Nairobi, March 11, 2015 (SSNA) -- The government of the South Sudan has called on IGAD to move future peace negotiations out of Ethiopia, claiming that the peace process in the Ethiopian Capital, Addis Ababa, have been sabotaged by countries unfriendly to Juba.

It is unclear as to why Juba wants Khartoum to be barred from any future involvement in peace talks.

However, South Sudan’s Deputy Ambassador to Kenya, James P. Morgan, claimed in an interview with Kenyan-based Nation Newspaper that that South Sudanese rebels are being trained, armed, and controlled by Khartoum. The diplomat also calls for its expulsion from the East African regional bloc, IGAD.

“The next round of peace talks should be out of Ethiopia and Sudan should be excluded from being a mediator, since it controls, trains and arms the rebels,” James Morgan told the Nation Newspaper in Nairobi.

Reports leaked from Juba suggest that South Sudanese President Salva kiir is not happy with how Kenyan government treats South Sudan’s Former Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar.

The Nation Newspaper further reported that Kiir bluntly told the East African Newspaper two weeks ago that Uhuru Kenyatta’s government “would mess up” the East African region if it does not stop accommodating South Sudanese rebel leader.

“We believe that President Kenyatta should not bring himself to support Riek Machar, but of course he has been accommodating the former detainees and Riek Machar receives goodwill when he goes to Nairobi,” Kiir reportedly told the newspaper.

Deputy Ambassador Morgan further asserted that Kenya is the right country to host South Sudan's peace talks becuase the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed there [Kenya].

Addis Ababa/New York, March 12, 2015 (SSNA) -- The African Union (AU) and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) have announced that South Sudan’s rivals have been given more time to reach a peaceful solution to the raging civil war in the young nation.

The decision by the international community to give South Sudanese factions more time was made public on Thursday by the Angola’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ismael Abraao Gaspar Martins.

Ismael said sometimes difficult problems require more time, arguing that more time is needed for South Sudan's rival leaders to come together.

“It takes time to resolve problems which are not simple,” Ismael said in the Addis Ababa.

“It also takes time to bring leaders together and create cohesion” he added.

Ismael, who was also the Co-Chairman of the African Union Security Council (AUSC) meeting, did not say how much time was given to Machar and Kiir.

IGAD-mediated Peace talks collapsed early this month in Ethiopia after South Sudan’s warring sides failed to reach an agreement on power sharing, security arrangement, among others.

Washington, DC, March 14, 2015 (SSNA) -- The Enough Project has written an open letter to United Stated secretary of State John Kerry, urging him to fully participate directly in the upcoming IGAD-mediated peace negotiations.

The call comes ten days after peace talks between South Sudan’s warring factions collapsed in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

“The Enough Project stands with others in the NGO community who urge Secretary Kerry to participate directly in the IGAD Plus initiative’s mediation process.  Secretary Kerry’s personal involvement in past diplomatic efforts related to South Sudan have helped move the ball forward and have been well-received,” the statement reads in part.

The document suggests that intelligence gathering should focus mainly on tracing assets of people who have hands in the atrocities committed and those who stand in the way of peace.

“An intelligence gathering surge – focused on tracing the assets of those most responsible for mass atrocities and senior officials on both sides of South Sudan’s conflict who obstruct a peace deal – would support the full implementation of the sanctions called for in UN Security Council Resolution 2206,” it added.

The US-based agency which advocates for preventing of future crises and genocides also calls on South Sudan’s peace mediators who are currently drafting the document for next round of talks to add timetable for all foreign forces to leave the war-torn nation.The Enough Project further calls for the release of African Union Commission of Inquiry report.

“Beyond power and wealth sharing issues, which currently preoccupy the warring parties, the draft agreement being prepared by the mediators should also address a timetable for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from the country, punitive measures for the delivery of arms that stoke the conflict, and a timetable for the release of the AU Commission of Inquiry report accompanied by a commitment to establish a hybrid court to end impunity for human rights violations, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed in the past fifteen months,”  the statement added.

Uganda along with several Sudanese rebel groups are fighting alongside South Sudanese government troops against rebel forces loyal to South Sudan's Former Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar.

The rebels have on many occasions demanded the withdrawal of Ugandan soldiers, but Kampala refused asserting that Juba asked for its military help.

In the letter, the agency co-founder, John Prendergast, arguing that lack of direct participation of the US in the previous talks was not the right way to broker a peace deal between South Sudan’s rival sides.

New York, March 17, 2015 (SSNA) -- The United States’ Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, said on Tuesday that release of report of African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan before a peace deal is crucial.

Power branded AU’s peace first and report later strategy as “flawed and self-defeating notion.” The US top diplomat to the UN also said those who committed crimes should answer for their actions and that any future peace deal should not be mixed with the issue of accountability.

“This notion that accountability can wait because peace has to come first is just an inherently flawed and self-defeating notion. This is a scale of atrocities and sexual and gender based violence and child soldier recruitment and mass graves that warrants, by any objective measure, accountability,” Power told reporters.

The AU Commission of Inquiry report was originally set to be released in late January or February.

On January 29, the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) decided to postpone the release date stressing the report could jeopardize the ongoing peace talks between South Sudan’s warring factions.

An African Union diplomatic source told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) that Uganda, South Africa, Ethiopia, and other unnamed countries were behind the deferment.

Some AU leaked reports also suggested that South Sudan’s government does not want the AU finding to be released because it could impede the negotiations.

However, South Sudanese rebels said the inquiry report is an important and that it must be made public before any peace agreement is reached.

Juba, March 18, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudan’s president, Salva kiir Mayardiit, said during a political speech in Juba that his government is not in any position to share power with Former South Sudanese Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.

"I don't agree with the suggestion that Riek be given the position of vice president. I don't accept the issue of the two armies,” Kiir told his supporters in South Sudan’s capital, Juba.

Speaking to his supporters on Wednesday, Kiir blasted the international community and accused the world body of working against peace.  

“I am disappointed by some members of the international community to impose sanctions on South Sudan rather than encouraging peace building,” he added.

During the speech, Kiir repeatedly said his government is working for peace and claimed that “national dialogue, reconciliation, and forgiveness” are the only options for the people of the violence-wracked nation to achieve a peaceful end to the raging civil war.

IGAD-led peace talks collapsed early this month in Ethiopia after warring sides failed to agree on power-sharing and security arrangements.

By Mekonen Tefere

Addis Ababa, March 18, 2015 (SSNA) -- Nyakong Toang Duoth, a wife to well-known Musician Deng Gony (aka~Dee Gee) and sister to popular Hip Hop Artist - Lam Toang Duoth (aka~LT Dot) died on March 17, 2015, at Kikuyu Nursing Home Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.

Nyakong who cast as a ’secret keeper’ with stage name as ‘Nyakakah’ appeared on the Brown Stone Movie in 2009… She survived with four kids.

Her husband Deng Gony wrote on his Facebook wall that he made everything possible to prevent the death but God decided to takes her life.

“Nyathiang, you know our friends, families and I did all we could to save your life but unfortunately, none has power over death but only God. Bless our gifts and keep watching after them, as I know that dead are living. I love you so much and I will miss you in my entire life. Rest in Peace my Humble Beautiful Wife,” Deng wrote.

Nyakong died from Hodgkin's disease, a malignant but often curable disease of lymphatic tissues typically causing painless enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen.

The Director of Brown Stone Movie, Peace Ambassador Gatwech Koak Nyuon expressed his heartfelt and urged the actresses and actors to pay the last respect to the deceased.

“I’m very sorry and very disappointed to learn that one of our brilliant and great colleagues passed away in Nairobi Kenya. On behalf of Brown Stone Movie members, I publicly declare our position to pay the last respect to our charismatic and great thinker who dedicated her life and times to change her beloved community through Movie. I also extended my heartfelt and deep condolences on behalf of the Brown Stone Movie to immediate family of the Late Madam Nyakong in this tragedy moment. We are with you and will always remember Nyakong’s name as Heroine. Everything must be handover to our Lord Almighty.” The statement partly read.

Peace Ambassador appealed to Brown Stone Movie members around the World to mark the March 17, 2015 and uses it as ‘black-day’ in life.

BROWN STONE is an abbreviation that stands for: Blacks’ Rights Organization for the Will of the Nations – System Technology Objectives for New Education. 

Lul Tuach Dojiok aka~LTD recalled the last moment with Nyakong. “It’s unexpected to hear such a very shocked news. Nyakong was not only a movie star, but a great mother to all of us.” Lul, one of the Brown Stone’s members who was cast as the ‘jungle man’ said on the phone from Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, Peace Ambassador Gatwech Koak Nyuon added that members would soon convene to suggest whether a new song or a new short-movie would be scripted for dedication so that her name remains on the Earth.

“This is our task to make her name remain[s] with us in consultation with Mr. Deng. We need to do something for commemoration.” Gatwech wrote.

Some permanent names [artists] who appeared in the Brown Stone Movie includes: Tek Stephen Ogut known as Mr. T-Show who own ‘Waat Paac Movie’, Lul Tuach Dojiok aka~LTD, Madow Malual aka~YD, Joseph Aken aka~DJ Ching Ching and LT Dote.

Among all, Elizabeth Nyadak John, Tibatha Nyadhiel Biel, Angelina Nyakuoth, Nyabikah Ruei, Nock Koak Duany, Chol Sijin and many more important women contributed to the formation of the Brown Stone Movie.

Brown Stone Movie is the first Nuer Movie produced and screened on 19 December 2009 in Nairobi Cinema before the South Sudan gained her independent. It’s acted in Nuer Language with seventy-two (72) actresses and actors casted in the action.

Press Release

Re: Formation of the Greater Upper Nile Association of North America (GUNANA) and Call for Neighborhood Peace Initiative and Mutual Understanding  among the people of Upper Nile Region in South Sudan and Diaspora

March 16, 2015 (SSNA) -- The Greater Upper Nile Association of North America (GUNANA) was formed in April 2014 with the mission to promote unity, neighborhood peaceful co-existent and mutual understanding among the people of the Upper Nile Region. This initiative was welcomed by the major communities in the said region with the appointment of the Interim Coordination Team representing the diverse communities of the three states that comprise the Upper Nile Region.

GUNANA calls for unity and peaceful neighborhood initiative among the inhabitants of the three States and the protection of our mutual interests as a region.

GUNANA also calls on the sons and daughters of the Upper Nile Region both in government and in the opposition to protect and observe our historical relations as people of the same neighborhood with long ties, shared beliefs and traditions dating back to the inhabitations of the modern day, South Sudan

Since its inception, GUNANA has conducted national and international dialogue among South Sudanese from the Upper Nile Region in both the USA and Canada with the hope of eventually realizing a global outreach of its community members.  To this end, GUNANA calls on the people of Upper Nile Region in the Diaspora and back home to organize themselves by establishing Greater Upper Nile Associations wherever they reside.

It is our hope that this initiative to foster peace and unity in our Neighborhood and the protection of our mutual interests will be a stepping-stone towards the realization of lasting peace in the Republic of South Sudan whom many of our sons and daughters gave their precious lives for our freedom and the freedom of generations to come. Remember: Charity begins at home.

Therefore, in order to find lasting peace in our nation, which has been so elusive, we need to start with dialogue within our own neighborhood.

As such, GUNANA is planning to host and sponsor its first national and International conference this summer 2015 in the United States and cordially invites all sons and daughters of the Upper Nile region to this important event. To make the conference a success, we need the contribution, participation and input of the members of the Upper Nile region. Please mark your calendars and keep up with the conference event through our frequent updates.

For more information, call or write to us at info.gunana@gmail.com

Thank you,

Addis Ababa, March 20, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudanese news editor said on Friday that President Kiir’s speech at a political rally this week was not a good language, pointing out that the speech was filled with divisive tones.

Duop Chak Wuol, the editor-in-chief of the US-based South Sudan News Agency, blasted Kiir’s speech on his social media page/Facebook wall using what appeared to be a deliberate language aimed at South Sudan’s President views on proposed United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions and ‘God-claim’ Kiir made this week at a rally in Juba.

“Salva Kiir met with a God at an undisclosed location, signed a rain-pumping deal, and was informed that a significant amount of rainfall will occur,” Duop wrote.

“The agreement is expected to bring enough rain to South Sudan — and presumably counter the threat of looming United Nations sanctions,” he added.

When reached by phone, Duop said he believes Kiir used a disparaging language at the rally and revealed that he thought the speech was a joke when he first saw it, adding “Kiir utterly lost it.”

“When I was reading the speech, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. After I compared my copy with several other copies of the document, I realized that the speech was merely written to further divide the people of South Sudan and I believe Kiir utterly lost it.”

The president of South Sudan on Wednesday claimed that UNSC sanctions will not deter him. Kiir also argued that punitive measures against his country will not work, unless God agree with those who want to punish the young nation to stop the raining in his country.

“If people are talking about sanctions about South Sudan unless they go up and agree with God to stop the raining in South Sudan…” Kiir told his supporters at the rally.

Kiir, who addressed his supporters at a political rally on Wednesday, also disclosed that he is not willing to share power with his rival, Dr. Riek Machar.

Fighting erupted in December 2013 after months of political turmoil between senior leaders of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party.

Juba, March 22, 2015 (SSNA) -- The United Nations (UN) has warned that the overall economy of the Republic of South Sudan is at its final stage of collapse as the new country began printing money since December of last year.

UN’s top humanitarian official in South Sudan, Toby Lanzer, on Tuesday warned that the economy could get worse as the young nation goes on printing rampage—printing money in an attempt to try to “meet a budget shortfall.” Lanzer also revealed that South Sudan’s central bank started printing money late last year.

“Since December South Sudan's government has resorted to the old trick of printing money,” Lanzer told reporters at a news conference in Juba.

"Printing money when there is nothing to back the value of that currency usually leads to hyperinflation,” he warned.

Many experts agreed that the continuous delay of salaries of civil servants and some central government employees is also a result of a vanishing economy.

South Sudan depends heavily on oil revenues and the price of crude oil has fallen, forcing many investors to withdraw their financial backings for fear of an economic collapse amid raging civil war.

Early last year, government officials stormed out of a meeting in Juba after oil investors, mostly Chinese and Malaysian companies refused to lend huge amount of money to Juba.

However, in May 2014, Juba was able to borrow $200 million from an unnamed Chinese oil company. In the same month, South Sudan began a process of repayments delay on nearly all domestic loans, raising many questions and put the young nation’s economy capability into question.

In February, an official with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) that oil export has been declining and that Juba is anxious about both the decline of oil production and current market price. The official further disclosed that March delivery is 4.6 million barrels of Dar Blend crude oil, down two hundred thousand barrels (just over 4%), compared to last month delivery of 4.8 million barrels.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir at a political rally on Wednesday admitted that his nation economy faces serious problems.

Juba, March 25, 2015 (SSNA) -- The United States’ Special Envoy to South Sudan, Donald Booth, on Wednesday told reporters in Juba that president Kiir’s term extension by parliament beyond the 9^th of July this year is not the right way.

Booth stressed that Kiir’s constitutional term can only be extended “through negotiations” between South Sudan’s warring sides.

Booth also indicated that a deal between the rival factions that would establish a transitional government of national unity is the best option and that both sides must resume peace talks and find a peaceful solution before Kiir’s term expired.

IGAD-mediated peace talks collapsed in Ethiopia early this month after both sides disagreed on power sharing, security arrangements, among others.

On Tuesday, South Sudan’s parliament passed what it described as “The Transitional Constitution 2011 Amendment Bill of 2015,” giving Kiir three more years in office.

By Justin S. Kwaje

Kansas City, Kansas, March 25, 2015 (SSNA) -- Bona Malwal, once a long time antagonist of the late Dr John Garang De Mabior and the anti separatist of south Sudan, emerged from his hiding place in Sudan only to come to the USA with messages of hate against the Nuer people and South Sudanese in general.

During his visit to Kansas city, Kansas, USA, on Saturday March 21, 2015, Mr. Malwal said the government of South Sudan dispatched him with solid missions: to meet and brief the Dinka community in the USA about the success of the Kiir government in Holding the Nuer abbey and her imminent defeat, invoking the diaspora Dinka support and in rallying the American law makers and her people in support of the Kiir’s government and against the UN proposed sanctions.

Accompanied by some dignitaries from the South Sudanese embassy in washing DC, upon taking the stage, Before commencing his speech, Mr. Bona Malwal, whose briefing carried hate messages against the Nuer people and the other 62 tribes of south Sudan, asked the attendees whether there were people in the audience who did not speak Dinka and none raised up their hands, assuming all in the conference room were Dinkas, he Bona proceeded with the briefing in Dinka language not knowing there were none Dinkas in the audience who spoke the language fluently.

Mr. Bona Malwal said South Sudan exists thanks to the Dinka and therefore belongs to the Dinka people, and the Dinka has earned it and are where they are above all others in South Sudan, justified and deserve to be honored and respected for the hard earned independence of south Sudan, but the Nuer are destroying this hard earned right, which was achieved by the bloods of Dinka.

He said the Nuer have come to USA in the early 1990s but they had neither political weight nor influence in the USA congress and her government therefor contributed nothing to liberate the people of south Sudan. In comparisons he said, the Dinka in USA at large arrived in the 2000 and it was their influence that lead to the American support for the Independence of South Sudan. Stating the Dinka at home bleed while those in America use their intelligence to rally the American congress for which we now have an independence South Sudan. This was earned by Dinka thus the republic of South Sudan belongs to the Dinka and they must not allow the Nuer to ruin and steal the hearts of the congress and the American people so that the hard earned country achieved by the blood of Dinka not be robbed from the them by the proposed sanction drafted by the USA in Which in his view will weaken the Kiir government in benefit of the Nuer. Concluding, he sees a real and tangible danger in this sanction if it were to go through, thus his trip to America.

Bona Malwal said Dinka in America must do all within its power to lobby the American congress and to influence the white House to withhold the awaited UN Security Council sanction on the warring parties in South Sudan, he feared this will largely affects what he called their government. Bona Malwal acknowledged to the audience that he was dispatched by the government of South Sudan with enough resources to lobby the congress and dispatch members of the Dinka community to begin distributing the copies of the letter he himself brought from Juba, drafted by him, approved by President Kiir and the council of Jieng Elders, He stated this letter must be in the hands of the American law makers by March 28, 2015.

He added that the main objective of his visit in addition is to enlighten and educate the intelligentsia, specially form his community, to solidify what he referred to as “our government” positions. He urged the young people from his Dinka ethnic group not to give any inch to the Nuer both in the war frontline and the political front, especially in the USA.  He claimed the later should be easy as the Nuer is not as sophisticated and educated as his Dinka tribesmen.

Mr. Malwal swore the Nuer shall never ascend to nor assume power in South Sudan because when it comes to population the ratio is 1 Nuer to 5 Dinka. Thus he urges the Audience not to allow their country be taken away by Nuer who are the spoilers in South Sudan. That the real danger to their ownership of South Sudan is the Nuer, adding the other tribes are no matches for the Dinkas and remains no factors in the current conflict.

This rhetoric is not surprising given that Mr. Bona Malwal is the architect of the Dinka superiority and the ideology of the born to rule.

Bona Malwal, who is fighting for his own political survival, attempting to gain favors from Kiir and Jieng council of elders, should not be allowed to intimidate the nation of south Sudan and drive wedges [along] tribal lines thus hindering peace, the Nations should not stand in silence.

First of all who is Bona, all South Sudanese know his wretched ambition lead him to attempt make a political coup against the founding leader of SPLA. Therefor becoming irrelevant since the CPA and went hiding and silent as if he was dead only to resurrect this time to come to USA with dirty ambition to influence Dinka people who have peacefully coexisted with the Neur in the USA.

Mr. Bona Malwal encouraged his fellow Dinka in USA to rise against the Nuer community in America, mobilize human resources more so than money and to deny the Nuer the right to exist in South Sudan, because the Nuer did not deserve to enjoy the privileges of the new nation. Bona Malwal urged all the able Dinka youth in America to go home so as to defend the territories of what belongs to them and never allow the Dinka led government to be driven away by the Nuer and the other minority tribes of Equatoria.

He (Bona) said the Dinka in America are like the Jewish people scattered all over the world, and he encouraged them to fight the Nuer, that anyone who returns will be rewarded with job offers special as the President has planned a full reshuffle of his government to remove some non Dinka in directorship, and ministerial positions to make room for the Dinka in diaspora who hold valuable Diplomas from American Universities but more so those who distinguishes themselves in advocacy for the current government.

It is very clear that this speech in Kansas City, Kansas, USA by Bona Malwal is in direct opposition to the American values and positions and her proposed sanctions that is purported to target those who stifles and promotes antagonism and are pro conflict, the question is given Bona’s history of being the father of Dinka Superiority thus in essence the father of this civil war, How did the American embassy not know and give Visa to such war monger and Divisive figure to reach the American soil? If this highly educated person is talking this way is it any wonder then peace could not find its way?

Indeed, the American government and her congress must not allow itself be dubbed by such a pro-war politician, the likes of Bona Malwal must be denounced and banned from America.

United States, March 25, 2015 (SSNA) -- The SPLM/A-[in Opposition] Mission to the United States of America condemns in the strongest terms possible the recent passing of the bill by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on the 24th of April, 2015 that amended the 2011 transitional constitution of South Sudan and extended the term of office for the embattled, genocidal and anarchist president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, for three more years until July 9, 2018, while his current atrocious term in office is coming to an end on July 9th of this year.

The SPLM/A further decry this unjust and illegal move by the disgraceful parliament to extend its sitting term, and that of a bloody dictator who has brought more death and destruction to his people; without regard to prioritize peacemaking as a foremost objective to bring the country back to normalcy.

This unfortunate measure has further validated the popular belief of the masses that the current parliament is weak and subservient to the clueless leader. In essence, this parliament has betrayed the entire people of South Sudan by aiding Salva Kiir to remain as president of the country beyond the constitutionally stipulated time frame. And by enacting this unpatriotic amendment to the constitution, this parliament could share the culpability of the crimes committed, and future crimes that will be committed by this fascist under this bill.

Therefore, The SPLM/A calls on the people of South Sudan to reject and continue to resist this irresponsible act that has the potential to protract the current civil war to the detriment of the ordinary people of South Sudan, who do not deserve to suffer any longer under this president of doom.

We call on IGAD, AU, EU, the UN, and the USA, as well as, the whole international community to amount pressure on the government of South Sudan to prioritize peace instead of its militaristic tendencies that are bound to further plunge the country into the abyss.

The SPLM/A wishes to assure its supporters and the entire people of South Sudan that it will leave no stone unturned in its quest for a genuine peace in the country, and to rest-assured that the SPLM/A would not abandon them to dictatorship and want on misrule.

Signed by:

Kampala, March 27, 2015 (SSNA) -- A law student at Nkumba University-Kampala, Gai James Kai, has warned of a looming Constitutional crisis in the country following the recent extension of President Salva Kiir’s lifespan/term in office for two more years.

He said it would be illegal for President, Vice-President, cabinet ministers, and their deputies to continue carrying out their executive duties two more year after the end of their terms in July.

Gai told our reporter this week that if elections are not held by June this year, it would also be illegal for President Kiir to appoint a cabinet because his term in office would have lapsed by July of 2015.

His comment follows the recent announcements by National Legislative Assembly that incumbent President, Salva Kiir Mayardit’s term in office is extended up to 2018.

Kai added that although term of parliament cannot be extended, the Presidential term can be extended by another two years or even more, depending on the surrounding circumstance.

Few months ago, Kiir indicated that he would dissolve Parliament by June; 2015, but has considered the extension of the lifespan of the executives.

Gai said: “Yes! The extension of the lifespan of Parliament can only be done during times of war like this, and under those circumstances, but should not be for more than one year at a time and the cumulative extensions should not exceed two years.’’

“Further the law requires that Vice-president, cabinet ministers and deputy ministers shall not occupy their executive offices for more than three months without being members of Parliament and there is a grace period of up to three months for non-MP ministers to hold these positions.’’

He said while the President shall continue in office until the person elected as President in the next elections entered office, he cannot appoint a cabinet after the three months grace period.

“It must be made clear that beyond the dissolution of the current Parliament, the appointment of a cabinet by a “President’’ whose term expired would be illegitimate,’’ Kai added.

Although Salva Kiir recently approached the High Court to secure an order to declare elections by or on June 2015, opposition political parties protested the proposal and challenged the decision in court, saying even if the Parliament can be dissolved by July 2015, government business should go on and so the terms of the executive can be extended for one or two years until a new government is formed.

Addis Ababa, March 27, 2015 (SSNA) -- Spokesman for the armed opposition of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) Colonel Lony T. Ngundeng has released a statement on Friday, saying rebel forces and Local Defense Force (LDF) have launched a joint operation against government soldiers and recaptured Ayod county of Jonglei State. The rebel Spokesperson also warns that the whole Upper Nile region could soon fall under the SPLA-IO.

Lony said the operation is a direct response to what he calls "repeated government assaults" on rebel positions.

Heavy fighting between South Sudan’s warring forces has been raging since early this week with both sides accusing each other of attack.

The hostility which began this Tuesday ended in the early hours of Friday, with the SPLA-IO saying its armed forces managed to deliver a ‘crushing blow’ to government troops.

Ayod had already changed hands several times since the fighting broke out.

Rebels said the fall of Ayod occurred in the early hours of Friday and that combined forces of the SPLA-IO and LDF participated in the operation.

“This morning the SPLA forces in a joint operation with Local Defense Force or (LDF) manage to flash out the government forces in their position in Ayot, jonglei state,” a statement extended to the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) reads in part.

In the statement, the rebel military Spokesman accused Juba and its allies, saying fighting broke out on Tuesday after government’s soldiers launched surprise attacks on rebel outposts in and around Ayod County.

“The fighting had been on for the last three days since on Tuesday when government troops came out from their trenches to advance to our different locations,” the statement added.

The rebels also said the SPLA-IO and LDF have inflicted heavy losses on Juba’s troops, captured more ammunition, two tanks, military hardware, and killed 154 government soldiers.

The SPLA-IO has clarified that civilians who live in areas under rebel control have created the Local Defense Force or (LDF) to protect themselves from Juba and its foreign allies.

The Acting military spokesman further disclosed that attempts by government rescue helicopters were not possible because the SPLA-IO and LDF forces use sophisticated firepower to deny them any landing in and around Ayod.

Des Moines, Iowa, March 28, 2015 (SSNA) -- The Nuer (Naath) Community Development Service-USA, Inc, on Saturday began its annual conference in the US State of Iowa, bringing in thousands of delegates from the USA and around the world.

Attendees flocked the convention center with many singing traditional songs.

The delegates are expected to vote on a host of issues and pass a resolution which will then be considered binding.

The convention organizing committee said position papers will also be presented in the two days summit.

The Nuer Community Development Service is the largest South Sudanese Community in the United States.

Des Moines, Iowa, March 30, 2015 (SSNA) -- The Nuer Community Development Service in the United States of America has successfully concluded its official two days annual convention and passed resolutions after key proposals were presented before the delegates.

The South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) gained a rare access inside the conference hall where voting process for key proposals took place. The SSNA also obtained a partial list of some of the resolutions passed by the delegates.

The list includes permanent and strong unity of all Nuer sections, appreciation letter to the United Nations (UN), petition letter to member states of the international community, and unnamed International Criminal Court (ICC)-related cases. The conference further demanded all Nuer sub-sections to have “indestructible unity” under Nuer and warned “unspecified consequences” against any Nuer section daring to cause division or defy the unity of Greater Nuer Community.

The SSNA noticed that the list did not detailed actions the NCDS will take or implement after the conference.

However, the Leadership of the NCDS-USA, Inc, made it clear to the SSNA that some of its agendas and resolutions are not for public and that voting procedures are closed-door, citing confidentiality.

Earlier this month, the NCDS said the purpose of convention will be to discuss the ongoing worse catastrophic humanitarian situation in Nuer land in South Sudan, peace, development , insecurity, child education  Agricultural food security, among others.

The conference has drawn thousands of delegates from across the US and around the world.

The NCDS is a US-based non-profit organization and is by far the biggest South Sudanese community in the United States.

Washington, DC, March 31, 2015 (SSNA) -- The United States’ President, Barack Obama, on Tuesday signed an Executive Order 13664, saying South Sudan’s raging civil war poses a direct threat to US’s national security and foreign policy. Obama decided to extend US’s national emergency of April 2014 beyond April 2015 so that the US can deal with South Sudan’s mounting problems.

The order comes more than fifteen months after fighting broke out in Mid-December of 2013.

In the document, Obama ordered US national emergency to deal with threat poses by the ongoing civil war in South Sudan. The US leader also stressed that the war in South Sudan has created instability for the surrounding region including widespread atrocities and human rights related issues.  

“I declared a national emergency to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the situation in and in relation to South Sudan, which has been marked by activities that threaten the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan and the surrounding region, including widespread violence and atrocities, human rights abuses, recruitment and use of child soldiers, attacks on peacekeepers, and obstruction of humanitarian operations,” the order reads in part.

The Executive Order, which will be published in the US’s Federal Register and transmits to the American Congress, explicitly labels South Sudan’s armed conflict as a threat to the US interests.

“The situation in and in relation to South Sudan continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  For this reason, the national emergency declared on April 3, 2014, to deal with that threat must continue in effect beyond April 3, 2015,” the document added.

The US presidential order appears to be indicating that the Obama administration is closer to take action. However, it is not clear what actions Obama will take to restore peace in the war-wracked nation.

On March 5, IGAD-led peace talks between South Sudan’s warring factions collapsed in Ethiopia after President Kiir and rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar failed to agree on power sharing, security arrangements, among others.

On Tuesday, South Sudanese information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth announced that Juba does not want Troika countries (US, UK, and Norway) to be part of future South Sudan’s peace negotiations. But Minister Lueth failed to provide any reason as to why his government wants Troika out of the talks.

By Mekonen Tefere

Addis Ababa, April 2, 2015 (SSNA) -- A Group of Experts comprises of South Sudanese, Academicians and International Activists have disclosed to hold a panel discussion on current South Sudan’s crisis. “Its Root Cause and Approach for Resolution would dominate the discussion.” Nhial Chuol Tut, one of the organizers said online from Washington, DC.

The event will take place on Wednesday, Apr 8 2015 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm, at American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20016 SIS, Abramson Family Founder's Room.

The organizers said that the focus discussion would penetrate and exhaust the burning points that amount to root cause with serious brainstorming. The discussion will also witness some well-known and recognized South Sudanese tough Activists and former politicians with join presentation from International Activists. The speakers will include: Hon. Sophia Pal Gai - Former Member of South Sudan's Parliament, Hon. Agnes Nyoka - Former Member of South Sudan's Parliament and Activist, Dr. Joseph Deng Malual - Social Worker for South Sudan's "Lost Boys", Omer Ismail - Senior Policy Advisor at Enough Project while Meghan Stewart - Vice President of Public International Law & Policy Group will moderated the event.

The report published on Nyamilepedia on March 31, 2015 quoted that, a list of retired senior military leaders, mostly former major and brigadier generals of U.S army, including the former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Henry Shelton, call on president Obama, Ambassador Rice and Secretary John Kerry to step up their efforts to impose sanctions and arms embargo on South Sudan.

 Meanwhile, US President Obama stated in an executive order seen by Medias that he is determining to ensure safety in South Sudan. “In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13664 of April 3, 2014, with respect to South Sudan is to continue in effect beyond April 3, 2015.” Barrack said in his statement.

Since December 2013, over 1 million have been forcibly displaced and over 20,000 people have been killed in South Sudan in the country's newest conflict with failed mediated peace process by regional block ‘IGAD’ in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The highly awaited event will deliberately pin point the dangers commitment by warring factions on innocent civilians, root cause of the conflict and its resolution that would recommend the inclusion of peaceful settlement.

The White House, Office of the Press Secretary added that “The situation in and in relation to South Sudan, which has been marked by activities that threaten the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan and the surrounding region, including widespread violence and atrocities, human rights abuses, recruitment and use of child soldiers, attacks on peacekeepers, and obstruction of humanitarian operations, continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States," the report partly read.

American University and Creative Peace Initiatives are jointly organizing the event in Washington, DC.

Addis Ababa, April 11, 2015 (SSNA) -- The Spokesperson for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO), Col. Lony T. Ngundeng, has on Saturday congratulated the recently defected SPLA-Juba’s Brig. General, Gatwech Pouch Mar.

Mr. Mar, who deserted the government, joined the rebellion this week.

The SPLA-IO says General Mar defected with his junior officers and branded the move as a “significant step” to the right direction.

“Congratulations on our nationalist leader General Gatwech Puoch; today the office for spokesperson for SPLA-IO would like to register its thanks for the significant step that has been taken by our incoming general. His brilliant decision to join the movement with his junior officers is of extra high importance to us,” a statement released by the SPLA-IO Spokesman office said.

Col. Lony said his office is not surprised to see Gatwech joining the rebel forces, saying the General cannot tolerate the suffering of his people under Kiir’s government.

“General Gatwech who was transferred to Division 5 in Bahr el Ghazal where he served for few months being one of South Sudanese patriotic leaders, thereafter, he could not tolerate the suffering of our people therefore today it is not a surprise for the movement SPLM/A/IO to declare himself so we receive him wholeheartedly,” the statement added.

Brig. General Gatwech Puoch Mar is a brother of current Governor of Upper Nile State, Kun Puoch Mar.

Re: LOCAL NUER COMMUNITY IN OMAHA TO HOLD A MEETING RALY WITH THE DELEGATION OF NUER COUNCIL OF ELDERS FROM AFRICA

Dear Nuer Community members in Good Live/Omaha/Nebraska,

Omaha, April 10, 2015 (SSNA) -- This is to notify all of you that the local Nuer Community in Omaha will hold meeting rallies with the delegation of Nuer Council of Elders this coming Saturday as stated above. This will be an opportunity for each and every one of you especially those who didn’t make it to the convention to ask questions as you wish and to personally talk to the delegations. They are well equipped with all information concerning the current political crisis in South Sudan. Therefore, we are encouraging everybody to attend this rally to boost the morale of our community.

Arrival time in Omaha will be [this] Friday evening

The delegation comprises of:

For any question, please feel free to contact:

Sincerely,