To: H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General,

Subject:  The Forgotten Shilluk Civilians in Upper Nile State in South Sudan

Dear Your Excellency Ban Ki-moon:

August 28, 2015 (SSNA) -- We the undersigned members of the Shilluk community in Diaspora would like to draw your attention, the attention of the UN and the wider international community to the war crimes and crimes against humanity being committed in the Shilluk Kingdom by the dictatorial regime of President Salva Kiir of South Sudan. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the horrendous crimes and violations of international humanitarian law being committed against unarmed Shilluk civilians in the Upper Nile State of the Republic of South Sudan. We are deeply saddened by the continued devastation and denial of access of NGOs to provide food and medical supplies to the civilian population.

It is with considerable sadness that we write this letter to you, in the name of the thousands of defenseless, starving, sick and desperate Shilluk people in the Upper Nile State of South Sudan who are being bombarded daily by the ruthless regimes of President Kiir and Yuweri Museveni of Uganda who is shamefully actively supporting him on the ground. We are aware that you are fully informed and aware of the government of South Sudan’s recent decision to deny humanitarian access and aid to civilian populations who have been caught up in the conflict zones and of the deliberate bombardment of civilian populations, schools and hospitals in Chollo areas by the governments of South Sudan and Uganda.

We would like here to mention some of the most recent human rights violations in Shilluk areas. For instance, after the recent government recapture Malakal, the capital city of Upper Nile State, from the rebels in July 2015, it used Ugandan-led air bombardments and deliberately targeted the civilian population including hospitals and schools in the towns of Kodok and Owaci where aid organizations were assisting people in need, destroying hospitals, schools and houses and killing civilians including children, women and elderly. Entire Shilluk communities have been forced out from their ancestral homes by the repeated bombardments and they are nowliving under harsh conditions in the bush fearing for their lives. Many of these civilians are facing dire humanitarian situation such as a lack of food, medicine, sanitation and shelter from heavy rains and other elements. Again, in a separate incident in Kodok, a hospital run by International Committee of Red Cross was bombarded several times where approximately thirty patients lost their lives.  These barbaric incidents forced the Red Cross to withdraw from the area and left civilians vulnerable due to lack of health services. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross 12 civilians have been killed in Kodok as a result of bombing of the hospital and school by the government of South Sudan using Ugandan helicopter gunships.

On Saturday, July 18, 2015, a truck full of civilians’ mostly women and children was ambushed on the highway linking Malakal and Paloch by the so called Dongjol Dinka Militia supported by South Sudan’s government.  These civilians were on their way from Malakal to Paloch. The truck was travelling from Malakal and carrying goods and food aid for the IDPs at UNMISS in Paloch. The militias began shooting at the truck and killed two Shilluk civilians and dozens of others were wounded and brought to UNMISS health facilities in Malakal. On May 24, 2015, the combined forces of  the Padang Dinka SPLA of Akoka, Darfur forces and Blue Nile forces killed and wounded 28 Shilluk civilians near UNMISS outside Paloch. Many of the victims could not be recognized except for only three, identified as follows; Chan Charles Othow, Wilson Sabino Ayul, Ayual Ajak Adwong.   Again on May 25, 2015, about 30 Shilluk youth disappeared after they went to the town in Malakal and never return to UNMISS. Many assumed they may have been killed by the Padang Dinka SPLA.

In another recent incident, the killing of Shilluk civilians occurred on Sunday, July 26, 2015; when a Dinka counterinsurgency within SPLA government forces in Upper Nile State ambushed Shilluk civilians on the road between UNMISS at Malakal town and Makal village at about 8:00 pm at night. The civilians were coming from Wau Shilluk in search of food. Four people were found dead on Sunday morning and one person was wounded and has been treated in the hospital in UNMISS  compound.   Dinka SPLA forces continue to kill Chollo civilians and this is clearly an orchestrated ethnic cleansing which should be confronted by the international community.

Reports from sources in affected  areas on the ground indicate that children, the elderly, and women are dying every day in Kodok, Wau Shilluk and many other areas in the Shilluk Kingdom in Upper Nile State due to lack of food and medicines. Furthermore, the government of South Sudan is continuing to prevent the NGOs, UN agencies and other aid groups from reaching civilians in the Shilluk land who have been affected by the conflict. Under the international humanitarian law and the laws of war, the South Sudanese government is obligated to allow and facilitate rapid and unrestricted passage of humanitarian relief to civilians who have been affected by the conflict.

We strongly call on UN, IGAD, the AU, the Troika countries and EU to bring more pressure to bear on the government of South Sudan and its partner in crime, the Ugandan government, to immediately stop all forms of indiscriminate aerial bombardments against the civilian population in the Shilluk areas of Upper Nile State, to stop preventing the NGOs  from delivering food aid to the civilians who have been trapped in the West bank of the Nile and for the Ugandan government to withdraw its forces from the area.  The Ugandan bombardment of civilian populations constitutes serious violation of international humanitarian law.

We urge the international community to act against the government of South Sudan and uphold the principles of international humanitarian law by ensuring humanitarian access andassistance to the civilian populations who have been affected by the conflict. In recent weeks the government of South Sudan has intensified its offensive against the rebels in the Upper Nile State and surrounding areas. In this fight against the rebels, the government of South Sudan is committing serious human right abuses, pursuing scorched earth policy and committing war crimes against unarmed civilian populations who are not party to this conflict. What is happening now in the Shilluk Kingdom is similar to what the same so called South Sudan army of the SPLA did in 2010 when they burned entire Chollo (Shilluk) villages, raped hundreds of women and girls and killed an untold number of civilians in Shilluk villages as reported in the following link: http://www.aljazeera.com/video/africa/2010/12/201012237023933452.html

The UNMISS has moral obligation to fulfill its mandate to protect civilians in Malakal town and the entire Shilluk  Kingdom from the violence by ensuring that peacekeepers are deployed in larger numbers to Malakal town and other areas in Upper Nile state.  Despite the fact that Malakal is under control of the government of South Sudan, South Sudan’s government has failed its responsibility to protect the civilians in Malakal, Kodok, Owaci and Wau Shilluk in Upper Nile State. UNMISS should provide more security to protect civilians anddisplaced people in its bases in Malakal and other areas in South Sudan.

What is happening in Upper Nile state is a crime against humanity whereby the killing of civilians continues and acts of terror, atrocities, destruction and looting of properties are committed by the very government forceswho are supposed to protect the civilians. Already many international observers are predicting horrific famine in South Sudan similar to the famine which occurred in 1988 where many lives were lost due to starvation. The following link provides an example of the desperate conditions of the civilians who have been trapped in the conflict in the Shilluk Kingdom in the Upper Nile State of South Sudan: http://www.france24.com/en/20150620-exclusive-south-sudan-fighting-displaced-nile-frontlines-malakal.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) the hospitals in Kodok that were catering for the vulnerable civilian population were left with serious shortages of doctors and medical personnel because ICRC staff could not safely access the area.  In its recent report, UNICEF indicated that most of Shilluk civilians on the West bank of the Nile River are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. This link is the latest example of desperate civilian situation of those trapped in the conflict in the Shilluk Kingdom. http://news.yahoo.com/south-sudan-thousands-risk-starvation-amid-nile-blockade-111838300.html.

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and Doctors without Borders also reported the dire situation of the civilians and appealed for urgent humanitarian relief. They and called on the government of South Sudan to allow unrestricted access to Malakal and surrounding areas so that aid agencies can provide urgent humanitarian assistance to thousands of people caught up in the violence in Upper Nile state. This is another Link to the reality of the situation:  https://www.msf.org.za/msf-publications/south-sudan-msf-calls-urgent-humanitarian-access-to-upper-nile-state

We are therefore urgently appealing to the UN and the international community to act and rescue civilians in the Shilluk Kingdom. The suffering of the civilian population in the Shilluk Kingdom continues to worsen due to continuing violence and lack of humanitarian assistance.  President Salva Kiir’s regime should know that under the UN Charter for member states, Article 56, they have a legal obligation to respect and ensure respect for human rights such as the rights to food, shelter and basic medical care for the civilian populations in the conflict.

However, It is clear that Kiir’s government continues to deliberately cut off humanitarian assistance to  Chollo (Shilluk) civilian populations along the Nile, in particular on the west bank, including areas hosting large numbers of displaced persons in  Wau Shilluk, Kodok and Owaci. It is also clear that President Salva Kiir’s government is using food as a weapon of war to starving Shilluk civilians.  This is the worst human rights violation under international humanitarian law and the world must act to stop the killing of civilians and save lives.  South Sudan government and Ugandan warplanes continue to bomb civilians in the Shilluk Kingdom of Upper Nile State as we speak.

Your Excellency, your intervention to stop the continuing genocide and crimes against humanity taking place in South Sudan and humanitarian relief for the civilians affected by the conflict is urgently needed. Your Excellency, we believe your leadership can play a crucial role by putting pressure on the government of South Sudan to end its restriction of humanitarian aid for the people of the Shilluk Kingdom and to end the air bombardment against civilian populations.

In conclusion, we respectfully reiterate the following:

1. We urge your Excellency as Secretary General and executive head of the UN, to immediately establish a high-level inquiry and fact finding mission in affected areas with a view to thoroughly investigate these war crimes and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.  

2. We are appealing for urgent humanitarian relief for people in need in Shilluk Kingdom in South Sudan who have been affected by the senseless violence and ignored by the international community.

3. We are urging  the AU, the Troika countries, EU and UN to put pressure on the government of South Sudan to immediately end restriction of humanitarian aid and the provision of food and medicine to the civilian population who have been affected by the conflict.

4. We call upon the  IGAD-plus, the AU, the Troika countries, EU and UN to condemn these crimes against humanity and  bring more pressure on the government of South Sudan and its partner in crime the Ugandan government to immediately stop all forms of indiscriminate aerial bombardments against the civilian populations.

5. We urge  the IGAD-plus, the AU, the Troika countries,  the EU and the UN to directly engage in the current peace talks and  actively support efforts to bring about a peaceful settlement of the ongoing crisis and exert pressure on warring parties for an enduring peace in South Sudan.

With the warmest of regards,

Yours Sincerely,

Signed by the Chollo Community in Diaspora

By Front Line Defenders

August 28, 2015 (SSNA) -- Approximately three weeks since he was arbitrarily detained by South Sudanese security forces on 6 August 2015, the whereabouts of human rights defender Mr Clement Lochio Lomornana are unknown.

He was reportedly last seen on 15 August 2015 being forced in a military vehicle.

Clement Lochio Lomornana is a prominent journalist and a strong voice in the defence of media rights and freedom of speech in Africa. The journalist has been working for a radio and internet news service called Gurtong Media for approximately 6 years and has been very vocal about the civil war and subsequent peace talks to end the 20-month conflict in the country. Clement Lochio Lomornana has been targeted a number of occasions in the past months as a result of his work.

On 6 August 2015, Clement Lochio Lormanawas detained by South Sudanese security forces in Chukudum, Budi County, along with two friends, brothers Amin Venansio andNailo Venansio. They were taken from their huts in the middle of the night and brought to a military barracks, where torture was reportedly used to force them to confess to crimes which they did not commit. Amin and Nailo Venansio were allowed to receive visits from their family, while Clement Lochio Lormana was not.

On August 15, Clement Lochio Lormana and Nailo Venansio were reportedly last seen being forced into a military vehicle. Since then, there has been no information on their whereabouts.

However, authorities in South Sudan have officially denied that they have arrested Clement Lochio Lormana.

In the months prior to Clement Lormana's detention, he had been subjected to a number of serious acts of intimidation and attempted attacks. He reported being followed in Juba on several occasions, and he had received several death threats. After sharing his concerns with family and friends, the human rights defender decided to leave South Sudan for a period of time and go into hiding in Uganda and Kenya. He decided to return in early August.

Journalists and those who are critical of the government have suffered ongoing persecution and harassment in South Sudan. In this context, journalist Peter Moi was shot dead on 20 August 2015, the 7^th journalist killed in South Sudan in 2015. This occurred justthree days after President Salva Kiir threatened to kill reporters who "work against the country."

Front Line Defenders expresses grave concern at the arbitrary detention and unknown whereabouts of Clement Lochio Lormana, particularly in light of harassment against him and other journalists. Front Line Defenders remains gravely concerned for his physical and psychological integrity and believes that his detention and disappearance are directly linked to his peaceful and legitimate human rights work.

Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in South Sudan to:

1. Immediately and unconditionally release Clement Lochio Lormana,as Front Line Defenders believes that he is being held solely as a result of his legitimate and peaceful human rights work;

2. Allow Clement Lochio Lormana immediate and unfettered access to his family and lawyers, and ensure that his treatment, while in detention, adheres to the conditions set out in the 'Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment', adopted by UN General Assembly resolution 43173 of 9 December 1988;

3. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity and security of Clement Lochio Lormana and other journalists in the country;

4. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in South Sudan are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.

Pagak/Addis Ababa, August 29, 2015 (SSNA) – South Sudan’s Government troops on Friday launched surprise attacks on rebel outposts in Upper Nile and Unity States, South Sudan’s armed opposition said.

Rebels condemned the attacks, saying Juba-backed forces have been shelling their bases near Malakal, the capital of the oil-rich Upper Nile State.

“SPLM/SPLA condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued military offensive by forces of the regime in Juba against bases of SPLM/SPLA in Unity and Upper Nile states. Government forces on Friday shelled our bases in the west bank of the River Nile near Malakal, Upper Nile state’s capital,” rebel Spokesman James Gatdet Dak said in a statement obtained by the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA).

Gatdet said government military ferries and boats from Unity State to Upper Nile State carrying soldiers also shelled their locations in Unity State, adding that the armed opposition expects Juba to launch full scale offensive against the SPLA-IO’s positions.

“Three ferries and six boats carrying troops and mounted with heavy weaponry have been shelling our positions along the River in Unity state as they proceed to Malakal. We suspect that their plan is to launch a full scale offensive against our bases around Malakal,” Gatdet disclosed.

“This is a serious violation of the terms of the peace Agreement signed on 17th and 26th August 2015 by the principals of the two warring parties and declaration of Permanent Ceasefire which shall come into effect at midnight of 29th August 2015,” he added.

The rebel Spokesman calls on the international community to exert pressure on Kiir’s regime to end the war and “abide by the declared ceasefire.”

South Sudan’s warring factions have accepted the IGAD-Plus brokered power-sharing deal. Rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar signed the pact on the 17^th of August and South Sudanese president Salva kiir signed the deal this Wednesday.

However, it is not clear if the rival sides will implement the internationally-backed deal.

The agreement calls for the establishment of a coalition government within 90 days.

Addis Ababa, August 30, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudanese rebels have accused government troops of rapping women, girls, and burning down villages in Unity State.

Colonel William Gatjiath Deng, the newly appointed Acting Spokesperson for the Sudan People’s Liberation army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) says government soldiers have again attacked their positions in Koch, Leer, and Mayiandit counties of the oil-rich Unity State.

“Today [Sunday] early in the morning on the 30^th/August, 2015 around 6:00AM, government troops again launched attacks on our bases in Leer, Koch and Mayiandit Counties. And they burned down villages [a]round Rupkuai town and Mayiandit County including Koch County and targeting civilians, raping women and girls in the areas,” Col. Gatjiath said.

“This is the first violation of permanent ceasefire,” he noticed.

The rebel Spokesman disclosed that government has been transporting heavy weaponries using gunboats and barges, adding that Juba is prepared to launch a full scale war against the armed opposition in and around Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State.

On Friday, the SPLM/A-IO  accused government forces of shelling their outposts in Unity and Upper Nile States.

The rebels also calls on the IGAD-Plus, African union (AU), and the international community to condemn what they described as "violations of the permanent ceasefire."

New York, September 4, 2015 (SSNA) -- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday held a closed-door session on South Sudan after the recently signed power-sharing deal failed to take hold, with council members voicing concerns over the implementation of the agreement.

The council warns that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) could help implement the deal.

At the gathering, US Ambassador Samantha Power said the UNSC could soon impose “a global travel ban and an assets freeze” on the two unnamed South Sudanese.

Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin, who chairs the 15-member council this month, told reporters after the meeting that the UN is prepared to consider “appropriate measures including an arms embargo and additional targeted sanctions" against anyone who violates the truce.

Churkin added that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) “would be tasked with helping to implement the peace accord.”

Fighting erupted in December 2013 between different units of presidential guards after months of political scuffle between senior leaders of the SPLM.

More than two million South Sudanese fled their homes, hundreds of thousands fled to the neighboring countries, and tens of thousands of people have been killed in the nearly two-year old civil war.

Juba, September 5, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudan has scored “its first ever competitive victory” in the second-half game in the African Cup of Nations qualification matches, beating Equatorial Guinea 1-0.

The goal was scored by Atak Lual in Juba on Saturday. The win moves South Sudan to Group C, with Mali and Benin.

It was three years ago when the violence-ravaged nation was allowed to play in international football.

South Sudan is in the midst of raging civil war with tens of thousands of people killed, hundreds of thousands fled to the neighboring countries, and more than two million people fled their homes.

The power-sharing deal brokered by the IGAD-Plus last month calls for South Sudan’s warring factions to stop fighting and implement the pact.

However, South Sudanese government forces have been accused of carrying out numerous attacks on rebel positions in Unity and Upper Nile States.

On Friday, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) warned that it is preparing to impose punitive measures against South Sudan if the deal is not implemented.

Pagak, September 8, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudanese rebel military command has accused the governments of Uganda and South Sudan of using banned and poisonous explosives and chemicals against the armed opposition in the oil-rich Upper Nile State, saying Kampala and Juba have become desperate in their military campaign against rebel forces.

The rebel military command also accuses South Sudan’s government of engaging in deceptive practices after Juba requested the United States and United Nations (UN) to send their peace monitors to South Sudan. Rebels also revealed that the coordinated attack against their positions is being carrying out by SPLA-Juba and SPLA-North with air support from Ugandan air force.

The armed opposition further calls on IGAD-Plus and the international community to send explosives and chemicals experts to Upper Nile State to monitor and verify what they described as “Kampala’s toxic campaign against south Sudanese.”

It is not the first time Uganda has been accused by the rebels.

Ugandan troops began fighting alongside South Sudanese government soldiers against the SPL-IO days after the civil war broke out in December 2013.

In November 2014, the South Sudan News Agency obtained a wide-raging Ugandan military war plan against South Sudanese rebels. In the document, the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) asked South Sudan’s rebels to either surrender or be wiped out.

In February 2014, Uganda was accused by the United Nations of using cluster bombs against the SPLA-IO in Jonglei State.

The involvement of Ugandan military in the violence-wracked South Sudan angers rebel forces, with Uganda's President, Yoweri Museveni, refusing to withdraw his soldiers claiming Juba has asked Kampala for a military help.

Juba, September 9, 2015 (SSNA) -- Extensive and increasing food insecurity in South Sudan is affecting around 4.6 million people, according to the most recent Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) study released in May 2015. In a bid to address the underlying causes of poverty and food insecurity, CARE is expanding our efforts to support communities in Eastern Equatoria improve their access to food and income.

CARE today launched a new food security project called ‘Fortifying Equality and Economic Diversification’ (FEED)\. The Project aims to support 30,000 women and marginalised people to strengthen their long-term food security and self-sufficiency. It will be implemented in three counties of Ikotos, Torit and Magwi, in the Eastern Equatoria State of South Sudan.

This new and more comprehensive and longer term approach aims to address the fundamental roots of food insecurity. “The project’s aims are to reduce people’s heavy dependence on external financial and technical support, make them more resilient and build the foundation for sustained economic growth, thereby fostering stability to dampen the spread of conflict” explains CARE South Sudan’s Country Director, John Hoare. 

The project will teach agricultural techniques and support food production and the development of markets, strengthening emerging farmer groups by providing resources that add value to local produce as well as training people on how to process, preserve and use foods.  With the efforts of humanitarian organizations such as CARE, combined with the impressive resilience of the South Sudanese people, severe hunger can be averted”, says Hoare.

“While South Sudan is a fragile state that has experienced continuous conflict since its inception, interrupting the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of citizens, there remain more stable communities that have been able to build up a certain amount of resilience. They represent hope for the young nation and it is here that the bulk of support will be targeted” says Hoare. 

As CARE’s Coordinator for the FEED Project, Sylvia Kaawe, points out: “Improving food security and livelihoods in the communities would reduce vulnerabilities, this initiative will help achieve food security needs and create opportunities for communities to improve their access to food and income for months and years to come”.

Since the outbreak of violence, CARE has provided assistance to more than 600,000 people across South Sudan’s three hardest-hit states of Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei. CARE’s is providing assistance in food security and livelihoods, health, nutrition, peace building and gender based violence.

About CARE in South Sudan

CARE has been operating in Southern Sudan since 1993, initially providing humanitarian relief to internally displaced people in Western Equatoria. The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 allowed CARE to expand into Jonglei and Upper Nile states to support returnees from the refugee camps, and the organization has since broadened its operations to include development programs.

Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE has more than six decades of experience helping people prepare for disasters, providing lifesaving assistance when crisis hits, and helping communities recover after the emergency has passed. CARE places special focus on women and children, who are often disproportionately affected by disasters. To learn more, visit www.care-international.org

Pagak/Addis Ababa, September 10, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudan’s rebels on Thursday ratified the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement and vowed to fully implement the internationally-backed pact.

The endorsement of the power-sharing deal by the senior leaders of the SPLM/A-IO was announced by rebel Spokesman James Gatdet Dak in a press statement.

“National Liberation Council of SPLM/SPLA on Thursday, September 10, 2015, in Pagak deliberated on and unanimously ratified the peace agreement on the resolution of the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan,” Gadet said.

“SPLM/SPLA-[In Opposition] is committed to full implementation of the accord,” he added.

Gatdet disclosed that rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar was chosen by the council to become the next Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan in the transitional government of national unity which must be formed within 90 days after the deal was signed.

“Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of the SPLM/SPLA, Comrade Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon, has also been nominated by the Council to the post of the First Vice President in accordance with the power sharing in the Agreement,” he revealed.

The armed opposition also said its senior military commanders are ready to “participate in the workshop on ceasefire and implementation of the transitional security arrangements,” adding that the rebel leadership is set to discuss other issues pertaining to the implementation of the deal.

Addis Ababa/New York, September 12, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudanese rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny will this month head to New York to attend a “high-level meeting” organized by the United Nations (UN).

“SPLM/SPLA Chairman and Commander-in-Chief, Comrade Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, will lead a delegation to New York for a high-level meeting on South Sudan. This important meeting will be held on 29th September, 2015, in the margins of the seventieth session of the United Nations General Assembly,” Gatdet said.

The rebel Spokesman revealed that the leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) was invited by UN’s Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon; adding that the conference will be at the level of heads of state and government.

“The top leadership of SPLM/SPLA has been officially invited by the UN Secretary General, His Excellency Ban Ki Moon. The meeting will be held at the level of Heads of State and Government,” he revealed.

Gatdet says the up-coming meeting aims to galvanize international support for the implementation of the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement.

The Spokesman for the Chairman of the SPLM/A-IO did not say whether or not Machar is heading to New York to attend the 70^th UN General Assembly meeting which usually occurs in September each year or his mission is strictly for the 29^th of September gathering.

However, the SSNA has learned through a confidential source that the rebel leader is invited to participate in the 70^th session of the United Nations General Assembly and that the meeting is just an important event designed for the implementation of the recently signed power-sharing deal.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Over 300 Leaders Expected in Des Moines on Saturday to Promote Peace in South Sudan

Des Moines, IA, September 14, 2015 (SSNA) -- The Coalition of Advocates for South Sudan (CASS) will hold its 1^st Annual Diaspora Unity for Peace Conference on Saturday September 19, 2015 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Des Moines.   The conference intends to identify a vision for peace in South Sudan, what is necessary to achieve that vision, and how South Sudanese in the Diaspora can work together to achieve peace.

South Sudan gained its independence in 2011, in part, due to the support of the international community, which was mobilized by southern Sudanese living in the Diaspora who advocated for peace and self-determination after decades of civil war. Political disputes among South Sudan’s leaders took the young country to war in December 2013. In response, CASS was formed and it has supported dialogue and meaningful solutions to the conflict that has taken the lives of thousands and put millions at risk due to displacement, famine and disease. The government of the Republic of South Sudan, SPLM (in opposition) and SPLM-FDs recently signed a peace agreement. To keep this peace, unity among the people of Sudan, including those in the Diaspora, is required.

Leaders attending the conference are members of the clergy, women and youth groups, and representatives of the government of the Republic of South Sudan, the South Sudan opposition (SPLM-IO), the former detainees (G10), South Sudan Council of Churches, the South Sudan Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation, the U.S. State Department, and the Luol Deng Foundation – among others. Live music and entertainment will be provided by various South Sudanese musicians and entertainers.

Registration for the conference is ongoing until Friday, September 18, 2015. Due to limited space, unregistered guests will not be admitted and ID is required. To register for the conference, click here, or contact organizing committee member, Dr. Isaac Gang at isaac@isaacgang.com. Everyone is welcome.

CASS – representing over 20 Diaspora organizations, seeks to establish a just and lasting peace in South Sudan. Our advocacy is directly informed by the situation on the ground and the South Sudanese people from all ethnicities who urgently seek: justice, peace, an end to violence, and establishment of a democratic nation with equality for all.

Addis Ababa/Pagak, September 14, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudanese government forces have attacked rebel outposts in Unity and Central Equatoria States, rebel Spokesman and military officials of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA).

Rebel forces allied to Former South Sudanese Vice President Dr. Riek Machar said government’s soldiers have attacked their bases in Katigiri in Wonduruba Payam of Central Equatoria and Guit County of the oil-rich Unity State.

“Forces of Salva Kiir have attacked our bases at Katigiri in Wonduruba payam in Central Equatoria state on Saturday and fighting is still going on. Forces of the regime in Juba have also come out from Bentiu, Unity state’s capital, and attacked our bases in Guit County,” rebel Spokesperson James Gatdet Dak said in a statement.

Gatdet accuses government troops of violating the recently signed power-sharing peace deal.

“[These] unprovoked attacks by government forces on positions of SPLM/SPLA are a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement,” he added.

Rebels said their forces in Unity State have repulsed government’s soldiers, adding that the fighting still raging.

The rebels call on the international community “to exert pressure on the regime to respect the terms of the Peace Agreement.”

The armed opposition says Juba is not serious about the peace agreement and questions government’s commitment to implementation of the pact. The rebel official also asserts that some elements within Kiir’s government may be sabotaging the implementation of the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement.

New York, September 14, 2015 (SSNA) -- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will on Tuesday decide whether to impose new sanctions on two South Sudanese military Generals who the UNSC believes fuel the war.

Diplomats at the UN revealed that Generals Malong Awan and Johnson Olony are the targets of the looming sanctions, adding that the names of the two Generals may not be added to the sanctions list tomorrow if an objection is raised against the proposal.

However, if an objection is not raised then the UN committee managing South Sudan sanctions will enter the names of Malong and Olony into the sanctions list.

Paul Malong is the SPLA Chief of General Staff; and Olony is the commanding General of the SPLA-IO's Special Division one.

It is not clear which countries among the 15-member council will object to the US-backed draft.

The UNSC, which already sanctions six senior Generals, three from each side threatens to impose punitive measures against South Sudan if the peace deal is not implemented.

New York, September 15, 2015 (SSNA) -- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) latest attempt to impose sanctions on South Sudan’s rival military Generals was on Tuesday blocked by Russia and Angola. Russia claims that the punitive measures could further worsens the situation, the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) has learned.

A source at the UN also said Venezuela opposes the proposed sanctions.

On Monday, US-backed proposal was tabled for UNSC vote, allowing each nation of the 15-member Council to either accept or reject the proposal by 3:00PM, Eastern Time (US).

The bid is intended to target South Sudan’s army Chief Paul Malong Awan and rebel General Johnson Olony.

Russian Ambassador to UN Vitaly Ivanovich Churkin appears not happy with US’s wilingness to impose sanctions on the violence-ravaged nation, adding that Russian Federation recently signed a joint communique with South Sudan and Sudan and that the deal included opposition to sanctions.

"We think we need to take that into account. The United States, very often they just say 'sanctions, sanctions, sanctions' and in some cases it severely aggravates the situation,” Churkin told reporters.

In recent weeks, reports suggest that South Sudan’s government has been lobbying Russia to block any UN move that could result in sanctions against the young nation.

Fighting broke out in December of 2013 between different units of presidential guards after months of political turmoil among senior leaders of the SPLM. South Sudanese President says his main-rival, Dr. Riek Machar, planned a coup. Machar denies the allegation saying Kiir premeditated the coup in an attempt to try to get rid of his political rivals.

Addis Ababa, September 15, 2015 (SSNA) -- A 20-member high-level delegation led by Former South Sudanese Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has arrived in Khartoum, rebel Spokesperson has said.

Machar’s Spokesman, James Gatdet Dak, announced the news in a press statement, saying the rebel leader left for Khartoum on Tuesday evening and that he will meet Sudanese President Omar al Bashir. Gatdet also stated Machar will meet Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

“Comrade Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of SPLM/SPLA, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, has left for the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Tuesday evening. He will meet with President Omer Hassan Al Bashir. He is also expected to meet with the Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,” Gatdet said in a statement.

The rebel Spokesman disclosed that Machar, Bashir, and Museveni will discuss the implementation of the compromise peace agreement and promotion of mutual relations.

Juba, September 17, 2015 (SSNA) – South Sudan's oil truck exploded killing at least 85 people and wounded 50 more, South Sudan’s Presidency said.

Addis Ababa, September 17, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudan’s armed opposition has accused government soldiers of attacking civilians, looting property, and burning houses to ashes in Lui and Jambo areas of Western Equatoria state, rebels have said.

“We have been receiving disturbing reports of ongoing ceasefire violations by soldiers of Salva Kiir. They have continued to attack our bases in Wunduruba payam at Lainya County while at the same time targeting civilians in the area. Many civilians have been killed and tens of thousands more displaced and in dire humanitarian situation,” Gatdet said.

“Soldiers of Salva Kiir on September 16 also went on rampage by attacking civilians in Mundri county of Western Equatoria state. They attacked civilians in Jambo and Lui areas, looting property and burning houses to ashes. We condemn this barbaric act by the regime,” he added.

The rebel Spokesman said Salva Kiir is trying to capture rebel-held territories so that his military team could declare them government controlled-areas at the ongoing workshop on security arrangements in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Gatdet also calls on IGAD to monitor and verify the violations and urges the international community to condemn South Sudanese government.

Juba, September 18, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudan’s Information Minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, on Friday told reporters in Juba that Salva Kiir will not attend the 29^th of September UN-sponsored meeting because the United Nations (UN) has been treating Kiir like a “schoolboy.”

"You cannot just invite a president and give him short notice like a schoolboy to come and attend your meetings, Makuey told reporters.

The Minister also thinks that the United States may only give Kiir Visa and denied or hinder visas to some members of Kiir’s delegation.

"Going to America, as you know is a problem, in terms of visa. Yes they can give the president the visa, but they can obstruct the going of others who are accompanying the president, so in order to avoid all this embarrassment, the Vice President James Wani Igga is going to attend," he asserted.

Makuey did not elaborate further on why he believes the US could prevent some government officials from attending the meeting.

UN’s Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has invited South Sudan’s rivals to attend a UN meeting in New York. The summit is designed to bolster the implementation of the recently signed IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement.

Rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar accepted the invitation. However, Kiir said he is not going to attend, saying his deputy, James Wani Igga, will participate in the conference.

Meanwhile, the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) has been told by high-level government sources that Salva Kiir fears that if he travels to the US, his powerful allies like the SPLA Chief of General Staff Paul Malong Awan and many others who dislike the internationally-backed power-sharing deal could overthrow him.

Press release

September 20, 2015 (SSNA) -- First and foremost, the Thiang Nuer Youth Association would like to condemn in the strongest term possible, the Juba’s Government continuing offensive contrary to IGAD-PLUS compromise Peace Accord signed last month in Addis Ababa as well as in Juba.  We know, the government’s prime objective (as it has been always the case) is to exterminate further, displace more innocent civilians and to gain new territories not under its control in three states of Greater Upper Nile.

Unequivocally, even after when the peace agreement was signed by Juba the same Juba government was also busy throughout sending military-war-barges mounted with lethal modern weapons, manoeuvring to destroy further Greater Upper’s original three states. Those military barges chaotically attacked and bombed Unity state’s Panyijiar, Leer, Koch, Guit counties and Fangak county of Phow (Jonglei) state as well as Panyikang county of Fashoda (Upper Nile) state. Fangak County was where ninety (90%) percent of all sycophants -soldiers lured in those military barges met their deserved end, with their military hard-ware completely destroyed by the Freedom fighters, the SPLA-IO supported by the community based rapid defend force, the White Army.

Millions congratulations / bravos to Freedom Fighters!! If truth itself is God, then all those who are financially and easily enticed to stand up not for public interest will likewise continue meet their own death-end in South Sudan’s soil. “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves and cursed by God.”

As a result of Government’s continuing indiscriminate attacks, (on the civilians’ residential areas) civilians’ death tolls increased, sufferings and many more displacements occurred particularly in Southern-eastern counties of Unity state. Since then, Fangak (South) county has been receiving more families and IDPs from the latter state. These families and IDPs are mostly coming from Unity state through swamps/rivers direct to Fangak (South) county of Mareang, Toch and Old Fangak Payams. And they (IDPs) are now increasingly in a dire need of humanitarian assistance. We have also learned that some of these IDPs are moved to Fangak Central-Northern part of Lak clan. The IDPs are mostly if not all elderly people, women and children. 

Therefore, the Association of Thiang Nuer Youth in Fangak (South) County calls upon all available humanitarian agencies in the county to help these IDPs and needy families with both food and non-food items. World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) should immediately step in: to render the basic services to the IDPs displaced from Unity state to Fangak (South) county. These helps or basic services are most urgently needed now!!

Juba, September 22, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudanese government on Tuesday asked Lawmakers to support and back the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement which was signed last month by the rival factions.

Vice president James Wani Igga said his government is committed to peace and its implementation, adding that anyone who does not like the deal should “stomach it.”

"We are committed to peace, and we are committed to implement this agreement. If there is anybody affected by this agreement please stomach it... there are good things in this agreement,” James Wani Igga told the visibly nervous lawmakers.

Igga, who cautiously addressed the parliament, urged the people of south Sudan to support peace which he said should be the “last war.”

"We are not blind, we are simply saying, 'this and that is wrong', but it is not meant to stop the agreement from implementation. South Sudanese, let this be the last war,” Igga said.

Kampala began fighting alongside Juba against rebel forces just days after the civil war broke out in December 2013. Yoweri Museveni famously announced that he gave rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar 3-4 days to stop fighting and surrender himself to Juba.

Uganda has been accused of serious crimes against humanity. In November 2014, the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) asked the SPLA-IO to either "surrender or be wiped out." In February 2014, Ugandan government was accused by the United Nations (UN) of using cluster bombs against the armed opposition and civilians in Jonglei State.

The involvement of Ugandan military in South Sudan angers rebels. Ugandan government has been claiming that Juba has asked Kampala for a military assistance.

Museveni told Machar last week in Khartoum that he is ready to withdraw Ugandan troops from south Sudan.

The power-sharing deal calls for all foreign troops to withdraw from south Sudan within 45 days.