By Mekonen Tefere

Addis Ababa, February 18, 2015 (SSNA) -- In a panic move announced today by self-claim Young General, Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, in the Kenyan Capital, Nairobi; Lul claimed that he has abandoned the rebel Movement under Dr. Riek Machar and formed his own faction, the South Sudan Resistance Movement/Army.

In a quick statement released on behalf of Greater Akobo, Commissioner Koang Rambang today elaborated “There comes a time that national interest becomes a priority to that of an individual.” Prof. George Saitoti.”, a statement he referred to the defection of self interest of Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai.

In exclusive interview, the current Bieh State’s Governor Col. Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok hotly warned the entire Lou Nuer to remain calm and dishonor the self-claimed defector.

“I want to assure [the] Lou Nuer Community around the globe that the defection by Brig. Gen Lul Ruai Koang is nothing and is up to him [Lul] alone…it has nothing to do with us.” Col. Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok added on the phone.

He mentioned that Lou Nuer around the World neither support him nor agreed with his move.

Thousands of Lou Nuer around the World condemn the move and termed it as self-fishiness instead of rebellion.

The Governor also recalls the Nuer civilians’ massacre which took place in Juba. “The blood of Nuer sons and daughters who perished in Juba must not be forgotten and we are not the best people to be dragged by individual interest.” Gov. Col. Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok added. 

Meanwhile, Duany Thabach, a member of Lou Nuer Community in Nairobi, Kenya condemned the move. “Bravo, commissioner Koang Rambang and Simon Hoth Duol and Wany Juet Jock... we the Lou Nuer Community in Nairobi and worldwide are against the General Lul Ruai Koang’s move. We shall not support any move that can keep Kiir’s government in power.”

Finally, the rebel Chief of General Staff, Major General Simon Gatwech Dual, who hailed from Lou Nuer community, has not been reached for comment.

For Immediate Release

Canada, February 18, 2 015 (SSNA) -- The SPLM/SPLA office in Canada would like to take this opportunity to clarify some misinformation in the light of comrade Gen. Lul Ruai Koang’s defection to the Government of South Sudan under Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit as of 18^th of February 2015.

In this regard, the people of South Sudan and especially the supporters of the SPLM/SPLA –Resistance Movement and the gallant forces of the Freedom Fighters under the able leader Dr. Riek Machar ought to know nothing but truth.

Therefore, it’s unfortunate to the public that Gen. Lul Ruai Koang has surrendered to the government of Salva Kiir and did not form alleged new Armed Group. The claim that Mr. Lul has formed a new Armed Group was a purge to confuse the general public about Gen. Lul Ruai’s surrender to the genocidal government that has killed 20, 000 innocent Nuer civilians in cold blood.

At the time of writing this press release, our SPLM/SPLA office in Nairobi, Kenya has confirmed that Gen. Lul Ruai Koang has made the pronouncement of his defection to the government in a public briefing organized by the Government of South Sudan’s Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.

While in the briefing, comrade Lul Ruai himself was accompanied by none other than Mr. Paul Malong Awan, the current Chief of General Staff in the Government of South Sudan, Mrs. Rachel Nyadak Paul, Deputy of Minister of Information and broadcasting in the Government of South Sudan, Gen. Philip Aguer Panyang, current Military spokesman in the government of South Sudan, Mr. Ghai Riam, former of Minister of Cabinet Affairs in Jonglei State and still with the government and Mr. Paul Bol who is also a staunch supporters of Salva Kiir Mayardit’s genocidal.  

Besides, the people of South Sudan should also ascertain Gen. Lul Ruai Koang’s cowardice surrender to the genocidal government of South Sudan under along these lines in his press release:

1.“Cognizant that the ongoing civil war caused by December 15^th, coup attempt has resulted to huge human losses of lives and properties;”

2.‘Mindful that Dr. Riek is soliciting support from the Government of the Republic of Sudan in order to continue to destabilizing the country and

3.“Concerned that Dr. Riek Machar continues to obstruct peace by presenting impossible demands which in turn make it difficult to achieve peace in short time."

These statements and circumstance of which Lul Ruai made his pronouncement are serious indications and proved that comrade Gen. Lul Ruai Koang has surrender to the same ruthless regime that he once rightful criticized of being genocidal and authoritarian to the core.

In closing, we would like to urges our people to remind calm and inform our supporters that Gen. Lul Ruai Koang has surrendered to President Salva Kiir’s genocidal regime alone.

And above all else, your movement, the SPLM/SPLA will never betray people’s cause on short change. We are committed and determined to bring lasting peace to South Sudan by whatever mean necessary.

To bring this lasting peace to realization, the SPLM/A shall ensure that the root cause to the conflict is addresses amicably and culture of impunity completely discarded once and for all.

Victory is certain and we are committed to stay the course!

Wedakona, February 19, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudan’s rebel commander from the division seven has warned Lt. Gen. Johnson Gony Beliw to reverse his remarks about capturing Wedakona or face defeat in March. Wedakona is the administrative headquarters of Manyo County in the oil-rich Upper Nile State.

General John Mabieh Ghar who made various victories under the overall command of Brig. General Joseph Gai Gatluak was amongst the Generals who defected and Joint Dr Riek Machar’s rebellion after the Nuer Massacre in Juba.

The remarks came after Lt. Gen. Johnson Gony Beliu claim strongly to capture Manyo County’s headquarters by 9^th of July this year.

In an exclusive interview with the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) on Thursday, the rebel General said government forces are not for peace, refering to a speech made by Lt. General Johnson Gony Biliw on the South Sudan Television (SSTV). Gony is the commanding General for the Government forces in Upper Nile State. General Mabieh also threatened to take Malakal by the second week of March.

“I am assuring the world and the IGAD that Salva Kiir’s officers are not for peace as you have heard from Johnson’s speeches on SSTV, for that matter if they come and attack our defensive positions in Fashoda, we will go and take the state capital Malakal not later than 9^th March 2015,” Brig. Gen. Mabieh told the South Sudan News Agency in Wedakona.

General John Mabieh is the chief administrator and the deputy commander of the division seven under the Brig. General Joseph Gai Gatluak. The General joined the rebellion along with his colleague Brig. Gen. Thomas Tut Riek, shortly after the outbreak of violence in Juba.

The two warring parties have been engaging themselves for the whole week in Shiluk kingdom over the Aloub and Kaka towns which later resulted to the capture of heavy machine guns as shown above on the photo by the rebels in Manyo County’s head quarters, Wedakona.

Regional and international communities have threatened targeted punitive measures if the warring parties fail to reach a final peace agreement per the schedule.

The war erupted on 15 December 2013 when political debates on reforms within the leadership of the ruling Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) turned violent violence between president Kiir and his former vice-president Machar.

Tens of thousands have been killed; 2 million displaced internally to the neighboring countries of Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Sudan; while over 3 million others, mostly from Nuer tribe, are threatened by hunger and diseases.

Juba, February 19, 2015 (SSNA) -- The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has launched an educational campaign designed to educate South Sudan's children who were forced out of their schools by the ongoing civil war.

UNICEF’s Representative in South Sudan, Jonathan Veitch, said children could fall behind, noticing that schools in Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile States are not functioning.

“Around 70 per cent of the 1,200 schools in the major conflict states have closed, raising grave fears that a generation of children could be left behind by the ongoing civil war,” Jonathan Veitch said.

Veitch disclosed that UNICEF has invested in both supplies and learning and that funding is needed to meet the goal of the campaign.

“We have invested heavily in supplies and learning but we need an additional $12 million urgently just to provide basic education kits to target schools. This initiative will invest $100 in every child’s learning. It’s a small cost for the hope and opportunity it brings,” Veitch added.

UNICEF also stated that it hopes to enroll more than 400,000 children over the next 12 months.

Press Release

Sub: Lou Nuer Community Association of Australia Condemn the Defection of Brig. General Lul Ruai Koang, the former spokesperson of SPLM/SPLA- IO

Australia, February 20, 2015 (SSNA) -- The Lou Nuer Community Association Of Australia Inc. hereafter condemn in the strongest term possible and denounce the defection of Brigadier General Lul Ruai Koang back to Salva Kiir government.

It is to be made abundantly clear that this individual defection of Brigadier General Lul Ruai Koang back to the dictatorial regime in Juba is a personal surrender to the very system we have been fighting against for over thirteen months and does not constitute the interest or the position of Lou Nuer people toward this current conflict.

Lou Nuer sons and daughters in the diaspora denounce this defection of Brigadier General Lul Ruai back to the dictatorial incumbent regime. We urge all Lou Nuer youth, politicians, military leaders, traditional leaders and the general public to remain united and never to be divided by such personal surrender.

We must remain united and continue to support and stand firm with SPLM-IO for our people to attain justice, freedom and equality. We must never compromise our human dignity or betray our heroic people’s struggle only to be trap by bribery, opportunistic political position and blood money. We’re far better than that.

Our people collective interest, the reputation and image of Lou Nuer People is supreme to that of individual or group and must not be used or misuse by individual who forsake or betray justice for the victims of December 15^th Juba massacre and that of this conflict, this is not acceptable.

Brig. General Lul Ruai Koang has tarnish and destroy his then thriving personal reputation and by returning to Juba he had betray justice for the door-to-door ethnic cleansing of innocent Nuer civilians and the victims of this conflict.

We the people of Greater Lou Nuer will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Dr Riek Machar the C-in C of SPLM/SPLA-IO and the rest of the country to tussle and bring justice to December 15th victims.

Lou Nuer Community Association of Australia Inc. would like to reassure our comrades in the movement under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Tany that;

• Lou Nuer people will never betray accountability and justice to the victims of December 15^th.
• Lou Nuer people will never stab the movement at the back, because we did not took arm neither to serve individuals interest nor to accumulate personal wealth. Therefore no one, not a single person in Lou Nuer Holly land will support Brigadier Lul Ruai. His defection does not represent the interest of community as a whole but himself
• The leadership and people of Lou Nuer in Australia are substantially standing behind the movement and the leadership of the movement and will continue to do so until our goal is achieved.
• We will never rest until perpetrators of the December 15^th are brought to book.
• We will never cease our support to SPLM-IO until our people are liberated from the dictatorial regime in Juba.

May the almighty God bless the People of Federal Republic South Sudan

Signed by:

Press release

Addis Ababa, February 20, 2015 (SSNA) -- The leadership of Greater Fangak Community in Ethiopia condemns the deserted Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai in the strongest term word possible. Gen. Lul claims call upon their neighbors to support his fake movement that lack vision and mission for his personal enrich.

Still, the innocence ordinary Nuer who were massacred in Juba by genocidal regime are betrayed at the last by their son. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang.

Off course, Greater Fangak and Greater Akoba are neighboring Communities which have their own policy by respecting their common interest, promote internal relation, and support peace full solution to internal disputes.

Our own people from Phou State cannot apology and will never and never follow traitors. All ever demanded by majority from Nuer citizens, the Greater Fangak is to stand on this position.

The community intellectuals and youth elders in Ethiopia called an emergency meeting with consultation from Phou State ,s governor, field commander, commissioner.

We would like to inform the people of South Sudan that we, the sons and daughters of Greater Fangak dismissed Lul Ruai’s claims as a baseless, we could not be cheaply convinced with huge bribe to support dirty movement politically colored. He has no support from Fangak Community.

Greater Fangak Community appeal to all resistance fighters to remain firm and united for common cause, not to be discourage by Lul ,s desertion that will not affect the movement because he did not fight for the rights of freedom that he give up soon.Martin Luther stated that, “way a head is too long and climbing is too steep.” Now there is no more chance for opportunistic and selfishness.

Our Country men and women in the republic of south Sudan as well as in diaspora, to achieve and implement the objective of the resistance movement, we must develop staying power.

Addis Ababa/Pagak, February 21, 2015 (SSNA) -- An intense consultation between rebel political and military leaders about a possible replacement of the Former Spokesman for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO), Brig. General Lul Ruai Koang, has been ongoing since late Thursday, the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) has learned.

General Lul Koang, who accused South Sudanese rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar of asking for what he described as “impossible demands” unexpectedly deserted his position this week and joined the government.

Koang is currently in South Sudan’s capital, Juba.

After his defection, the SSNA has decided to launch an investigation into the selection process of who should take over the post and what requirements one needed to qualify for the Spokesmanship role.

The SSNA team has gained rare access to visibly furious rebel military Generals who all seem to agree on one thing: the next Spokesman for the SPLA-IO must be methodically and cautiously securitized before taking over the post.

The SSNA has also obtained names of ten candidates vying for the vacated post.

However, the top contenders are Yien Mathew B. Chuol, David Biel Jal, and James Lony Thichiot - deputy to the Former Spokesman.

The selection process, according to the SSNA’s investigations, is very much open to anyone who wants to be a Spokesperson for the military wing of the rebels.

The way it works is: people submit their resumes and the Chairman of the SPLM-IO, Dr. Riek Machar, with consultations with his military commanders appoints a person who he thinks qualifies for the position.

After talking to senior rebel military and political leaders, the SSNA team concluded that the discussion on who should take over the Spokesman position for the rebels’ movement is closely controlled by the rebel military command and the leadership of its political wing, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in Opposition (SPLM-IO).

General Lul's replacement is expected to be announced within a few days.

Addis Ababa, February 23, 2015 (SSNA) -- The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has warned South Sudan's rival factions that a peaceful solution to the ongoing civil war in South Sudan must be reached, or else the regional bloc, IGAD, with the international community will take action to bring peace to the violence-wracked young nation.

Today, at what IGAD called last chance peace negotiations, IGAD Chief Negotiator, Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Seyoum Mesfin, reminds the gathering saying the East African regional bloc and the International Community are closely watching the volatile country.

“The whole world is watching and we must not fail, we must bring an end to the suffering that is still ongoing in South Sudan,” Seyoum said at the opening session of the talks.

“This is the final opportunity to bring peace to South Sudan,” he warned.

At the session, Seyoum also revealed that both government and opposition forces have violated the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement after February 1^st.

The two opposing sides have in the past signed several agreements. However, they failed to agree on power sharing, with Kiir’s government vowing it will never share power with South Sudanese rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar.

Rebels split claim

South Sudan’s government has in recent days claimed that it has evidence showing the rebel movement under Former South Sudan’s Vice president, Dr. Machar, is faltering and that there is no need for the government to participate in peace talks.

The government linked its split claim to the defection of Spokesman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO), Brigadier General Lul Ruai Koang who left his post last week.

South Sudanese president Salva kiir Mayardiit failed to show up at the recent talks. IGAD, African Union, Troika, European Union, and the International Community strongly condemned the move and demanded Kiir’s presence at the negotiations.

Rebels dismiss split-claim

Meanwhile, military Generals of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) call split claim “nonsense,” and branded the defection of Lul Ruai Koang as “lone wolf-innovation”.

The rebel commanders also vowed to choose Lul’s replacement in days.

IGAG has in the past warned of ‘serious consequences’ if rival sides failed to find a peaceful solution to the raging civil war.

Juba, February 24, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudan’s Children who were kidnapped last week by unknown gunmen have been found in a military training site in South Sudan, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) said.

UNICEF, which has strongly condemned the abduction, disclosed that eye witnesses have come forward and revealed the location of a military camp where the abducted children were seen marching.

“Witnesses have said they are in a training camp, and witnesses have told UNICEF that, on at least three occasions, they have been marched around the town,” UNICEF communications officer for South Sudan John Budd said.

Eye witnesses further told UNICEF that the children were seen marching around a town of Wau Shilluk.

It is not clear who is behind the kidnapping of school children.

However, reports and camp residents suggest that an armed group responsible for the kidnapping of at least 89 children has close ties to South Sudanese government since the camp where the abduction took place is under government control.

New York, February 24, 2015 (SSNA) -- The United States is circulating a draft United Nations Security Council resolution aims to put pressure on South Sudan’s warring factions, including individuals who stand in the way of achieviing peace in the volatile young nation.

The warning comes as the future of peace talks of the violence-wracked country looks uncertain.

This is not the first time the United States government threatened South Sudan with sanctions.

In November of 2014, the U.S. imposed sanctions against both South Sudanese government and rebel military Generals. The US also warned South Sudan in December in the same year that looming UN sanctioins were coming if a peaceful solution to the conflcit is not reached.

The US said the current draft is a first step and that further tougher sanctions will follow if peace negotiations fail to meet dateline set by the East African regional bloc, IGAD.

The proposal appears to prefer council-managed sanctions.

It has been revealed that China, Russia, European Union (EU), and other countries initially support tougher punishments against South Sudan including an arms embargo.

“Certainly, we would support an arms embargo," UK Ambassador to the United Nations Mark Lyall Grant told reporters.

It has emerged, however, that the United States was against an arms embargo against South Sudan’s government, saying sanctions could favor rebel forces.

On January 26, 2015, the US-based foreign policy magazine published an article which directly linked the U.S. national security advisor Susan Rice to Washington's inaction on UN sanctions  against Juba. The magazine also asserted that the US Secretary of State John Kerry and United States Ambassador to United Nations Samantha Power support tougher sanctions against South Sudan.

The Republic of South Sudan is in the midst of raging civil war after fighting erupted in Mid-December of 2013.

Addis Ababa, February 26, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudan’s Rebel leader, Dr. Riek Machar, has on Thursday called on President Salva Kiir to come to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to take part in the ongoing final peace negotiations.

The call comes a week after Kiir suddenly refused to attend what the IGAD called final round of peace talks.

In a press statement extended to the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA), the former South Sudan Vice President calls on Kiir to listen to the voices of suffering people of South Sudan and urges him to immediately come to Ethiopia and participate in the peace process.

“I call on President Salva Kiir to heed the cries of our people for peace. It is time he packed his suitcase and came to Addis Ababa such that together we quickly work out the terms of the peace agreement before the date line set by the IGAD mediators,” Dr. Machar said in the statement.

Machar also pledges to work hard for a peaceful solution to the conflict and reiterates his commitment to peace.

“I want to reaffirm my commitment and the commitment of SPLM/SPLA to the IGAD mediated process…,” he added.

Machar further stated that peace process must be speed up so that the suffering people of South Sudan can rebuild their lives and live in peace.

“I am aware of the immense suffering the war brought to bear on the people of South Sudan. This is time to procrastinate but to expedite the peace agreement such that our people reunite, recreate their lives in peace and harmony and we restore law and order to South Sudan,” Machar said.

IGAD-mediated talks have resumed in Ethiopia. However, Kiir failed to show up, drawing criticisms from the international Community.

Last week, South Sudan’s government asserted that Kiir will not attend the final stage of peace negotiations, claiming rebel forces under Dr. Machar have broke up into groups. Rebels denied the allegations.

New York, February 27, 2015 (SSNA) -- A finding of the United Nations (UN) investigation into the downing of its aircraft in South Sudan has been released. However, the report failed to identify the people behind the attack.

A seven members UN team tasked to establish a fact of what went wrong and who is responsible for the shooting down of a Russian-owned UN peacekeeping helicopter which was brought down by anti-aircraft missile in August of 2014 falls short of naming the real attackers.

The United Nations Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, stated that the plane was downed probably by anti-aircraft missile before it crashed and that the identity of a group behind the attack of the copter could not be determined.

“There is a high probability that the helicopter was hit by anti-aircraft fire which caused mechanical failure and eventually leading to the crash,” Stephane Dujarric said.

The UN official also disclosed that a team mandated to establish the fact failed to do so, suggesting that the two warring factions of the volatile South Sudan were active in the area where the copter was brought down.

“But the seven-member panel was not able to identify the attackers…the firing could have come from either party,” Dujarric added.

On August 26, 2014, a UN copter was brought down in the northern part of the capital of the oil-rich Unity State, Bentiu, by unknown anti-aircraft. At least three crew members died when the airplane crashed.

After the helicopter was shutdown, South Sudanese government was quick to accuse Unity State-based rebel forces under the command of Major General Peter Gatdet Yak of shooting down the copter.

Gatdet denied the allegation, saying he has no hand in the downing of UN helicopter and that Juba could be the real assailant.

New York, February 27, 2015 (SSNA) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Liu Jieyi on Friday questioned reasons behind the US proposed sanctions against South Sudan, arguing that it is in the best interest of the UN Security Council to support the ongoing peace talks.

Lieyi appeared to have not been convinced by the language of the anticipated sanctions and wondered if imposing penalties when South Sudan’s warring factions are negotiating a peace deal in Ethiopia is a good idea.

“The question arises as to what is the best way to facilitate (the political) process - whether at this moment, when the two sides are negotiating for a solution, you talk about imposing sanctions,” Jieyi told reporters.

"Sanctions are a punitive thing to do ... it intends to punish," he added.

The Chinese Ambassador also asserted that there is no logic to support the US proposed sanctions.

“Frankly I don't see the logic behind this,” Jieyi wondered.

The United States on Tuesday circulated a draft resolution to the UN Security Council — the proposal calls for the establishment of a panel of experts and committee who then can oversee the sanctions if the Council approves the plan.

China is the biggest investor in South Sudan’s oil sector and worries that the raging civil war could harm its investment.

February 28, 2015 (SSNA) -- The creation of three counties caught Mabaan people in surprise when they are busy following the genocidal regime that denies their existence in South sudan. One cannot be shy to label Mabaan politicians as lost leaders in the middle of political crisis. They mislead Mabaan people to support the regime that deny their right to education opportunities and treat them as others in their own country.

Time has come for Mabaan to abundant influence of selfish politicians and pursues their long standing interest in new established Adar State.

The Mabaan community in North America is pleased and welcome the creation of three counties in new established Adar State under wise, visionary and passionate charismatic leader, the chairman and commander in chief of the SPLM/AIO Dr. Riek Machar.

To emphasise, the current Mabaan county was approved by the government of National congress party in 1994 and after the independence of south Sudan Mabaan people applied for additional county based on 2010 population census and geographical size of the county but the application was denied by corrupted government that Mabaan did not deserved to have two counties.

Creation of three counties is a big blow to Dr. Harrun Run Laul, Hon. Stephan Dhiew, Hon. Romadan Chan who spend eight years lobbied against Mabaan not to have additional county for their own tribal reasons.

We are very grateful of SPLM in opposition for creation of three counties and indeed this move change the entire negative perception of Mabaan people about the movement. Mabaan community in diaspora is aware of hidden game played by Dr. Harrun Run Laul and Hon. Stephan Dhiew to deny Mabaan constitutional right of 2% oil revenue. Make no mistake there will be a time we open the case against whoever participate on scandale of Mabaan 2% of oil revenue and we believe Honorable Stephen Dhiew know it who is behind the scandal.

In the dark night of Dec 15, 2013, innocent children and women have murdered by genocidal regime militia. Many were killed by cold blood, being accused of supporting SPLM in opposition, being killed because of their identity, living in constant fear and the growing mistrust among integrated communities. We are strongly calling for justice for the victims and held those who commited crimes against humanity accountable.

Any attempt to strike peace deal without addressing the root causes hinders the process of reconciliation and forgiveness. Long lasting peace survives when the root cause properly addressed, pave the way to true meaning of reconciliation and trust.

The statement released by the executive of Mabaan community in North America and journalists have the right to modify the article.

Signed by:

Email: philemondaud84@gmail.com

New York, March 3, 2015 (SSNA) -- The United Nations Security Council has passed US-proposed sanctions against South Sudan on Tuesday, paving the way for the international body to impose punitive measures against the young nation if the ongoing peace talks in Ethiopia failed.

The UNSC's action comes as the future of peace negotiations between South Sudan's warring factions look uncertain.

US’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, hails the move and warns that anyone who aggravates or who stands in the way of peace process will pay a price.

"Those who frustrate peace must begin to pay the price,” Power said.

Meanwhile, South Sudan’s Ambassador to the UN, Francis Deng, cautions that sanctions will only cause more suffering, asserting that President Salva Kiir and the people of South Sudan only need encouragement and support.

“What the president and the government of South Sudan need is encouragement and support, not condemnation,” Deng warned.

Deng also said he hopes the Council will not implement the measures.

Last week, the United States circulated a draft resolution to the UN Security Council. The proposal which called for the establishment of a panel of experts and committee to oversee the sanctions was questioned by China.

The US also warned that the newly-passed resolution is a first step and that tougher sanctions will follow.

Washington, DC, March 3, 2015 (SSNA) -- The United States Secretary of State John Kerry has criticized South Sudan’s warring sides for what he described as leadership failure.

Kerry, who is reported to be in favor of UN corrective measures against South Sudan also called on South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar to secure an immediate and inclusive accord to end the war.

In a public statement, Kerry accused President Kiir and rebel leader Dr. Machar of failing to make necessary concessions to stop the ongoing civil war.

“Both President Kiir and Riek Machar have promised time and again that they would negotiate a transitional government under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) process, but have failed to make the compromises needed,” Kerry said in a statement published on U.S. State Department website.

“The parties have until March 5 to secure an agreement that is inclusive, that initiates a broad range of transitional reforms and that ensures those responsible for human rights abuses are held to account,” he added.

The US top diplomat also said South Sudan’s government failed to protect and serve its citizens.

“Legitimacy is not a presumed right of any government. It is conferred by the people, and it is sustained only by demonstrating leadership to protect and serve all citizens—responsibilities the government has neglected,” Kerry said.

Secretary Kerry further disclosed that the United States and the international community will take action to punish those who are not willing to make “difficult decisions” for the sake of peace.

The United States spearheaded an international campaign which forced leaders of South and North Sudan to sign the Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and secured South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011.

Addis Ababa, March 6, 2015 (SSNA) -- Rival factions of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party have failed to reach a peace deal after many days of intense negotiations in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

In a statement released on Friday, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, disclosed that South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar have failed to seal a deal that could bring the much-needed peace to the war-torn young nation.

“The talks did not produce the necessary breakthrough,” Desalegn said in the statement.

The Ethiopian leader has also expressed his disappointment over South Sudan main rivals’ inability to find a peaceful solution to the raging civil war.

“The consequences of inaction are the continued suffering of you, the people of South Sudan, and the prolonging of a senseless war in your country. This is unacceptable, both morally and politically,” he added.

Desalegn hopes that peace negotiations between South Sudanese rivals will resume in the near future.

Meanwhile, an African Union (AU) diplomatic source who asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media revealed to the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) that South Sudan’s peace talks have basically been suspended and that the only thing that is not known to the public at the moment is IGAD public admission of its failure.

"There are simply enormous problems between both sides. I don’t think the two leaders of South Sudan [Kiir and Machar] will sign any agreement that IGAD and the international community would want them to sign. They seem to be looking for a deal that fit their own interests," the source said.

“I can tell you that IGAD has already suspended the negotiations and asked the African Union (AU) to either intervene or come up with an idea,” he revealed.

Fighting broke out in Mid-December 2013 between different units of presidential guards after months of political chaos among senior leaders of the SPLM.

President Kiir has accused Dr. Machar of planning a coup. Machar denied the accusation and said the coup allegation is deliberate act by Kiir in an attempt to try to purge his political rivals.

At least two million South Sudanese have fled their homes and tens of thousands of people have been killed.

By Mekonen Tefere

Addis Ababa, March 6, 2015 (SSNA) -- In an interview today, March 6, 2015, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Peace Ambassador Gatwech Koak Nyuon said that he received more than sixty telephone calls from unknown numbers inside and outside Ethiopia in which five calls were seriously threatening to his life.

Nyuon started receiving threatening phone calls after he called on South Sudan's main rivals who are now engaging in peace negotiations in Addis Ababa to respect the 5^th of March deadline which was originally set by IGAD.

Gatwech who was last year named as Peace Ambassador by Ethiopian Church admitted that he would never give-up to call for peace for his young nation.

“I know this happened many times to Mr. Deng Athuai, the Chairperson of South Sudan's Civil Society Alliance and I’m not surprise to receive more threatening calls from enemy [ies] of peace, why not billions of threatening calls,” Gatwech said.

In his personal statement published on paanluelwel and wangdunkon media blogs on March 4, 2015, Gatwech calls on both leaders to respect the deadline.

His statement partly read, “I’m not sure, but I believe neither Riek’s nor Kiir’s sons are fighting in front-line,” a statement he refers to slow pace of peace in South Sudan. 

South Sudan has also been known for its records on Human Rights abuse, restriction of Journalists, and Activists from freedom of movement and speech.

Gatwech appreciates the roles played by local and international media for publishing some positive reports toward nation building. He also urges the media houses to act responsively as gear of change and distance themselves from tribal politics.

“I know this is not happening to me alone, it’s happening to all Activists and Journalists all over the World. I will continue working with media to deliver message of peace. Those who hear will hear and those who always threatening will keep threatening but we will defeat them,” he added.

Peace Ambassador repeatedly urges the AU Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan to release the report on atrocities committed by warring factions and appeal to South Sudan’s leaders to put the nation’s interest above their owns. Gatwech further reveals that he is very disappointed to see women and children suffering.

United States, March 6, 2015 (SSNA) -- The leadership of the Nuer (Naath) Community Development Service in United States of America (NCDS-USA, Inc) on Thursday announced that it will conduct a global conference in the United States on March 28, 2015.

In a press statement which bears the signature of the NCDS-USA President Mrs. Nyanguok Gatlou Riek and extended to the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA), the NCDS-USA, Inc, said it is inviting all Nuer communities to attend the meeting which it says will take place at 501 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa, USA.

“The Nuer Community Development Service (NCDS) in United States of America under the leadership of Mrs. Nyanguok Gatlou Riek cordially invites every Nuer person who is residing in US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Middle East, and Africa to come and attend the Nuer community convention/conference which will be held on March 28, 2015, in Des Moines, Iow, USA,” the statement reads in parts.

The leadership of NCDS-USA disclosed that the upcoming convention will focus mainly on insecurity, child education, peace, development, among others.

“The purpose of this convention will be to discuss the ongoing worse catastrophic humanitarian situation in Nuer land in South Sudan, peace, development , insecurity, child education, and Agricultural food security,” the NCDS-USA added.

The SSNA has been told that the leadership of NCDS-USA has authorized the Nuer Community Advocacy and Crisis management committee (NCA&CMC) and the Nuer Christian Network (NCN) to organize the conference and invite all guests.

The Nuer Community Development Service, the largest South Sudanese Community in the United States, also calls on all Nuer religious, political, and Naath-related organizations around the globe to have a meeting in their host countries and proposed a position paper which will then be presented in the conference by an individual chosen by his or her host nation.

The NCDS-USA, further urges anyone who wants to learn more about the upcoming conference to contact the following people: Mr. David Wangkor Machar – NCDS-USA Vice president (320) 237-1646, Mun Nam Koak - NCA&CMC chair (515) 402-8292, and Thabor Deng Ding - NCA&CMC secretary (515) 771-8054.

Addis Ababa/Pagak, March 7, 2015 (SSNA) -- The Acting spokesman for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO), Colonel Lony Thichiot Ngundeng, said South Sudan’s government has amassed large forces on two fronts ready to attack rebel outposts at anytime.

The accusation comes few days after IGAD-mediated peace talks between South Sudanese rival sides collapsed in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Lony said planned assaults show lack of government’s committed to peace negotiations.

“While the world is busy with peace discussion in Addis Ababa, Kiir’s troops are undermining the peaceful process; this is an indication of serious lack of government’s committed to peace negotiations,” Lony said in a press statement obtained by the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA).

The newly appointed Spokesperson for the SPLA-IO has unveiled what he described as a government’s dry offensive designed to launch simultaneous attacks on rebels’ positions in Jonglei and Upper Nile States.

In the document, Lony outlines places the government intended to attack.

“Government is preparing to launch an attack from Kodok to our positions in Wadakona west Nile…while doing the same towards Mathiang and Maiwut front,” he added.

Lony also disclosed that South Sudan’s government attacked their positions early Saturday and that Juba-backed forces were repulsed and suffered heavy losses.

“Today [this Saturday] early morning government troops attacked our positions in Jerbeni and Dukduk around Renk and Maban our forces repulsed these attacks scoring casualties on the enemy,” Lony revealed.

The SPLA-IO Spokesman also reaffirms rebels’ commitment to peace and calls on IGAD, African Union, Ethiopian government, Troika, Tanzania, and the international community to intervene and stop what he calls “government’s ill intentions.”