January 4, 2016 (SSNA) -- The Alliance for South Sudanese in Diaspora (ASSD) protests the illegal imposition of establishment of 28 states in South Sudan without citizens’ consultation. ASSD believe that such a move is a direct violation and derailment of the signed peace agreement whereby only 10 states were the basis of shared governance between the two warring parties and we believe that this is done to reinforce the tribal solidarity agenda.

Given the latest development from Juba led government in appointing 28 state governors, it is obvious, President Kiir does not care about the lives of innocent South Sudanese and ASSD believes that the priority for South Sudan and its suffering citizens is peace and stability and followed by decentralization of powers in promotion of developmental initiatives at local levels. ASSD believes that having a big government is not the answer at this point given all credible data of human suffering across South Sudan with millions relying heavily on the mercy of humanitarian agencies and good will of faith-based organizations.

ASSD call on IGAD countries, United Nations, Troika countries (USA, UK and Norway), China, Australia, Canada and Russia to intervene in safeguarding humanity as President Kiir has failed to protect and serve the interest of all citizens. ASSD is concerned and would like to inform the world about the invisible hands behind President Kiir’s mismanagement of South Sudan with an agenda of silencing and control other minority tribes in South Sudan.

ASSD squarely blame the current mess in South Sudan on the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE-Dinka) and rogue, semi-retired commanders who helped recruit the tribal militias who were responsible for the onslaught of the innocent South Sudanese in Juba and beyond. We believe that JCE primary objective is to establish a tribal state whereby Jieng interest surpasses collective interest of all South Sudanese. JCE was formed in mid-2013 with 77 representatives from all the Dinka clans to further tribal interests and directly protect the presidency by misleading innocent Dinka civilians at the state levels by instill fearing on them that Jieng Interest is at crossroad and also use past tribal conflicts as recruitment tools and solidify tribal cohesion.

ASSD urge all caring and concerned citizens of South Sudan in the United States to call out President Kiir and JCE to protest and show their discontentment with Kiir-led government in Juba, South Sudan by calling on the world to urge President Kiir to implement the signed peace agreement and reverse the recent decree that was passed without citizens’ consultation and input.

For more information, please contact Information and Public Affairs Department at 202.285.5881 or via email at info.assd@gmail.com.

Juba, January 9, 2016 (SSNA) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) announced that through and of South Sudanese civilians from Western Equatoria State have fled their homes after numerous armed clashes between government troops and anti-government forces.

The UNHCR says at least 23,000 people have fled their homes and that 8,000 people left for the neighboring countries.

On the 3^rd of January, South Sudan’s government soldiers attacked rebel outpost in Western Equatoria State, claiming that a rebel group led by Former Western Equatoria State’s information minister, Charles Barnaba Kisanga threatens its military positions in and around Yambio of Western Equatoria State.

Juba says Kisanga is the leader of rebel South Sudan People’s Patriotic Front (SSPPF/Arrow Boys) and accuses him of masterminding attacks on government’s locations.

This week, at a convention of the SPLM-IG, South Sudanese president Salva kiir lashed out at people he believes are rebel elements who operate in the Greater Equatoria region. Kiir surprised the audience by called out Kisanga’s name and called him a Former information minister in Western Equatoria State and a self-declared leader of the SSPPF/Arrow Boys.

The South Sudan People’s Patriotic Front/Arrow Boys sources told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) on Saturday that government troops have step-up military assaults against their forces in Western Equatoria State.

On Thursday, South Sudan’s warring factions reached power-sharing deal aims to put an end to the ongoing civil war.

Nairobi, January 10, 2016 (SSNA) -- The [SPLM-IO] chapter’s country coordinator, Mrs. Mary Nyabiel Simon who took oath of the office on 10^th, October 2015, briefed members of chapter’s assembly (MCAs) on resolution of Pagak conference and progress of peace implementation process in South Sudan.

The highly anticipated meeting was heavily attended by members of chapter who after hearing briefing from coordinator raised concerns about fragility of peace implementation process, citing creation of 28 states as main obstacle.

Mrs. Mary applauded chapter’s members, saying the meeting was very fruitful. "I want to send my warm congratulation to the prominent members who attended this important meeting for brilliant discussion we have today, it’s my privilege to have pro-active members of this kind," she stated.

"The meeting was fruitful, it’s our first-ever and probably will be the last I preside," Mary further added.

In the meeting, Mary in her capacity as head of the chapter appointed secretaries and their deputies. These include political mobilization, Information and public relations, Finance and Administration, Gender and social welfare.

The chairlady also took the opportunity to announce her appointment to the national parliament by the leadership of SPLM (IO). Mary is among the 50 members of SPLM nominated to represent the armed opposition in South Sudan National Assembly.

She instructed the newly appointed secretaries and their deputies to take up their roles and make sure the chapter fulfills its obligations.

Aborcup John Akuer, a newly appointed first head of chapter’s information and public relations confirms their appointment to media outlets after the meeting.

"The chairlady has finally availed the leadership structure of the chapter today, with appointment of chapter’s secretaries and their deputies," Aborcup said.

Aborcup also said the secretaries appointed are four with four deputies bringing the number of officials appointed to eight.

"We’re four heads and four deputies. Comrade Napoleon Kuaji Bullen appointed to head political mobilization, deputized by Gordon Keah, Aborcup John Akuer-head of Information and public relations, deputized by Peter Owar Okello, Gok Yang-head of Finance and administration with Regina Nyakuoth as deputy, and Gender and social welfare is headed by Randan Achan, deputized by Dhikuany William," Aborcup narrated to media.

Aborcup also sends appreciation message to Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the chairman and commander in chief of SPLM/SPLA-IO for appointing Mary Nyabiel to South Sudan National Assembly.

"The chapter sends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Riek Machar Teny for appointing our top leader to the National parliament, he made a right decision, this is not just a consideration of chapter but also a recognition of one’s ability to do work, cde Mary is a brilliant nationalist who deserves that position," he concludes.

United States, January 10, 2016 (SSNA) -- Dear people of Greater Bor aka Jonglei State (South Sudan) Worldwide, on behalf of the people of Greater Bor Community in the United States of America, we share with you the excitement about our new state of Jonglei and its tested leader in Philip Aguer Panyang Jot.  Congratulations to you all. We congratulate Philip Aguer Panyang and we pray that God bless him with abundant wisdom to lead and guide our people through peace and development.

While we recognize the political difficulties that are still hovering over the 28 States proposal, we also recognize that it is the greatest thing that has happened to our people because our own state gives us the opportunity to focus on our own affairs without complications of other factors.

We are ready and looking forward to working with the new governor of our state and all of you at home to build our state of Jonglei as one of the greatest states in South Sudan.

We remain committed to a peaceful co-existence with our neighbors. We are looking forward to work together for mutual benefits.

We are optimistic that South Sudanese people will work around the 28 states to amicably address potential conflicts that the states create. We also are confident that we become a state regardless of whether the 28 states proposal holds or waits for the constitutional-making process. Either way, different proposals have indicated that we are proposed as our own state. We urge our South Sudanese citizens whom the 28 states proposal has caused misunderstanding and setbacks to not choose violence as the means to make their points. Please, use the rules of law and the support of your South Sudanese counterparts to fight for your rights.

Juba, January 14, 2016 (SSNA) -- The Israeli government has denied reports that it has been selling lethal weapons to South Sudanese government even after the civil war broke out.

The revelation came months after a team of United Nations (UN) experts accused Israel of supplying "deadly weapons" to South Sudan’s government.

Reports suggest that a UN team of experts travelled to Israel last year to meet Israeli officials after United Nations panel of experts released a report, accusing Jerusalem of supplying Juba with lethal arms even after the two-year old bloody civil war erupted.

However, officials at Israeli Defense and Foreign Ministries denies the charges and told a UN delegation that Israel has stopped supplying weapons to South Sudan soon after the war broke out, adding that it unsuccessfully tried to mediate South Sudan’s warring factions.

“We had good relations with both sides. We tried to calm the situation and had contacts with both sides. The Foreign Ministry even sent mediators to Juba...and we passed messages via Ethiopia and other channels. But without success,” an Israeli official was reported as saying.

Israeli is believed to be continuing supplying South Sudan’s government with what it described as “non-lethal items.”

In March last year, UN Security Council approves sanctions on South Sudan. The measure, which called for the establishment of a panel of experts and committee to oversee the sanctions, banned weapons sales to South Sudanese government.

Fighting broke out in Juba on the 15^th of December 2013 between different units of presidential guards just one day after senior members of the ruling Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) party walked out of the National Liberation Council (NLC) meeting; calling the process “undemocratic.”

The two-year old war has forced at least 2.3 million South Sudanese to flee their homes, hundreds of thousands fled to the neighboring countries, and tens of thousands of people have been killed.

The South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) was told by a high-ranking South Sudan's government official that the meeting between a UN panel of experts and Israeli government officals took place in November of 2015.

Juba, January 12, 2016 (SSNA) -- The former chief administrator of Pibor’s area and leader of SSDM/A-Cobra faction, Gen. David Yau yau, has handed over the leadership of his armed opposition to Major General Paulino Zangil who opposed any peace deal between Juba and Cobra-faction.

The move that was announced by Yau Yau in Juba asa dissolution of the party’s structures and merging his ranks with government is considered by Paulino’s camp as "surrender."

General Paulino, who broke away from cobra-faction mainstream in 2014, announced his allegiance to the Country’s main armed opposition led by Dr. Riek Machar Teny.

The leader of Cobra-Faction’s splinter group also accused Yau Yau and president Salva Kiir of dishonouring the peace deal that was signed by SSDM/A and South Sudanese government.

During his defection, Gen. Paulino, a former colonel under Yau Yau’s previous leadership, announced that he was joining SPLM/A-IO with a sizeable force of cobra-faction. He vowed to have disowned Gen. YYu Yau and the rests of other Generals in the ranks of SSDM/A cobra-faction and declared himself as the new commander-in-chief of the Cobra-faction.

In a surprise move, Gen. Paulino brands Yau Yau a “gambler and an opportunist.”

“I knew this gambler was headed to nowhere, he had no vision, he is an opportunist whose goal is just to get any salaried position anywhere from anybody,” Gen. Paulino asserted.

The leader of Cobra-Faction's splinter group further declared that cobra-faction still exists.

“Although we are in one boat with Dr. Riek Machar, cobra still exists; as the integration process is ongoing, incorporation process of our vision to create a free federal and democratic Republic of South Sudan is ongoing too,” narrates Paulino.

“Until all the two processes are done, cobra-faction shall exist,” he added.

The self-declared leader of Cobra-faction Paulino claims that Generals David Yau Yau, James Kongkong Loden, and Khalid Boutrus Bora made an abrupt announcement of their allegiance to the SPLM/A-IO on Monday.

Attempts by the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) to independently verify the claims went unanswered.

Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2016

The SPLM/SPLA Mission Office in USA, commend this exercise of powers in the interest of peace; exemplified in the realization of this important milestone in the implementation of the peace agreement by the leadership of the SPLM/SPLA-IO especially in this critical juncture in the history of our nascent state. The SPLM/SPLA Mission Office in USA, would also like to seize this opportunity to generally congratulate all those candidates who have been appointed as MPs, and to particularly congratulate our former colleague in the SPLM/SPLA Mission Office in USA, Hon. Thokhat Khor Wiu, who was the Director for Community Affairs, for having been appointed as MP along with all the fifty would be members of parliament (MPs), from the SPLM/SPLA-IO.

Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to reiterate to all of you that the entire SPLM/SPLA leadership have enormous faith and trust in your abilities to represent the people’s movement during this transitional period of the peace agreement.  Moreover, the SPLM/SPLA Mission Office in USA, wishes all of you all the best of luck in your new assignments in the service of our people.

At last but not the least, the SPLM/SPLA Mission Office in the United States, avails itself of this opportunity to urge President Salva Kiir and his government to show commitment to implement the peace agreement in good faith; by reversing implementation of the 28 states, and to subject this matter to further study and scrutiny in the interest of building a better system of governance in the country; so that peace and stability can be established, and for the entire people of South Sudan to begin to enjoy all the dividends of peace.

Signed by:

For Immediate release: Press release

January 17, 2016 (SSNA) -- Above all, the Greater Twic East Community office in United States of America is here to inform our citizens living in our mother-land of Twic East and also around the world. Our loving citizens, we are back to our work now since we had been away to observes both Christmas and New Year Holidays. We hope everybody been doing fine over that time span. In our time offs though, there had been many good or bad stuffs did pass while we were away for Christmas and New Year Celebrations. Happy New Year of 2016 Eastern Twi Dinka citizens, we hope you been doing fine wherever life aspects had situated you.

We will start with our position concerning 28 States, again, our position is crystal clear, we just need our own State of Twic East whenever it suitable to do just if Peace has returned to our nation. Whatever so-called a new Jonglei State being said as for Eastern Twi Dinka, Bor Dinka, Thany Dinka, Nyaweng Dinka, Hol Dinka and other Dinkas’ sub-tribes in area. Frankly, we have some reservations for new State. So for us to not overdue our message, please check out our previous press about 28 States link below: http://wangdunkonmedia.org/2015/10/12/press-statement-twic-east-community-demand-for-a-separate-state/

Some of our concerns in new Jonglei are related to our neighbor inhospitable behaviors

1. Mr. Michael Makuei Lueth and some people in Bor County have not apologized to Twic East County’s citizens.

2. Their greedy and mind-set of imposing things on others.

3. Nature of theirs being troublemakers wouldn’t make our living together future bearing results. For example, Bor County of Greater Bor have bad histories with neighbors such as: Murle, Bari, Mundari, Aliau, Atuot, Afaak, and others. Dinka Bor problems with neighbors’ is being dated back even during the colonal periods in 1900s. It was one of the reason why they [Dinka Bor] people were transfered from Yirol District to Duk Payuen/Payuel District of Greater Twic East and Greater Duk Communities in January 1, 1928. This is was a main reason why Dinka Bor was transfered from Yirol District to Payuel District due to their bad behaviors.

4. In 2012, Twic East Youth Office in Mading Town was destroyed by Bor County Youth. Computers were looted and our people were told to move out of Greater Bor area to Greater Twic East area.

5. Mr. Michael Makuei Lueth’s militias in Mading Town have murdered some of our citizens in their land. We are not going to release their names now.

6. We do consider our neighbor as troublemakers . History have proven that.

7. Honesty, sharing things in fairness way, they don’t have mutual respect of what so-called co-existence with your neighbors peaceful, which is in Dinka Language, “Chieng pieth wene koi ka keumom”.

8. Some of messages from Bor County citizens on social media like FaceBook:

(a) “Remember my magic words, ...Critics will never be impressed. No matter how much cloud of dirt is watching all over us aka Dinka Bor, we will stretched our heads above it. Our love of neighbors, respect of all humanity and carrying for our ownselves will remain shine. I am not ruling out the greed that always flooded us in numbers, won't happen again but at least something Ngoth malang mentioned in his song will definitely take it shape. " piny luel wenne mabior Atem na ci lueel ne thong tokic ee diet ci leu theer."

I think we will have our own understanding and the government has got itself closer to her people.

I am wishing my Dinka Bor crowd to turn their deaf ears to the so called perfectionists and sectionist and crown around Aguer Panyang by all of their means so this business is taken to the extend that it never reaches at all times of it existence..

Good luck comrade Aguer.

Good luck Bor Nation (twi, Bor and Duke)

Thank you mayardit.” By Arou Bior

(b) “The burgs of Majak Agoot and female Garang and hrt son need to be careful this time. If any one think we don's killed traitors let him ask the family of Deng Biar Abiit whether Deng Biar from Wangulei died of natural courses or he was Identified as traitor and killed.We are warning those divisive elements following Traitors. There is no room for rebel activities in our purified Jonglei.” By Achiekdit Wen Achiengdit

(c) “Where will Twi people go, right now we got Mr. Philip Aguer who is our maternal side of Bor people?” By Malou Mach Thon-Hypocrisy Pastor

Our demand from President Kiir Mayardit

1. Twic East people need their own State, the ball is on your side, Mr. President. We are not going to request our own State by violence but through our peaceful voices based on democracy principles. The choice is yours, we will wait.

2. Division 8 or whatever Division you have in Jonglei State, Mr. President. We need that Division to be headed by our own son from Greater Twic East Community, our really son and not just fake son will sell our people souls for greedy. The reason, we have some suspicious that, we don’t trust these people: Mr. Malual Ayom who is currently heading Division 8, Mr. Makuei Lueth of Minister Information and Broadcasting in South Sudan’s government and Minister of Defense, Mr. Kuol Manyang. We don’t trust them because they are all from Bor County. Also, as we know you are President of every citizens of our country. To be honest with you, we know our neighbors than you know, Mr. President. We hope you have heard from people like Mr. Michael Makuei and others from Bor County who have accused our entire Community of Greater Twic East as “Rebels Community.” Again, we know our neighbor than you know, Mr. President. Just go and complete what we are trying to say here as your nation’s citizens you are leading.

3. According to our creditable sources, “Mr. Malual Ayom, Mr. Michael Makuei, Mr. Kuol Manyang plus others from Bor County are having their own militias that was trained by Mr. Malual Ayom, and that group is being paid by County of Bor. 45 people where selected from their five Payams of Bor County. Where do they get money from? Maybe from looting resources of old Jonglei State.

4. Bor County citizens are refusing to move Headquarters from their territory to middle of Jonglei Dinkas areas. So our President, the moving of Headquarters to middle should be fair to every citizens of new State but our neighbor are refusing. So what be your solution as our leader as we believe?

5. For us, it seems like Minister of Defense: Mr. Kuol Manyang would continue to be the SPLM/A Party Chairman in New State of Jonglei instead of new Gov. Mr. Philip Aguer Panyang. Mr. President, we see this as a serious violations of basic rule that prevent mixing of Military and Civilians Administrations. In our own view, we think it should be better for us to have our own State where SPLM/A Party Chairman/Woman would be the same Governor of State according to basic rules of Military and Civilians Administration separations.

6.  Dinka Bor/Greater Bor Community citizens have not yet apologizes to Eastern Twi Dinka/Greater Twic East Citizens. Mr. Michael Makuei Lueth and some people from Bor County have not yet apologized to Twic East County’s citizens. We need apology because we were wrongly smeared by our neighbor or otherwise our chieng wouldn’t go smoothly.

7. We do consider our neighbor as troublemakers. History have proven cited that.  It might be good to send them back to former Yirol District where they were sent to Duk Payuen District in Jan 1, 1928 due to their misbehaves.  The Upper Nile province handbook link: http://africaworldbooks.com.au/product/the-upper-nile-province-handbook-a-report-on-the-people-and-government-in-the-southern-sudan-oriental-and-african-archives-by-c-a-willis-author/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork

Mr. Michael, Fake Lawyer Degree is talking of, “co-existence, communities’ unity and forgiveness”

First of all, to people who might ask why we don’t have any say as congratulation message to Mr. Philip Aguer as new Jonglei State Governor? Well, we are not congratulated him because we don’t consider new Jonglei State where bad socially people who have no ethical rules of life or mutual respect of other belongings as viable State to be with.  For example, within few days since Mr. Philip Aguer been inaugurated according to them, our neighbor had already caused a deadly problem with peaceful people of Bari. They “'Boo’ people” who behaving like kids as usually do have done it again. In addition too, they are celebrating that the new State is not longer have Nuers, Murle, Anyuak and other tribes of former Jonglei State. Their jealousy was one of the reason why they chased away others. Now the new state become Greater Bor State, Bor nation, and other curses names of theirs as usually. According to them now, no more Greater Twic East/Eastern Twi Dinka and Duk Dinkas of Nyaweng, Hol and others. What a foolish community? The bottom line is, we have any issue with Mr. Philip Aguer in his personal level, under this association where stupid people are in. We don’t have to waste our sincere appraisal message. If it was our own State of Twic East or being our State with Duk Dinkas minus them, ultimately; there should be hope of development and co-existences with neighbors. But now, more problems was created under this stupid state. 

Furthermore, Mr. Michael Makuei already stated that, “Mr. Philip Aguer was elected by Greater Bor people of Bor County.” Here is Mr. scamer, murderer and cheater of our times message, “we brought Aguer Panyang as the governor of new Jonglei state. We selected him as people of greater Bor and the president appointed him. We want you to work with him because nobody can work in isolation”. And in true sense our readers, nobody from Bor County or Duk County never vote for Mr. Philip Aguer Panyang. Mr. Fake Lawyer Degree is a liar and immature of that sort of people that have no place in Greater Twic East people residence. What a drunken and a stupid person we have ever came across in our life times? For instance, our culture of Eastern Twi Dinka people stated that, we do respect you if you respect yourself first and then from there we will respect you as a person. But you, Mr. Michael Makuei, you are totally a joke upon everything you have said or done to our community.  The price would be too high if you don’t change your attitude, otherwise.

“Let us join our hands and work for this peace. Let us forgive each other of the wrongs they did. These are gone cases and I am telling you that lets forgive ourselves and lets us unite for the common good of this community. Don’t intend to revenge, for it means lack of peaceful co-existence and unity among us. Peace is no longer around the corner, it is at home now and if so, we are responsible for it”,  By Michael on 07 January 2016 [Gurtong]-

Well, Mr. Michael Makuei Lueth, do you truly know the meanings of word, “co-existence”? Really, we don’t believe you say this word, Mr. Makuei. If you truly knowing the meaning of this word, “co-existence” you will not continue to associate our Eastern Twi Dinka and Duk Dinkas with your Greater Bor Community name which is belong to Bor County/Bor Dinka citizens solely. You need to learn Jonglei Dinkas History from your brother, Mr. Abel Alier Kuai. He knows History of Jonglei Dinkas. Example below is from his book, “Having been slow to join the first civil war, the Nuer and Dinka Anyanya units of Upper Nile were among the most resistant to the Addis Ababa Agreement in 1972. It was initially opposed by Samuel Gai Tut, a senior Lou Nuer Anyanya commander, as well as by John Garang, a very junior Twic Dinka captain (Abel Alier ([Year]:1990: [Page]:138).” By Abel Alier Kuai from Dinka Bor

You talking about, “communities unity” Mr. Michael Makuei. What kind of unity you are talking about if you don’t consider other communities’ existence, the communities whom you have accused some of them as being “rebels” or something else inching in your throat. You even didn’t apologizes to Twic East Community. Please behave like a mature person otherwise your words would be nothing but just waste of energy of airing them out.

“National Minister Calls For Forgiveness And Unity In South Sudan" Wow! Mr. Michael Makuei Lueth saying the above message of forgiveness, you are kidding! The world is upside down. We can’t believe Mr. Michael Makuei is saying these kinds of words, maybe was not drank or something else was playing in Mr. Makuei mind at tha particular movement.

Twic East Community resolutions for the year

1. Security: our sons and daughters of Eastern Twi Dinka, either individually or in group, it is your duty to protects your people life, property and land. What is the reason why you would go and  die in other people land while your people are dying in daily basis? To our intellectuals, what do you think if your people you are representing are being finished one by one, and when they are finished who are you going to represent in that government? It is government for the people, with people and of the people, right?

2. We repeat ourselves, there is no need to be in Mading Town and Juba while your people are dying. For what and why they are dying? And if they are dying, should you have any idea to sub-due the problem because you are their leader?

3. It is our Natural or Constitutional rights to protect ourselves. Even President Kiir Mayardit knows that very well.

3. We have many friends because we are not troublemakers, our neighbors can listen to us when we tell ourselves to them who we are? We don’t have any history related to bad behaviors in Greater Upper Nile region, and even beyond. We need utilized this as another tools to deal with our adversary.

4. Our Community Leadership in Juba, we need you to summit in a letter to President Kiir Mayardit requesting him to releases our sons and daughters from Army, police and other organized forces of South Sudan. We don’t have any problem with President Kiir Mayardit or somebody else. The main reason, is totally security of our people. We think our President should know that, he will not employed any of our sons and daughters anymore when our people are finished. Leadership or position don’t exist when you got no people to represent. 

5. Our sons and daughters in Greater Bor area, what kind of people are you? Why we ask this question, your Greater Twic East area is being destroyed, people life, property meanwhile you are protected the land of people who have killed your people or the same who have wrongly accused you as “Rebels Community” and no apology either. Please look at yourselves in mirror and says what I am doing here in other people land. Many of my ancestors’ have sacrifices to give me freedom and land. So what I am doing in other people land?

6. Who are you going to represent in new Jonglei State when the same people you think you represent are dying on daily basis?

7. Recently, we were up sad when security forces were sent immediately to Bari and Bor Dinka border when conflict occurred there, meanwhile such a quick sending of security forces are rarely or even hardly happen in our Eastern Twi Dinka area or Duk Dinkas area. Something cooking dark here people. Privatizing of national army or police is being played here by Dinka Bor intellectuals. People like Minister of Defense, Mr. Kuol Manyang; Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Mr. Michael Makuei; Division 8 Commander, Mr. Malual Ayom, and other politicians from Bor County. We know they have their own organized forces who are being payed by looting money from former Jonglei State government. These militias selected from Bor County’s five Payams. Mr. Michael Makuei even have his own private militias who murder people in Mading Town. 

8. Please if you want to die in dignity manner, we think it would be better to go and die in our ancestors’ land of Eastern Twi Dinka instead of go and die in vain somewhere else.

9. If President Kiir refuse to releases our sons and daughters in South Sudan organized forces. We want you guys to ask him, whom are we going to represent in your government when our people are being finished? We are here in your leadership because of our people who are dying everyday now.

10. Our sincere appreciations go to our self sacrifices sons and daughters who have voluntary to protects their people life, property without any support they get from any where over most their life span times. You are really a First Class Act of our Eastern Twi Dinka people. God bless you all.

N/B: Eastern Twi Dinka people have many options, so our neighbor might laugh today and tomorrow they might not laugh. We just say it as simple as it might sound to our adversary here but it is not. 

Our Congratulations

We congratulated Twic East Diocese and Anglican Church of South Sudan 11 years Anniversary that was celebrated in Mading Town last week. God bless you, Rt. Rev. Peter Bol Arok and your fellows in Christ. We also congratulated our citizens who have successfully and completed any level of education curriculums at the end of last year. We wishing you all a new life those who completed their schools, and at the same time, we are wishing our citizens who are going climbs higher in their education struggle. Just determination based on heart, mind, soul and whole body that is only way we think you should achieve your goal. This is our message to Hero, and humble man, Mr. John Kong Nyuon. We are going to miss you for what you have done to people of Jonglei State within short period of time, and also at the time of more troubles in our State. We wish you a good luck with any new adventure in life. In our hearts, you are still our Governor no matter what unfortunate situation you have been in. God bless you with your family.

Our Condolences

Our condolences go to the families of deceased and best wishing to recovered the abducted children from our Clans over the period of Holidays. May Almighty God Rest the Souls of the deceased ones.

Finally, our community which is a peace loving community. We are echoing again for peace to come to our nation. Being a Community that most of the times value peace solutions more rather than violent solutions whenever any circumstance allow it.

We need our Commissioner, Hon. Dan Akoi to make census of Eastern Twi Dinka in our motherland and in exiles. We have to know who is still Greater Twic East sons and daughters and who have totally emigrated to other areas. This time, we don’t want our people to be represented by foreigners. Let our office know if you need support. Also any person who have decided to emigrate to other communities should have a written paper from his sub-chief and Head Chief of his/her Clan, Paramount Chief, and you the Commissioner.

Wishing you our Eastern Twi Dinka people a Happy New Year of 2016

“Having been slow to join the first civil war, the Nuer and Dinka Anyanya units of Upper Nile were among the most resistant to the Addis Ababa Agreement in 1972. It was initially opposed by Samuel Gai Tut, a senior Lou Nuer Anyanya commander, as well as by John Garang, a very junior Twic Dinka captain (Abel Alier 1990:138).” By Abel Alier Kuai from Dinka Bor

This information was validated by Twic East Community of South Sudan-USA

Addis Ababa/Juba, January 17, 2016 (SSNA) -- Former South Sudanese Vice President and rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar has issued an order, recalling back to rebel headquarters, Pagak, the entire leadership of the SPLM/A-IO’s advance team.

The leadership of the armed opposition say South Sudan’s President is using delaying tactics to prevent the implementation of the peace agreement.

The move comes as South Sudanese President Salva kiir refuses to scrap his 28 states expansion plan and a few days after rebel leader Dr. Machar asked his advance team to return to Pagak for more consultations.

Rebels say the 28 states decree, which was also rejected by the IGAD-Plus and the international community, violates the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement and accuse South Sudan’s President of trying to thwart the execution of the pact.

Kiir denies the charges, claiming that he is fulfilling SPLM’s taking towns to people policy.

South Sudanese rival leaders Kiir and Machar signed the internationally-brokered deal in August last year, raising hope for peace to return to the violence-ravaged young nation.

Meanwhile, the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) was told by a high-ranking government source who prefers anonymity that Kiir’s political future depends heavily on the 28 states scheme and that the IGAD-Plus proposed power-sharing deal threatens Kiir’s power.

“Kiir and his trusted allies are worry about the fact that the peace agreement will take some powers away from them. Kiir enjoys ruling by decrees; so it is very hard for him to lose that power,” declared the source.

The SSNA has also learned that the armed opposition is considering undisclosed options, should the peace accord collapses.

Juba/Pagak, January 19, 2016 (SSNA) -- South Sudan’s rebels said they are committed to the implementation of the internationally-brokered power-sharing deal, SPLM’s reunification agreement, and that members of the SPLM/A-IO should not accept propagandas and provocations spread around by government hardliners.

Mabior Garang de Mabior, the son of South Sudanese revered leader late Dr. Jonh Darang de Mabior, said the armed opposition is in Juba to execute the pact regardless of incitements that are being encouraged by Salva kiir’s government.

“The SPLM/SPLA-In Opposition advance team is in Juba to implement the agreement, dispite the many provocations by hardliners in the government,” Mabior said in a statement obtained by the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA).

Mabior, who is the Chairman of SPLM/A-IO’s national committee for information and public relations, also stated that rebel advance team has sent a group to Pagak for a consultative meeting and that people should not panic.

“The movement has dispatched a team to Pagak for consultations with the leadership and shall soon return to continue with the implementation of the peace agreement. This should not be cause for alarm,” he revealed.

Most supporters of the armed opposition have recently been vocal against the way the SPLM/A-IO handles the issue of Kiir’s 28 states expansion plan, demanding that Pagak completely reject Juba's 28 states plan and ask that the rebel leadership reactivates the 21 states scheme which was first proposed by the rebels.

South Sudan’s President issued a decree in October last year, creating 28 states. Kiir also appointed 28 Governors in December of 2015 just two days after rebel advance team arrived in Juba.

Kiir’s move has been harshly criticized by the armed opposition including the international community, saying the order violates the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement.

The rebel senior official also reiterates SPLM/A-IO’s commitment to peace and urges rebel members and supporters not to “entertain a return to war.”

The SPLM/A-IO’s dispatched team has arrived this afternoon and will convene a consultative meeting with the rebel leadership tomorrow (Wednesday).

Who: Christine Beerli, vice-president of the ICRC

Starts:

Mr President, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

New York, January 19, 2016 (SSNA) -- Thank you for inviting the ICRC to address you on the subject of the protection of civilians – a subject which your Council has put at the centre of many of its resolutions, including on Syria, South Sudan, Yemen, Iraq, the Central African Republic and the Lake Chad basin.

In 2015, ICRC operations reached more than 40 million people, including more civilians than ever before in our history. Regrettably, we see the underlying trend of increasing humanitarian needs as likely to continue over the next year.

International humanitarian law for the protection of civilians in international and non-international armed conflict is clearly established and binding for all parties to armed conflict, State and non-State.  The ICRC continues to believe that the current legal framework for the protection of civilians remains relevant and that the main challenge in protecting civilians centres on greater compliance with IHL by all parties to armed conflicts.

For the ICRC, working on the ground with the victims of armed conflict, it is obvious that political action ultimately determines the fate of civilian populations. If there are no political solutions to armed conflicts, then many millions of people will continue to endure the personal tragedy and humanitarian consequences of armed conflict, for years, decades, or even lifetimes.

This year we will mark the fifth anniversary of the Syrian crisis. Syria has in many ways become an emblematic conflict, with immense suffering of the civilian population. It is emblematic in terms of violations of the law, of a restrictive interpretation of the humanitarian space, of illegal use of weapons and of use of illegal weapons, all of which has led to dramatic displacement, in turn putting pressure on neighbouring States’ basic services and social fabric.

The link between the suffering and the lack of respect for IHL could not be clearer than when you talk to the severely malnourished people of Madaya, Foua and Kefraya, as my colleagues did over the last weeks. Women, men and children have died, and, unless full compliance with IHL is assured, many more are at risk of death. Today the overwhelming humanitarian needs necessitate that the sieges be lifted immediately. This Council has the possibility to support and practice confidential engagement for the respect of the law, in Syria and elsewhere. On behalf of the civilians that the ICRC serves in armed conflicts around the world, I encourage you to do so.

All this suggests that much more needs to be done to resolve armed conflicts. Here, the emphasis of last year’s UN High Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations on “the primacy of politics” and the need for political solutions to be in the driving seat of UN efforts is important, and timely.

The ICRC welcomes the Panel’s recognition that “the protection of civilians is a core obligation of the United Nations”. We also recognize that the single greatest contribution to ending the suffering of civilians in armed conflict is always the effective prevention and resolution of armed conflict.

With this in mind, the ICRC urges the Council to find consensus, wherever it can, to build the necessary political strategies that will prevent and end armed conflicts.

Where there is no end to an armed conflict and when IHL applies, then compliance with international humanitarian law is critical to ensure the protection of civilians.

The conduct of hostilities - the way armed conflicts are fought - is the key determinant of civilian suffering. The misuse of weapons, direct attacks against civilians and the civilian populations as well as indiscriminate attacks, starvation and displacement that become part of a military strategy and attacks against health care facilities all too often combine to create civilian suffering that involves serious violations of IHL.

In the ICRC’s experience, much widespread harm and suffering caused by armed conflict is wrongly seen as an inevitable consequence of war when in fact it is frequently a violation of law. Far too much civilian suffering in this last year has resulted from a failure of the parties to a conflict to take into account the protection of civilians in the conduct of military operations and to strike the appropriate balance between military necessity and humanitarian imperatives, as required by IHL.

Yet violations of IHL occur daily: explosive weapons are used indiscriminately in populated areas. Civilian populations and civilian objects are deliberately targeted. Civilian communities are forcibly displaced and trapped in lengthy sieges, deprived of means of survival. Women and men, girls and boys are regularly the victims of rape and sexual violence. Schools are attacked or used for military purposes, leading to their loss of protection against attack. Detainees are summarily executed, tortured and kept in inhumane conditions and denied due process of law.

Such violations of IHL are well known to you all and often referred to explicitly in the Council’s resolutions with an evident determination to end them.

The use of explosive weapons in populated areas is one example that raises serious concern in terms of compliance.

Especially in urban environments these weapons are prone to indiscriminate effects, with often devastating consequences for civilians. Many civilians are killed or injured by such weapons. Critical infrastructure – on which civilians depend for their livelihoods and survival - like power stations, water treatment plants and hospitals can be continuously and cumulatively damaged so that they cease to provide essential services to meet people’s basic needs. Precisely for those reasons, the ICRC has urged that the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area should be avoided in densely populated areas.

To address this humanitarian issue States should make known their policies on the use of such weapons and explain how their use of explosive weapons in populated areas complies with IHL.

We also ask that Habitat III, the upcoming United Nations Summit to develop a “new urban agenda”, take account of the risks faced by many millions of people threatened by armed conflict and other situations of violence in today’s densely populated and fast growing cities.

The second main aspect of compliance that the ICRC would like to emphasize is the need for States and non-State armed groups to comply with their obligation to meet the basic needs of the population under their control and, if unable to do so, to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of relief for civilians in need, subject to their right of control. If these basic needs are not met, parties to armed conflict shall positively respond to offers of services made by impartial humanitarian organization such as the ICRC and shall authorize their humanitarian activities, which include protection and assistance. Humanitarian activities are all those aimed at preserving life and security or seeking to restore the mental and physical well-being of victims of armed conflict. In this process, a concern to protect the dignity of a person is fundamental.

Questions of humanitarian access necessary to carry out protection and assistance activities, is an aspect of IHL on which the Council has continued to exercise significant concern in 2015. These questions will be particularly relevant in 2016 as States prepare to make new commitments on humanitarian action at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May.

At the Summit, the ICRC very much wants to see a significant and practical recommitment by States to their obligations to protect and assist the civilian population in armed conflicts. Clear recognition of the complementary albeit essential and lawful role that impartial humanitarian organizations – local and international - can play in meeting this humanitarian objective also needs to emerge from the Summit.

Practical recommitments to IHL’s rules on access, protection and assistance will be particularly important in 2016 because of the unprecedented number of internally displaced people, refugees and vulnerable migrants that are fleeing and moving because of the humanitarian consequences of armed conflict. 

The ICRC welcomes the UN’s Summit on Large-Scale Movements of Migrants and Refugees due to take place in September this year, and we are committed to play a significant role in its process and debate. At the same time, we ask that a strong focus of the Council’s attention remain on the millions of IDPs affected by armed conflict, many of whom die as a result of armed conflict.

The need to respect and ensure compliance with IHL is urgent. States and non-State armed groups must comply with these laws, and close the existing implementation gap.

The mere existence of obligations and prohibitions is not sufficient to prevent and put a stop to suffering, or to deter future violations. IHL rules must be known, understood and implemented by the parties to an armed conflict if its purposes are to be fulfilled. This is a multifaceted process which requires that appropriate action be taken by actors at the national, regional, and international levels.

Mr President,

Thank you for giving the ICRC the opportunity to speak in this important debate.

I hope you have heard us encourage the Council’s efforts to protect civilians, and urge all States to find whatever consensus is possible to prevent and resolve armed conflicts as the single best way to protect civilians.

Meanwhile, and as armed conflicts go on, respecting the law is the single most impactful choice States and non-State groups can make to avoid civilian suffering.

Thank You.

Ends

Juba, January 21, 2016 (SSNA) -- The Troika has issued a statement saying it will end its financial support to what it described as “complex operation” meant to secure the implementation of South Sudan's power-sharing deal.

The announcement comes as South Sudanese rival groups accuse each other of refusing to implement the internationally-brokered pact.

In close coordination with the European Union (EU), the three nations bloc, Troika, says in a statement that it offers to pay accommodation fees of at least 240 people until the a transitional government is formed...and that the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement sets the 22^nd of January of 2016 as the dateline for the formation of an interim-government.

“The United States and Norway, in coordination with the UK and the EU, contributed very substantial financial support for this complex operation, including buses to Gambella, flights to Juba and accommodation for 240 people. The purpose of this support was to secure the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARC), and the full operationalisation of the various committees as proscribed by the Agreement,” the statement reads in part.

Troika also discloses that it informed both the armed opposition and South Sudan’s government that its financial support is only suited for a one-time and that it will end its financial support on January 22.

“As stated very clearly in our dialogue with both the Government of South Sudan and the SPLM-IO, the assistance will terminate 22 January, the date by which the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) is scheduled to be formed. This means that support for all those now being provided accommodation in Juba will end on that date,” the statement added.

It is not clear who will pick up accommodation fees for rebel advance team as members of the armed oppostion are still staying in hotels in Juba.

However, Troika says that it “will only be able to mobilize additional external support and assistance if a TGoNU is formed and there is a sincere commitment by all parties to implement the agreement,” adding that its support to peace process will continue through JMEC and urges South Sudan’s rivals to find a meaningful solution that would allow the peace implementation process to move forward.

Last week, the leadership of the SPLM/A-IO recalled back to rebel headquarters, Pagak, some members of its advance team to conduct a consultative meeting over Kiir’s 28 states expansion scheme. Rebels say Kiir is using “delaying tactics” to prevent the implementation of the peace agreement.

Kiir denies the accusation, claiming that he is simply fulfilling SPLM’s taking towns to people policy.

Rebels also assert that Kiir is desperate, looking for ways to maintain his dictatorial rule and that his claim of taking towns to people is a wishful thinking.

The armed opposition warns of “serious consequences” if South Sudan’s president refuses to abandon his 28 states plan.

New York, January 21, 2016 (SSNA) -- A report released by the United Nations (UN) has accused South Sudan’s rival forces of committing serious crimes in the oil-rich Unity State. The report also accuses Salva Kiir’s government of carrying out most crimes.

The UN report, which pointed out that the government of South Sudan committed far more serious crimes than its opponent, the SPLM/A-IO, also reveals state-sponsored actions perpetuated by Juba.

The document says gang-rapes, judicial killings, enforced disappearances, massive child, forced abortion, indiscriminate attacks against civilians, sexual slavery, and soldier recruitment were committed by the warring factions. However, the UN report fails to elaborate further on exact crimes each side has committed.

The report further asserts that government soldiers “held pregnant women and minors as sex slaves while attacking civilians” in Unity State’s villages.

South Sudan’s government says UN report is not true, saying its troops have not committed any crime.

Pagak/Juba, January 22, 2016 (SSNA) -- South Sudanese rebel military command has accused Juba of launching new military assaults on its positions located in and around Western and Central Equatoria States.

The armed opposition says at least 7 heavily equipped Toyota land cruisers of the government attacked its outpost in Wundurba payam of the Central Equatoria State, adding that the assault happened on Friday morning at about 11:00am, South Sudan local time.

Rebels say the attack is unacceptable and that it violates the peace agreement.

“Around 11:00 AM this morning, 7 Toyota land cruisers heavily armed from South Sudan capital Juba attacked our assembly site in Wundurba area. This is unacceptable for SPLA-Juba faction to continue violating the signed peace accord between the two parties in August 2015,” SPLA-IO’s military command says in a statement obtained by the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA).

The SPLA-IO added that its soldiers were forced to engage government’s troops to stop what it described as “intolerable advancement” toward rebel-held areas.

The SSNA understands that heavy fighting between the rival forces occurred in Katigiri Payam of Central Equatoria state and is ongoing.

Rebel stated that one of its sites in Mundiri of Western Equatoria State occupied by the SPLA-IO was also attacked by government forces on Thursday.

According to the armed opposition, Major General John Kenyi, the SPLA-IO field commander in the area says number of those killed in the fighting could not be released at the moment because the fight is continuing.

The armed opposition says it condemns government assaults on its positions and Juba’s deliberate displacement of civilians in Western Equatoria State.

The rebel military command calls on JMEC, IGAD-Plus, and the international community to put pressure on South Sudan’s government to stop the war and work towards the implementation of the power-sharing deal.

An attempt by the South Sudan News Agency to get government’s reaction on the situation went unanswered.

Jonglei/Phow State-Fangak (South) County

Sub: Congratulatory Message

January 23, 2016 (SSNA) -- On behalf of Thiang Nuer Community and indeed on our own behalf as Thiang Nuer Youths at home, we would like to size this golden chance to register our million congratulations to H: E Johnson Kuol Gai Nyoab on his recent promotion from the rank of Brigadier General to the rank of Major General and also on his subsequent appointment as Governor of Phow State.

It was on 12^th January 2016 in Pagak when the SPLM/-I-O’s Chairman and Commander-in-chief of the SPLA-I-O, Dr. Riek Machar Teny issued those two series orders, promoting H:E Johnson Kuol to the rank of Major General and then promoted him as Phow State’s Deputy Governor to Phow State’s Governor general.

Therefore, in the first place we would like congratulate Johnson Kuol on his promotion and appointment to the above stated two higher positions respectively. Million Congratulations to you; Your Excellency Johnson, you really deserve both military and political higher positions that you was promoted and appointed to!! And it could not be out of blue, why you was promoted and appointed to those top posts at the same time. Surely it must be because of your unmeasured contributions you’ve been doing ever since in the Resistant Movement. So go ahead Johnson, we, all the Thiang Nuer Youths and indeed our community as a whole is one hundred (100%) behind you and behind the President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurghon.

Secondly, we cannot forget to register our sincere appreciations and thanks to SPLM/A-I-O’s top leadership for bestowed such a great onus on our brother and Thiang’s Nuer son, Johnson Kuol Gai to serve the people of Phow State as their Governor. It is first of its kind in Fangak or Phow Community’s history that one of the Thiang Nuer’s sons is appointed to the position of Governorship. And it is only done by a democratic, visionary leader like Dr. Machar Teny who, throughout, dedicated his life to works, fights for justice and equality for all. We have to acknowledge this truth in this message. The Thiang Nuer Community will, therefore, at the various levels organize and celebrate a historic appointment of Johnson Kuol Gai’s Nyoab as Phow State’s Governor. So thank you very much Dr. Machar for this historic & (your) democratic decision, appointed Johnson Kuol a Governor. A visionary, democratic and equality characters that you have in mind are the main reasons why the entire public is always behind you. We do really appreciate all those qualities in you very much and that is good of you Dr. Machar!!

Lastly, we would like to end this congratulatory message by urging Gen. H: E. Johnson Kuol Gai, the Governor of Phow State to tirelessly continue working for all four sections (cub-clans) of Phow State’s people’s common interests as usual and not only for Thiang Nuer Community but also in the best interests of Gawaar Nuer, Lak Nuer and Padang Dinka of Pigi county in general. Transparency, democracy and equality for all are what we are fighting for behind our wise and able leader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurghon.

Backward never Forward ever!!

This Congratulatory Message was prepared and Signed by all Thiang Nuer Youths in Old Fangak; but it is released to the press by Mr. Thomas Jenai Dual, Chairperson.

The Chairperson of Thinag Nuer Youth Association in Old Fangak, Thomas Jenay, can be reached for any comment or suggestion at thomasjenay59@gmail.com

Addis Ababa, January 23, 2016 (SSNA) -- Former South Sudanese Vice President and rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar will brief the public on the implementation of the IGAD-brokered peace agreement tomorrow in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) has been told by a high-ranking rebel official that Machar, who recently returned from rebel headquarters, Pagak, after a consultative meeting with his advance team over Kiir’s 28 states expansion plan, will address the public on the implementation of the power-sharing deal.

The rebel leader is also expected to touch on several peace-related issues and reveal the official position of the SPLM/A-IO after latest Pagak’s consultative conference.

The SSNA has learned that the rebel leadership have unanimously voted this week to reject Kiir’s 28 states decree and warned that Kiir’s use of delaying tactics to try to disrupt the implementation of the pact will not be accepted.

Kiir and Machar failed to form a transitional government by January 22 dateline set by the IGAD-Plus.

In the meeting, Pagak vowed to only abide by the peace implementation rules and that Juba’s talks of an inclusion of 28 states into the peace document could slide the young nation back into civil war.

On the 5^th of January, the Nuer (Naath) Community in the United States—the umbrella agency for all Nuer local communities in the USA threatened to mobilize the public against the SPLM/A-IO’s leadership if it accepts Kiir’s 28 states plan.

Kampala/Addis Ababa, January 24, 2016 (SSNA) -- South Sudan’s rebel leader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurghon, left Ethiopia for Uganda on Sunday evening to meet Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni over lack of the implementation of the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement.

Machar, who briefed the public on peace deal on Sunday evening before his departure said he will meet Museveni after he received an invitation letter through Uganda's External Security Organization (ESO).

In his reply letter, a copy of which was obtained by the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA), the rebel leader said he accepted the invitation and that he has “no objection of the ESO to be in charge” of his visit, despite the fact that Museveni is the main backer of South Sudan’s Kiir.

“I am writing to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 22 January 2016, which you have written on behalf og H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, inviting me to Kampala, Uganda.” Machar said in the letter.

“I am happy to inform you that I have no objection for ESO to be in charge of organizing my visit to the Republic of Uganda on behalf of H.E. President Museveni,” he added.

In July 2014, Ugandan government refused to receive rebel delegation at the Entebbe International Airport, claiming that there was a "misunderstanding" in communication between the leadership of the SPLM/A-IO and Kampala. Rebels called the snub "humdrum," and they had to return to Ethiopia.

Museveni and Machar are expected to discuss Kiir’s 28 states decree and other peace-related issues.

However, it is not the first time the two leaders meet face-to-face after civil war erupted in South Sudan. Machar and Museveni met in September of 2015 in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

The leader of the armed opposition also said he accepts the invitation and that he will discuss the future of his country with Museveni whom he also described as a “brother.”

“I am hereby confirming my acceptance to visit Kampala, Uganda to meet my brother President Museveni to discuss the future of my beloved country South Sudan and bilateral relations with sisterly country Ugandan,” Machar wrote.

The news of Machar’s visit sent shock-waves of mixed reactions from rebel supporters, with some people protesting on social media, calling Museveni “a killer who cannot be trusted at all.”

“This man called M7 is a killer who can’t be trusted at all. He kills by poisoning many African political, military, and civil leaders,” one supporter of the SPLM/A-IO wrote.

“What is wrong with Riek Machar?” another supporter asked.

In December of 2011, George Athor, who waged a rebellion against government after he lost elections in Jonglei State was killed in Equaoria region. South Sudanese believe that Athor’s killing was in fact carried out by Uganda in a suburb of Kampala and then Ugandan government turned his dead body over to South Sudan’s security agents who were in Kampala before Athor was lured into a meeting place in pretext of Museveni being a mediator between South Sudan’s government and Athor’s armed faction. It has been alleged that South Sudan’s soldiers staged Athor’s killing in Morobo of Central Equatoria State. Most South Sudanese also believe that Museveni may have a hand in the death of their leader, late Dr. John Garang de Mabior, who was killed in July of 2005 in a mysterious helicopter crash.

The list of Machar’s delegation to Kampala includes Angelina Teny-Chairperson of the SPLM-IO National Committee for Security and Defense, Dr. Dhieu Mathok Diinh-Secretary General of the SPLM-IO, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth-Chairman of the SPLM-IO National Committee for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Peter Adwok Nyaba-Chairperson of the SPLM-IO National Committee for Training and Research, Ramadan Hassan Laku-Chairman of the SPLM-IO National Committee for Federal Affairs, Major General Thoi Chany-Director General of National Security and General Intelligence Service (NSGIS), Hatim Cuei Deng-Chief of protocol, Brig. General Wany Juetjok Kuenywar-Director of External Security, Paul Opio Both Wityian-SPLM/A-IO Deputy Representative to Uganda, Gatkuoth Tap Jany, Gabriel Kuok Dang, Lam Dak Chuol, Chuol Koak Thiep, Gach Nguot Tang, Khan Thomas Kume, Kai Lieth Diyiam, Steven Goi Gatluak, John Gatluak Thian, Kuem Gatluok Machar, and Ruach Gatluak Put.

The invitation letter which was sent to Machar bears the signature of Joseph Ocwet, the Director General of External Security Organization (Uganda).

The SSNA has learned that Ocwet, who is also a former ambassador, was appointed by Yoweri Museveni as head of the ESO in June of 2015.

A few days after fighting broke out in Juba, Museven a staunch supporter of Kiir, gave Machar 3-4 days to surrender or face defeat.

Most South Sudanese believe that Presidents Museveni and Kiir planned the December 2015 coup attempt in a bid to get rid of Kiir’s political rivals.

New York/Juba, January 25, 2016 (SSNA) -- A new report due to be released at any day by the United Nations (UN) panel of experts tasked to investigate South Sudan’s civil war and report its findings to the UN Security Council has recommend that South Sudanese President Salva kiir and rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar should be blacklisted and that an arms embargo be placed on the young nation.

In the leaked confidential report seen by the Reuters News Agency, the experts say their investigation uncovers direct links between people who committed crimes on both sides of the conflict and that high-ranking officials of Kiir’s government and Machar’s SPLM/A-IO knew exactly the crimes were being committed.

“There is clear and convincing evidence that most of the acts of violence committed during the war, including the targeting of civilians ... have been directed by or undertaken with the knowledge of senior individuals at the highest levels of the Government and within the opposition,” the report reads in part.

The panel, which has released numerous reports in the past, admitted that South Sudan’s opposing leaders are still in complete control of their armed forces.

The report also asserts that UN’s peacekeepers are "regularly attacked, harassed, detained, intimidated and threatened.” However, the report did not specify who attacked UN soldiers.

In the report, the UN details how South Sudanese government purchased four Mi-24 attack helicopters in 2014 from an unnamed Ukrainian company, adding that Kiir’s government paid at least $43 million for the airplanes. The panel of experts further added that after the acquisition of attack helicopters, some government officials opt for a military solution, thinking that airplanes will give Juba greater capacity to expand the war and ultimately eliminate the rebellion.

“They [helicopters] have been vital in providing an important advantage in military operations, have facilitated the expansion of the war and have emboldened those in the Government who are seeking a military solution to the conflict at the expense of the peace process,” the report disclosed.

The latest report, diplomats and experts believe, will place Kiir and Machar on sanction list. If the report is approved by the 15-member UN Security Council, the two leaders will then be banned from traveling and asset freezes will also be enacted.

Kiir and Machar failed to form a transitional government by 22^nd of January 2016 dateline proposed by the IGAD-Plus.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC, January 25, 2016 (SSNA) -- Government and opposition leaders, including President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar, have “command and control” responsibility for the majority of mass atrocities and human rights violations in South Sudan’s war, according to a UN Security Council Panel of Experts (PoE) report, published today.

John Prendergast, Founding Director of the Enough Project, said, “It is critical that the Experts Group established command and control responsibility for mass atrocities all the way to the very top of both the government and rebel militaries.  The onus is on the UN Security Council to act on that evidence by holding accountable those leaders on both sides responsible for mass atrocities. Without accountability, the current peace process is doomed to implode under the weight of impunity for both human rights abuses and mass corruption.”

Brad Brooks-Rubin, Director of Policy at the Enough Project, said: "Key individuals in this Panel of Expert report have been named as being behind a deliberate continuation of the war in South Sudan. It has long been our position that a few elite politicians in South Sudan have seized control of government for their personal economic gain. When competing factions among the elite wanted a bigger share of the spoils of state, they pushed the country into war. Some of these top-level politicians oppose the end of the war because they are profiting from it. The Enough Project welcomes the identification of these individuals. This report opens the path forjustice, and an end to impunity. Now that these individuals have been exposed, the U.S, other governments, and organizations such as the UN, must use the tools at their disposal to hold these individuals accountable."

J.R. Mailey, Senior Policy Analyst at the Enough Project, said: "The report highlights several cases in which asset freezes and travel bans imposed on high-level South Sudanese officials directly responsible for abuses have been blatantly violated. Moving forward, the international community -- and especially countries in the region -- must take steps to ensure that the current UN sanctions are adequately enforced."

Brad Brooks-Rubin, Director of Policy at the Enough Project, added: “The peace deal faces existential threats from the war profiteers among the elite. We have seen the deliberate enactment of policies, such as the creation of new states that violate the stipulations of the deal. The ceasefire has been violated so many times by both sides in the conflict. Unless conflict no longer holds any economic value for the war profiteers among the elite, South Sudan will not enjoy peace. That’s why it is important to hold those responsible for the war to account for their actions.”

More analysis by the Enough Project:

• Real accountability means enacting specific sanctions on these individuals, with the ultimate aim of limiting their ability to move assets and ill-gotten wealth in the global financial system.  In the U.S, several tools exist, ranging from legislation to presidential orders that would empower government to seize assets, limit the potential of these individuals to seek support from regional governments, and disrupt the economic activities of these individuals so that they don’t profit from war.
• For the UN Security Council, the time is ripe to enforce targeted sanctions on these individuals. The report depicts a gloomy forecast for South Sudan, pointing out that conflict may endure. To stop war in South Sudan, now is the time for the Security Council to enforce an arms embargo and sanctions on individuals and other entities involved in arms trading with South Sudan.

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:

Greg Hittelman, Director of Communications, +1 310 717 0606, gh@enoughproject.org 

About THE ENOUGH PROJECT

The Enough Project, an atrocity prevention policy group, seeks to build leverage for peace and justice in Africa by helping to create real consequences for the perpetrators and facilitators of genocide and other mass atrocities. Enough aims to counter rights-abusing armed groups and violent kleptocratic regimes that are fueled by grand corruption, transnational crime and terror, and the pillaging and trafficking of minerals, ivory, diamonds, and other natural resources. Enough conducts field research in conflict zones, develops and advocates for policy recommendations, supports social movements in affected countries, and mobilizes public campaigns. Learn more – and join us – at www.EnoughProject.org

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Kampala, January 26, 2015 (SSNA) -- Former South Sudanese Vice President and rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni have held talks at Masindi State Lodge on Monday over the implementation of the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement.

The two leaders discussed, among other things, Kiir's 28 states decree, the lifting of the state of emergency, and the implementation of provisions in the ARCISS.

Machar, who has already returned to Ethiopia on Tuesday evening, rejects Kiir's 28 states plan and told Museveni that the order number 36 that was issued by South Sudanese President two days after rebel advance team arrived in Juba to start the implementation of the power-sharing deal violates the pact.

Dr. Machar stunned his base when he announced last Sunday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, that he was heading to Kampala.

“…we discussed several issues relating to peace in the Republic of South Sudan and other bilateral issues,” Dr. Machar said in a prepared statement.

Museveni and Machar surprised the public when it was revealed in the declaration that they have agreed to allow their political movements, the Sudan People Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) and Ugandan ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party to open a new chapter in relations.

“The President of the Republic of Uganda and I, have agreed to work to start a new page in relations between the sisterly Movements of the NRM and the SPLM (In Opposition) and between the two leaders of these Movements,” Machar disclosed.

In the meeting, Museveni and Machar also agreed to work for peace in the region through the implementation of the Agreement on Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS).

“We have also agreed on consolidation of peace in the region through the implementation of the ARCISS,” he added.

The meeting came after South Sudan’s rebel leader received an invitation letter through the head of Uganda’s External Security Organization (ESO), assuring Machar that the ESO will be fully in charge of organizing his visit to the Republic of Uganda.

The leader of the armed oppostion also states Kiir's recent statement on the normalization of relations between Juba and Khartoum is a good thing.

However, Machar says he believes that the best way to normalize relations between the two Sudans is to fully 'implement provisions in the ARCISS and cooperation agreements signed in September of 2012' because the provisions allow the creation of 'buffer zone' along the two countries order.

The face-to-face conference, the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) learned, was a “closed-door” and that some of the topics discussed by the two leaders were not made public.