Recent Appearances...

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Recent Appearances...

Africa Subsaharan

South Sudan denies president's death amid rumours

2025-05-16

[PUNCHNG] South Sudan
Sudan

...a Moslem country located in the Horn of Africa. It is noted for its affinity for rule by ex- or current generals, its holy men, and for the oppression of the native Afro population by its Arab conquerors. South Sudan, populated mostly by the natives, split off from Sudan proper, which left North and South Darfur to be oppressed by the guys with turbans...
's government on Thursday denied that President Salva Kiir had died, following online speculation.

The long-serving 73-year-old leader has long been dogged by rumours of ill health.

But he has been pictured in recent months meeting visiting dignitaries and ordering a series of dramatic government reshuffles.

He has also moved decisively against his long-time rival and the current first vice-president, Riek Machar, placing him under house arrest and detaining several of his allies.

Late Wednesday, reports began emerging on social media, claiming that Kiir had, in the words of one Kenyan personality, ''kicked the bucket.''
"He's pining for the Sudanese fjords"
South Sudan's foreign ministry issued a statement the following day, saying it ''categorically and strongly denies the false and malicious reports circulating on social media claiming that His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit has passed away.''

The posts were ''entirely baseless and irresponsible rumours fabricated by enemies of peace, development, nation building, and stability,'' it added.

It comes as South Sudan faces another bout of insecurity, with festivities between forces aligned with Kiir and Machar breaking out in several areas around the country, raising fears of renewed civil war.

Link

Africa Subsaharan

South Sudan president presses on holding elections as scheduled

2024-04-05

Will South Sudan hold delayed polls this year?

President Salva Kiir on Wednesday (Aprl. 03) warned politicians against an extension of the period of transition.

He argued it would deny citizens an opportunity to choose their leaders and urged parliament to pass the necessary laws to pave the way for the elections.

Parliament Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba said politicians would redouble their efforts to ensure that all the prerequisites for elections are met.

His adress to parliament which return from recess comes just weeks after Salava Kiir's deputy and former rival Riek Machar proposed a postponement of elections expected to be held in December.

Vice President Machar suggested last month an extension of the transitional government’s term to allow for adequate preparation for the elections.

South Sudan became independent in 2011. After a peace deal in 2018 ended a civil war, elections were due to be held in February 2023. However,
some men learn by reading. A few learn by observation. The rest have to pee on the electric fence for themselves...
the government of national unity of Salva Kiir and Riek Machar has failed to meet key clauses of the deal.

The nation is working to put into place a permanent constitution, an electoral commission and a unified police force, made up of pro-government and rebel factions, that would provide security to the troubled nation.

The landlocked country is facing an economic crisis due to a decline in oil exports after war-torn Sudan last month declared force majeure on oil shipments passing through the country. The fighting in Sudan has affected shipments destined for a terminal near Port Sudan along the Red Sea coast.

Link

Africa Horn

German FM urges South Sudan leaders to renounce violence

2024-01-30

[SUDANTRIBUNE] The German Foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock has urged South Sudanese leaders to renounce the violence in the electoral process.

She was speaking after meeting President Salva Kiir
whose predecessor died under mysterious circumstances when his plane exploded...
and First Vice President Riek Machar
Who's been in near continuous rebellion against Kiir and his forces...
in Juba on Friday as part of a tour that saw her visit Kenya and Djibouti.

The official stressed the need for free, fair and peaceful elections in the country.

She emphasized the need for progress in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, greater transparency in the management of public finances, increased investment in basic services by the transitional government and the facilitation of safe and unhindered humanitarian access in South Sudan.
And ponies for everyone!
While opening a new United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) women’s friendly space at Gorom refugee settlement on Friday, Baerbock has condemned the widespread sexual and gender-based violence women affected by war face.

“Sexual violence and rape are systematically used as a weapon of war. The women I just spoke to suffered the worst – they had to watch their daughters being raped in front of their eyes, they lost their children while fleeing. And then they arrived here in South Sudan and urgently need humanitarian support, water, food, but, above all, what everyone says above all, medical care,” she stressed.

Link

Africa Subsaharan

S. Sudan holdout groups form alliance to topple Juba regime

2023-04-26

[SUDANTRIBUNE] South Sudan hold groups have formed an alliance of all armed and non-opposition groups in preparation for major offensives against the Juba regime, raising concerns about their commitment to peace.

The alliance, operating under South Sudan Federal Democratic Alliance (SSFDA), claimed President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar were not ready to implement the peace agreement because they are using the 2018 accord as a strategy to remain in power to enrich themselves and members of their families.

Gen. Simon Gatwec Dual, leader of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) Kitgwang faction, said Kiir and Machar share the same agenda.

"Our people should not be fooled that the regime in Juba is for peace. The regime of Salva Kiir and Riek Machar is a regime of people interested in power. Riek wants power and Kiir does not give it. This is the situation and so they have decided to hold the country, hostage. So, as the leaders of various movements, we have decided to rescue our people by forming the alliance to coordinate our efforts to remove them", he explained.

The new alliance, according to a statement issued Wednesday, consists of SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang Declaration, National Salvation Front (NAS), South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUNF/A), United South Sudan Revolutionary Movement/Army (USSRM/A), South Sudan Rescue Front (SSRF), United Revolutionary Democratic Movement (UDRM/K) and South Sudan United Movement/Army Forces (SSUM/FA).

"We, the SSFDA parties to this MoU [Memorandum of Understanding] recognize the need for a united opposition against the brutal regime of General Salva Kiir and his partners in crime," partly reads the statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

It added, "Knowing the protracted suffering imposed on our citizens by illegitimate and unilateral extension of the government without due democratic process. We, the SSFDA parties may appreciate the role of the unified political and military action to change the regime in Juba by committing the country to a democratic process through free and fair elections".

Link

Africa Subsaharan

S.Sudan peace deal violated as Salva Kiir fires Defence, Interior ministers

2023-03-05

[NATION.AFRICA] South Sudan President Salva Kiir has fired his government's Defence and Interior ministers in a move that goes against the terms of a peace agreement signed with opposition party leader Riek Machar.

The sacked Defence minister is Angelina Teny, who is Machar's wife, while the Interior minister is Mahmoud Solomon.

Rooters reported that President Kiir violated the terms of the peace agreement by transferring the Defence ministry to his party, when the position was set aside for Machar's party. He handed Mr Machar's party the Interior ministry instead.

"The switch... is unilateral and a new cycle of violating the revitalised agreement," Rooters quoted Machar's spokesperson, Puok Both Baluang, as saying.

Meanwhile,
...back at the cheese factory, there was only one thought in the mouse's mind: I can do this! I can do this! Then the trap sprung...
Pope Francis

...Argentine liberation theologist, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He was elected pope in 2013. Rather than setting up shop in Avignon, where he belongs, the first Jesuit Pope chose to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse instead of the papal apartments. He is big on climate change, against consumerism, and in favor of throwing a blanket over homosexual activity (so to speak) within the clergy. He's not real sure about the Resurrection, about Christ's divinity, and a few other things that would have gotten him burned at the stake a few hundred years ago, but he's hot for a certain South American Earth Mother Goddess...
on Friday urged the leaders of South Sudan to make "a new start" for peace, warning that history would remember them based on their actions, as he began a three-day visit to the violence-wracked country.

"The process of peace and reconciliation requires a new start," the 86-year-old pontiff said in a speech at the presidential palace in Juba, calling for intensified efforts to end conflict in the world's newest nation.

"Future generations will either venerate your names or cancel their memory, based on what you now do," he told an audience that included President Kiir, Machar, as well as diplomats, religious leaders and traditional kings.

Since South Sudan declared independence from Sudan in 2011, peace has eluded the impoverished country, with a five-year civil war between forces loyal to Kiir and Machar leaving 380,000 people dead and four million displaced.

"No more bloodshed, no more conflicts, no more violence and mutual recriminations about who is responsible for it, no more leaving your people athirst for peace," Francis said.

The "pilgrimage of peace" is the first ever papal visit to South Sudan since the predominantly Christian nation gained independence from Moslem-majority Sudan after decades of war.

It follows a four-day visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Link

Africa Horn

Persistent Insecurity in Southern Sudan: A 12 Month Outlook

2023-01-30

[GreyDynamics] Since the achievement of independence in 2011, South Sudan has been experiencing persistent insecurity. The civil war erupted in 2013 between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-opposition (SPLM-IO). Despite the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan in 2015 and its revitalisation (R-ARCRSS) in 2018, violence remains endemic. Additionally, the National Security Service systematically violates civil liberties and political rights. As the 2024 elections approach, the tensions between SPLM and SPLM-IO and civil society’s repression will likely rise.
Splitters!
Key Judgement 1: Despite the 2018 renewed peace agreement between SPLM and SPLM-IO, violence will highly likely remain endemic in South Sudan over the next 12 months. In particular, communal confrontations are a major insecurity factor.

In December 2013, inner divisions inside the SSD leadership led to civil war. SSD former vice president, Riek Machar, organised the SPLM-IO opposing presidential faction, the SPLM and the national army. [source] [source]

The conflict soon assumed an ethnic dimension. While Dinka’s majority sided with president Kiir, the Nuer people aligned with the SPLM-IO. [source]
And so forth. The other key points are below — details can be seen, with links to sources, at the original article — just click on the headline, above.

Key Judgement 2: It is highly likely that the multi-layered humanitarian insecurity in South Sudan will not improve over the next 12 months. Floods are heavily affecting the population, causing displacement, food insecurity and health issues.

Key Judgement 3: As the 2024 elections approach, South Sudan’s internal political situation will likely worsen over the next 12 months. The National Security Service arbitrarily represses dissent.

Link

Africa Subsaharan

Senior SPLA-IO officers join Kiir's ruling party

2021-12-05

[SUDANTRIBUNE] Four senior South Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) officers have abandoned First Vice President Riek Machar and joined President Salva Kiir’s ruling Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM).The defectors made the announcement at a meeting with Kiir in Juba Thursday.

They were accompanied by traditional leaders hailing from the sections of the Malual Gahoth in Longechuk County and Maiwut County in Upper Nile State.

The defectors included Major Generals Khor Chuol Giet, Kang Riek Diew, Lol Nguoth Chom and the Longechuk County Commissioner, Wiyual Kun Gatluak.

Giet, who spoke on the behalf of the group, said they quit SPLA-IO to free people from tribal hatred and sectional conflicts allegedly spread by Machar’s aides.

He claimed the First Vice President was no longer recognized in the area because they have to control the civil population and the fighters in their constituencies.

"There is currently no more SPLM/A-IO in Gajaak areas and there is no going back. Our people are for peace, stability and they need service delivery", said Giet.

Link

Africa Subsaharan

Deadly fighting erupts between rival factions of South Sudan VP Machar's party

2021-08-08

[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Deadly fighting erupted on Saturday between rival factions of South Sudan Vice President Riek Machar’s SPLA-IO, his military front man said in a statement.

The festivities erupted after Machar’s rivals declared this week they had deposed him as the head of the party and its military forces.

Armed forces led by a rival general in the party, Simon Gatwech Dual, had launched an attack on Machar’s men, who had "repulsed the aggressors", the front man Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel said.

Machar’s SPLA-IO forces had killed two major generals and over 27 "enemy" soldiers, while they had lost three men, he added.

The fighting could not be independently confirmed and there was no immediate response from Gatwech Dual’s side.

Leaders of the military wing of Machar’s SPLM/A-IO said Wednesday they had deposed the rebel-turned-politician for failing to represent their interests.

The fighting could put pressure on the fragile 2018 power-sharing deal between Machar and his old foe President Salva Kiir.

Machar’s allies on Friday dismissed his ouster as a "failed coup," insisting he was still in full control of the party.

Machar himself this week accused "peace spoilers" of engineering his removal.

The 68-year-old, a wily leader who survived years of bush warfare, attempts on his life and stretches in exile, served as vice president alongside Kiir in the first government post independence from Sudan in 2011.

But the pair fell out and Machar was sacked two years later. Troops loyal to each man turned their guns on each other, and South Sudan descended into five years of civil war.

Link

Africa Subsaharan

SPLA-IO kills 15 South Sudanese in Central Equatoria, says NAS

2020-06-04

[Sudan Tribune] The SPLA-IO killed 15 civilians in Central Equatoria State three days ago, claimed the National Salvation Front (NAS) in a statement on Wednesday.

"On 31st May 2020, the SPLA-IO force under the joint command of Maj. Gen. John Mabiah and Maj. Gen. Moses Lokujo have carried out summary execution of fifteen (15) innocent civilians in the villages of Loguni, Panyume Payam, Morobo County in Central Equatoria State," reads a statement released by NAS front man.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, Suba Samuel Manase referred to the "mysterious disappearance" of the three SPLA-IO commanders In Kajo-Kiji adding that the troops of the First Vice-President Riek Machar continued attack on civilians

"On 29th May 2020, a combined force of SSPDF and SPLA-IO followed the civilians who escaped to Democratic Republic of the Congo

...formerly the Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Zaire, and who knows what else, not to be confused with the Brazzaville Congo aka Republic of Congo, which is much smaller and much more (for Africa) stable. DRC gave the world Patrice Lumumba and Joseph Mobutu, followed by years of tedious civil war. Its principle industry seems to be the production of corpses. With a population of about 74 million it has lots of raw material...
(DRC) for safety. They attacked and tortured the civilians in addition to looting their properties," he said.

Last May, the SPLA-IO accused NAS of abducting eight of its military officials including three senior officers at Kansuk in Kajo Keji County on 10 May.

NAS rejected the accusation and described it as a cover-up for internal divisions and "power rivalry" within the SPLA-IO alluding that they had been killed by another general from the area.

On 29 May, the UN Security Council renewed targeted sanctions on South Sudanese official and arms embargo.

The resolution further Expressed "deep concern" at continued fighting in South Sudan and condemned violations of the Revitalised Agreement and the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (ACOH).

Link

Africa Subsaharan

U.N. Staffer Brings Coronavirus to South Sudan

2020-04-08

It’s a tradition. What was it they brought to Haiti that time?

[BREITBART] South Sudan’s first confirmed case of coronavirus (aka COVID19 or Chinese Plague)

...the twenty first century equivalent of bubonic plague, only instead of killing off a third of the population of Europe it kills 3.4 percent of those who notice they have it. It seems to be fond of the elderly, especially Iranian politicians and holy men...
infection was identified on Sunday as a 29-year-old Dutch woman who works for the United Nations
...an organization conceived in the belief that we're just one big happy world, with the sort of results you'd expect from such nonsense...
. Local and U.N. officials said they were attempting to track down everyone she came in contact with during her five weeks in the country.

The chief of the U.N. mission to South Sudan, David Shearer, said 150 people who arrived on the last flights into Juba International Airport two weeks ago were placed in quarantine, with "several dozen" still isolated as a precaution, although none of them have displayed symptoms of the disease.

President Salva Kiir imposed a curfew in South Sudan last week and closed many venues that typically attract large crowds, including churches and mosques. According to Vice President Riek Machar, South Sudan has 11 million residents but only four ventilators at present. The country also has several crowded and unhealthy refugee camps with thousands of inhabitants left over from the long Sudanese civil war.

Link

Africa Subsaharan

South Sudan president, ex-rebel leader agree to form a unity government

2019-12-18

[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir said he and the country’s main former rebel leader reached a deal on Tuesday to form a long-delayed unity government.

Kiir and Riek Machar, who is now opposition leader, met over the past three days in the capital Juba to resolve outstanding disputes that prevented the formation of a coalition government in time for a Nov. 12 deadline.

There were international concerns that war could resume over the disputes.

Last month, the two leaders bought time by delaying the government’s formation for 100 days beyond that deadline.

Link

Africa Subsaharan

US recalls ambassador from South Sudan after unity government failure

2019-11-26

[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] The United States has recalled its ambassador from South Sudan after the leaders of formerly warring factions failed to agree on a unity government, the US State Department said on Monday.

Ambassador Thomas Hushek will return for consultations “as part of the re-evaluation of the US relationship with the Government of South Sudan given the latest developments,” the department said in a statement.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that Washington would “work with the region to support efforts to achieve peace and a successful political transition in South Sudan.”

After a devastating five-year civil war, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar signed a peace deal in September 2018, under pressure from the United Nations, United States, and regional governments.

On November 7, they agreed to give themselves another 100 days beyond a November 12 deadline to form the unity government, and Washington said it was “gravely disappointed.”

The conflict began after Kiir sacked Machar as vice president. It killed an estimated 400,000 people, triggered a famine, and created Africa’s biggest refugee crisis since the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

Link

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