”.

Thank you and God bless South Sudan, Africa and the world.

Ambassador Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Former Ambassador to USA/UN, Former Detainees (the last 4) and Member of the SPLM National Liberation Council.