Juba, August 20, 2015 (SSNA) -- Unknown Gunmen shot and killed a South Sudanese Journalist Peter Julius Moi in suburbs of Juba.
The killing occurred on Wednesday night, relatives of the deceased have confirmed.
Sources close to famliy of the deceased said the killers work for government.
Late Peter Julius was working for several South Sudanese media outlets in Juba. His killing happened less than a week after Salva Kiir threatened to kill any Journalist who works against his government.
Washington, DC, August 20, 2015 (SSNA) -- The United States on Wednesday circulated a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution against South Sudan, saying the resolution will impose targeted sanctions including arms embargo on the violence-wracked nation if Salva Kiir refuses to sign the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement by September 1.
The move comes a day after US threatened to pursue UN-backed punitive measures against the young nation.
The resolution will slap travel bans on people who stand in the way of the peace. The proposal also requires member states of the international community to freeze assets and funds of individuals who are also believe to be hurdle to peace.
South Sudanese rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar and Former political detainee Pagan Amum have signed the internationally-backed pact on the 17th of August dateline proposed by the IGAD-Plus.
Kiir refused to sign the agreement minutes after Machar signed the deal, drawing intense criticisms from world leaders.
Public statement
Since then he has been unreachable via emails and mobile phone. His personal phone appears to be in possession of other persons. When it is rung, sometimes it rings out, sometimes it is switched off straight after the call and sometimes it comes back as engaged.
It is worth noting that Peter escaped from the regime of President Salva Kiir of South Sudan which had threatened to harm him. He ran to Uganda and asked for asylum which was granted. Therefore, he is a fully recognised refugee in Uganda under the Geneva Convention of 1951. Given this we are asking United Nations to conduct a full enquiry into the whereabouts of Mr Peter Abdulrahman Sule. The Ugandan authorities equally have a duty to tell his family and his political followers where Mr Sule is.
Press Release
Under his visionary and able leadership, Cde Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon has demonstrated to the entire world a rarely superb but true quality of a statesman and an unparalleled commitment to lead the masses of South Sudanese out of this government imposed quagmire. He has clearly shown that the country and its peoples’ interest always comes first by signing this peace agreement to restore peace and stability to the country.
We deeply appreciate the important role played by the members of the IGAD PLUS who facilitated the peace negotiations through their persistent pursuit of peace. We also commend and extend our appreciation to the US President Barack Hussein Obama for his personal dedication to see to it that a Peace settlement is quickly reached to stop the war in South Sudan. Our special appreciation also goes to the IGAD Chairman, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, and the IGAD Rapporteur, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta for their amazing leadership and dedications for the restoration of peace and stability in South Sudan.
On the other hand it was indeed a deep disappointment that President Salva Kiir is yet to sign the deal. We therefore call upon the President to come forward and sign the agreement on the new deadline he has cut for himself and save the country and the people any further unnecessary sufferings, destructions and loss of lives.
Signed,
Saturday, August 15, 2015
I’m delighted to welcome all the Media Houses, Churches’ Leaders, Distinguish Guesses, Elders, Ladies and Gentlemen:
All protocols remain observed.
August 15, 2015 (SSNA) -- First of all, I would like to congratulate and appreciate the IGAD, TROIKA, United Nations, African Union and China for the positive roles that they have been playing for trying to bring this conflict to an end. IGAD and its member states have been tirelessly contributing to bring peace through its Envoys. Thanks to Special Envoys for South Sudan – Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin and his colleagues in the office.
As a Peace Ambassador, I sincerely regret to this end of the year for which South Sudanese leaders haven’t yet find a solution to this burning tragedy in their door. Our gathering today as community which is marked by Hunger Strike or fasting from 6am to 6pm aimed to raise awareness for the IGAD and the International Community to take serious measure on the warring factions and to pressurize them to halt fighting for immediate peace. We do this because our ‘hope’ is on IGAD-Plus Peace. War will not and never takes us anywhere instead will create more widows and orphans to our societies. Stop fighting and work for peace please!!
South Sudan’s problem is not anymore a south Sudanese’s problem alone, but it’s a crisis, which is already causing devastative destruction to the life of citizens and threatening the Regional Security. We must know that it’s a disaster that will even climb to other Countries if it’s not quickly resolved. Therefore, the two principals (President Kiir and Dr. Machar) must do whatever it takes to bring peace back home to people of this youngest nation. Peace is very important for South Sudan, East Africa, Africa Continent and the World. Peace means development, growth and better future for the entire Human Family.
Although it’s very clear that the IGAD and International Community have been so active to bring the crisis to an end, I would still urge them to push for sustainable peace so that women, children, youth and other vulnerable groups are safe from gunshot, brutal killing, castration, and burning, raping and other barbaric crimes against humanity. These would only stop if the World comes out clearly to save South Sudan from collapse.
I know the demands among parties are beyond measure, but I personally urge the warring factions’ leaders to give-up part of their demands for peace to prosper among the nation.
Moreover, I urge the South Sudanese who are in Abroad (Diaspora), the youth, and the Church Leaders to take no side and kindly work for change in order to restore our true culture of good hospitality among Africans and unite for one Country, one Nation under one Flag. I believe with help of International Community and unity among us, South Sudan will be soon a land of opportunities for youth and women to cultivate hope, transformation and democracy. The image of hope is very clear through the window, but the window to achieve that hope is getting more narrow and narrower.
To this end, I the Peace Ambassador and other friends such as IGAD, Churches/Mosques, and TROIKA who are crying for the betterment of the torn nation would make it clear that we all have to make a good move that must bring peace for better south Sudan. I appeal to the rest of the World to join us on finding ‘No Harm’ mechanism to end the crisis in South Sudan. Do not take side! Support nobody, but truth!
Undoubtedly, many hindrances are keeping us out from what we wanted to achieve. My dear fellow men and women, I persistently need every each of us to do whatever it takes to bring ever-lasting peace home. As a result, the mere remedy that has to be done is to break away through by putting many possibilities that entails advocating or praying because we [South Sudanese] have been hardly broken to pieces by this unjust civil war of our nation.
I urge all of us in general and leaders in particular to show our competence and skills that has to do with peace. It seems to be devastating that some parties are still prolonging this crisis; enough is enough my dear citizens.
Let’s not judge any messenger of peace that can help us to solve this problem because of her/his color or where she/he comes from, but let’s judge her/him bases on what he/she could offer to end this crisis. Our complexion doesn’t matter, but our experiences to solve problems matter a lot.
Last but not least. I salute and extend my greeting to all South Sudanese refugees and IDPs in the Camps. The World is for you. Do not lose hope…change and hopes are at your door to come.
Finally, I appeal to United States of America to maintain its position and keep her words to end this calamity by the 17 August 2015 as mentioned by President Obama during his visit to AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia otherwise to go ahead with its plan ‘B’.
Let this be a time for us to give a chance to permanent peace in our Country.
Peace Ambassador Gatwech Koak Nyuon
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Re: SPLM-IO Chapter in New Zealand sends Congratulatory Message to the Chairman of SPLM-IO and C-in-C of SPLA Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon for signing IGAD-Plus Compromise Peace Agreement
Mr. Chairman,
New Zealand, August 22, 2015 (SSNA) -- The SPLM-IO chapter in New Zealand takes this rare opportunity to congratulate you for the courageous, resolute, and successful step you have taken to sign the IGAD-Plus compromise Peace Agreement on 17th August 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It has been the belief of the SPLM-IO and ordinary citizens inside and outside the country that the conflict - imposed on the people of South Sudan by Salva Kiir Mayardit who instigated it through hate speech that culminated in Juba Genocide on 15-18 December 2013 – must be brought to an end through peaceful mechanism. Unlike President Salva Kiir who wrongfully opted to only witness rather than signing, your signature before mediators, witnesses and stakeholders to the peace process shows not only your seriousness in the pursuit of peace but your commitment to it.
Although the root causes of the conflict have never been addressed thoroughly throughout the negotiating process by IGAD-Plus mediating team, the issues pertaining to such causes have been given some answers directly or indirectly in the Agreement signed. For one, the demilitarization of Juba – our national capital – gives limited space to “Dutku beny”, which devised methods of mass murder and carried out the Genocide, to repeat the previous devilish act. It will be the interest of any concerned citizen living in Juba that the national capital must be free of state-sponsored mass murderers, the same murderers who turned Naath backyards into graveyards. The city will be policed by international intervention force to clock the crooks operating on the Government’s behalf. Another protective clause in the Agreement is the assurance that the SPLA will be separate and will manage its affairs parallel to the government’s army. A separate SPLA army is the sure way to quickly respond if Juba stirs up 15th December 2013.
Mr. Chairman,
Even though the Agreement has not adequately addressed the concerns why the people responded with arms in what was self-defense that later on evolved into the People’s Movement to correct corrupt practices implanted by Salva Kiir for years, it’s enough to say those concerns should be let go for now for the sake of peace. This chapter registers its appreciation for the SPLM-IO peace negotiating team led by Gen Taban Deng Gai. The negotiation was nail-biting, painstaking, and jaw breaking process since the beginning. Some grounds were lost, some were compromised, and a few more gained on the process in respect to what the SPLM-IO stands for, but it’s unfortunate that the other side of the conflict didn’t reciprocate in a manner that South Sudanese people and the world want. Gen Taban Deng Gai’s team, and yourself deserve the praise for the well job done!
Mr. Chairman,
As you sell this peace to the people, specially in the SPLM-IO controlled areas, you will be met by the invisible voices who condemned this peace before it materialized. Among these voices are two top deserted generals and prominent politician who conned communities in the United States of America and departed with large sums of money to form his Movement. This community has the pleasure to advise not to lend them your attentive ears because they are not threat to peace as their HQs are in foreign countries. They live in hotels which they change frequently for fear of public resentment. They are fugitives who don’t represent anybody’s interest apart from their families and close relatives. Responding to them will be distraction from the mission – peaceful settlement of South Sudan conflict.
In summary, you have been on record all along that this senseless war created by Salva Kiir Mayardit due to his hate for Naath as a tribe will be brought to end through peaceful means; that the barrel of the gun is the last resort. Your signature on the Agreement on 17th August 2015 reaffirms your position in this conflict. The members of this community pray that Salva Kiir – who happens to be the biggest actor in this peace – should heed to the reasonable calls both at home and in the Diaspora to realize this peace by jetting back to Addis Ababa and ink his genuine signature on it. It’s impossible for one to run away from his/her shadow, he has no good history to polish should he miss this chance. Your flocks are in the right direction of your shepherdship, congratulations for bringing peace home!!
Signed:
“Escaping responsibilities does not mean freedom, freedom is when you know your life’s task or you will die nothing”
Cairo, August 21, 2015 (SSNA) -- Major General Peter Gatdet Yaka Majiek Gok – AKA Judi-Iraq was born in 1962 in Mayom county, Unity state, South Sudan. Gen. Gatdet Yaka started his military career in 1980 when he was only 18 years old in Khartoum, Sudan. In the same year of 1980 during the second ruling term of the former President Late Gaafar Muhammad Nimeiry, Gen. Gatdet was deployed to Iraq to fight Iran-Iraq war. Gatdet did not last for so long, he was sent back to Sudan in 1983 before the end of the Gulf war in August 1988. The well trained Maj. General who is popularly known for combat proficiency is also expert in persuading techniques, consequently Gen. Gatdet officially switched sides seven times from the period he joined the Southern struggle to the independency.
As you have read the brief introduction of yourself now you ought to understand that being one of the brave sons of Liech State does not entail you the architect of frequent bloodshed occurring in your clan, tribe, state or your country. The elders of Bentiu Community in Arab Republic of Egypt have been distantly observing your activities since you join the People’s struggle in 1985. From the time you join the Southern movement until today you have switch sides seven times, below are briefed details of the community’s findings.
Finally emerge the December 15th /2013, Nuer Genocide; an event that has killed tens of thousands and displaced over two million people in South Sudan in less than two years.
Dear Gen. Gatdet Yaka, what have you achieved from these seven defections rather than obtaining the name War-Lord? What have you brought to the people of Liech State apart from destruction and displacement? At the age of 53, what else do you think you will execute if you deserted the cause of December 15th /2013? The people of Liech state were never please of your leadership style until you justified it in December 19th /2013 when you fired the first trigger in support of justice to the murderers of your people in Juba. You have proven the nature of the previous quotation you made during the funeral of our late son Gen. Paulino Matip Nhial when you said; “I will never ever allow anyone to oppress you as long as I live”. You cautiously demonstrated how you were going to take over the duties of our late Gen. Paulino Matip Nhial in Nuer Land and in whole South Sudan’s territory. We cannot forget you saying “I would be the first to die in defense of my people’s pride and dignity. I, Gen. Peter Gatdet Yaka would prefer to die first before any enemy get to kill any South Sudanese. I would fire my Ak-47 until to the last bullet to defend any threat to Nuer and would pour my blood for Liech tree to remain green, alive and vigorous”.
Dear Gen. Gatdet Yaka, recalling those quotations alone will bring you back to your sense; we cannot believe you have forgotten the cause that took you to the bush. Just for the record, we went to the bush to jointly resist an enemy who want to kill any Nuer General, Soldier, Politician, Student, Social worker, Elder and Youngster. Therefore, you must stop mobilizing Liech against Liech, Nuer against Nuer or South Sudanese against fellow South Sudanese. We do not want to fight the war of 1997-1999 when politicians and field commanders turned Dok-Bentiu against Bul-Bentiu, we repeat, we do not want to see Bul-Kech fighting their fellow clan’s mate Bul-Gok, it is now time to fight our common enemy.
We, the people of Bentiu Community Association in Arab Republic of Egypt will not tolerate any move that will cause divisions in the people’s movement as well as amongst the deprived Nuer People. We reiterate our dedication and devotion to the people’s movement under the leadership of the able Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon and Major General Simon Gatwech Dual whom we shared with the pain of December 15th /2013, Nuer Genocide. It was Dr. Machar who was chosen to lead the oppressed South Sudanese to compensation and removal of the self-claim President Salva Kiir Mayardit; we will not spare anybody who will fail to corporate with us. We will condemn and disown anyone who will claim superiority; we will criticize leaders who will disregard our demands and we will dismantle any individual or organization who will try to divide us. We had been divided enough, now comes a time when we shall all be called Nuer and South Sudanese.
Dear Gen. Gatdet Yaka, the Community’s leadership in Egypt strongly urges you to take a bold step toward reconciling with the movement’s leadership. You alone will not implement our demand to remove Salva Kiir unless you are together with your brothers in Pagak. The proverb clearly stated that “Strength without Wisdom is a waste”. We advise you to go back to your December 15th /2013 team to resume your duties. Teamwork creates higher quality outcomes that are more efficient, thoughtful, and effective as well as faster.
Lastly, we would like to remain you of those who have chosen to follow their personal interest, these are; Matthew Puljang, Manytuil’s family, Lul Ruei Kong, Riek Gai Kok and others, they have been fighting us for two years now but they did not managed to tore our unity or weaken our military, political, or media activities because we have God on our side. We are fighting for our existence while others are fighting to satisfy their personal interest – No man is created to be a slave to another’s man.
Dear Gen. Gatdet Yaka we, the people of your soil Liech state, where you were born and left your childhood are writing this letter in protest of your defection from Sudan’s People Liberation Movement / Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO). We are writing to advise you to overcome your ego in order for you to step forward and resume your service, for we deserve to be happy and proud of our brave son just like any other state or country that produced a hero to the world.
Thank you very much for your wide understanding; we will be waiting for the pleasant action you will take.
Signed by:
August 22, 2015 (SSNA) -- On behalf of Thiang Nuer Community of Fangak (South) County and indeed on the entire Thiang Nuer Youths’ behalf worldwide, the Executive leadership of Thiang Nuer Youth Association at home would like to seize this opportunity to congratulate the Chairman of South Sudan Armed Opposition (the SPLM/A-IO), Dr. Riek Machar Teny for having signed compromised peace Agreement on 17th August, 2015.
Dr. Machar! Thiang Nuer Youth Association (TNYA) knows very well that there could be many reasonable reservations from your side but because it has been in your over all interest ever since to end imposed sufferings of your own South Sudanese people, that was why you unconditionally signed the agreement.
The TNYA congratulates you very much for that and, therefore, will remain standing behind you until the tyrant is completely declared—defeated forever.
On the opposite side, TNYA is also hereby asking Mr. Salva Kiir Mayardit to change his mind for peace, return to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and immediately sign peace agreement without delay so that sustainable peace is comprehensively restored to South Sudan.
Thiang Nuer Youth Association’s leadership can be reached at Email:thianggekayouthfangak67@gmail.com
Addis Ababa/Juba, August 22, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudan’s Peace Ambassador, Gatwech Koak Nyuon, has condemned the killing of Peter Julius Moi who was a reporter for several South Sudanese media outlets.
Gatwech said he is sadden by the death of Peter and warned that the killing shows citizens of the young nation are living in a terrifying situation.
“I strongly condemned the death of journalist in Juba and I strongly urge the Government of South Sudan to thoroughly investigate the case so that the killers are brought to Court. The death of Peter Julius Moi in Juba is a signal to any individual beings that the Country and its citizens are under life threatening condition,” Gatwech said in a statement.
“Where is South Sudan heading please?” he asked.
“We want peace. Peace means that there must be no gun pointing at any citizens at any time. There must be no targeting killing because of person's profession. Citizens must stay hopefully and fearlessly. They must stay free. This is how we can kick out the insecurity out of our Country,” Gatwech noticed.
Peter Julius was killed in a suburb of Juba by unidentified armed assassins on Wednesday night.
The killing happened less than a week after South Sudan's Kiir threatened to kill any journalist who works or reports against his government.
However, sources close to relatives of the deceased said the killers worked for the government.
Peace Ambassador also noticed that so many killings have been carried out in Juba by people described as “unknown” and the government has never conduct any proper investigation, adding that Journalists are the voice of voiceless and that killing Journalists is like hurting your own eyes.
Gatwech further calls on Juba to investigate the killing and punish those responsible.
Addis Ababa, August 23, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudan’s government forces on Sunday attacked rebel outposts in and around Unity and Central Equatoria states, Spokesman for the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) has said.
The SPLM/A-IO said it has condemned what it described as “senseless attacks” against its soldiers.
James Gatdet Dak, who is the official Spokesperson for the leadership of armed opposition said in a statement extended to the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) that government troops have launched surprise attacks on their locations in Lainya of Central Equatoria state and Nhialdiu of the oil-rich Unity State.
“We are dismayed by the renewed aggression by Salva Kiir’s government. Our forces came under unprovoked attack on Sunday morning in different states of the country.Government forces came out from Unity state’s capital, Bentiu, and attacked our positions around Nhialdiu on Sunday morning. They were however repulsed and retreated back to Bentiu,” Gatdet said in the statement.
“Another offensive on our position by government forces took place on Sunday morning around Lainya on Juba-Yei road in Central Equatoria state.The attack was also repulsed,” he added.
The Spokesman for armed opposition stated that the SPLA-IO forces allied to Former South Sudanese Vice President Dr. Riek Machar repulsed the assaults, destroyed 6 military trucks, and killed at least 20 government soldiers.
Gatdet also said SPLA-Juba faction attacked the armed opposition on Saturday evening at River Acca.
The rebel official accused Kiir’s government of abandoning the peace, saying Juba believes only in military solution. He further calls on the IGAD-Plus and the community of nations to put pressure on Kiir to sign the peace accord and end the war.
Addis Ababa, August 24, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudanese rebels said they have kicked off “campaign for peace” in Ethiopia after they have accepted and signed the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement, adding that the people of South Sudan should work for “democratic changes.”
On his Facebook’s page, rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar posted messages which he attributed to peace. He said hard work is needed to avoid US-backed punitive measures that are currently being debated at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The leader of the armed opposition noticed that UN sanctions are difficult to reverse after they are imposed.
“We need series work on this peace where IGAD should work tirelessly to avoid sanctions which are at the corner to be impose on our country. Sanctions are always difficult to be reverse, it takes times to reverse it,” Machar wrote.
“We would declare it to the whole world that we are committed to peace, politically and economically. SPLM has already kicked off the campaign for peace here in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and we have to say yes for peace,” he declared.
The Former South Sudanese Vice President said his main rival Salva Kiir should sign the IGAD-Plus mediated proposal to avoid sanctions.
“Therefore I want government of South Sudan to sign peace to avoid arm embargo, travel ban and flight zone restriction impose on our country,” Machar warned.
The rebel chief also said the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) is for peace and calls on the people to work hard for democratic changes, cultural diversity, and respect for human rights.
Rebel officials at the campaign for peace rally in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) that the ongoing peace campaign shows they are committed to finding a peaceful solution to the raging civil war.
Press Statement: 20 August 2015
On behalf of my colleagues in Human Rights Society and on my own behalf, I send our heartfelt condolences to the family of fallen people’s voice Moi. We share this deep loss with the family for this is not only a great loss for Moi’s relatives and parents but for the nation and sad day like 5 December 2012 when Isaiah Abraham was gunned down by unknown gunmen whom the state has failed to reveal those killers up to this day.
It is deeply regrettable that the murder of Journalist Moi has come just a few days after President Salva Kiir allegedly said that ‘he would kill journalists’ against his government. These words have been attributed to President Kiir by different sources and to date neither the President nor his press secretary has disputed the allegations. In our view, this was direct incitement to kill journalists indirectly by any person who is willing to implement President’s words.
We call upon President Kiir to always reserve his words on whatever he says especially on issues that are so sensitive to be lamented by his person and such matters including those concerning the lives of individuals or people. As a head of state, his words have very serious consequences which may be negative or positive.
The government should equally explain whether the statements which president Kiir has said could not be imputed on the death of Journalist Moi.
As we mourn journalist Moi, we strongly call upon the government to investigate the death of Journalist Moi and bring perpetrators to justice though several calls have been made to government before and bear no results on similar cases such as the assassination of Isaiah Abraham and disappearance of other persons including engineer John Louis and civil society leaders.
We urge the international community to continue standing with South Sudanese journalist and call upon entire media fraternity to stand together at such trying times. Losing one is a blow to all persons who have humanity at heart and regrettable loss to South Sudan especially such a young man who spoke out for this who could not speak for themselves.
Signed by:
INTRODUCTION
Kampala, August 23, 2015 (SSNA) -- Fellow citizens and friends, I greet you in the name of our country-South Sudan. Our country was born out of decades of liberation struggles by our forefathers, our fathers and ourselves. Fellow youth, today, we owe our existence to the blood poured by our fallen comrades. As our national anthem rightly states so, the blood of our departed comrades has cemented our national foundation.
I tend to note from outset that struggle for freedom is not yet over in South Sudan. In the evening of 19 August 2015, we lost a youth member in person of Moi Peter Julius who was a journalist working with the New Nation English Newspaper in South Sudan. He was gunned down by unknown gunmen in capital Juba. The death of journalist Moi is a great loss not only to his family, media fraternity but also to the South Sudanese youth community, the entire South Sudan and all those who cherish values of free society including free press and expression.
Moi was a voice of the people that has been silenced. May we vow for a minute in his honour and that of Western Equatoria State Legislative Assembly who was murdered on 21 August 2015. May we stand up to ask the Almighty God to rest their souls in peace and comfort their families.
It is not in dispute, that our independence was brought through bullet, blood and ballot. Congratulations to you all for having materialised the dream of an independent state! Yes we made it together and may we thank and congratulate each other for the efforts each of us has made to have an independent South Sudanese state (turn to greet each other and congratulate him or her for contributions one has made in different ways)
Fellow citizens and friends, it should be recalled that many of our fellow country men and women have had no opportunity to survive the brutal civil wars of liberation but we who are here tonight, should thank God for making us witnesses to the fruits of our struggles.
It is my considered belief that our coming together today signifies our strong desire to move forward as young people with one heart and one spirit.
I therefore, thank the organisers and the leadership of Fangak Youth Foundation for inviting me to this important conference to speak on the role of South Sudanese Youth in the liberation struggles and peacebuilding in South Sudan. I will pick key areas to share with you.
DEFINITION OF A YOUTH:
Who qualifies to be called a youth or at what age to what age is a person known to be a youth?
Different scholars and institutions have provided various definitions of who a youth is but there is no consensus in definition even under international law.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for statistical consistency across regions, defines a youth as a person between the ages of 15 to 24 years.
The African Youth Charter defines a youth as a person between the ages 15 to 35 years.
Various countries define a youth based on their national laws (Constitutions or specific legislation).
The Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011(TCSS 2011) is silent in defining who a youth is. However, the general notion from Old Sudan seemingly carried forward to the independent South Sudan has been that a youth is a person between the ages of 18 to 45 years but I have not found any record to confirm the claim. It seems a mindset calculation. The TCSS 2011 never mentions much about youth except briefly under article 40 which tips on institutional national policies towards youth.
What all these various definitions however, point to concurrently is that, a youth is a person at growing and energetic development stage, physically and emotionally.
My central argument is not about the definition of a youth but of the role the youth played during the liberation struggles of South Sudan and what they can do today to build peace in South Sudan.
In every society, youth constitutes a backbone of that society. The liberation struggles by black South Africans and a few moderate whites against apartheid policy of racial discrimination were championed by the youth groups. The youth constituted political and armed liberation force.
In South Africa’s example, most of the youth groups under students’ leadership organised peaceful protests and their courage against injustice attracted numerous massacres of youth members as was in the 1976 Soweto Massacre by security apparatus of the white minority government. In a sense, the African National Congress (ANC) which led the South Africa’s liberation struggles was a Movement of energetic and determined youth.
FOR OUR CASE AS SOUTH SUDANESE YOUTH, WE NEED TO REMIND OURSELVES AND ASK AS OF WHAT POSITIVE IMPACT HAS THE ROLE OF YOUTH BEEN FELT IN SOUTH SUDAN?
We can assess this by looking at significant milestones that outline role of youth in the liberation struggles of South Sudan:
It is imperative to note that most of the youth members died in the liberation wars. Most of the parents of these youth members have been left without children today but their children’s blood brought South Sudan.
TODAY, WE NEED TO ASK: WHAT INSTANCES HAS THE ROLE OF YOUTH BEEN RECOGNISED IN SOUTH SUDAN?
As I noted earlier on, there is nothing celebratory about youth in our legislation. The Constitution is silent and the youth have been pushed to the usual rhetoric of being leaders of tomorrow. You know what the South Sudanese musician Silver X has stated in his song: ‘-----tomorrow bi tomon de---‘.
The youth have great hopes that in an independent South Sudan, their potentials would be developed however, today, the youth energy has been wasted by the so called ‘elders’ or ‘leaders’.
The majority of conscientious South Sudanese youth has been dumped into state of manipulation.
Instead of developing the youth potentials, the elders are using the youth for:
The situation in which the youth members are living today in South Sudan remains regrettably unacceptable given the efforts the youth have done to bring South Sudan independence through their blood.
The world would not come to an end if a youth member becomes a president of South Sudan today, or a Minister of Education, or Justice or head of Anti-Corruption or Human Rights Commission or Speaker of Parliament etc. In any case, most of the educated youth members have what it takes in understanding the modern world than the so called ‘elders’ most of whom does not read much information about South Sudan leave alone the affairs of the world that dog the dispensations of the 21st century. The irony or the paradoxical narratives are self-explanatory and cannot be emphasised.
Despite all these loopholes in the national policies towards youth, it is no point to lose hope in utilising the youth potentials in ensuring free, peaceful and reconciled South Sudan. We must thus ask a question:
WHAT ROLE CAN YOUTH PLAY IN PEACEBUILDING IN SOUTH SUDAN?
For purposes of clarity, I need to pose a question:
What is peacebuilding?
Different scholars including former United Nations Secretary General Boutros-Boutros Ghali have defined Peacebuilding as to refer to diverse efforts to prevent conflict or measures to prevent relapsing into more violent situations.
Simply put, peacebuilding is a process that aims at addressing root causes of the conflict and attempts to bring to reconciliation and peaceful coexistence the belligerent parties.
Although the main actor could the government that represents the state yet other non-state actors such as civil society and other community groups which include the youth can play significant role in peacebuilding.
SOUTH SUDAN TODAY:
We must be humble enough to accept that our country today is at a stage of extreme violence, extreme violations of human rights, complete disappearance of rule of law, greed for power heightened by tribalism, greed for quick wealth which has never been worked but obtained at the expense of the public.
All the above evils and more, for avoidance of doubts, are the making of the so called ‘our leaders’ or ‘experienced elders.’ What experience do these guys have? Experienced in violence and increment of tribal hatred? I leave the judgment to you!
As a result, youth members have fallen prey of the political divides and failure of required people’s democratic governance.
I tend to think that the youth cannot go on as mere glorifying recipients or singing choir of this or that oyee! You have been singing this insensitive melody since 2005, what has it brought to youth? Nothing but blood and disunity with incited enmity.
AS WE HOPE FOR PEACE TO COME BACK TO OUR BELOVED COUNTRY, THE YOUTH CAN PLAY SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN PEACEBUILDING AND THE FOLLOWING OF THE YOUTH’S ROLES CANNOT GO UNMENTIONED:
CONCLUSION:
Fellow citizens and members of my generation, as we struggle to change a South Sudanese world of organised dictatorship and tribal mindset, it is prudent to remain hopefully focused on what unites than what divides us. We must rise up above the era of personality cult adoration. We must stand up above the tribal sentiments and egocentric approaches to national issues.
If an act of injustice is done to one group, or one rural woman, or a minority group by the tyrants at the realm of power, we must say no and rise up in defence of the oppressed. For certain, violence cannot be our first reaction but our ‘peaceful no’ to injustice should be the response until, like the South African youth, we remain with the last resort.
In order to build South Sudan of hope, peace, unity of purpose in diversity, equality and equitable citizenship, let’s unite to work for peace and never to condone the evil work and plans of our indecisive uncles when their cardinal plans are anchored on the destruction of South Sudan through divide and rule.
We must desist from rhetorical stereotypes of ourselves but embrace our common diversity as a people.
The tendency of generalising all Dinka as corrupt, arrogant and dictators, or all Nuer being termed as power greed or warlike or calling a madi or Otuho as coward, or regarding Mundari as backward etc, all must stop, for they are the names and evils against which South Sudanese sacrificed millions of lives for.
We must claim our rightful place in our society today not the claims of tomorrow. We must be a force to reckon with in quest for free and united nation.
We must be respectful of each other and fight collectively against any common enemy of peace whose objective is to tribally incite the youth that Gatluak, or Monyluak or Oduho or Warnyang etc is nobody. He or she who says so, that is the enemy comrades! Fellow youth, we must build a nation that embraces all of our diversities.
Like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr, we must have an ideal if need be, which we are prepared to die for.
Comrades; may the inspirations of our national heroes such as Joseph Oduho, Dr John Garang de Mabior, Samuel Gai Tut, William Nyuon Bany, William Chuol Deng, Bernardino Mou, Majier Gai, Vicent Kuany Latjor, Kerubino Kuanyin Bol, Isaiah Abraham and their colleagues guide our conscience and efforts toward building a peaceful, free and democratic South Sudan.
Fellow citizens and friends, no matter the waves and tides which blow us oftentimes, yet we must always pick up ourselves and sail through the roaring waters, for that part of the world called South Sudan, we must always be proud of belonging to.
Let’s unite as young people and challenge anyone among us or elders who do not value our common humanity. We must support those who treat as equal citizens the people of Raja to borders of Gambeila and from Nimule to Renk.
Thank you comrades, God bless you all, God bless South Sudan and with God, we shall overcome.
[1] LLM(University of Pretoria), South Africa, LLB(Hons)(Busoga University), Dip. in Law(Law Development Centre), Dip. in Journalism (International Institute of Business and Media Studies). Uganda. Columbia University’s 2013 Human Rights Advocate and former Co-chair of National Human Rights Forum with the chair of Human Rights Commission. Biel is currently the Executive Director of South Sudan Human Rights Society For Advocacy(SSHURSA), a nongovernmental human rights organisation monitoring human rights and training general public on human rights, rule of law, constitution, transitional justice and peacebuilding in South Sudan (www.sshursa.org). E-mails: bielbb2015@gmail.com/info@sshursa.org.
Bentiu/Juba, August 25, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudanese nationals who have been working for the French-based medical relief organization Doctors Without Borders have been killed in the oil-rich Unity State, the agency has reported.
“Two aid workers from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) have been killed in South Sudan. Last week, Gawar Top Puoy, a logistician who had worked for MSF since 2009, was killed during an attack on the village of Wulu. James Gatluak Gatpieny, a community health worker who had worked for MSF since 2011, was killed during a separate attack on the village of Payak last week,” Doctors Without Borders announced on its official website.
The medical group said the two employees; Gawar Top Puoy and James Gatluak Gatpieny were killed last week in an area not accessible.
It is not immediately clear how the two men were killed. However, sources in UNMISS camp in Bentiu said the two men were killed in separate incidents by government soldiers.
Doctors Without Borders, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres, said Gawar worked as a logistician and James as a community health worker.
The deceased were humanitarian aid workers serving the needy people in and around Unity State.
It is not the first time humanitarian workers get killed in the troubled young nation. In August 2014, a militia group calling itself Mabanese Defence Forces carried out ethnically based killings in the oil-rich Upper Nile State, leaving at least six people dead.
New York, August 25, 2015 (SSNA) -- An interim report on South Sudan’s civil war compiled by UN panel of Experts has been submitted to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
In the report, the panel accuses South Sudanese government of rapping young children, burning people alive in their homes, among others. The document also alleged that rebels have also targeted civilians, according to excerpts of the document.
"The intensity and brutality of violence aimed at civilians is hitherto unseen, in what has been so far — without a doubt — an incredibly violent conflict, where civilians have been targeted by all parties to the conflict," the Experts said in the report.
The text further accuses government of pursuing what the UN panel describes as “scorched earth policy,” where government soldiers and their allies burned villages to the ground to frighten the civilians, adding that some civilians were burned while in their houses.
The report also said soon after war broke out in Juba, Salva Kiir’s government planned to spend at least 850 million dollars to crush the rebellion.
Juba, August 25, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudanese president Salva Kiir, Vice President James Wani Igga, and key figures of government are sharply divided over the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement, a confidential government source with full knowledge of the discussions and who demanded anonymity for fear of reprisal has told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA).
The source revealed that intense discussions on whether or not Kiir should sign the Pact have been ongoing for days without conclusion, saying that the talks have become combative with the SPLA Chief of General Staff Paul Malong Awan leading the rebellious faction. The source added that the discussions have simply turned into a squabble between Kiir and Malong.
“We are here to choose between peace and war. So let us debate this issue and come up with a resolution. Now it’s your turn,” Kiir told the attendees at the meeting hall packed with senior political, military, and security officials.
After Kiir opened the security summit, Paul Malong raised his hand and started talking.
“If you [Kiir] want to surrender to Riek Machar, then go and sign that deal,” the visibly furious Paul Malong told Kiir.
“I am not for this anti-government deal. Anybody who wants to sign-up for it should declare him or herself right now,” Malong demanded.
The source said minutes after Malong finished talking, the room was in complete silence, everybody seemed not interested in saying anything.
Then, Kiir, who suddenly became nervous in the debate room asked VP Wani to say something.
“Of course, Your Excellency,” Wani replied.
“You know, H. E. President kiir is our constitutionally elected President. So we should all support any option he chooses,” James Wani told the gathering.
The source disclosed to the SSNA that senior government’s officials have so far conducted three discussions over the IGAD-Plus’s compromise pact but failed to agree on one choice: peace or war.
The government source went even further saying that Malong and Kiir are effectively running the government with different views and that the normal talk between the two men is at its lowest. The source also revealed that talks of an imminent coup planned by Paul Malong and his allies dominate South Sudan’s capital; prompting kiir to ask IGAD to deliver to him the peace document so that he can sign it in Juba.
The source also informed the SSNA that Salva kiir worries about signing the peace deal because his most powerful allies could turn against him.
On August 17, South Sudanese rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar and Former political detainee Pagan Amum signed the IGAD-Plus’s final proposal.
Kiir declined to sign the deal minutes after Machar signed and then asked to be given fifteen days to make necessary consultations with his allies. The IGAD-Plus agreed to Kiir’s request giving him until September 1 to sign the deal.
Juba, August 26, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has signed the IGAD-PLUs’s compromise peace agreement nine days after he refused to sign the document in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
Kiir signed the IGAD-Plus's final peace document in Juba in presence of IGAD member states including representatives of countries parties to the mediating bloc.
Rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar and Former political detainee Pagan Amum signed the power-sharing deal on August 17 -- a dateline initially set by the IGAD-Plus.
At the signing venue, Kiir told the gathering that he still has some doubts about the pact, raising questions whether or not he will implement the deal.
Pressure has been mounting on South Sudan's leader after he asked to be given 15 days to make necessary consultations with his political base. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) threatens to impose sanctions against the young nation if Kiir fails to sign the deal by the September 1 extended dateline.
Kiir, who is at odd with some of his most powerful allies over the internationally-backed pact, finds himself in an increasingly uncomfortable situation.
The furious SPLA Chief of General Staff Paul Malong Awan told Kiir in one of security meetings held in Juba last week to simply surrender to Riek Machar if he wants to sign what he described as "anti-government deal."
The IGAD-Plus says the agreement must be implemented, warning that any party refusing to implement the deal will be punished.
Washington, DC, August 26, 2015 (SSNA) -- The United States on Wednesday rejected the "reservations" claim made by the South Sudanese president Salva kiir at signing ceremony of the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement.
Before inking his signature on the document, kiir talked about the war and peace saying his government chooses peace and proclaimed that he has reservations about the deal.
The White House’s Spokesman Josh Earnest praises Kiir’s decision to sign the deal. However, he rejected Juba’s reservations claim, saying the US does not recognize it.
"President Kiir made the right decision to sign the peace agreement today, but we should be just as clear that the United States and the international community does not recognize any reservations or addendums to that document,” Earnest was quotes as saying by the Associated Press (AP).
After Kiir relies that he is facing strong pressure from the US, IGAD, and the community of nations, he then decided to sign the power-sharing pact on Wednesday evening in South Sudan’s capital, Juba -- more than a week after he refused to endorse the same peace text.
Kiir was not specific about the things he doesn’t want in the deal.
The final peace agreement calls for the formation of a coalition government within three months.
Addis Ababa/Juba, August 27, 2015 (SSNA) -- A son of a senior rebel figure who works for the Commercial Bank of Kenya in Juba was on Thursday morning arrested by South Sudanese government security operatives and his whereabouts unknown, rebel Spokesman James Gatdet Dak said.
Gatdet announced through a press statement that Godfrey Kenyi Mulla, who is the son of Dr. Richard K. Mulla was picked up by security agents from his work place at Kenyan Commercial Bank in Juba. The rebels also call on Kiir to intervene.
“We have learnt with disbelief that government security agents this morning arrested Godfrey Kenyi Mulla, son of Comrade Dr. Richard K. Mulla. He was picked from his work place at Kenyan Commercial Bank in Juba,” Gatdet said.
The rebel Spokesman urges Juba to release Godfrey, adding that the government should not arrest him because he is a son of a senior official of the armed opposition.
“We call on President Salva Kiir’s government to release him. This is unbecoming. He shouldn’t be targeted simply because he is a son of a senior official of our Movement, even when a final peace agreement was signed by the President on Wednesday, 26 August,” he added.
Rebels say they don’t know where security agents took Godfrey and that they are also worry for his safety.
In the past, South Sudan's government accused Kenyan Commercial Back of refusing to give dollars to South Sudanese.
However, it is not clear if Godfrey arrest is connected to either his work or his father being a senior figure in the rebel movement.
Many mysterious killings and disappearances have been happening in Juba in recent weeks and months.
Addis Ababa, August 28, 2015 (SSNA) -- The leader of South Sudanese rebels Dr. Riek Machar has declared permanent truce with Salva kiir’s government forces, saying his armed movement is committed to peace and it abides by the IGAD-Plus signed document.
“Reference to Chapter II article 1.1 of the agreement on the resolution of the conflict in the Republic of south Sudan signed on 17th August 2015 in Addis Ababa, and 26th August 2015 in Juba, I, Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLM/SPLA), hereby order all SPLM/SPLA forces to cease fire in the country as of midnight 29th August 2015,” the directive reads in part.
The leader of the armed opposition also orders the SPLA-IO forces to remain alert and to act only if they are attacked by the rival forces.
“All forces are to remain alert in their current positions and to act only on self defence or respond upon aggression,” Machar further stated.
On Thursday, the rebel leader also said government troops attacked SPLA-IO's positions in the oil-rich Unity State and accused Juba of violating the peace deal.
Dr. Machar signed the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement on the 17th of August. His opponent, Kiir, signed the pact on August 26 in Juba; nine days after he declined to sign the same document in Ethiopia.
Press release
Friday, August 21, 2015
By Biel Boutros Biel