A Working Paper by David K. Deng

July 2014

Contents

“All post-conflict and divided societies confront the need to establish a delicate balance between forgetting and remembering. It is crucial that memorialization processes do not function as empty rhetoric commemorating the dead, while losing sight of the reasons and the context for past tragedies and obscuring contemporary challenges.”  [1]

- Farida Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights

Introduction

The conflict in South Sudan is approaching its seventh month and there is no end in sight. Tens of thousands of people have been killed, approximately 1.1 million are internally displaced, and more than 400,000 have been forced to flee to neighboring countries.[2] Humanitarian agencies warn that 3.9 million people will face ‘crisis’ or ‘emergency’ levels of food insecurity by August if the fighting continues and if there is no increase of international assistance.[3]

Despite the toll that the conflict is taking on civilian populations, the Government of South Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) have shown little interest in resolving their differences at the negotiating table. Peace talks mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have resulted in the signing of three agreements—a cessation of hostilities agreement on 23 January, a recommitment to that agreement on 5 May, and a 9 May “agreement to resolve the crisis”—all were violated within days of being signed.[4] Most recently, in June 2014, the SPLM-IO suspended its participation in the talks in protest over the manner in which civil society representatives were selected.[5]

As the parties continue to frustrate efforts to achieve a negotiated solution, the war becomes further entrenched. When and if an agreement is reached, it will take many years to mend the broken lives and relationships that the conflict will leave in its wake. Transitional justice—or the range of judicial and non-judicial processes that states emerging from war or authoritarian rule use to address legacies of massive human rights violations—will be an integral component of these efforts.

This paper is the second in a series of working papers developed by the South Sudan Law Society (SSLS) to stimulate thought on issues of truth, justice and reconciliation in South Sudan’s peace process. The paper explores options for the creation of public memorials to stand as a testament to the shared suffering and resilience of the South Sudanese people.

What is memorialization?

Memorialization is a process through which society acknowledges past human rights abuses and transforms them into tools for understanding both historical and contemporary injustices. Public memorials come in many forms, from museums and monuments that take years to construct and cost millions of dollars to collections of condolence notes, flowers, and pictures of victims at sites where they died or vanished.[6] Graffiti art and photo and poster exhibitions have even been recognized as a form of memorialization in the context of Syria, Peru and Timor-Leste’s transitions from conflict and authoritarian rule.[7]

Memorialization has both private, reflective objectives and public, educational ones.[8] On the one hand, the acknowledgment of human rights violations can be seen as a form of ‘symbolic reparations’ that helps survivors in their process of healing. At the same time, memorials can help post-conflict societies to build a collective narrative of their past and prevent abuses from recurring. According to a 2005 survey in northern Uganda, for example, 93 percent of respondents believed it was important for future generations to remember what happened. The top rationales for remembrance were to honor the victims (44 percent), prevent the violence from happening again (36 percent), and establish a historical record (22 percent). [9]

Timing

With respect to timing of memorialization activities, there are no hard-and-fast rules. Memorials may be initiated during or after conflicts. During conflicts, they can bring attention to ongoing atrocities in an effort to stop the bloodshed. In relation to the conflict Syria, for example, human rights organizations documented the names of 100,000 people killed during the war and read them aloud in front of the White House over the space of 72-hours to push the United States government to take more decisive action against the regime of Bashar al-Assad.[10]

Memorials can also highlight past abuses in order to promote healing, reconciliation and social transformation. The Monte Sole Peace School in Italy, for example, was built on a site where, in 1994, German and Italian troops massacred 770 civilians, mostly women and children. The school brings together people from conflict-affected areas, such as Palestinians and Israelis or Serbs and Albanians, for a three-week camp in which they’re able to use the site’s story as a means of inspiring young people to resist atrocities in their own areas.[11]

Risks

Memorialization is an inherently political undertaking and as such, carries certain risks. Post-conflict societies are fractured and polarized. Narratives of the conflict are hotly contested and states may be reluctant to allow perceptions of events to be shaped through open and inclusive processes over which the state has limited control. Poorly planned memorialization activities sometimes make the mistake of identifying particular groups as victims and ignoring abuses committed against other groups, thereby becoming tools of self-victimization that serve to divide rather than unite. Other times, they glorify as heroes and liberators people who have committed serious abuses during the conflict. 

Even if there is no overt political agenda at work, it can be very difficult to develop memorials that speak to the many diverse experiences within post-conflict societies. Communities are not monolithic and stories employed in memorials must necessarily represent a particular viewpoint. If the memorial does not highlight a narrative that resonates across many different sectors of society, it may fail to fulfill its purpose and leave people feeling alienated and excluded.

Principles

The following principles provide an initial set of criteria to guide the thinking of anyone engaged in memorialization activities in South Sudan. They are informed by established principles of international law, including the rights to know the circumstances surrounding the disappearance or death of a loved, to justice and to reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, as well as from observations by civil society actors and survivors of abuses committed in South Sudan.

Integrity

A central goal of memorialization is to preserve the collective memory from extinction. Memorial designers thus have a duty to meet the highest standards of honesty, accuracy and impartiality. They must weigh conflicting priorities and find ways of balancing between those localized narratives that are most meaningful to people and more broadly applicable stories that resonate with a national audience. This requires rigorous research and analysis at every stage of the process.

Designers of memorials must also guard against the development of revisionist histories that negate experiences that may diverge from the official narrative.There is often a temptation in transitional states to use memorials to obscure a history of state-sanctioned human rights abuses and control definitions of victims and perpetrators. Memorials should not be used to further these sorts of political agendas. Instead, they should be framed in a manner that reflects the complex realities of large-scale conflict. They should avoid simplistic definitions of victims and perpetrators and seek to humanize all those that have been affected by the conflict. They should also recognize the heroic acts the people do to assist their fellow man and woman and not only the harms that were done.

Victim-centered and Inclusive

Designers of memorialization projects should coordinate closely with victim groups and survivors and ensure that their input is taken into consideration at all stages of planning, constructing and operating the memorial. As Farida Shaheed explains, the empowerment of victims is of central importance:

“This means promoting their recognition not only as victims but as full actors of their rehabilitation and important contributors to wider societal actions to overcome the tragedies of past events. All too frequently, once their testimonies have been gathered, victims receive no feedback on decisions taken and are left within their victim status, rather than being empowered through actively participating in establishing the memorial.”  [12]

In addition to victims’ groups, memorialization initiatives should provide for the involvement of a broad range of other stakeholders. The participation of public authorities who are responsible for managing the public space and developing national strategies to guide memorialization efforts over time is often vital to the success of a memorial, but designers should also engage with other civic actors who can contribute specific skills sets. Human rights activists can help connect the site and its stories to proposed or existing justice and accountability mechanisms, urban planners can help to ensure that the memorial is designed in accordance with land use plans, and educators can integrate the site and its history into school curricula.

Integration

Memorialization should be seen as complementary to, not a substitute for, other transitional justice initiatives. If properly planned, memorials can support truth commissions, criminal tribunals, institutional reforms, reparation schemes and vice versa. Truth commissions in El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Peru, Morocco and South Africa and the commission of inquiry in Chad have all included memorials among their recommendations. According to the Commission for Historical Clarification in Guatemala, for example:

“[T]he historical memory, both individual and collective, forms the basis of national identity. Remembrance of the victims is a fundamental aspect of this historical memory and permits the recovery of the values of, and the validity of the struggle for, human dignity.”  [13]

Courts too may require states to construct memorials as a remedy for human rights abuses. The Inter-American Court for Human Rights, for example, has ordered the construction of memorials in several instances. In Miguel Castro-Castro Prison v. Peru, the court ruled on a monument dedicated to the victims of the Peruvian civil war, stipulating that Peru “must guarantee, within a one-year period, that all persons declared as deceased in the present Judgment are represented in the monument called The Eye that Cries.”[14]Similarly, in 19 Merchants v. Colombia, the Court ordered Columbia to construct a memorial for 19 traders that were detained, disappeared and executed by Colombia in 1987, and in the Case of the Río Negro Massacres v. Guatemala, the Court requested the establishment of a museum to honour the victims of the internal armed conflict.  [15]

Locally-driven

As with any transitional justice initiative, memorialization activities are most successful when they are locally-driven and tailored to meet the demands, needs, expectations and aspirations of affected populations. International actors can play an important role in supporting memorialization initiatives through technical assistance, financial help, or facilitation in bringing contending parties together, but they need to be clear about the limits of their role. As Judy Barsalou and Victoria Baxter explain:

“It is essential that survivors of conflict, rather than the outsiders who come to help them, initiate memorial projects. Outsiders, especially international actors, may feel that they are more objective or balanced in their understanding of the conflict, particularly in its immediate aftermath, but their efforts to create memorials are likely to be greeted by either indifference or hostility. If memorials are to help reunite a society, they must be the outgrowth of a consultative process dominated by survivors.”  [16]

To create an environment conducive to locally-driven initiatives, time and resources should be devoted to consultations with a broad cross section of South Sudanese society prior to embarking on memorialization initiatives. In these consultations, attention should be paid to both top-down processes and fostering state ownership over the memorialization initiative, as well as bottom-up processes initiated by grassroots organizations and affected communities.

Options for Memorialization in South Sudan

The term ‘memorialization’ covers a broad range of practices. In order to provide a framework in which to consider possible approaches in the South Sudanese context, the subsections below examine four types of memorials: authentic sites, symbolic sites, documentation and activities.

Authentic Sites

Authentic site memorials take locations where atrocities occurred, such as massacre sites, detention facilities and mass graves, and transform them into places of knowledge. Survivors and people who lost loved ones can come to these places to remember their loss and seek healing. People may also visit the sites to better understand the events that took place and engage in discussions about how to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Such memorials may also serve functional purposes. The Constitutional Court in South Africa, for example, was built in a structure called The Fort, a prison that in over its near century of existence held hundreds of thousands of inmates, including famous figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Albert Luthuli. The site was chosen specifically for this torturous past. As Nelson Mandela remarked at the ceremony to announce the winner of the architectural competition that was used to select the individual who would design the court:

“The Constitutional Court building, indeed the entire Constitutional Hill precinct, will stand as a beacon of light, a symbol of hope and celebration. Transforming a notorious icon of repression into its opposite, it will ease the memories of suffering inflicted in the dark corners, cells and corridors of the Old Fort Prison. Rising from the ashes of that ghastly era, it will shine forth as a pledge for all time that South Africa will never return to that abyss. It will stand as an affirmation that South Africa is indeed a better place for all.” [17]

Designers of authentic site memorials have to balance a number of competing interests. All memorials must find a way to publicly recognize people’s suffering and portray the significance of the acts committed while maintaining respect for the dead. This challenge is heightened for authentic sites. Since they may contain human remains or other evidence of the facts and circumstances surrounding the death or disappearance, authentic sites must weigh considerations about the type of memorial to construct against the need to preserve an area as a crime scene. The authorities may also attempt to close sites where atrocities took place or destroy them in order to erase the memories attached to the site and to cover up the crimes that took place.[18] Authentic site memorials must counter any such efforts.

The 23 January cessation of hostilities agreement provides an entry point for memorials such as these in South Sudan. In the agreement, the parties agreed, “to provide an enabling environment to facilitate decent burials of the dead and memorialization, support reunion of families, and any such acts that promote human dignity.”[19] This could provide space for immediate actions to secure authentic sites and carry out the necessary investigations while assessing their viability as memorials moving forward.

There are numerous locations in South Sudan that could be developed into authentic site memorials. Mass graves, abandoned villages and illegal detention facilities, each with their own unique stories, can be found throughout the conflict areas. The Giyada military barracks in Juba, for example, has been a central location of human rights abuses and conflict since the previous 22-year civil war in Sudan. During the last war, government authorities imprisoned countless numbers of people in Giyada, often on suspicion that the individuals were allied with the SPLM/A. When people went in, they rarely came out. The current conflict also originated in Giyada, when a dispute erupted among competing groups in the presidential guards in December 2013. Once the conflict is over and a transitional government is established, one option for a public memorial could be to take the barracks at Giyada and convert them into public memorial that tells the story of South Sudan’s history of conflict and brings attention to the suffering that it has inflicted upon the people of South Sudan.

Another option could be to establish a memorial to remember the victims of the mass killings committed by security forces in Juba in the early days of the conflict. In one particularly egregious incident, hundreds of people were rounded up and taken to a police facility in the Gudele neighborhood. Several times over the course of a night, unknown individuals shot through the windows and door into the group of men in the room. After the shootings, individuals in uniform went inside the room and shot again or killed with knives anyone found alive.[20] Establishing a memorial on the site could serve as a powerful reminder of the horrors that South Sudanese have inflicted on one another and damage that violence has done to the social fabric in the country.

One factor to bear in mind in considering authentic sites in South Sudan is that many of the places where atrocities have taken place serve functional purposes. Given the limited infrastructure in the country, hospitals, schools and churches where atrocities have been committed may still need to be used after the conflict has ended. In such circumstances, the concerned authorities and affected communities could consider integrating some recognition of what happened in these locations in order to honor those who were lost while still retaining the functionality of the structures.

Symbolic Sites

Symbolic sites include various types of structures that symbolize aspects of a nation’s struggle to transition from conflict or authoritarian rule, such as monuments or museums. Often documentation centers or archives are established near such memorials to provide additional information on the context or space for people to engage in discussions about the memorial. As with authentic sites, symbolic sites can also be formed with functional uses in mind. Consultations with people affected by the violence in different parts of South Sudan can be used to determine the type of symbolic sites that resonate most with people’s experiences.

Documentation

The documentation of the facts and circumstances surrounding human rights abuses is a necessary precursor to other forms of memorialization, but documentation activities can also serve as a form of memorialization in and of themselves.[21] Documentation efforts come in a variety of forms, including press coverage, responses from regional or international actors such as the African Union (AU) or United Nations (UN), the documentation of oral testimonies, public archives or the documentation of atrocities by public authorities themselves. This information is often vital to inform future efforts at justice and accountability, but it may also be of value to victims in its own right.

The investigation and documentation of human rights abuses is particularly important in the South Sudanese context. The AU’s Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan may provide a starting point in this regard, but due to its short time period and the limited scope of its engagement on the ground in South Sudan, it is unlikely that the Commission will be in a position to provide a comprehensive narrative of the conflict. In order to develop a more thorough account, South Sudan would need to establish a truth, justice and reconciliation commission and provide it with a robust mandate to systematically document the war.

Such a commission could not be established until the fighting stops and there is a degree of stability in the country. In the meantime, documentation efforts by South Sudanese and international actors can help to build a body of data to support future efforts at truth and justice while memorializing the abuses that continue to occur. In a recent assessment of justice, accountability and reconciliation measures in South Sudan, the American Bar Association (ABA) recommended the deployment of independent and professional investigation teams staffed by experienced international investigators to augment and support the efforts of the AU Commission of Inquiry.[22] If such a recommendation were followed through upon, South Sudanese investigators could be added to the investigation teams to help build local capacity and to ensure that the investigations are responsive to local realities.

Activities

Memorialization can encompass a broad range of activities, such as commemorative days, artistic displays and other initiatives that do not require the construction of a physical structure. For example, one of the first commissions of inquiry in Africa, conducted in Chad from 1990 to 1992, recommended that the second Sunday of December be declared a day of prayer and contemplation for the victims of repressive acts committed during the rule of Hissène Habré. Other examples can be seen in Argentina in the 1980s, where the mothers of people who were disappeared by the Pinochet regime would hold daily gatherings to call for the return of their missing children, and in Apartheid South Africa in the 1980s, where citizens used protest theatre to make claims for justice and draw attention to the injustices of Apartheid.  [23]

Naming individuals who were lost to a conflict can be a powerful method of bringing attention to the circumstances of their death or disappearance. In describing the symbolic power of naming those that were lost to the conflict in Syria, Lina Sergie Attar, a Syrian-American architect and writer, wrote:

“When you call someone by their name, something materializes that transcends the ephemeral utterance. The concrete syllables of one’s name represents everything that person is or was supposed to be. As we read 100,000 names, our dead gain the weight of recognition that they deserve but were never granted. Name after name, hour after hour, days through the nights, from reciting with a microphone in front of a bustling street audience to whispers alone in the dark surrounded by a slumbering world: we render each name visible and heard for a moment in time before it disappears once more.”  [24]

Similar projects have been initiated in South Sudan. A number of individuals have been gathering names of people killed in different locations. Lists of people killed in Juba in the early days of the conflict, in Bor and in Malakal have been circulating for months. A Sudanese newspaper also published the names of people killed in a massacre at a mosque after SPLM-IO forces captured Bentiu. While these lists an important source of information on the scale of the conflict, one of the problems with the ad hoc compilation of names that has taken place thus far is that the lists tend to focus on specific communities. As a result, people only see the suffering of their own communities and do not fully appreciate the harm that the conflict has done to the nation as a whole.

To remedy this shortcoming, a group of South Sudanese civil society actors have initiated a project called, Naming Those We’ve Lost, in an effort to compile the names of everyone dead or missing since 15 December 2013 as a result of the conflict. Once a sufficient number of names have been compiled and the accuracy of the information is verified, the group plans to memorialize the names in various ways, such as by reading them over the radio and publishing them in newspapers and on websites. Eventually, the names can be featured on public memorials constructed somewhere in South Sudan.

Conclusion and Recommendations

In the nine years of relative peace that followed the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005, little effort was made to address the legacy of conflict, violence and human rights abuses in South Sudan. This failure to address the past was one of the factors that contributed to the outbreak of the current conflict. If the parties manage to reach a negotiated solution and the violence stops, they should not repeat the same mistake. In order to secure a lasting peace, South Sudan must reckon with its history of massive human rights violations. Memorialization initiatives should be an integral part of any such process. While some memorialization activities would have to wait until there is a greater deal of stability, others can start immediately. To support efforts in this regard, the SSLS recommends the following:

1. Immediately take steps to protect mass graves and commemorate the dead – In line with the requirements of the 23 January cessation of hostilities agreement, the Government of South Sudan, the SPLM-IO and other stakeholders should take steps to immediately identify and preserve mass graves and other sites where human rights abuses took place. They should also support civil society efforts to commemorate and memorialize the dead through activities such as the Naming Those We’ve Lost project discussed above.

2. Increase efforts to document violations of international humanitarian and human rights law – Documentation efforts should be promoted on all fronts. The AU Commission of Inquiry may provide a starting point, but given the scale of the violations and the limited scope of the AU’s inquiry, additional action in required. The parties to the conflict and South Sudan’s international partners should support efforts by other South Sudanese and international actors to document human rights abuses in the country and build a more full and accurate narrative of the conflict. The information compiled should be publicized as a form of memorialization in and of itself and to support future efforts at truth and justice.

3. Include language in a peace agreement regarding memorialization activities – Stakeholders involved in the IGAD-led peace talks currently underway in Addis Ababa should include language regarding memorialization activities in any peace agreement that comes out of the process. The creation of public memorials should be among the tasks mandated to the transitional government in its efforts to promote truth, justice and reconciliation in South Sudan. The provisions of the 23 January cessation of hostilities agreement regarding the facilitation of “decent burials of the dead and memorialization” should be incorporated into the final peace agreement.

4. Create a truth, justice and reconciliation commission to conduct research and make recommendations on memorialization activities – The peace agreement should require the transitional government to establish a truth, justice and reconciliation commission in order to build a narrative of the facts and circumstances surrounding the conflict in South Sudan and to make recommendations for how the country can address legacies of violence. The truth, justice and reconciliation commission should be mandated to make recommendations on memorialization activities that can be pursued in a complementary manner to other transitional justice initiatives.

5. Conduct research to identify victim and survivor preferences for memorialization – Research should be conducted to better understand the type of memorialization activities that resonate with populations in South Sudan and how memorialization can be incorporated into transitional justice strategies in the country.

Ref: OC/SPLM/NCPM/03

Press Release

Re: SPLM SPLA Launches New Membership Application Forms and Registration

July 24, 2014 (SSNA) -- At this stage of the struggle by the SPLM/SPLA against the government it helped put in power, it is imperative that demand for reforms in the government and restructuring of state goes hand in hand with reorganization and restructuring of the SPLM/SPLA Party.

From May, 2013, President Salva Kiir and his group overthrew SPLM/SPLA from holding government and driving the aspiration of the people of South Sudan towards unity, equality and progress when they blocked the SPLM/SPLA National Convention scheduled to discuss and pass basic documents which contained much needed reforms in the Party and the government.

The abuse of power in government of South Sudan is due to failure of President Salva Kiir and his cohorts to act in accordance to or be sanctioned by political party’s principle and ideology which are engraved in the manifesto, and the vision of the party. SPLM/SPLA is a historical party and is a vehicle which has not yet reached its destination until the change and transformation of the society and state of South Sudan is achieved.

The new membership application form is a subscription to a number of fundamental principles that the SPLM/SPLA now advocate for and this includes; Democratic federal Republic, popular sovereignty as opposed to dictatorship, and tyranny; Constitutionalism and rule of law, economic revolution in which wealth and resources shall be left to the people, transparency and accountability among others.

SPLM/SPLA is a movement political organization comprising of sisterly opposition political parties opposed to the corrupt and murderous regime in Juba and therefore the membership is opened to all south Sudanese nationals within the country and those in diaspora in regardless of their political party affiliation, sex, religion, ethnicity and race etc.

The new application forms are upgraded with modern features and applicants can now subscribe online using electronic version by filling within the yellow box or submit a print copy to any nearest office. Old members are required to renew their membership as a subscription to the reforms and transformation that the movement currently is working to achieve. All our supporters in Upper Nile, Equatoria, Bar El Gazel region, Abyei and diaspora can now apply through their nearest branch office or cells or apply on line. All registration serial numbers shall be determined by the Office of Chairman for National Committee for Political Mobilization.

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Signed:

Re: The Destruction of Mathiang, Longechuk County by Kiir’s Forces

Press release

July 24, 2014 (SSNA) –Members of Longechuk County throughout the world met on June 7, 2014, to discuss the destruction of Mathiang, Longechuk County. The meeting included area commander General Puok Kong and Honorable and former Longechuk commissioner Stephen Pal Kun; the meeting was held by those of the United States of America (USA), Australia, and South Sudan.

The citizens concluded the meeting with strong condemnation of those who involved in the destruction of Longechuk County, in May 2014, and in the past since the war had started in December 15, 2013.

The Longechuk County population with 99.99% stands firm with armed opposition under Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon. That 99.99% supports the establishment of Federalism in South Sudan, instead of central and dictatorial government headed by Dictator Salva Kiir Mayardit.

The only people who are supporting Kiir right now are some government officials, who were elected by Longechuk Citizens to represent them in the government of the Upper Nile State and the Juba-based central government.

Those few individuals were the ones, who encouraged Gen. Nhial Batoang under Kiir’s forces to invade Longechuk for the hope to gain the support from general population, and that didn’t land well in the ears of Longechuk people.

In addition, the individuals who have contributed to the destruction of our county have been identified as follows:

The Longechuk citizens do not only condemn the above named individuals, but also declared them as enemies of the county in general and they will not be allowed to set a foot in the area, unless by force.

The Longechuk citizens also declared Gach Wuol Guandong as an illegal Commissioner, the citizens recognize only Michael Ruot Gatkuoth, as their commissioner from then on.

The following events below happened during the destruction of Longechuk County in May of 2014:

• The forced placement of Mr.GachWuol Guandong as a Longechuk commissioner has caused the destruction of Mathiang, Jak Chiengkang, Mangok and Pakur. The capture of Mathiang city from the people of Longechuk has cost too many lives, properties and ensuing displacement of the citizens to Maiwut County. They walked along the rough roads, where our people suffer with lack of water, foods, and the situation caused elders and children to die in between. That massive suffering of our people was enjoyed by the new commissioner, Gach Wuol Guandong and Longechuk MPs, whose names were mentioned above.
• When Kiir’s Government forces destroyed Pakur and Wichluak Wiu villages (Wichluak Mut Dung), they killed many civilians and others ran to the bushes for their lives, encountered severe problems and deaths. Among those who died in the bush were an old man with his three grandsons, who were brothers. All of them died and the local villagers had discovered their bones in Pakur area.
• According to Gen. Puok Koang, Hon. Stephen Pal Kun and several people we talked to in Pal-guop swamp area and Mathiang city, the Government Troops raped more than 80 women before abandoning Mathiang city. The confusion that led to this came after the Nuer, who came with Kiir’s forces captured one civilian and gave her a letter to lure those who had run to the swamp areas. The messenger had found three women and asked them to go back to Mathiang and get some food for their children because, the letter explained, the government troops were only looking for armed men. After the women went back to the swamp areas and broke the news to the other civilians, more than 80 women including teenage girls were informed. The hungry civilians went back to Mathiang in order to take the food for their children who were suffering with no food in the swampy areas after Longechuk’s officials and their allies destroyed Mathiang. The situation ended up for every woman and young girl being raped by up to 10 armed men in a broad daylight in Mathiang Town. The condemnation goes straight to the above names who instructed armed soldiers to execute all the evil acts in Longechuk County.
• On May 16-17, 2014, the retreated government troops had poisoned some cereals (maize and sorghum) that they had left behind after withdrawal at that night. According to the area commander, Longechuk people were suffering of diarrhea, vomiting and other kinds of serious sickness as the result of the foods poisoned by the government forces.

Finally, the above evil act shouldn’t be carried out by the very officials who were elected from Longechuk County by Longechuk people to represent their voices. These elected officials were elected to represent the interest of Longechuk people, instead of siding with government that kills the people who select them in the first place. For this reason, those individuals had passed as the enemy of the people of Longechuk county.

In conclusion, the meeting ended by a resolution asking every Longechuk citizen to stay away and be cautious of those people. We the citizens of Longechuk have condemned Gach Wuol Guandong and the above MPs in a very strong term possible.

The signatory of the above condemnation are below:

Thanks,

Re: Message of condolence to the bereaved family of Hon. Minister, Alpayo Adet Majuong

July 25, 2014 (SSNA) --The community of Payinjiar County, Unity State is deeply saddened by the sudden and untimely death of State Minister of Agriculture, Fishery, Forestry and Animal Resources of Lakes State, Hon.Alpayo Adet Majuong.

The community learnt of his sudden and untimely death on the news and this had made every community member of Payinjiar County very shocked because Alpayo was a man who brought a very lasting peace and co-existence between the people of Nyang County (Lakesd State) and Payinjiar County (Unity State).

The community of Payinjiar is sending its sincerest and deepest condolence to the bereaved people of Nyang County, to his family, to the people of Lakes State, to Lakes State Government and to the people of South Sudan at large.

The community of Payinjiar also humbly asks the Lakes State government to properly and transparently investigate what caused Hon. Alpayo Adet Majuong’s sudden and untimely death.

May his soul rest in eternal peace!

25/07/2014

July 26, 2014 (SSNA) -- The Greater Equatoria Youth Leadership today have fully declared supports, commends and congratulates the leadership of SPLA/M in Opposition for creation of new federal states in Democratic Republic of South Sudan, as one of the principal and remarkable ideal towards implementation of historical political dreams of people of South Sudan.

With an utmost gratitude, we foresee these administrative new arrangements as an important factor to accelerate speedy development, and act as effective tool in rendering more balance resource, power, and service distribution in consistency with vision of taking towns to people of South Sudan in their respective rural areas.

The GEYL, therefore encourage all sections of our population, from within or outside to promote and support the leadership of the opposition in order to realize people’s driven agenda, and element of participatory governance as proposed by the leadership of the opposition under overall command of Dr. Riek Machar.

It’s a known fact now that the people of South Sudan should not waste their time anymore in trusting the current regime that has caused pain and agony to the citizens of this country just in pursue of power greed and resource control, in breached to all existing laws the governs the state.

It’s our assurance that the Greater Equatoria Youth Leadership (GEYL),in support of opposition, will continue to work tirelessly to sensitize the population of region to embrace the system of federal state, and equally accept the proposal of new federal states arrangement for their betterment and effectively get involve inclusive  governance process.

The GEYL is confident that, the opposition is a clear driving force for better change, and decent livelihood of all the citizens of South Sudan, and essential drive that will offer services to all diverse population of our country, and instill democratic practices as well.

This is the first ever initiative proposal offered by democratic oriented leadership to all the citizens of South Sudan, as constitutional gesture of inclusive participation in the governance process, in the affair of their own state, as well as decision making process.

Signed by: Greater Equatoria Youth Leadership

Date: 25/07/2014

July 26, 2014 (SSNA) -- The National Youth Union, and Greater Equatoria Youth Leadership (GEYL), would like to declare today to all South Sudanese Youth, freedom fighters, federalists, leadership of the SPLM/SPLA-Resistant Movement and the entire mass of South Sudan that, we have formally and trustworthily entered into Memorandum of Understanding of mutual interest to strengthen and work towards achievement of final liberty in South Sudan.

It’s apparently clear all sections of people in South Sudan have suffered and continue to suffer from the brutality of genocidal regime of Salvatocratic and his cohorts who continue to kill our people in cold blood across Juba, Yambio, Torit, Rumbek, Wau, Malakal, Bor, Aweil and Bentiu.

In background “Having realized that South Sudan is gearing towards full establishment of dictatorial regime, failure service delivery to the citizens of this country, brutal killing of innocent civilians, the need for democratization and federal system in South Sudan we the parties to this MOU engaged fully to undertake to MOU with commitment and sacrifice”

As of now, on we are declaring this in this join statement of purpose to coordinate efforts and work tirelessly to bring the rotten regime of salva Kiir down, until we rest assured that our people achieve peace, freedom and an overhaul reforms in the country's genocidal system which have destroyed and turn our country into mass graves and slaughter house.

“The Purposeunder designs this (MOU), will work towards accomplishment and achievements of all intended defined aims and objectives and above goals will be accomplished by undertaking programs, plans and activities as dim to the interest of the two parties in this MOU”

It’s our common responsibility to side and ideals of the liberators as well as leaderships who respect constitution, rights of the citizens, and adhere to democratic principles in the country to demonstrate signs of political maturity among regional and international communities of which we are part of.

We encourage our entire youth population and congratulate them ongoing massive underground political movement and military resistancedirectly or indirectly until the aspiration of the people of South Sudan is realized.

That the two parties will accept to struggle to foster realize aims and objectives of this mutual interest of the two parties, for the benefits of the people of South Sudan, and their subjects with ever immense sense of responsibility, diligences and commitment.

That the two Parties to this MOU have to timely organize and set out first hand strategies, Plans and activities in line with accomplishment and the established of objectives, outlined under this MOU .

Signed by: The National Youth Union (NYU) and Greater Equatoria Youth Leadership (GEYL).

By Anteneh Yilma

Addis Ababa, July 28, 2014 (SSNA) -- As South Sudan entered crisis in December 2013, Ethiopia as a sisterly Country received more than 100,000 refugees from South Sudan. Some refugees are believed to move toward Uganda and Kenya while similar numbers of refugees are expected to settle in Sudan. Gatwech Koak Nyuon, a young man from South Sudan launched his campaigns to end 8 months conflict in his Country through ‘power of prayer’, a campaign which has been publicly supported by Christians communities around the World.

In three days conference organized by Youth of Lebu Kale Hiywot Church in Addis Ababa, Gatwech strongly urged the Christian Communities around the World to pray for South Sudan. He did not blame the warring parties but term the crisis as leadership struggle and it should simply be solved through dialogue and nonviolence. He added that thousands of deceased who lost their lives in the conflict will never be rose again. Meanwhile; the continuation of war between warring parties will swipe the productive ages and hinder the development in South Sudan. Both warring parties are due to kick-off next round of talk on July 30^th, 2014. So far, IGAD had given 60 days to cease the fighting but both parties trade an accusation on battle of Nasir last weeks.

In a very emotional, provoking, charismatic speech attended by more than 200 youth, he hotly elaborated that “Christian Communities must bring this issue to an end through the power of prayer”. The audiences were so applause!! A 28 years old young man stood tall with purple suit was alone in the conference; I found him friendly and compassionate. Gatwech is the first South Sudanese to visit Lebu Kale Hiywot Church for the first time in history since its establishment in 1920s.

Ethiopian Kale Hiywot (Word of Life) Church (KHC) is the largest evangelical denomination in Ethiopia. Started in the early 1920s by pioneering Serving In Mission, formerly, Sudan Interior Mission, (SIM) missionaries, Kale Hiywot Church thrived in the South Central and South Western corners of the country during the five-year Italian occupation in the 1930s (Wikipedia).

Some audiences described Gatwech as the best motivational speaker ever. “He is so young; I didn’t expect this campaign to be initiated by him. His words inspired me. God loves him indeed!!” Mindaye Yohannes described.   

Lebu Kale Hiywot Church’s elders received prayer request to continue with it until a change is seen through power of prayer in South Sudan. Currently the overall Ethiopian Kale Hiywot Church has about or more than 7,774 local congregation and estimated 6.7 million members and adherents.

South Sudan problem is our problem as Africans, as children of God and as member of entire Human family. I also urge the Christian Communities to put this very hot issue to their concern either at family level or at church level wherever they reside.

On their parts, the Lebu Kale Hiywot Church conference facilitator congratulated Mr. Gatwech for his roles as a peace maker and forwards the prayer request voluntarily.

Consequently, one of an Evangelist declared him to be an Ambassador for Peace on their prayers. “On behalf of my congregations, I declared Mr. Gatwech to be an Ambassador for Peace and South Sudan will soon recover from the dust”. An Evangelist Teshome.  

Gatwech said that he would not give up. Instead he urged more prayers so that he should extend his visit to other African, European and US Countries for more prayers.

“As I started my campaign in Addis Ababa, this is just the beginning. I need more help from people so that this message should reach out globally and the only way to make this happen should be through prayers”. He calls on willingly people to pray for Ukraine, Syria, Central Africa Republic, Congo, Libya, Somalia etc...  

Gatwech speaks ‘Amharic’ and currently schooling in Mekane Yesus Management and Leadership College, a College administered by Ethiopian Evangelical Mekane Yesus Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He disclosed that he is working on Documentary to be released on YouTube so that people will pray bases on real situation.

The Author is an independent writer on Education and other Human Rights Issues based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He should be reach on: antushyil@gmail.com.

PRESS RELEASE: For immediate release; 29 July 2014

July 29, 2014 (SSNA) -- The South Sudan Human Rights Society For Advocacy (SSHURSA) condemns in strongest terms possible as ‘barbaric’ the arrest of the youth by the security and state officials in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr El Ghazal state.

According to the information SSHURSA has received, a number of youth members have been arrested, held and are being tortured by security agents since 26 July 2014. Preliminary allegations have been rumoured and asserted that the security are linking the youth with South Sudan’s rebels in Northern Bahr El Ghazal under the recently defected army General Dau Aturjong.

Torture is prohibited under national laws and international human rights law. The right to freedom from torture is a non-derogable right which no state government or its agents acting under whatever directive cannot temper with under any circumstances. By arresting and torturing the youth, the state agents are implicated in very serious allegations and are therefore, intentionally in direct attack of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011(TCSS 2011) which is the supreme law of South Sudan. The acts of such officals are barbaric and they are also in complete defiance of South Sudan’s international human rights obligations. South Sudan is a member of United Nations (UN) and the African Union ( AU) and it must respect its obligations as a member of the international community and should ensure that its agents as a state do not contravene internationally non-derogable and protected principle such as the right to freedom from torture as provided for under the TCSS 2011 and article 4 of the UN Convention Against Torture and other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

The Republic of South Sudan being a member of the UN and AU whose human rights instruments though it has not yet ratified, but must still bind it under the principles of the international customary law. Article 18 of the TCSS 2011 provides for freedom from torture and it states;

No person shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

While article 19 of the TCSS 2011 provides for the right to fair trial and states clearly the rights of the accused persons; including the right to be considered not guilty until the allegation(s) are proved as true or discarded by a court of law, the right to be immediately and clearly informed of the reasons of the arrest, the right to be allowed contacts with relatives and receive legal advice and above all, the right to be produced before the court of law for trial within a period not exceeding 24 hours. All these rights have been violated by the state in the case of these youth members arrested.

In a democratic society, arrests in majority of cases can only be effected through an arrest warrant issued by a competent court of law.

Articles 24 and 25 of the TCSS 2011 respectively provide for the rights to the freedom of expression, assembly and association.

The youth members have their constitutional rights to associate and speak out their views on how they perceive the government they have entrusted with management of their public affairs as citizens of the state and as of South Sudan, whether that government be at state or national level. It is one of the values of democratic society to associate and speak out on public issues that matter in the lives of the citizens and people’s government cannot use its agents to arrest and torture those holding contrary views. Harmless divergent views are ingredients for the growth of democracy which South Sudanese state must be humble to accept. SSHURSA calls upon the government of Northern Bahr El Ghazal state to immediately unconditionally ensure that the arrested youth members are released and hold the perpetrators responsible for allegedly torturing the youth which is a violation of a supreme freedom that cannot be tempered with as it protects the sacredness of human dignity.

SSHURSA calls upon the office of the Caretaker governor to intervene immediately and ensure that the youth members are accorded contacts with the families, seek medical attention and released without any condition or produced them before the court of law if the state has any reasonable to believe of their being in suspicion of having committed any crime. Equally, those state agents who tortured the youth must be held accountable so that impunity does not continue being seen sponsored by the state. SSHURSA also calls upon the South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly(SSNLA) to immediately enact a legislation specifically prescribig the severe punishment and holding of those found responsible in violation of the right to freedom from torture as has been rampant among the security and other state agents. The SSNLA should immediately ensure that South Sudan ratifies the UN Convention Against Torture and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

For more on this press release, contacts SSHURSA through:

SSHURSA is an incorporated non-political and non-profit -making national human rights organization, founded by South Sudanese lawyers and Law Students on 5th June 2007 at the Law Development Centre (LDC), Makerere, Kampala, Uganda. In South Sudan, its operations started since 2009 with its headquarters in Juba and co-ordination offices in other states. Its vision: a democratic and human rights abiding South Sudan and the mission: monitoring, documenting and publishing human rights status in the country and training also the general public on human rights, constitution, rule of Law and international humanitarian law, all geared towards creating an informed, responsible, justice and good governance oriented South Sudan. Website: www.sshursa.org

Washington, DC, July 30, 2014 (SSNA) -- South Sudanese rights agency, the Alliance for South Sudanese in Diaspora (ASSD), has announced its objection against the invitation of South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir Mayayrdiit, by the United States President Barack Obama to attend the 2014 US-Africa Leaders Submit scheduled to take place on August 6.

The conference comes after more than seven months of fighting in South Sudan.

The Alliance for South Sudanese in Diaspora is deeply troubled by the invitation of the leader of the war-torn nation, according to the group’s press statement obtained by the South Sudan News Agency.

"ASSD Protest[s] the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir’s visit to the U.S. and Call on South Sudanese-Americans to Participate in Peaceful Demonstration in Washington, DC and across America”, the Alliance declared.

The block questions the decency behind the invitation and stated that it will join other South Sudanese civil society agencies to demonstrate against Kiir, adding that the South Sudanese leader has committed serious crimes and that he does not deserve to be invited by the human rights champion, the United States.

"The Alliance for South Sudanese in Diaspora (ASSD) protest[s] the invitation of the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to the United States of America given the atrocities committed and human sufferings endured by innocent South Sudanese citizens under his administration; ASSD will be joining other South Sudanese civil society organizations in the upcoming Peaceful Demonstration scheduled for Wednesday, August 6, 2014 in Washington, DC”, the ASSD said in its official statement.

The three-day summit will focus on strengthening ties between the United States and the African nations.

“Discussions will center on how to encourage progress in key areas that Africans define as critical for the future of the continent: expanding trade and investment ties, engaging young African leaders, promoting inclusive sustainable development, expanding cooperation on peace and security, and gaining a better future for Africa’s next generation”, The White House Says on its website.

The forum will be attended by more than forty five (45) African leaders, official documents have shown.

The US-based rights group also calls on other human rights organizations to express their discontent against Kiir’s leadership. The ASSD further stated that survivors of Kiir’s December 2013 Juba massacre will join the planned demonstration.

The visit will be Kiir’s first trip to the US since the war broke out in Juba late last year.

PRESS STATEMENT (11)

LET US REMEMBER OUR MARTYRS OF LIBERATION WITH HOPE AND DETERMINATION

Nairobi, July 30, 2014 (SSNA) -- This day, 30^Th July every year, is the day in which we light candles in memory of our Martyrs. It is the Martyrs Day. It is a day to remember the founding father of our great movement – the SPLM/A - Dr John Garang De Mabior and all his colleagues and comrades, those gallant men and women of our country who fought courageously and selflessly paid the ultimate price of freedom with their precious lives. They are the ones who made it possible for the Republic of South Sudan to be born as a free and independent sovereign nation among the free nations of the world.

Today is a day to light candles and glorify the memory of all our departed martyrs in the process of our long and heroic struggle for freedom and dignity that spanned many generations of our people. We solemnly stand today to tell them that we have not forgotten their sacrifices .We shall always remember them individually deep in our hearts as our gallant heroes and heroines as they have not died in vain.

Unfortunately, since 15 December 2013, our country for which millions of dear lives of our people were sacrificed has been engulfed in a deep national crisis that threatens its very existence, as many innocent people continue to lose their lives daily including women and children.  Our country has become like a ship without a rudder as it tragically descends into the last depth of chaos and shamefully becoming a failed state. Today our young nation has become a pariah State among nations. Our people are now feeling safe only in the protection of the United Nations forces in their own country.

As we mark this Martyrs’ day, we must not forget to remember all the victims of the brutal war imposed on the people by the government since December last year. The government bears responsibility for this national tragedy that has affected almost every family in the country and tainted the image of the country. Those lost on both sides of this destructive and unjustified war are all citizens of South Sudan who wanted to live in peace and harmony in a free and independent country.

In this time of national despair and suffering, we would like to rekindle hope and confidence among our people for peace and reconciliation to our war-torn nation. This hope is anchored on the commitment of the leaders of the IGAD, the AU, Trioka and the international community, who have promised to leave no stone unturned in the quest for a durable peace and political stability in our country. However, the challenge of bringing about peace to our country is first and foremost our responsibility and should not be left to IGAD and the international community alone. We the South Sudanese bear the greatest responsibility to restore peace to our country by genuinely addressing ourselves to the root causes of the present crisis.

We the SPLM Leaders (Former Political Detainees) call for an immediate end to the war since there can never be a winner; it is our country that would be the loser itself. This 5^th Session of the IGAD-led Peace Process which brings together for the first time, since the start of the peace process late last year, the Government of South Sudan, SPLM/A in Opposition (IO), SPLM Political Leaders (FPD), Political Parties, Civil Society Representatives and Faith-based groups, is the last chance for us South Sudanese to salvage our country from ruin and imminent disintegration.

During this session all the participants should respond to the Agenda items presented by IGAD while guided by the spirit of give and take, knowing that the principal objective is the achievement of durable peace for our country and not the satisfaction of individual political ambitions. The survival of our country as a viable nation will rest on how each and every one of us approaches the talks. Peace must be the take home for all the participants. The proposed Interim Government must not be seen as an end in itself but a means for restoring peace, stabilizing and preparing the country for a democratic and prosperous future under a new Constitution.  

We would like to take this opportunity to announce to all our people that we shall be launching in the next few days, our vision and program for addressing the current issues of war and governance of our country. The Program will embody the following:

Who We Are?

Vision and Mission Statement

The Program:

1. Ending the War

May God have mercy upon our martyrs and bless South Sudan.

Ruling Party SPLM-USA National Secretariat officially declared joining SPLM/A for Reform under the charismatic Leadership of Chairman and C-IN-C Dr. Riek Machar Teny to establish Democratic Federal System and calls on Gen. Salva Kiir to step-down.

United States, July 31, 2014 (SSNA) -- The SPLM –USA is hereby to inform the South Sudanese in Diaspora, International Communities, and South Sudanese Americans that the SPLM-USA National Secretariats has officially joined SPLM/A for Reform under the leadership of pioneer and charismatic Dr. Riek Machar Teny and his deputy, Lt. General Alfred Lado Gore.

Immediately after the assassination of our historical leader Dr. John Garang de Mabior in 2005, it was the starting of the worst chorionic disease calls “South Sudan tsunami” with a very high acceleration rate– the SPLM/A has been experiencing innumerable injustice, insecurity (anarchy), inequality among its members and the whole nation under the leadership of Gen. Salva Kiir. The rampant corruptions, nepotisms and tribalism have become the SPLM/A values which were intentionally created by Gen. Salva Kiir and his Gangsters in Juba. Those greed malpractices were rapidly spread into the SPLM-USA National Secretariat and therefore, Mr. Magok Mayen exercised them without being felt shameful of the USA green system, the American green system pulled out Mangok Mayen’s criminal activities and corruption records which led him to the suspension by the secretariat members; they were posted on South Sudan media in Jun 2013 for future reference. Thus, the SPLM-USA National Secretariat is now calling on all South Sudanese including members of legislative Assembly, SPLA army and concern citizens in South Sudan from all over the world to abandon Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit and put country’s national interest first than government money. We must join SPLM/A freedom fighters for a swift removal of the genocidal regime via military mean so that we recue South Sudan from being disintegrated into many independent regions. This call is also extended to international community to stand behind the people of South Sudan in support of regime change in order to bring a lasting peace and stability to our people and also to investigate December 15,2013 Juba genocide.

The SPLM party leadership in the United States of America took painstaking process to evaluate enormous political scenarios through series of discussions for a long time now to tackle convincing political principles and objectives which are reckoned appropriately to bind us together as South Sudanese who are profoundly concerning about the current political deterioration in a newly nascent country.

The USA Party Office came to a conclusion that enough is enough and immeasurable damage has been done to the country by General Salva Kiir and innocent citizens are continuously paying a horrendous price under the dictatorship governance of decrees rulings, and event of 2013 Juba civilians genocide based on tribal propensity. The South Sudan government system under the leadership Gen. Salva Kiir came up with new terms called Juba genocide house to house or door to door masse atrocities which were spilled over into Jongelei, Upper Nile and West Upper Nile State. Those terms are legacies of Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit found under his profile in South Sudan political arena.

Based on our understanding through genuine discussions, we are not keenly going to sit back leaving notorious president and his political associates to get away with the committed horrendous crimes and injustices without involving the rule of laws and justices. Moreover, the death of the innocent children, women, servicemen and elders who lost their lives during those painful tragedies in Juba, Jonglei, Unity State and Upper Nile states will not be forgettable.

Therefore, based on these empirical reasons, the USA-SPLM National secretariat of the ruling, objectively declared its intention to join and support the fundamental cause to liberate South Sudan from tyrant regime of Salva Kiir Mayardit and quest for federal democratic permanent national constitution whereby every citizen in South Sudan will embrace equitable distribution of country’s wealth, equal liberty regardless of tribe, religion, gender and disability.

The following below are concrete evidences which compelled the SPLM-USA National Secretariat to switch allegiance to SPLM/A under the Leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny.

1. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit has lost legitimacy as president of the Republic of South Sudan on December 16, 2013 when he intentionally committed horrendous war crimes against humanity by ordering his private tribal militias to rape, burn, displace and massacre over 15,000 South Sudanese citizens wholly hailed from one ethnic community in his own Capital Juba. He (Gen. Kiir) must face justices in South Sudan criminal court and we call upon the international criminal court to deeply involve their expertise to investigate Gen. Salva Kiir about Juba genocide in South Sudan. He is only a criminal who must stand trial sooner or later like Sadam Hussein and Mummer Gadaffi rather than illegally governing a country in a small isolated bloody bathtub capital Juba where numerous trucks seen full of dead bodies disappeared in vicinity of the white Nile.

2. Gen. Salva Kiir failed terribly with all evidences to rule South Sudan democratically and merely adopted dictatorial propensity that led to a fake self-inflicted coup attempt used as gateway to carry out murdering to silencing political opponents within the SPLM ruling party leaders and beyond the party lines which finally led to his hands full with innocent civilians’ blood.

3. Gen. Salva must be removed because of his mismanagement of the nation’s resources that led into an individual nation building instead of the nation building, which results into rampant corruption (politicians stick their feeding mechanisms on oil revenues like ticks sucking cattle blood), promotion of regional leadership tribalism, poor management, privatization of the country resources and marginalization of 90% of south Sudanese living in rural area.

4. Failure to implement SPLM basic principles to immediately deliver services to the long marginalized people of south Sudan. For instance; lack of roads, affordable healthcare or hospitals, schools, and agricultural food security although South Sudan is considered one of the richest agricultural countries in world that should be East African bread basket. The citizens are now suffering under UN camps all over the country while the dictator is enjoying his normal life in his mansion.

5. Gen. Salva dangerously drew a red line to the entire nation instead of finding a peaceful solution to the conflicts. He seriously failed to undertake a leadership responsibility to accept installation of interim national constitution of Federal Democratic System of governance in which the entire citizenry of South Sudanese could exercise their freedom which they fought for.

6. President Salva Kiir Mayardit embroiled or imposed our new country into an armed conflict based on false testimony of an attempted coup because of interminable greed for power.

7. Gen. Salva Kiir included jointly with president of Uganda to rent Uganda’s air force to bomb South Sudanese civilians in Jonglei state using worldwide banned cluster bombs.

8. He chooses to pay mercenaries such as UPDF, SPLM-North, Justice and Equality Movement, and M23 to kill South Sudanese instead of using South Sudanese oil revenue for development as a result of peace dividend.

Due to the above mentioned evidences, we vehemently believe that fighting for federal democratic system and combating or confronting cruelty, brutal killings of unarmed civilians based on tribal grounds at maturely will as it surfaced in South Sudan Capital Juba, we must safeguard and deter future inhumane activities and detrained dictatorship interim national constitution and replaced it with a full federal democratic permanent national constitution that will indeed help diverse South Sudan to fully attain its diversity and decentralize national government based on guiding principles and rule of law. Federal system is the only way that vigorously touches hearts, minds and souls of vast majority in South Sudan.

It is worth mentioning that, the SPLM under the leaderships of Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit monumentally failed South Sudan in variety of reasons. It is a fact that the current political turmoil in South Sudan had surfaced because of a failed leadership of Salva Kiir Mayardit who inevitably failed to lead both SPLM ruling party and South Sudan as country democratically. He solely decided to adopt dictatorial inclinations which he wholeheartedly believed will help him to everlastingly rule South Sudan until omnipotent ended him.

We tremendously believe that taking or joining army struggle to vanquish unwarranted and deforested centralized dictatorship who is currently ruling installed in South Sudan, must be replaced with a decentralized federal democratic system. It is a just cause and paramount importance for South Sudanese because of our diversity and a noteworthy sacrifice that we must pursue to trounce tyrant regime for quest of genuine freedom and tranquility which are not the case in this current corrupt government of Gen.Salva Kiir Mayardit.

This is a huge wakeup call for South Sudanese youths, elders, politicians, intellectuals and SPLA army to reverse the course of supporting the genocidal regime. This dictator truly believes that the biased transitional constitution of South Sudan gives him an ultimate power not only to loot resources of our country but also to massacre any community in South Sudan at his will. This notion of Gen.Salva Kiir Mayardit must be stopped by all measures, include military mean because the criminal man has chosen to be removed from power through hard way instead an easy way. After living through an anarchy rule for almost ten years now, it must be a military mean that will justify the end of his regime and restructuring of South Sudan into free prosperous Federal of the Republic of South Sudan that will unify and fairly treats all tribes equal in our diverse country.

In conclusion, we are strongly urging all political parties in South Sudan, SPLA army, Youths and members of South Sudan Parliament to urgently join SPLM/A under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny and fight for total Federal Democratic system . Together, we must expedite the process of removing a cruel and anarchy dictatorship regime in South Sudan. The people of South Sudan fought and championed liberation of this new born nation based on the SPLM’s objectives which were for true justice, freedom and equality against the North Sudan. We did not fight because they were Arab, Muslim or anything, but it was because we deserved total freedoms in our own country and God’s given right. Giving these genuine lines of reasoning, we must also liberate ourselves from this despotic government of Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, in order to make sure that are totally free again and enjoy everlasting peace. It is sinful act and humiliation against our innocent people by allowing the genocidal government to continue ruling our country in a bright daylight and using our oil revenue to pay foreigners while citizens are suffering under UN camps and rural areas.

SPLM –USA States Chapter Chairpersons:

For further inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact: Thabor Ding @ tding72@gmail.com

Juba, August 1, 2014 (SSNA) -- The chairman of the South Sudan Civil Society Alliance, Deng Athuai Mawiir, has survived an assassination attempt with at least one serious injury.

The shooting occurred on Friday in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.

A government source who spoke to the South Sudan News Agency on condition of anonymity revealed that at least two unknown gunmen dressed in black military-style uniforms were responsible for the shooting.

“Deng has been shot multiple times by unknown-masked gunmen. Initial reports from many Eyewitnesses suggest that people who dressed in black military-fashion uniforms were seen shooting Deng and fled the scene after they thought their target [Deng] was dead”, the source told the SSNA.

“He is now in a hospital getting necessary medical treatment for his wounds”, the source added.

In 2012, Deng Athuai was kidnapped and tortured for three days by government agents who felt that the leader of civil society was spreading anti-government attitude. The police called his kidnapping "politically motivated".

However, the government denied the abduction, asserting that organized criminals were responsible for Athuai’s ordeal.

Most South Sudanese believe that Mr. Athuai was the architect behind the anti-corruption campaign which forced President Kiir to write to seventy five (75) corrupted government officials—a campaign which infuriated many Kiir’s political allies.

PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate Release, 2 August 2014

SSHURSA condemns attempted assassination on the life of the Alliance’s leader Deng Athuai, calls for investiagtions and more protection of human rights defenders in South Sudan

August 2, 2014 (SSNA) -- The South Sudan Human Rights Society For Advocacy (SSHURSA) condemns in strongest terms possible the attempted assassination on the life of Mr. Deng Athuai, the leader of the South Sudan Civil Society Alliance who was shot at, on 1 August 2014 in South Sudanese capital; Juba. This is the second time that the life of the Alliance’s leader was put at death point. SSHURSA condemns such a cowardice act as retrogressive and a disturbing reminder of oppression and injustices under the olden days of the successive military regimes of Sudan.

“Though I was shocked and sad when somebody called and informed me about this fateful event on the life of my colleague Deng Athuai, but I was not surprised because I know that the state has been looking for any available opportunity to kill any outspoken civil society leader or human rights defender in South Sudan. So Deng Athuai was one of the first victims of such a darkest plan ’’ Stated Biel Boutros Biel, the Executive Director of SSHURSA and former Secretary General and Spokesperson of the Alliance who fled to exile since December 2013 and now lives in South Africa. Sincerely, one would expect such an act from a regime that does not tolerate divergent views even those constructive ones meant to improve its poor human rights records”. Biel added.

“The attempted assassination on the life of my colleague Deng Athuai can honestly be described in few words that ‘the Juba regime has done it again’. No one should believe that the government this time will ever bring any of its agents to justice. That was how they killed our colleague Isaiah Abraham and to date, no one has been held accountable despite the sanctimonious promises to bring the proclaimed arrested suspects to book; nothing” Biel again stated.

Despite continued failures by the government of South Sudan to bring human rights perpetrators to justice, SSHURSA sees it the state’s responsibility to curb abuses and therefore still calls on the government to immediately investigate the incident on the life of the Alliance’s leader and brings the real suspects to justice. SSHURSA appeals to South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir to directly intervene in ensuring the protection of the civil society and human rights defenders in South Sudan.

SSHURSA also calls upon the South Sudan Human Rights Commission, the international community especially the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and other human rights groups to stand in solidarity with the human rights defenders in South Sudan and consistently push on the government to genuinely investigate such shocking incidents on the lives of the few voices who risk speaking out on human rights abuses. Finally, SSHURSA calls on all South Sudanese civil society leaders and human rights defenders wherever they are, to continue doing the good work and remain undeterred by such attempts on their lives. SSHURSA wishes the Alliance’s leader Mr. Deng Athuai quick recovery to continue with the good work.

For contact on this statement: info@sshursa.org or about SSHURSA visit: www.sshursa.org.

“Apart from values and ethics which I have tried to live by, the legacy I would like to leave behind is a very simple one-that I have always stood up for what I consider to be the right thing, and I have tried to be as fair and equitable as I could be.” By Ratan Tata

August 2, 2014 (SSNA) -- Every year we South Sudanese Americans who lives in the US participated in celebrating American national holidays such as Memorial Day, Labor Day and Independence Day. This time, we Twic East community in the states are kindly inviting friends, South Sudanese from all walks of life to attend the Memorial of Dr. John Garang plus recognitions of other sons and daughters of Twic Community who have selfless sacrificed for many years. Few examples are: Akuot Atem, Arok Thon Arok, Bul Khooc, Ajang Duot, Adir Deng, and other citizens of ours. So we are also inviting natives of Twic East, Duk and Bor counties of Jonglei to come and celebrate the Memorial of Dr. Garang in late September.

In marking his memorial history, we will dedicate a tremendous amount of time to tout his audacious legacy, towering achievements, vision for new Sudan which culminated to Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January 2005 that was translated to Independence of South Sudan in 2011 as well. We will also recognize on that day the accomplishment of those officers, men and women who fought bravely for South Sudanese freedom. Their sacrifices and commitment in the battlefields are still standing tall in our memories. We are proud that Dr. John Garang along with his fellow comrades has won the just war of liberation struggle to secure the independence of South Sudan in East Africa.

Therefore, as we are gearing up, preparing for big event; we wanted to inform the general public that we are heading to Des Moines, Iowa. Des Moines is a wonderful place to visit, not that only; the Iowa itself is where Dr. John Garang achieved most of his high education goals from Iowa State University. Please just mark on your calendar- we have scheduled the Memorial of Dr. John Garang on September 27-28, 2014. With that in mind, we want you to stay tune and we will make you inform if new information become available.

On behalf of Twic East community in the United States and his team, President Wal Garang would love to welcome you in Des Moines. In his capacity as president of Twic East community in the states, Mr. Garang will send out letters of invitation to various leaders who are leading organizations to attend the celebration with recognition. We hope this message of historic significance will find you in good spirit.

Many thanks and we are looking forward to see you soon in Des Moines, Iowa

Twic East Community-USA:

Addis Ababa, August 5, 2014 (SSNA) -- Early this week, a militia group calling itself Mabanese Defence Forces started ethnically based killings in the oil-rich Upper Nile State. The carnage left at least six people dead.

All the dead were humanitarian aid workers serving the needy people in and around Maban County, Upper Nile State.

At least six targeted killings were carried out on Monday and Tuesday by the militia faction; some employees were ambushed and at least one person was forced out of a car and shot to death by the group, according to humanitarian sources in Upper Nile.

The South Sudan News Agency has confirmed Gabriel Yien Gach as one of those killed. Gach was taken out of his employer’s car and shot to death by members of the Maban-based militia.

Mr. Gach, a Nuer by tribe, was working for the Norwegian aid agency, the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA).

Meanwhile, the South Sudanese rebels said they are aware of the existence of the Maban militia group which carried out the killings and that they are not surprised, adding that Juba has been training, financing, and arming the Mabanese Defence Forces for months.

“We are aware of the fact that the genocidal regime of Salva Kiir has been training, financing, and arming this group; only [uninformed] South Sudanese will disagree [with our intelligence finding]”, a senior rebel official who prefers anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media told the South Sudan News Agency.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) condemns the killings and raises concern about the operations of aid agencies in Maban County.

“Elements of this militia have been moving around the town, approaching offices of humanitarian organizations and asking if they have any Nuer employees”, the UN said in a press statement.

“Such crimes put the humanitarian operation in Maban at risk, jeopardizing the lives of tens of thousands of men, women and children who count on aid organizations for their survival”, Toby Lanzer, the UN humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan Warns.

At least one million people have fled their homes and hundreds of thousands more fled to the neighboring countries, according to the United Nations (UN).

Peace negotiations between the warring factions have been ongoing in the Ethiopian capital—the talks lead to little or no success with fighting still raging.

By: Sirir Gabriel Yiei Rut

August 6, 2014 (SSNA) -- The SPLM youths in opposition have condemned the killing of Nuer aid workers in Bunj-Maban county of Upper Nile State. Residents of the town said the victims died during the clash, from Saturday night to Sunday morning, between SPLA and the defected soldiers from Nuer tribe but, the so called Maban defence Force, MDF; mobilized by the government of Salva Kiir Mayardit to target the Nuer community living in Maban county carried out ethnic cleansing targeting civil population who belong to Nuer tribe. They murder young children, women and aid workers working for the Norwegian people’s aid (NPA)

While residents claim the firing was started by the SPLA soldiers and the MDF,One of the victim I was able to reach said “the firing was caused by the Rocket Propelled Grenades used by the SPLA soldiers who target the Nuer youths who were believe to be hiding in the shop inside the market.

Apart from the people killed, about 20 shops, 4 motorcycles and 10 goats were also burnt in the attack; even as the government said the casualty is lest but I am sure more could been hunted down from the hiding places by the indigenous people of Maban.

Condemning the action of the security forces, I would say “the situation is rather an unfortunate one, which shows that the government does not appreciate the value of lives.”

“The human life is less than a south Sudanese pound in this country, it is very cheap to get a human killed than to get a job in this country, and the killing simply shows that there is a great collapse in the security Unit.

“The government cannot provide good education, good health facilities, employment and security, how then will they now know the value of life?”

“Where it is in the world that a total number of 8 people working in an international Organization, died as a result of war in a day and nothing is being done about it.”

“It shows the high level of insecurity in the country. It’s a shame on us and a shame on the security sector and big shame to international community.

“Take a look at marathon bombing (in the U.S.), a suspect has been caught which means the government is not asleep, the government in south Sudan should stop saying we will bring the perpetuators to justice or we are going to get to the bottom of this but should wake up and act,”

It is obvious that the tyranny in Juba wanted to wear every citizen in south Sudan with their coat full of blood on it; they intend to do this in order to make the conflict escalated to the all tribes in the country. This is totally wrong.

We condemn this door to door killing recently carried out in Maban County terming it as a setup on people of Maban against their neighbors the Nuer. This ethnic cleansing and tribal targeting launched by cowardice fellows will only add more salt to the insulin.

Nuer in Upper Nile and Brun (Chai) people of Maban have been enjoying peace for all these years, but the influential regime composed of paranoia and egos have inflicted hatred confusing the people of Maban to carry out the massacre of Non-Governmental Organization staffs.

However, the death of those innocent staffs won’t bring sleepless night and nightmares to those who force their souls to meet their ancestors, but will be pay in masses. We mourn for their death today as the killers are busy laughing and preparing to hunt down the rest that tried to escape to the near by bushes for their own safety. South Sudan has failed.

Our message to the United Nations, Africa and south Sudan in particular; is that Salva Kiir is a killer who wanted to turn the country to a slaughter house as well as butchery. He wanted to rule with blood in his hands. How shameful!

We called unto the international community to easier and help in the process to uproot the dictatorship rule in the young nation, so that south Sudan may have a new face of a new narratives, a new leadership and a new least of life where every citizens can be entitle to his/her freedom of right.

To our people of Maban, as the Nuer proverb always say; “whatever gave you a sleepless night, you’re the root cause of it” and as the mad man say; “whatever you do bad or good, you’re doing it to your selves”

Upper Nile state belongs to Nuer and Mbanian and you must remain as neighbors forever so there is no need to kill each other. South Sudan belongs to us all.

“One tribe can not sit on other’s heads” said; governor Clement Wani Kong’a

Sirir Gabriel Yiei Rut is a student of political science living in Cairo-Egypt. He can be reach through his Email: sirirgabrielyiei3@gmail.com. Note: SPLM Youths in Opposition authorizes Sirir Gabriel Yiei Rut to write this press statement.

Thiang Nuer Youth Association (T.N.Y.A)

Subject: Accountability for more than 20,000 Nuer civilians massacred by Salva Kiir’s militias

August 7, 2014 (SSNA) -- It has now become crystal clear that the regional and international Communities prefer just verbal condemnation of innocent people killings done and being carried out by Salva Kiir. There was no reason at all, for Salva Kiir who massacred South Sudanese in their thousands to be invited as if he is a LEGITIMATE President. He should not be allowed to land and attended US African Leaders Summit, recently ended in Washington. Because, the selective and auto genocides he ordered against the Nuer innocent civilians and other ethnicities in South Sudan are similar to that of 1994 in Rwanda, Nazi against the Jewish of Europe in 1937-1945, Stalinist purge of Peasant class of Kulaks in Ukraine in 1930s, the extermination during the Pol Pot regime in Cambodia from 1975-1979  etc.  The US government or Obama’s Administration should do at least something to reflect the true justice that Kiir had ordered serious human rights abuses.

Kiir’s presence in Washington summit was an insult to those over twenty thousand Nuer innocent or unarmed civilians he massacred. Four African countries whose Presidents weren’t invited to the summit are better than South Sudan’s Salva Kiir, in degree of serious Human rights abuses.

Unlike those four Leaders, Salva Kiir had massacred:

We have recorded all these inhumane atrocities committed by Salva Kiir (Serial Killer) against the Nuer people in front of the whole world. However, over the last seven months we couldn’t initiate revenge against and retaliated because:

SPLM/A’s Dr. Riek Machar even the International Community has been telling us not to retaliate or take revenge. Hoping, justice and accountability would have been done. The Leaderships’ seam of the SPLM/A (IO) and White Army, particularly around the case in question, is very clear. Our body can if need be exclusively decide and defend the same decision. We are now in the eighth month of the conflict. Where justice and accountability IGAD, AU, UN and International Community talk about is not seen?

The Thiang Nuer Youth Association or Nuer Youth in general would soon otherwise consider betraying such a long patience. We can see every step taken by global communities is increasingly result into a clear denial of Justice on more than 20, 000 Nuer civilians slaughtered by Salva Kiir’s militias. Therefore, the Thiang Nuer Youth Association (T.N.Y.A) in South Sudan would like to ask a question of as to what measure (s) the regional and international Communities are taking right now to see to it that these 20,000 or more innocent Nuer civilians killed in cool blood are accounted for. The gallant Nuer Youth body or White Army is capable to account the killer of Nuer civilians. Do these communities want us to take the law into our hands?

August 9, 2014 (SSNA) -- Greater Twic East Youth-USA applauding our community leaders for their outstanding job well done to Ayual and Dachuek Clans. Especially, the on going process of peace and reconciliation being carried out within our community. It is a very great steps to bring peace back to our decent Clans who are not having any historical dispute before.

We are so thankful Twic East County Commissioner, Hon. Dau Akoi, every head chiefs of our Dinka Twi Community, the committee being headed by Dun Chagai in connections with Twic East Community leadership of South Sudan-USA, plus other citizens of ours who have volunteered themselves to deals with this an uninvited situation. Thus, we couldn’t be more thankful to our people about this ideals of solving our problem within, and not the other way which is totally often contradict with Dinka Twi Community tradition customary laws’ applicant.

Right now we believe it is time to restore our dignity, “Enough is Enough.” And that means we need to return back to our fantastic chieng of Mawäkääi kɔŋ/kɔn kɔ̈ɔ̈c. Kɔŋku/kɔnku kënnë piŋic apieth ku bi wo rim jo dhiɔ̈m të yenyië. Dukku anän bɔ̈ ɣɔ̈ɔ̈ŋ cɔ tek wo yiic Twïnyda.

You, particularly, the Nyuak Payam citizens you know that you are the centrifuge of Twi Dinka community according to Greater Twic Community area geographically convey it. So we don’t want that weakness in our Twic East County citizens people of Nyuak Payam. Also violent solution is totally contrast to Twi people who are known for their diplomatic more solutions first and foremost than violent way.

Our closing, as there is always “time for everything,” at the moment we believe “it is time for peace,” Ayual and Dachuek Clans.

This information was validated by Greater Twic East Youths of South Sudan-USA,

August 11, 2014 (SSNA) -- The recent killing of aid workers in Mabaan County is an act of evil and should not be tolerated. We Mabaan community in North America are alarm about the killing of aid workers in our county and condemning the government sponsored militia activities in a stronger term.

We are calling our people and local leaders to cooperate with investigation and to make sure those who committed these crimes should be brought to justice and held accountable for their wrong deeds. Targeting people based on their ethnicity in Mabaan land is an unacceptable attitude and should not be compromised. The government of Salva Kiir is known as killer, murder of its own people and we are advising Mabaan people not to associate themselves with this kind of satanic system.

Mabaan never been a militia and will not be a militia in any forms. So called Mabaan Defense Force is an evil work of the government of Juba to localize the war. The MDF are sponsored by Juba under assassination project planned by governor Simon Kun Pouch to get rid of anybody who supports SPLM in opposition including daughters and sons of Mabaan throughout Mabaan County.

We are blaming the government of Juba and the Upper Nile State governor Simon Kun Pouch successfully arming government militia to carry out random killing of innocent humanitarians’ workers in Mabaan land. We are calling our people to distance themselves from Kiir-Kun programs of blood shedding; they are killers and their plan is to divide people of South Sudan based on their ethnic lines to meet their selfish interest. South Sudan is not belong to any special tribe but it does belong to all of us and we must fight to save South Sudan from blood thirsty leaders.

Mabaan should know that Nuer is not their enemy but doctorial regime lead by Kiir and his agencies is the enemy of peace and development of South Sudan. Our people have been marginalized, killed in Adar and denied 2% of oil revenue constitutionally granted to Mabaan people. Why not we join our hand together with our freedom fighters to end dictatorial regime run by incompetent president Salva Kiir? Whoever kills people for unknown reason is a murder and should be held accountable.

Instability in Mabaan County is created by the governor of Upper Nile State Simon Kun Pouch. He became successfully of dividing Mabaan people and changing commissioners in every two months which is not happen anywhere else in South Sudan. Kun Pouch will not have good live in Nuer land if he continues to use other tribe’s militias to kill Nuer people. He will be remembered as killer governor in the history of upper Nile State.

The statement is signed and released to media by Mabaan Community in North America Executive Committee. You can reach us by philemondaud@ymail.com

Note: This document was released to media on Aug 11, 2014.

Press release

August 14, 2014 (SSNA) -- The theme of the 2014 International Youth Day is” Youth and Mental Health”, under the motto Mental Health Matters. As we celebrated and commemorate this day today, mental health is being recognized as an important development issue, especially in the war affected areas. Studies suggest that major depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are prevalent and chronic among refugee and displaced populations and the impact of trauma is long term. Failure to address mental health and psychological disorders in populations that have experience mass murder and trauma caused by the conflict will impede efforts to enhance social capital, promote human development and reduced poverty. Support for mental health in conflict-affected societies can thus make an important contribution to the Millennium Development Goals.

The 2014 observance of International Youth Day will raise awareness on this important topic, as well as highlight the experiences of brave, young individuals who have chosen to speak out about these issues with the objective of overcoming stigma and discrimination to ensure that young people with mental health conditions can lead full and healthy lives free from isolation and unnecessary shame, and openly seek the services and support they need.

The South Sudan National Development Youth policy of 2013 provide an integrated, holistic and coordinated framework in the development of young men and women, creating greater understanding, recognition and commitment to the challenges, interests and contribution of young people, fostering more active participation in governance, democracy and socio-economic development. It aims at contributing toward the attainment of peaceful and prosperous South Sudan where all young men and women without discrimination, violence and abuse fully develop their potential; wholly, freely and consciously participate in shaping their future and that of their country

As we mark this day, we remember the victims of Juba Massacre, Bor UNMISS Mass murder, Malakal and Bentiu ethnic cleansing and the brutal targeting of young people for speaking out against injustice and genocide.

As we celebrate, let’s remember the sacrifices of our gallant and brave young people serving in the white Army, SPLA-Resistant Forces in defense of our dignity, freedom, rights to life and existence from the tyranny, genocidal and dictatorial regime in Juba.  Let us remember youth with mental health, orphans, street children, and the war affected youth in refugee camps, IDPs and in other war affected areas.

I urge and encourage the various committees of the Resistant Movement-SPLM/SPLA, Governors and County Commissioners of the Free Liberated Areas, Civil Society Organizations, UN and international humanitarian agencies, IGAD and AU to prioritized youth programs designed to address challenges faced by young people with mental health issues to enable all youth achieve their full potential, aspirations and goals.