South Sudan wants to join the Commonwealth bloc: official

Commonwealth leaders release CHOGM 2011 Communiqué

13. To welcome the interest shown by the Government of South Sudan in joining the Commonwealth, and to request the Commonwealth Secretariat to pursue the established procedures in this regard.

30 October 2011

Commonwealth Heads of Government met in Perth, Australia, from 28 to 30 October 2011, under the theme ‘Building National Resilience, Building Global Resilience’. Reflecting on the unique nature of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association which brings together 54[1] developing and developed nations from six continents, Heads reaffirmed their commitment to the values and principles of the Commonwealth and agreed to a series of actions to maintain the Commonwealth’s relevance, to ensure its effectiveness in responding to contemporary global challenges and to build resilient societies and economies. Given the significant challenges facing the global economy, Heads emphasised the importance of the international community working cooperatively to secure a sustainable global recovery. Heads highlighted the importance of a strong response to these challenges to provide the necessary confidence to global markets.

Heads welcomed the report of the Eminent Persons Group, ‘A Commonwealth of the People: Time for Urgent Reform’, and thanked members of the Group for their outstanding work. They agreed that the report provided a strong basis to revitalise the Commonwealth and its institutions and ensure its continued relevance to member states and their people – today and in the future.

To this end, Heads agreed to the following:

1. Reform of the Commonwealth to ensure that it is a more effective institution, responsive to members’ needs, and capable of tackling the significant global challenges of the 21st century.

This includes:

a) the reform of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG);

b) consideration of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) recommendations on reform;

c) strengthening the management and delivery of Commonwealth programmes, including through regular review of their efficiency, effectiveness and results, against measurable indicators;

d) to this end, focusing delivery of practical assistance to members through greater prioritisation and alignment of programmes to members’ priorities on the basis of Commonwealth comparative advantage and, where necessary, retiring programmes that do not meet these criteria; and

e) undertaking associated reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat and ensuring the adequacy of resources and their appropriate use to enable it to deliver on its agreed mandates.

2. To actively promote, uphold, preserve and defend the fundamental values, principles and aspirations of the Commonwealth. Heads agreed to do this by:

a) agreeing to the recommendations of CMAG to strengthen the role of CMAG, in order to enable the Group to deal with the full range of serious or persistent violations of Commonwealth values;

b) resolving that the composition of CMAG for the next biennium should be as follows: Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Jamaica, Maldives, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu.

c) agreeing that there should be a “Charter of the Commonwealth”, as proposed by the Eminent Persons Group, embodying the principles contained in previous declarations, drawn together in a single, consolidated document that is not legally binding.

d) Heads will agree to a text for the Charter in 2012, following a process of national consultations, consideration by a Task Force of Ministers drawn from all geographical groupings of the Commonwealth, and a full meeting of Foreign Ministers in New York in September;

e) tasking the Secretary-General and CMAG to further evaluate relevant options relating to the EPG’s proposal for a Commissioner for Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights and to report back to Foreign Ministers at their September meeting in New York;

f) noting that the EPG’s recommendations relating to CMAG were consistent with the CMAG reforms adopted by Heads at this meeting;

g) responding to the remaining EPG recommendations as follows

i. adopting without reservation 30 recommendations;

ii. adopting, subject to consideration of financial implications, 12 further recommendations;

iii. asking the Task Force of Ministers (para 2(d) above) to provide more detailed advice on 43 other recommendations to Foreign Ministers at their September meeting in New York, as a basis for further decision by Heads; and

iv. deeming 11 recommendations inappropriate for adoption.

h) strengthening the newly established Commonwealth Network of Election Management Bodies as well as election monitoring, and supporting capacity building for professional election administrators;

i) urging the interim government of Fiji to restore democracy without further delay, to respect human rights, and to uphold the rule of law, and reaffirming that the Commonwealth should continue to remain engaged with Fiji and support efforts towards that end;

j) urging members to consider becoming parties to all major international human rights instruments; to implement fully the rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, as well as those human rights treaties to which they are a party; to uphold these rights and freedoms; to share best practice and lessons learned, including from the United Nations Universal Periodic Review process; and to continue to support the work of National Human Rights Institutions; and

k) promoting tolerance, respect, understanding and religious freedom which, inter alia, are essential to the development of free and democratic societies.

3. Revitalising the Commonwealth’s development priorities to ensure it effectively articulates and meets the development needs of member states today and in the future. To this end, Heads:

a) agreed the Perth Declaration on Food Security Principles;

b) reflected on the multiple development challenges confronting small states in the global economy as a result of their inherent vulnerabilities, and agreed that this is having an adverse impact on their sustainable development and growth prospects; and in this context:

i. welcomed and endorsed the outcomes of the first Global Biennial Conference of Small States held in 2010;

ii. endorsed the outcomes of the Commonwealth and Developing Small States meeting, which stressed in relation to Commonwealth and developing small states, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS): the importance of taking urgent action on climate change and sustainable development, particularly through the G20, the UN climate change conference in Durban, and Rio+20; the need to work towards legally binding outcomes under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) capable of avoiding dangerous climate change; the need for enhanced action on adaptation and transparent and accessible climate finance to support developing small states; the need for practical outcomes at Rio+20 on the ‘blue economy’ to ensure the sustainable management of our oceans as the basis for livelihoods, food security and economic development; and for Commonwealth G20 members to reflect these concerns and perspectives at the upcoming G20 summit;

iii. agreed that vulnerability to climate change is widespread and particularly affects small states. The Commonwealth has an important role to play in advancing the climate change priorities of Commonwealth small and vulnerable states as well as fostering mutual collaboration among Commonwealth countries in order to address such priorities;

iv. agreed to assist small and climate vulnerable states develop their capacity to respond in a timely and effective way to disasters and to build their national disaster response capabilities;

v. welcomed the establishment of the Commonwealth Office for Small States in Geneva and urged further support for it;

vi. considered the substantive work that the Commonwealth has done on the issue of small states, including on SIDS, and called for this expertise to be shared with other international institutions, such as the UN, which are involved in the implementation of the Mauritius Strategy and the Barbados Programme of Action;

c) recalled the Port of Spain Climate Change Consensus and noted the undisputed threat that climate change poses to the security, prosperity and economic and social development of the people, as well as the impact it has in terms of deepening poverty and affecting the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and reaffirmed their commitment to work towards a shared vision for long-term cooperative action to achieve the objective of the UNFCCC, addressing mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology development and transfer, and capacity building in a balanced, integrated and comprehensive manner; in this context:

i. committed to advocate for these actions at the UNFCCC conference in Durban and beyond, for legally binding outcomes;

ii. committed to work together to build climate resilience and to facilitate the efficient mobilisation of funding for urgent and effective mitigation, adaptation and capacity building, prioritising the most vulnerable developing countries, including small island developing states; and recognised the importance of markets in maximising global emission reductions at the least possible cost, and the promotion of technology transfer to these countries;

iii. recognising the existential impact of climate change on coastal and island communities, emphasised the great importance of building national resilience to ameliorate local climate change-induced population displacement, as well as the imperative to reach strong and effective solutions to reduce global emissions and enhance multilateral, regional and bilateral cooperation on adaptation;

iv. committed to practical action in line with the Lake Victoria Commonwealth Climate Change Action Plan, including efforts to facilitate immediate access to climate change finance and technology transfer, especially for mitigation and adaptation;

d) agreed to focus on practical and ambitious outcomes at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in June 2012 to address the challenges facing this and future generations, including with a view to expediting implementation of the outcomes of the Global Conference on Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States; in this regard:

i. committed to advocate urgent action at Rio+20 to assist developing states to build resilience through sustainable development, in particular by taking steps to transition towards green growth trajectories and to strengthen institutional frameworks for achieving this transition. Rio+20 should deliver an outcome which allows progress to be measured in a meaningful way. The value of natural resources should be given due consideration in economic decision-making;

ii. agreed to explore options for sharing best practice on resource management and promote initiatives to provide access to monitoring, research, education and training, and technical and policy expertise;

iii. welcomed the briefing they received on the emerging conclusions of the UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Global Sustainability;

iv. recognised the need to preserve the policy space of countries to frame their own national strategies to prioritise according to their national circumstances;

v. supported and upheld the role and place of local government, in partnership with the private sector, for promoting strategies for localism, sustainable development and economic growth, and supported the implementation of the Cardiff Consensus for Local Economic Development in the Commonwealth;

vi. recognised the valuable role clean and renewable energy will play in a sustainable future and the importance of promoting the implementation of green technology;

vii. recognised the importance of energy security through improved efficiency measures and the promotion of clean and affordable energy, including renewable energy;

viii. recognised also the need for sustainable management of oceans for livelihoods, food security and economic development;

ix. emphasised that poverty eradication and the provision of universal access to energy for all remain important priorities and that the green economy is a pathway to achieve these objectives on the basis of the Rio Principles of Sustainable Development;

e) agreed to promote more effective natural resource management through greater transparency and better governance, and taking account of the values of natural capital in decision-making, build on the Commonwealth’s longstanding practical contributions to member governments in this area. To that end:

i. agreed to build capacity in and share best practice on resource management, and welcomed members’ initiatives to provide access to research, education and training, and technical and policy expertise;

ii. welcomed the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative principles and encouraged Commonwealth countries to consider supporting or implementing them;

iii. committed to combating the illegal exploitation of natural resources, including through supporting the Lusaka Declaration of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region;

f) agreed to promote inclusive education and to accelerate efforts to achieve quality universal primary education, in line with the MDGs and Education For All goals. They further agreed to:

i. help children attain basic levels of literacy and numeracy by strengthening international mechanisms and cooperation, including through new technologies;

ii. create opportunities for skills development and quality secondary and higher education;

iii. call for a successful completion of the first replenishment of the Global Partnership for Education in Copenhagen in November 2011;

g) committed to universal access to health care, and services to improve maternal and reproductive health, supporting access to safe, affordable and quality medicines, and support for all Commonwealth people by accelerating the implementation of international conventions and eradicating disease by improving domestic health strategies and immunisation systems. Heads agreed to do this by:

i. accelerating action and financial support to eradicate polio including by improving routine immunisation systems;

ii. accelerating implementation of the Political Declaration of the UN High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases and the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control;

iii. committing to accelerating action to implement the objectives outlined in the 2011 UN Political Declaration on AIDS;

iv. recognising that malaria is one of the leading causes of death and a major obstacle to the achievement of sustainable development and poverty alleviation, agreeing to work proactively with key stakeholders and partners towards accelerated implementation of strategies to reduce malarial morbidity and mortality in member countries;

v. addressing malnutrition, measles, acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea as leading causes of death for children under five, as well as prevalent diseases such as tuberculosis and rotavirus, including through proven international mechanisms such as the GAVI Alliance;

h) committed to maximise the economic and social benefits of migration to improve the resilience and prosperity of Commonwealth members, whilst addressing the challenges posed by irregular migration which undermines legal migration policies. They:

i. called for stronger international cooperation to manage migration effectively in countries of origin, transit and destination, in order to bolster migration’s positive effects and to enhance safety nets for migrants;

ii. called for cooperation in the fight against irregular migration, including in particular the readmission of own nationals staying irregularly in other states, in accordance with bilateral agreements and international obligations;

iii. in this context, articulated the link between migration and development, affirming the importance of adopting migration strategies that would reduce the cost of migration, and create incentives for diaspora communities to invest their financial resources and expertise in the development of their countries of origin;

iv. noted and encouraged participation in the Global Forum on Migration and Development, which Mauritius will host in 2012;

i) agreed to work together, provide financial support to, and make the policy and institutional changes needed to accelerate achieving the MDGs; and:

i. directed the Commonwealth Secretariat to assist members in having their priorities reflected at the special event to be organised by the President of the Sixty-Eighth session of the UN General Assembly to take stock of efforts made towards achieving the MDGs;

j) called for renewed international commitment to the principles of aid effectiveness to achieve the MDGs by 2015, more imperative than ever in the current challenging global economic and financial environment and, in this regard, noted with appreciation the Commonwealth Statement on Accelerating Development with More Effective Aid, and expressed their desire to achieve a successful outcome at the Fourth High-Level Forum in Busan;

k) welcomed the launch of the Commonwealth Connects portal as a contemporary platform for networking, building partnerships and strengthening the Commonwealth’s values and effectiveness, and encouraged its use; and

l) reiterated their support for the Commonwealth Connects programme which is encouraging greater effort from member countries to harness the benefits provided by technology, through promoting strategic partnerships, building ICT capacity and sharing ICT expertise; encouraged member countries to contribute to the Commonwealth Connects Special Fund; and requested the Secretariat’s continued support for the programme.

4. Working together and with global partners to secure the global economic recovery and ensure a stronger, more sustainable and balanced global economic system that will benefit all Commonwealth countries, by:

 

a) committing to avoid trade protectionism and advocating the importance of an open, transparent and rules-based multilateral trading system as a driver of global growth and to support development, and in this context:

i. congratulated the thirteen Commonwealth countries that have agreed to formal negotiations to create an African Free Trade Area, covering 26 countries from the Cape to Cairo, by 2014;

b) committing also to support regional economic integration, enhancing market access and building the capacity of LDCs, land-locked developing states, and other small and vulnerable economies, including SIDS, to participate in and benefit from the global trading and economic system and to further encourage pan-Commonwealth trade;

c) reaffirming their commitment to pursuing development-oriented and ambitious results in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Development Round, but noting with grave concern the impasse in current negotiations and calling upon WTO members to make substantive progress at the Eighth WTO Ministerial Conference in December 2011 for an early conclusion of the Doha Round, they:

i. reaffirmed the role of the World Trade Organization in making rules which keep pace with demands generated by global economic shifts, help police protectionist measures, and contribute to a sustainable global economic recovery;

ii. urged the international community to accelerate efforts to enhance market access for LDCs, land-locked developing states and SIDS at the forthcoming WTO Ministerial Conference;

iii. urged support for an anti-protectionist pledge at the forthcoming WTO Ministerial Conference;

iv. considered innovative approaches to drive forward trade liberalisation and to strengthen the multilateral rules-based trading system;

v. further reaffirmed the importance of sustained and predictable Aid for Trade in strengthening the capacity of developing country members, in particular small and vulnerable economies, to become more competitive and better able to capture opportunities created by more open regional and global markets. To this end, Heads called for continued support for Aid for Trade and improved disbursement procedures at the forthcoming WTO Ministerial Conference;

d) urging the G20 to take the necessary steps to address current economic instability and to take concrete steps to put open trade, jobs, social protection and economic development at the heart of the recovery. This will provide the necessary confidence to global markets and ensure a more stable global economic environment. In support of this, Commonwealth countries:

i. committed to take all necessary steps to support the global economic recovery;

ii. supported ongoing high-level political engagement with the G20 chair and, in this context, welcomed the interaction of the Secretaries-General of the Commonwealth and La Francophonie with the Chair of the G20, as initiated in 2010;

iii. agreed that Commonwealth G20 members would undertake to convey Commonwealth members’ perspectives and priority concerns to the G20 Summit in Cannes, France;

iv. agreed to launch an annual officials-level Commonwealth meeting on the G20 development agenda, building on the Commonwealth’s current contributions to the G20 Development Working Group; and

e) agreeing to reduce the cost of remittance transfers by removing barriers to remitting and encouraging greater competition in the transfer market, by endorsing the World Bank’s General Principles for International Remittance Services

i. in line with this, Commonwealth countries committed to implement practical measures at the national level to reduce the cost of remittances.

5. Improving gender equality and the empowerment of women in the Commonwealth by:

a) supporting national programmes to this effect, including initiatives to eliminate gender-based violence, intensifying efforts to promote women’s decision-making roles at all levels, and continuing to improve advocacy for women’s leadership and the empowerment of women as leaders;

b) implementing international instruments and agreements on women’s rights, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Commonwealth’s Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015, and the ‘Joint Statement on Advancing Women’s Political Participation’[2] and UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) 1325, 1888 and 1889;[3]

c) applauding the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat in promoting the significance of the 2011 Commonwealth Day Theme “Women as Agents of Change” and the centrality of gender equality and the empowerment of women to achieving the MDGs;

d) directing the Commonwealth Secretariat to institutionalise the principles of gender mainstreaming, as enshrined in the Commonwealth Plan of Action; and to provide recommendations to Heads, through the Tenth Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting (WAMM) on steps that need to be taken to mainstream gender equality across all Commonwealth work; and to make real progress on implementation of the Plan of Action;

e) supporting the call made by Ministers at the Ninth WAMM held in Bridgetown, Barbados in June 2010, for a more effective response from all actors in the global community to the disproportionately negative impact of the current international and national economic crises on women; and

f) giving due consideration to the domestic legislation of member countries, the Commonwealth may address the issue of early and forced marriage, and consider actions to support the rights of women and children and to share its best practices to promote the implementation of measures to tackle early and forced marriage.

6. Providing a greater voice and more effective role for youth in the Commonwealth, who represent over 50 per cent of the Commonwealth population, by:

 

a) directing the Commonwealth Secretariat to undertake an assessment of the Commonwealth’s progress on the Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment, to be submitted with recommendations to Heads, through the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in 2012, on steps that need to be taken to improve youth engagement and empowerment;

b) enhancing communication with youth, collecting and sharing good practices, and ensuring the voice of youth is represented in Commonwealth actions at the national and international level; and

c) recognising the important role of government, the private sector and technical and vocational training institutions in addressing youth unemployment and the vital importance of sport in assisting young people to stay healthy, contribute to society and develop into leaders of their communities.

7. Maintaining their commitment to a stable and secure national and international environment, as a foundation for sustainable growth and resilience for Commonwealth countries and the broader international community. Heads committed to improve international security by:

a) unequivocally preventing the use of their territories for the support, incitement to violence or commission of terrorist acts, implementing the necessary legal framework for the suppression of terrorist financing, and preventing the raising and use of funds by terrorists, terrorist front organisations, and transnational terrorist organisations;

b) accelerating efforts to conclude negotiations on a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism;

c) accelerating efforts to combat piracy in a manner consistent with international law and to strengthen maritime security, including through enhancing the capacity of coastal states;

d) urging the international community to recognise that the menace of piracy in the Indian Ocean cannot be effectively tackled in the absence of political stability and security in Somalia; urging concerted efforts towards strengthening the Transitional Federal Government and other state institutions, including the security sector; encouraging the international community to mobilise additional funding for AMISOM, as appropriate; and encouraging global support in combating piracy and terrorism, including through enhanced maritime security;

e) encouraging states to continue supporting the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia in its coordination of international counter-piracy efforts;

f) combating proliferation and trafficking of illicit small arms and light weapons;

g) embracing moderation as an important value to overcome all forms of extremism, as called for in the ‘Global Movement of the Moderates’;

h) encouraging participation in the 2012 Diplomatic Conference to negotiate on the basis of consensus an effective Arms Trade Treaty which is of broad universal acceptance;

i) improving legislation and capacity in tackling cyber crime and other cyber space security threats, including through the Commonwealth Internet Governance Forum’s Cyber Crime Initiative;

j) affirming support for the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and its Seventh Review Conference in December 2011; and

k) continuing to tackle the root causes of conflict, including through the promotion of democracy, development and strong legitimate institutions.

8. Combating people smuggling and human trafficking by clamping down on illicit criminal organisations and bringing the perpetrators of these crimes to justice, while protecting and supporting the victims of trafficking. Heads committed to:

a) fight people-smuggling as part of their broader efforts to maintain border integrity and manage migration, including through enhancing border security and regional cooperation;

b) put in place the necessary legal and administrative framework to address the challenge of human trafficking; and affirmed their commitment to the principle of solidarity and cooperation between states with regard to the identification, assistance and protection of victims of trafficking; and

c) comply with all obligations arising under international law and urged all countries to become parties to and implement the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the Protocols thereto, in particular the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, and the Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air.

9. To promote the future of the Commonwealth through the strong and important voice of its people by:

a) welcoming the contribution made by inter-governmental, associated and other Commonwealth organisations, including the Commonwealth Foundation, Commonwealth of Learning, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Commonwealth Business Council, Commonwealth Local Government Forum and the Commonwealth Association of Public Administration and Management;

b) urging Commonwealth organisations and civil society to enhance Commonwealth networks and partnerships with a view to achieving the fundamental values and aspirations of the Commonwealth;

c) relaunching the Commonwealth Foundation in 2012, while retaining its fundamental intergovernmental nature and maintaining its accountability to member states, with a revised mandate and Memorandum of Understanding so that it can more effectively deliver the objectives of strengthening and mobilising civil society in support of Commonwealth principles and priorities; and

d) welcoming the outcomes of the Commonwealth People’s Forum, Business Forum, and Youth Forum.

10. To reaffirm previous CHOGM Communiqués on Cyprus and express full support for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus and the efforts of the leaders of the two communities, under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General’s Good Offices Mission, to bring about a comprehensive Cyprus settlement, based on the UN Charter and the relevant UNSCRs for a State of Cyprus with a single sovereignty, single international personality and a single citizenship, in a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality as described in the relevant UNSCRs. Heads called for the implementation of UNSCRs, in particular 365 (1974), 541 (1983), 550 (1984), and 1251 (1999) and reiterated their support for the full respect of the human rights of all Cypriots and for the accounting for all missing persons. To extend their full support and solidarity to the Republic of Cyprus in the exercise of its sovereign rights under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to explore and exploit the natural resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone.

11. To note recent developments in the ongoing efforts of Belize to seek a just, peaceful and definitive resolution to Guatemala’s territorial claims. Heads noted that, due to the electoral campaigns scheduled in both Belize and Guatemala in the coming months, it was envisaged that the earliest date for the referenda required to submit the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would be in late 2013. Heads expressed a high level of confidence that the dispute could be resolved through the judicial procedure of the ICJ, and urged the support and financial assistance of the international community for this process. Heads further expressed satisfaction with the ongoing Confidence Building Measures supported by the Organization of American States, which had contributed immensely to stability in the adjacent border areas of Belize and Guatemala. They noted with concern the environmental problems being faced by Belize in its national parks along its adjacent areas with Guatemala due to the increasing encroachments by Guatemalan citizens for illegal logging. Heads reiterated their firm support for the territorial integrity, security and sovereignty of Belize, and mandated the Secretary-General to continue to convene the Commonwealth Ministerial Committee on Belize whenever necessary.

12. Having received a report on Guyana-Venezuela relations, to express their satisfaction that the relations between the two countries continued to grow and deepen. Heads noted that the Foreign Ministers of Guyana and Venezuela had met recently in Trinidad and Tobago to address the concerns of the Government of Venezuela over Guyana’s submission of a claim to an extended continental shelf to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. Heads expressed the view that the current climate in the relations between Guyana and Venezuela was conducive to the realisation of the mandate of the UN Good Offices Process. Heads reaffirmed their unequivocal support for the maintenance and safeguarding of Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

13. To welcome the interest shown by the Government of South Sudan in joining the Commonwealth, and to request the Commonwealth Secretariat to pursue the established procedures in this regard.

14. To look forward to the conditions being created for the return of Zimbabwe to the Commonwealth and continue to encourage the parties to implement the Global Political Agreement faithfully and effectively.

15. To congratulate the Head of the Commonwealth on her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Heads welcomed proposed Commonwealth initiatives to mark this historic occasion, in particular the establishment of a Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, which would be funded by private donations and voluntary contributions from governments. This will support charitable projects and organisations across the Commonwealth, focusing on areas such as tackling curable diseases, the promotion of all forms of education and culture and other Commonwealth priorities.

 

16. To reappoint Mr Kamalesh Sharma as Commonwealth Secretary-General for a further four-year term commencing April 2012.

17. Finally, to reaffirm their decisions to meet next in Sri Lanka in 2013 and thereafter in Mauritius in 2015, as well as to welcome the offer by Malaysia to host the 2019 CHOGM.

Perth

Australia

30 October 2011

http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/241632/301011communique.htm

Saturday, 29 October 2011

South Sudan, the world’s newest nation became a member of the United Nations on July 14 and joined the African Union on July 28. (Photo by AFP)

By AFP
PERTH AUSTRALIA

The world’s newest nation, South Sudan, wants to join the Commonwealth, the bloc’s Assistant Secretary General Stephen Cutts said Saturday.

The landlocked African country, which declared independence from Sudan in July after a long civil war, had recognized the potential benefits of becoming part of the 54-nation grouping, Cutts said.

“The newest country on Earth, South Sudan, expressed an interest in joining the Commonwealth almost immediately after it came into existence,” he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation television.

“I understand there are other countries (interested in joining),” he added, without naming the nations.

Cutts said South Sudan’s interest showed that the Commonwealth, comprised mainly of former British colonies, remained relevant and offered benefits to its members.

“I think it’s testament to the fact that in the broader world there is recognition that the Commonwealth has a potential for significant value,” he said.

A Commonwealth business forum which preceded this week’s leaders’ meeting in Perth resulted in deals worth some $10.5 billion, most centered on the African resources sector, organizers estimate.

South Sudan gained independence from the mainly Arab north after its population of more than eight million, who are predominantly Christian or follow traditional African religions, overwhelmingly backed a referendum on secession in January.

The fledgling nation, which is also one of the world’s poorest countries, became a member of the United Nations on July 14 and joined the African Union on July 28.

Neither of the two countries that have most recently joined the Commonwealth, Rwanda and Mozambique, have colonial links to Britain.

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/10/29/174257.html

South Sudan Turns Toward British Heritage

By JOSH KRON

Published: October 29, 2011

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The new nation of South Sudan has expressed a desire to join the Commonwealth, a group composed mainly of former British colonies, and said that it would change the language used in schools from Arabic to English. The two actions further cement its pivot from the Arab world of northern Africa toward the largely Anglophone east.

South Sudan declared independence from Sudan in July, ending decades of civil war in which the Arab-dominated north tried to forcibly convert the south to Islam, building mosques and burning down villages.

A spokesman for the Commonwealth, Manoah Esipisu, said Saturday that South Sudan had “expressed an interest in joining” the organization, formerly known as the British Commonwealth.

“An informal assessment will be taken by the secretary general,” and then member states will be consulted, Mr. Esipisu said in a telephone interview from Perth, Australia, where the group was holding a summit meeting. He said the process was estimated to take two years.

In a separate development, officials announced this week that the language used in schools would be changed from Arabic to English.

Though much of South Sudan’s population grew up speaking Arabic, the country has instituted changes in the way it is run to reflect its political aspirations, as well as its close geographic and economic proximity to East Africa.

Uganda and Kenya, both former British colonies, are among South Sudan’s largest trading partners, and government officials have spoken of building an oil pipeline to Kenya to connect to the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa as an alternative to sending its oil to the northern Sudanese government in Khartoum.

This month, South Sudan also reiterated its interest in joining the East African Community economic bloc, which it neighbors.

“We are not dragging our feet,” said President Salva Kiir, according to a statement issued by the bloc, “we are coming.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/world/africa/south-sudan-turns-toward-british-heritage.html?_r=1

South Sudan rebels warn of violence over rights ‘abuse’

JUBA, South Sudan — A South Sudan rebel group has urged aid agencies to leave oil-rich Unity state within a week for their own safety, warning on Friday that locals will resort to violence against the governor over alleged rights abuses.

The South Sudan Liberation Movement/Army has accused Governor Taban Deng of “intentionally abusing human rights of innocent civilians in Mayom and Nhial Diew counties” by ordering the confiscation of cattle from relatives of SSLM/A commanders, detaining and beating them.

“SSLA is calling upon all NGOs and UN personnel to leave Unity State within a week for their own safety because the people of the state will violently resist the regime of Governor Taban Deng through popular uprisings that may include the use of force,” a statement from SSLA/M headquarters in Mayom county warned.

The rebel group is made up of forces formerly loyal to Peter Gadet, who accepted South Sudan President Salva Kiir’s offer of amnesty in August, a month after the country gained independence from the north after a 22-year civil war between Khartoum and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.

While Gadet was reintegrated into the SPLA, an unknown number of men opposed to the amnesty offer claim that Deng, “ordered the SPLA soldiers to divorce the wives of SSLA commanders by confiscating the cattle they paid in dowries from their in-laws”, under the area’s Nuer tribe marriage customs.

According to the statement, SPLA forces went to Nhial Diew on October 18 and “arrested three wives of SSLM/A commander Kol Chara Nyang and seized 400 cattle from his in-laws.”

“The fathers-in-law of Commander Kol Chara were advised that their daughters would no longer be married to him and should look for new husbands.”

South Sudan has millions of cows that are used purely for a dowry, and men from many tribes cannot get married without paying the family’s asking price, spurring much cattle raiding that leaves thousands dead each year.

The group also claimed that eight relatives were detained in unknown locations and “subjected to harsh and cruel treatments such as beatings.”

The group has called the alleged acts “a flagrant violation of both international laws and Transitional Constitution of South Sudan”, as well as local customs.

SPLA spokesman based in the capital Juba, Colonel Philip Aguer, could not comment on the rebels claims, but said “we know that this group has been laying mines in Unity.”

There was no immediate comment from Taban, UN and Unity state officials.

Demining agencies have raised the alarm over the rapid relaying of mines in the new country’s best oil-producing state as incidents increase. The latest accident on October 12 in Mayom county killed 20 people when an anti-tank mine exploded under a passenger bus.

The UN Mine Action Coordination Centre has said it will ramp up efforts in Unity due to the increase in incidents that threatens not only the fledgling country’s economic lifeblood but aid access and many civilians in the largely pastoralist state that have drastically reduced movement due to mine fears.

Dozens of aid agencies like Care International, The International Rescue Committee, Medecins Sans Frontieres and The International Committee of the Red Cross are working in Unity alongside a large UN presence.

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved. More »

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jCSYzvtgXKL37cnsHlHToeTb_Xhw?docId=CNG.e6ee2abbf277f4249e6d667612b5cf57.c41

 

 

South Sudan Plans to Build $90 Million Bridge Over Nile in Juba

South Sudan said it’s planning to build a $90 million bridge bridge across the Nile river in Juba, the capital, with funding from Japan.

South Sudanese officials have approved a final draft report on the feasibility study of the 650-meter (2,130-feet) bridge that will be presented to the government of Japan.

“This comes at a time when the traffic in and out of Juba is growing steadily while the present bridge, constructed about 1976, is deteriorating and unable to accommodate big traffic,” the government said today in a statement on its website.

Hanatana Atsushi, resident representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, said the existing bridge will also be renovated and that both will “facilitate quick passage of goods and services, according to the statement. It will take six months for engineers to prepare a detailed design and another six months to build it, he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jared Ferrie in Juba, South Sudan, atjferrie1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Antony Sguazzin at asguazzin@bloomberg.net

South Sudan talks to Halliburton to boost oil production

Oct 28 (Reuters) – New African oil producer South Sudan wants to boost oil production by applying better technology with the help of foreign firms and by making new discoveries, a senior government official said on Friday.

South Sudan took 75 percent of Sudan’s 500,000 barrels per day of oil production when it became independent in July, breaking away from its former civil war foe Khartoum.

The country produces about 300,000 bpd but oil industry sources say inefficient technology means much of the pumped oil gets lost.

Kosti Manibe Nga, minister of finance and economic planning, said South Sudan has held talks with U.S. firm Halliburton to boost recovery rates from wells to up to 40 percent from 23-25 percent currently.

“Yesterday, I was talking to Halliburton … exploring whether it would be possible to increase our production rates here, and according to them it can be done, to move to 36-40 percent,” he told an oil conference in the capital.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said this week that South Sudan’s oil production is expected to halve by 2020 unless new discoveries are made.

“The declining production makes it very important that oil companies do their utmost to increase production from current blocks but also explore new areas,” the minister said.

South Sudan has been trying to make new oil discoveries in the remote south-east of the country, which is roughly the size of France, but tribal and rebel violence has hindered efforts.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/28/sudan-south-oil-idUSL5E7LS3K420111028

Sudan says army seized rebel camp in border state

KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Sudan’s armed forces launched an attack on rebels in the country’s main oil state on Wednesday and seized a rebel military camp, an army spokesman told a state-linked news website.

Rebels from the SPLM-North said there had been fighting in the northern border state of South Kordofan but denied they had lost a camp.

The Sudanese army has been fighting SPLM-N rebels since June in South Kordofan, which borders newly independent South Sudan. Violence spread to the neighbouring state of Blue Nile last month.

The state-linked Sudanese Media Center (SMC) quoted army spokesman al-Sawarmi Khalid Saad as saying the army seized the SPLM-North camp, close to the northwestern town of Taludi, in an attack launched at dawn.

He said 15 rebels had been killed, while one soldier had been injured, the SMC said.

A spokesman for the SPLM-N confirmed it had been attacked but said its forces had repelled the army, killing 15 soldiers. “Our troops are still in the region,” he said.

Analysts say fighting in Blue Nile and South Kordofan risks drawing Khartoum’s former civil war foe South Sudan into a proxy war.

The Sudanese government has accused the south’s dominant Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) of being behind the violence. The South denies this.

Events in Blue Nile and South Kordofan are hard to verify because aid agencies say they have no access to fighting areas and foreign journalists cannot travel there without permission.

http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE79Q01R20111027?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

© Thomson Reuters 2011 All rights reserved

South Sudan Job Vacancy: Dec 09, 2011

Dear All,

Tearfund is a Christian organization committed to serving the poor by bringing help and hope to people in need in over 70 countries around the world. Tearfund’s Southern Sudan Disaster Management Programme is currently looking for a suitable South Sudanese candidate for various positions as per the attachments for one of its field location and Juba office.

On behalf of Tearfund would I like to request you to circulate these adverts widely especially to people who might not have access to this mail.

Thank you for your usual cooperation.

Lillian Ochan

Human Resources Officer

Tele:+249 955 227 265 / +249 926 558 709

E-mail:dmt-southsudan-hro2@tearfund.org

           www.tearfund.org

4 attachments — Download all attachments

Assist.Log Awei.doc 122K   View   Download

Assistant Logistician Aweil.doc 134K   View   Download

Tearfund Application Form-Irene changes.doc 73K   View   Download

Temporary Data Processing Clerk Post.doc 279K   View   Download

Dear colleagues

Please help in circulating below information ;

Right To Play – South Sudan Programme  is seeking qualified candidate for position of Country Representative, the position is open for both national South Sudanese and expatriates

(6 months effective  from Jan/2012)

JOB SUMMARY:

The Country Representative will be responsible for the overall development and management of the Right To Play program in South Sudan. The primary goal of this temporary (6 month) position is to secure long term funding to enable Right To Play to achieve its mission as contextualized in South Sudan.

II.             RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

a)      Program Strategic Leadership:

b)      Financial Management and Resource Mobilization

c)      Human Resources Management, Staff Safety and Welfare

d)      External and Internal Relations:

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education:

• MA/MSc Degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies and other discipline relevant to RTP program focus areas (Education, Health/HIV, etc)

Experience:

• 5-7 years of work experience in project planning, implementation, organizational development, quality improvement as well as monitoring and evaluation at a supervisory level.
• Have several years of experience in strategic planning, group dynamics and management of programs at senior management level
• Have proven results in proposal development, resource mobilization and report writing
• Strong people and influence-management skills
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, and coaching skills

Competencies / Personal Attributes

• Superior organizational skills and ability to multi-task on a constant basis
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills to build rapport with staff, partners, government officials, donors and community leaders
• Ability to access donor funds

Interesting candidates should send their CVs and other relevant documents to below emails;

righttoplaysudan@gmail.com  / pdkeijzer@righttoplay.com

 

Closing date 31^st December 2011

 

Thank in advance for your cooperation.

 

Regards
Ayen Aleu

Program Representative

Right To Play- South Sudan

Hai Tongpiny

Phone 0922759836 /0120309007/0918017758

Email; righttoplaysudan@gmail.com

LOOK AFTER YOURSELF, LOOK AFTER ONE ANOTHER

Dear all,

BRIEF BACKGROUND

ACF-USA is part of the ACF-International Network which works to save
lives by combating hunger and diseases that threaten the lives of
vulnerable communities, through nutrition, food security and
livelihoods, water and sanitation, health and advocacy.

Therefore ACF-USA is seeking to recruit suitable  south sudanese to
fill vacant positions. For detail find the attached advert and
circulate widely. Those willing to apply can find details on the
advert attached

Thanks

Vundru Richard
Human Resource Clerk
Action Against Hunger (ACF-USA)
Hai Cinema, juba South Sudan
Mob: 0955903348
Skype:vundru.richard

ACF ADVERT DOC.pdf 115K   View   Download

Job adverts ACF-USA.pdf 246K   View   Download

MARIE STOPES INTERNATIONAL – MARKETING AND BCC MANAGER VACANCY

We are one of the largest international family planning and
comprehensive reproductive health organisations in the world.
Millions of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable women trust Marie
Stopes International to provide them with quality family planning and
reproductive healthcare.

In 2010 alone, our 629 centres provided seven million couples with
high quality health services, including family planning; maternal &
child health care, safe delivery and obstetrics; diagnosis and
treatment of sexually transmitted infections; and HIV/AIDS prevention.

MSI – South Sudan’s (MSI-SS) goal is to meet the needs of underserved
people and dramatically improve access to sexual and reproductive
health services and use of modern family planning. (MSI-SS) is part of
the Marie Stopes International’s Global Partnership, which operates in
over 40 countries worldwide.

MSI-SS is building the capacity of its Juba support office team and
needs to recruit a

MARKETING AND BCC MANAGER

The Marketing and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Manager is
responsible for developing, implementing and managing effective and
innovative marketing strategies to promote MSI South Sudan’s (MSI SS)
services and the organisation as a whole. The Marketing and BCC
Manager is expected to bring a modern, business-like approach to the
leadership of both functions. S/he will lead the development and
implementation of marketing and communication strategies that will
support the attainment of MSI SS’s organisational goals and
objectives. To achieve this, MSI SS requires an innovative, result
oriented individual who has a vision, and wants the challenge of
developing marketing and managing organisational change.

Position MSI SS as the leader in sexual and reproductive health (SRH)
in South Sudan
•       Develop the reputation of Marie Stopes International South Sudan
(MSI SS);
•       Elaborate and put in place MSI SS and family planning (FP)
promotional campaigns in local/mass media;
•       Support the Country Director (CD) with external relations;
•       Assure the visibility and good usage of the MSI SS brand in all
activities

Analyse the market and develop marketing strategies
•       Assist with development and implementation of relevant market
research (surveys/focus groups etc) to inform management decisions;
•       Ensure creation and/or update MSI SS Information, Education and
Communication (IEC) and BCC materials for SRH, regular research to
verify effectiveness of media;
•       Develop and put in place marketing plans and annual budgets, analyse
competition and be aware of competitors and recent trends;
•       Elaborate and put in place quantitative evaluation methods for
follow-up of marketing activities by teams/individuals, analyse the
cost-efficiency ratio of such activities and share the successful
initiatives with other teams;

Increase clientele and centre income
•       In coordination with the Clinical Services Manager (CSM) ensure high
quality client service and periodically carry out client satisfaction
surveys;
•       Introduce innovative services to attract, keep and satisfy
clientele, produce visual and audio advertisements and use mass media
(radio, television) to promote MSI SS’ services;
•       Manage promotional team and centre/nationwide launches, analyse
effectiveness of such interventions and report to CD;

Internal and External Relations
•       Reinforce internal marketing; sensitize different team members on
their role in the marketing of MSI SS;
•       Actively research funding opportunities, be up to date with funding
opportunities;
•       Public relations liaison, act as spokesperson for MSI SS and respond
to media queries/communications;
•       Responsible for the production of communication materials, including
leaflets, brochures, posters, internet materials, press releases etc
and as such proofread, liaising with copywriters, designers and
printers;
•       Promote MSI SS within the partnership by liaising with MSI support
office in London and producing monthly or quarterly newsletters;
•       Participate in the elaboration of new projects especially in terms
of project launches;

Performance and Success Indicators:

Skills and Experience:
1.      Qualifications
•       Educated to university level or relevant professional qualification
in marketing, business or in communication.

2.      Experience
•       Minimum of five years working in relevant marketing or communication
role (NGO or private sector)
•       Experience in the implementation of BCC activities
•       Experience of SRH area (desirable)
•       Proven ability to train and develop others

3.      Skills
•       Excellent communication skills and interpersonal relationships
•       Analytical and numerical skills
•       Able to manage and motivate teams to achieve targets and to achieve
organisational change
•       Proven ability to ‘sell’ ideas, concepts
•       Ability to interact effectively with donors, counterparts and other
organizations
•       Fluent English both oral and written
•       Detailed knowledge of South Sudan culture
•       Good computer skills with knowledge of office software packages and
other programs are essential
4.      Personality / Aptitudes / Motivation
•       Excellent written, presentation and verbal communication skills
•       Outward looking and ability to influence new ways of working
•       Empathy and understanding of human behaviour and motivation
•       Assertive
•       Outgoing/personable
•       Strategic thinking and management
•       Coach/mentor
•       Commercial/customer focused outlook
•       Strong commitment to the goal and vision of MSI

Marie Stopes International – South Sudan is an equal opportunities
employer that rewards its employees’ impact and commitment with a
competitive salary and benefit package.

If you wish to apply for any of the above positions, please email your
CV and covering letter (not certificates) to the Country Director at
the following email address: jobs.mariestopes@yahoo.com.

Applications may also be delivered by hand to the MSI – SS Clinic in
Hai Negly or the Support Office in Tong Ping.  The deadline for
submissions is the 14th of December 2011.

Only those candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted.  Thank
you for your interest in Marie Stopes International – South Sudan

CRS South Sudan Adverts For Construction Technician, IT Manager, Field Area Coordinators and Agriculture Officers

Dear All,

Catholic Relief Services is a global non-governmental Christian
humanitarian and development organization with a special focus serving
the needs of disadvantaged populations to ensure that the dignity of
the human person is maintained regardless of race, religion, gender or
colour.

Catholic Relief Service (CRS) South Sudan program is implementing the
Jonglei Food Security Program (JFSP) and has vacancies for  Program
Construction Technician, IT Manager, Field Area Coordinators and
Agriculture Officer ( as attached) to be based in Jongle State (Bor,
Ayod, Pibor and Wuror counties).

The vacancies are open to all citizens of South Sudan.

Application letters and CVs together with the names of three
professional referees, should reach the undersigned not later than
Wednesday, 14th December, 2011. Only short-listed candidates will be
contacted.

Human Resources Manager
Catholic Relief Services –
South Sudan program,
Juba Office

Or

Human Resource Manager
South Sudan Program
Bor Office

OR

Email:  jobapps@crssudan.org or mayume@crssudan.org

CRS South Sudan Program is an equal-opportunity employer.  In making
employment decisions it does not discriminate on the basis of gender,
ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.

Please circulate the adverts widely.

No telephone call or private emailing! Follow Instructions Accordingly.
—
Ayume Moses Lukadi

4 attachments — Download all attachments

Program Construction Technician.doc 51K   View   Download

IT Manager JFSP Jonglei State.doc 46K   View   Download

Agriculture Officers JFSP.doc 43K   View   Download

Field Area Coordinators JFSP Jonglei State.doc 50K   View   Download

Dear All,For those national organizations that are still interested in implementing peace building and livelihood/reintegration projects in Greater Upper Nile region (Upper NIle, Unity and Jonglei states), please find attached the RFP, proposal format and budget template.

In case of any inquiries, contact Pact’s South Sudan Peace Fund Program Manager, Emmanuel Gumbiri at egumbiri@pactworld.org.

Deadline for submission remains 16 December, 2011.Best Regards,

Logo J. Maya

Information Officer

Pact Sudan

3 attachments — Download all attachments

Norway 3 RFA_Budget Template.xls 75K   View   Open as a Google spreadsheet   Download

Norway 3 RFA_final.pdf 569K   View   Download

Norway 3 RFA_Proposal Template.docx 17K   View   Download

IRC Position Announcements – Rumbek & Malualkon

Please find attached IRC South Sudan position announcements. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their resume with a covering letter to the following email address: human.resources@sudan.theirc.org. Please indicate the title of the position applied for in the subject line of the email. Alternatively, applications can be hand-delivered to IRC’s Rumbek or Malualkon Offices. Please clearly mark the position title.

Deadline for submission: 9^th, December, 2011.

Service/Educational certificates are not required to be submitted at this stage.

Only South Sudanese nationals are eligible to apply for these positions.

5 attachments — Download all attachments

Logistics & Admin Officer.doc 78K   View   Download

CCM Officer Malualkon.doc 74K   View   Download

Driver Rumbek.doc 75K   View   Download

Finance & HR Officer Rumbek.doc 73K   View   Download

Head Driver Rumbek.doc 77K   View   Download

Dear All,

Kindly find attached requests for Quotation for wide circulation.

Would you require further information or clarifications please contact Mr. Nicholas Sebit on 0927096785

————————————

Best Regards,

Nassir Eldeen Eltigani

Norwegian Refugee Council

Logistics  Coordinator

South Sudan

M. phone (Zain): + 211 903 494 240

M. phone (Vivacell): +211 956 216 872

Skype: nassir.eldeen

3 attachments — Download all attachments

Request for Quotation, Construction Materials for NRC – Juba.pdf 157K   View   Download

Request for Quotation, School Supplies for Juba and Aweil.pdf 138K   View   Download

Request for Quotation, Tools for Juba.pdf 128K   View   Download

VOLUNTEER TV PRESENTER WANTED

Hi everyone,
SLAGE is currently looking for a South Sudanese lady who can present a
documentary, basic scientific knowledge is necessary (Sudan certifcate
of education or Advanced Level certificate).

For the presentor-to-be, Creativity is the most important
consideration and She should be able to speak both English and Arabic
(any local language will be of added advantage).

Regards
Mahlet Tesfaye
0956034833

—
SLAGE South Sudan
Tong-Ping Kololo Road
Opp. Juba Nabari Primary School
Mob: 0956025444
0955062758

Please find attached IRC South Sudan position announcements for following positions:

1.     Certified Nurse – Malualkon (Northern Behr-el-Ghazal)

2.     Community Health Worker – Malualkon (Northern Behr-el-Ghazal)

3.     GBV Nurse – Malualkon (Northern Behr-el-Ghazal)

4.     Pharmacy Assistant – Malualkon (Northern Behr-el-Ghazal)

5.     Statistical Clerk – Malualkon (Northern Behr-el-Ghazal)

6.     Vaccinator – Malualkon (Northern Behr-el-Ghazal)

7.     EH Officers – Malualkon (Northern Behr-el-Ghazal) & Ganyliel (Unity State)

8.     Finance & HR Officer – Aweil South (Northern Behr-el-Ghazal)

9.     Logistics & Admin Officer – Rumbek (Lakes State)

10.  CCM Officer – Malualkon (Northern Behr-el-Ghazal)

11.  Driver – Rumbek (Lakes State)

12.  Finance & HR Officer – Rumbek (Lakes State)

13.  Head Driver – Rumbek (Lakes State)

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their resume with a covering letter to the following email address: human.resources@sudan.theirc.org Please indicate the title of the position applied for in the subject line of the email. Alternatively, applications can be hand-delivered to IRC’s Rumbek, Malualkon, Ganyliel or Aweil South Offices. Please clearly mark the position title on the envelope (in case you are submitting a hard copy.

Deadline for submission: Please refer to the advertisements in the attached zipped folder

Service/Educational certificates are not required to be submitted at this stage.

Only South Sudanese nationals are eligible to apply for these positions. Qualified candidates from the areas where position is based will be preferred

IRC Vacancy Announcements.zip 424K   View   Download

CRS South Sudan Jonglei Food Security Program Operation Positions

Dear All,

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is a global non-governmental Christian
humanitarian and development organization with a special focus serving
the needs of disadvantaged populations to ensure that the dignity of
the human person is maintained regardless of race, religion, gender or
colour.Catholic Relief Service (CRS) South Sudan program is implementing the
Jonglei Food Security Program (JFSP) and has Operations (Deputy
Operations Manager, Facility Officer, Fleet Supervisor, Procurement
Officer, Warehouse Officer, Food Monitors, Administration Assistant,
Commodity Management Officer, Data Input and Reporting Clerk)
Vacancies as attached.

The vacancies are open to all citizens of South Sudan.

Please submit your application letters and CVs to CRS Juba Office or
CRS Bor Office.

You can also email your applications and CVs to: jobapps@crssudan.org

Please help circulate the Vacancy Announcements as wide as possible.
Ayume Moses Lukadi.

9 attachments — Download all attachments

Deputy Operations Manager JFSP Jonglei State.doc 43K   View   Download

Fleet Supervisor JFSP Jonglei State.doc 42K   View   Download

Facility Officer JFSP Jonglei State.doc 41K   View   Download

Procurement Officer JFSP Jonglei State.doc 47K   View   Download

Administration Assistant JFSP Jonglei State.doc 37K   View   Download

Commodity Management Officers JFSP Jonglei State.doc 44K   View   Download

Data Input and Reporting Clerk JFSP Jonglei State.doc 52K   View   Download

Food Monitors JFSP Jonglei State.doc 44K   View   Download

Warehouse Officers JFSP Jonglei State.doc 52K   View   Download

Travel and Events Assistant, Juba, Sudan

South Sudan

Local Staff

Program Management Advisors, Juba, South Sudan

South Sudan

Consultant

Outreach and Communications Officer, Juba, Sudan

South Sudan

Expat

M & E Short Term Technical Assistant, Juba, Sudan

South Sudan

Consultant

Integrated Health Service Delivery Program Design Consultant Juba, Sudan

South Sudan

Consultant

Health Monitoring & Evaluation Advisor (7 mos), Juba, South Sudan

South Sudan

Expa

Food Security Specialist, Juba, the Republic of South Sudan

South Sudan

Local Staff

011111_AMURT_Advertisment_construction_engineer.doc.pdf 174K   View   Download

Advert-Country Medical Director-IMC-Juba.pdf 94K   View   Download

SNV SOUTH SUDAN- Job Advert.pdf 111K   View   Download

Dear All,

Find attached is the advert for Field Manager base in Mvolo.

Note

-This position is Re-advertised so the dateline will be 15th 11 2011.

-Base location Mvolo not Rumbek as in the Advert.

-Our server is down so you apply using email adress bismodeba@yahoo.com and copy O.Bismark@savethechildren.org.sd

Thanks for understanding.

Regards

Odeba Bismark

Area Human Resources Officer

Save the Children South Sudan

Field Manager Rumbek.pdf 311K   View   Download

2 attachments — Download all attachments

Admin-HR Post.pdf 202K   View   Download

Admin-HR Post cont.pdf 208K   View   Download

Dear All,

I hope this email finds everyone doing well! kindly find attached a terms of reference for a consultant to engage in environmental impact assessment and conflict assessment in Warrap state.

Kindly circulate this advertisement to your various networks!

Environmental_Impact_Assessment_Conflict_Assessment_Warrap_Final[1].docx 51K   View   Download

Please directly contact the employer if you have any further questions.

To anyone of interest, please circulate the following job vacancies:

SLAGE is a non-profit organization that is running a women Entrepreneurship
project in South Sudan, we are looking for part-time coordinators & project
managers. attached are more details, please circulate as usual.

2 attachments — Download all attachments

Women Entreprenuership Coordinators.docx 21K   View   Download

Juba women education project.docx 22K   View   Download

Part Time Vacancy for: Finance Management Trainer

Capacity Africa Institute is a leading Capacity Building and   Strategic Management Organization with programmes  in Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda, Somaliland and Ethiopia.

In response to  the rapid expansion in  South Sudan and  the need to use locally available resources, we wish to recruit a part time trainer in finance management.

The incumbent must have:

a)      Bachelor  of Commerce Degree-Accounting Option or relevant qualifications

b)       Hands on experience in accounting/ finance management in an  international NGO

c)       Five years training experience  of Non Governmental organizations in Africa.

The ideal candidate must be a resident in Juba.

Candidates should send their resumes to capacityafrica@gmail.com not later than 5^th of November 2011

Karegwa Muchiri

Training Manager

Capacity Africa Institute

www.capacityafrica.org

0955-462-376

FHI is now FHI 360. Visit us at www.fhi360.org

FHI 360 is a global development organization with a rigorous, evidence-based approach. Our professional staff includes experts in health, nutrition, education, economic development, civil society, environment and research. FHI 360 operates from 60 offices with 4,400 staff in the U.S. and around the world.   Our commitment to partnerships at every level and our multidisciplinary approach enable us to have a lasting impact on the individuals, communities and countries we serve–improving lives for millions. We seek qualified candidates for the positions of Country Director and Associate Director, Finance and Administration Juba, South Sudan.

Position Responsibilities: Associate Director, Finance and Administration

http://tbe.taleo.net/NA12/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=FHI&cws=1&rid=2195

The Associate Director will provide leadership, guidance and support to the Country Director on all Accounting and Financial Reporting. A major focus of this position is to be a significant leader and implementer in the upgrade of systems and control for the South Sudan country Office. These responsibilities require compliance with the contractual requirements of all South Sudan’s program and awards such as USAID bi-lateral program and Global Funds with the objective of providing professional services consistent with generally accepted accounting principles. Position will play a key role among financial and operating support functions in on-going maintenance/support of financial and management information solutions defined within development and implementation of GFAS.

Minimum Requirements:

University degree in accounting, Finance and Business Administration or its recognized equivalent. CPA, ACA, ICAN, MBA or recognized equivalent a plus. Minimum of 7 – 9 years experience in accounting related to NGOs and community level programs with increasing responsibility. Familiarity with USAID-funded programs and South Sudan non-governmental organization. Experience in a post-conflict environment such as South Sudan, Mozambique, Angola or Liberia strongly preferred.

Position Responsibilities: Country Director

http://tbe.taleo.net/NA12/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=FHI&cws=1&rid=2110

The Country Director provides leadership and management oversight for all FHI 360’s portfolio and activities of the South Sudan country office. S/He oversees operations and, as the primary FHI country representative, ensures strong collaboration between FHI 360 and local Government, donors and partners. S/He represents FHI to external donors/sponsors and leads FHI 360 business and resource development efforts in country. Also serves as project director or chief of party (COP) on designated FHI 360 project/s and will build critical relationships with government and USAID partners.

Minimum Requirements:

MS/MA in public health or related area; Minimum of 10 years of experience in the field of public health and development programming, preferably HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment with an emphasis on managing a team of highly successful performers; Minimum of 5 years’ experience in designing and managing large, complex USAID-funded projects in international public health and development; Ability to interface effectively with headquarter counterparts and develop and manage strategic partnerships with local government, USG and local and international partners; Ability to perform at a senior policy level, demonstrated by previous experience in leading the development and implementation of international public health and development programs; Knowledge of USAID rules and regulations for contracts and ability to ensure contractual compliance.

Additional Requirements:

Work experience in a post-conflict environment such as South Sudan, Mozambique, Angola or Liberia strongly preferred.

AA/EOE/M/F/V/D

Jessica Horger| Senior Recruiter, Human Resources
FHI: The Science of Improving Lives
2224 E NC Hwy 54 | Durham, NC 27713
T: 919.544.7040 ext. 11149 | F: 919.405.1421 | jhorger@fhi360.org |

Please directly contact the employer if you have any further questions.

To anyone of interest, please circulate the following job vacancies:

Certified Nurse.pdf
IRC Mid wife Position.pdf
Advert PME In-house Consultant – War Child Holland.pdf
Concordis Vacancy Announcement – South Sudan Finance Manager.pdf
Advert for Field Base Mechanic – Aweil.pdf

International Rescue Committee – South Sudan is looking for suitable South Sudanese nationals for following positions.

1.     Certified Nurse (Ganyliel)

2.     Mid Wife (Ganyliel)

Please refer to the attached advert for detailed job descriptions / position requirements. Applications can be sent by or before the closing date i.e. October 10^th, 2011 to human.resources@sudan.theirc.org with position title clearly mentioned in the subject line. Alternatively applications can also be hand delivered at IRC`s office in Ganyliel or IRC JUBA head Office

Please note that scanned copies of supporting documents are not required to be submitted at this stage, but will be requested only if you are shortlisted and during the interviews.

No phone calls please for follow.

Good luck and best Regards

2 attachments — Download all attachments

Certified Nurse.pdf 359K   View   Download

IRC Mid wife Position.pdf 297K   View   Download

Please see attached the vacancy announcement for the position of Finance Manager with Concordis International based in Juba. Applications can be delivered in hard copy to Concordis’ office at Juba Raha or sent to concordis.vacancy@gmail.com by 6 November.

Concordis Vacancy Announcement – South Sudan Finance Manager.pdf 103K   View   Download

Dear All,

Malaria Consortium is seeking for a qualified Mechanic who is South Sudanese National to fill in the existing vacant post to be based in Northern Bahr el Ghazal Aweil. Please help in circulating this advert widely to all Citizens of South Sudan.

Thanks,

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A South Sudanese man kills a white neighbor in Sioux Falls, USA.

Murder suspect goes to court: Watch Peter Deng Mayen, who has been charge in the murder of Bruce Richard Walters on Sunday night, walks to a court hearing

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Peter Deng Mayen is escorted to court Monday. He is accused in the slaying of his neighbor, Bruce Walters. / Emily Spartz / Argus Leader

Neighbors’ squabbles boiled over into fatal shooting

Police called 17 times this year over feuding

The fifth homicide of the year in Sioux Falls is described by friends and police as a deadly bubbling over of a long-simmering dispute between neighbors. It was marked by harassment and threats of violence and ended Sunday night in a shooting death.

A judge Monday set bond at $1 million cash for Peter Deng Mayen, 29, who is charged with one count of first-degree murder in the shooting death of 51-year-old Bruce Richard Walters in northeast Sioux Falls.

Police say Mayan approached his neighbor with a handgun at 8:30 p.m. at his home, 1505 E. Sage Place, and shot him at least five times. By the time officers arrived, Walters was dead on his porch from wounds to his chest. Mayen was apprehended at a friend’s house shortly after the killing.

Before Sunday night, the police had been called to resolve conflicts between them 17 times this year, and both men had accused the other of threatening to use a gun. The calls involved varying reports of noise complaints, disorderly conduct or juvenile delinquency, and both households had repeatedly asked for police intervention. On nine of those occasions, police were called to Mayen’s house. Eight of the calls were directed to a disturbance at Walters’ address.

Accused shooter wanted police help

“(Police) would say. ‘You guys just ignore him,’ ” Aware Geu Mayen, Peter Dent’s wife, said outside the courtroom Monday. “We needed the police to be there before what happened yesterday.”

Police spokesman Sam Clemens said such advice is common in disputes between neighbors, especially when no actual violence is reported.

Peter Mayen was cited once this summer for making unreasonable noise. That was the only one of the 17 calls that resulted in a police report.

“You need to have a crime committed before you can arrest someone,” Clemens said. “And arresting someone isn’t necessarily going to solve the problem if you live next door.”

Much of Sunday’s incident was caught on video. Walters had installed a surveillance system in his home because of tension between the households.

Investigators now are trying to piece together what specifically led to the vicious uptick in violence on Sunday, Clemens said.

What is known: Peter Mayen approached his neighbor with a handgun at at 8:30 p.m. at his home after walking by with his elementary school-aged children and dropping them off at a friend’s house, Clemens said. Peter Mayen and Walters exchanged words as the suspect walked by the garage and back to his home. Mayen then returned and shot him.

“What was said, what was not said, that’s kind of up in the air,” Clemens said.

Friends and family of both men were in court Monday, filling the first and second rows of the small sixth-floor courtroom and weeping as Judge Alan Dietrich read the charge and the name of the victim.

Two lawyers with the Minnehaha County public defender’s office declined to argue for their client’s pre-trial release, and Dietrich set a cash-only bond at the amount requested by Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Aaron McGowan.

McGowan told Dietrich that Peter Mayen “made admissions” in the shooting.

After the hearing, Aware Mayen said Walters had harassed and threatened the Sudanese couple and their four children for months, telling them to “go back where they came from.”

‘This guy was really scaring us’

The family was ready to move to a new house, she said.

“This guy was really scaring us,” Aware Mayen said. “No one believed it until this happened.”

Walters’ family and friends declined to comment on the situation outside the courtroom. One woman, who did not wish to be identified, said, “All I can say is he did not deserve that.”

Neighbors said the Mayens played a part in the ongoing conflict as well.

Paul and Jeanette Granum live across the street from Walters and heard the shots from their dining room table hours after joining the couple for a Sunday afternoon motorcycle ride.

“They were young enough to be our children, but they were just really good friends,” Jeanette Granum said of Walters and his wife.

The Granums said they never saw or heard any of the disputes, but they knew about the problems.

Reach reporter John Hult at 350-5998.

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111025/NEWS/110250309/Neighbors-squabbles-boiled-over-into-fatal-shooting

Media Editors and Civil Society Consultation on Anti Corruption Bill, 2011

“Being corrupt is many things, including stealing time by coming late to work”

Dr. Pauline Riak, Chair of the South Sudan Anti Corruption Commission, declared today at a public consultation with South Sudan Media Editors hosted by AMDISS at the Media Development Institute (MDI), in Juba on Wednesday, 26 October 2011.

The public consultation on South Sudan Anti Corruption Bill 2001, was presided over by the Chair of Anti Corruption Commission, Dr Pauline Riak, Advocate John Saberio, Commissioner at South Sudan Anti Corruption Commission, and Executive Director of AMDISS, Dr. Hakim Dario Moi.

When the Anti Corruption boss arrived at AMDISS just before 2pm to inaugurate the public consultation with an address to the media and civil society organisations, as usual there were a few guests in attendance; no more than one or two at start, and Dr. Riak insisted on starting on time, even with only one guest in attendance! And she was dead serious about it. South Sudanese have not shaken off old Sudan habits of turning up late for any meeting, and this consultation was no exception either.

When it finally kicked off with the address from the Anti Corruption boss at 14:10, she elaborated and outlined the public mandate of anti corruption commission, and hastened to underline public expectations and perceptions about the commission in fighting corruption and/or preventing it.
What are our rights as citizens, and what are our obligations in the fight against corruption, and how is corruption perceived in South Sudanese society? The anti corruption boss explored the answers to these queries and cited a numbe of surveys the commission has undertaken to inform its strategy and policy to combat and prevent corruption. This is further elaborated in the Commission’s 4-year Action Plan report for 2010 – 2014, and the annual report for 2010.

“People listen to the media; radio, TV, newspapers, etc. and they also talk about what’s said by TV, radio and newspapers”, Riak observed. It’s therefore no coincidence that the media is in a strong position to influence perceptions and disseminate information to the public, including on corruption, and she appealed to the media to join in the struggle to fight and prevent corruption in South Sudanese society at all levels. Before the Transitional constitution came into force, the preceding legal framework for anti corruption work only allowed SSACC to investigate but not prosecute corruption cases. The specific cases of former two Ministers of Finance and Economic Planning in the Government of South Sudan were cited by the anti corruption commission as results of its investigations which did not culminate in prosecution for the reasons that SAAC did not have prosecutory powers which were the domain of the police and the judiciary. This is set to change with the new Anti Corruption Bill, now in its 6th version, which derived from the Transitional Constitution of RSS, 2011 giving the commission unprecedented prosecutory powers.

The SSACC boss acknowledged that overall, there is a broad consensus for supporting the commission’s mandate and work to fight corruption and prevent it, that the very existence of the institution and its establishment is indicative of that support, not withstanding that fighting and preventing corruption has been slow in coming, stressing that the aim of SSACC is not only to punish corruption but also to prevent it and most importantly recover that which belongs to the public from those who steal public resources for personal benefit.

Commissioner Advocate John Saberio, argued that in order for prosecution of corruption offense to have a basis, such offences must be clearly defined in law, and drew a distinction between criminal and corruption offences under the law. He cited the example of bribery as a criminal act, one which in a court of law requires proof or evidence that the act actually occurred and was committed by a known party to the offence, and such proof would further require witness. More importantly, different set of legal principles would apply to prosecution of corruption offences than those applicable to prosecuting criminal actions.

In the proposed Anti corruption Bill, 2011, there are provisions for principles of declaration of wealth and property which apply to leaders in Government and public institutions as well as in private institutions, and provisions for assets tracing and recovery covering both movable and immovable assets. The commission would also assume prosecutory powers that are often exercised only by the Prosecutor General, and powers such as those exercised by the police, detention of passports and attachment of property. The main categories of corruption offences in the provisions of the bill broadly cover bribery, abuse of power, life style (living above one’s income, such as owning three hummers cars by one person with no history of possession of wealth), and failure to prevent corruption.

The failure to prevent corruption is broadly interpreted to mean not having in place a system to prevent corruption, and this is deemed to be an offence, with implications not just for public institutions but also for private organisations and individuals failing to prevent corruption as Commissioner Saberio explained.

Admittedly, the anti corruption bill, 2011, will most likely come up against opposition by powerful people in authority and government, who benefit from corrupt practices, and the media needs to ensure that public awareness is raised about the bill to serve the public interest. And with real or perceived high levels of corruption in South Sudan, the claim is made that a high percentage of those in power lack understanding of the rule of law and needed time to change their ways of going about the business of government to serve the public interest. This is where the real challenge lay, and calls upon a joined up approach between SSACC, the media, civil society and citizens to rally strong public support to bring the anti corruption bill into fruition against any opposition from powerful vested interests inside or outside Government.

Hakim Dario Moi
Executive Director
AMDISS

Anti-Christian Backlash After South Sudan’s Secession

Churches attacked and threatened with demolition as Bashir reiterates promise to make Sudan strictly Islamic.

Compass Direct News | posted 10/26/2011

Emboldened by government calls for a Sudan based on Islamic law since the secession of South Sudan, Muslim residents have attacked Christians trying to finish constructing their church building near Khartoum. Meanwhile, local authorities are threatening to demolish three other church buildings that already exist.

Muslims in the north, where an estimated 1 million Christians still live following the secession of South Sudan on July 9, fear the potential influence of the church, they said.

“They want to reduce or restrict the number of churches, so that they can put more pressure on believers,” said a church leader on condition of anonymity.

The Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) congregation in Omdurman West, across the Nile River from Khartoum, has continued to meet for Sunday worship in a building without a roof in spite of opposition from area Muslims and local authorities. Claiming that Christianity was no longer an accepted religion in the country, Muslims in the Hay al Sawra, Block 29 area of Omdurman West on August 5 attacked SCOC members who were constructing the church building, area sources said.

“We do not want any presence of churches in our area,” shouted members of the mob as they threw stones at the Christians, the sources said.

The SCOC has been trying to erect a church building on the site since it obtained the land in 1997, but both government officials and area Muslim residents have used delay tactics to prevent it, according to a Christian who lives in the area. The SCOC in that area of Omdurman is still trying to get permission from the Islamic government in Khartoum to construct the new church building, Christian sources in Khartoum said.

In Madinat al Fath, a different section of Omdurman, leaders from SCOC, the Episcopal Church of Sudan and the Roman Catholic Church said they were surprised to see government officials come to their church premises September 11 and accuse them of operating churches on government land without permission. Officials from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Public Utilities-Khartoum State marked the three church buildings for demolition with red crosses, saying, “We are going to demolish these churches,” the church leaders said.

Jaafer al Sudani, manager of Church Affairs in the Ministry of Guidance and Religious Endowment, said officials there had no knowledge of church buildings to be demolished. The state planning officials insist that the churches are operating on government land. Church leaders say they are not.

No Christians?

In Omdurman West, the issue is less about government land than it is about Christian presence. Muslims and local “popular committees”—responsible for issuing residence certificates necessary for obtaining citizenship or an ID card, with authority to strike down proposals for erecting church buildings—assert that no church is necessary because there are no Christians there. But there are many Christians living in the area, sources said.

The government-appointed members of the popular committees tend to consist of radical Muslims who monitor Christian activities in neighborhoods so they can report them to security authorities, Christian sources said. Previously, area Christians were upset to learn that the popular committees had divided another piece of land they hoped to obtain into two lots—one designated for a mosque, and the other for a Muslim school.

“We have already raised our objection over the way we are being treated in regards to obtaining permission to build this church,” said a church leader who wished to remain unnamed.

The church had filed a complaint with the Ministry of Guidance and Religious Endowments, which last month informed the SCOC that officials will investigate the matter, though they gave no time frame.

Secret surveys

Area Christians said they believe the government is quietly carrying out surveys on Christians and church programs as part of a broader effort to make Islam the official state religion; officials from the Ministry of Guidance and Religious Endowment have called church leaders, asking them to reveal information about their church members and activities of the Churches, they said.

“This is purely for intelligence purposes, so that they can put more restrictions on churches and Christians,” said the Rev. Yousif El-Denger Kodi, general secretary of the Sudanese Lutheran Church. “We as church leaders are aware of their plans, but we pray for God to rescue us from their evil plans.”

Members of the churches threatened with closure they are experiencing a growing tide of hostility since South Sudan’s secession. “These people can do everything possible to clear this country of Christianity,” said one.

Targeting Christian civilians

Sudanese Christian leaders also say efforts to rid the north of Christianity are to blame for the deaths of several civilians in South Kordofan state, about 370 miles southwest of Khartoum.

A Christian in the Leri East area of Kadugli who escaped Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) intelligence agents 18 days after his June 20 arrest from his home said he saw six other Christian detainees taken away, one by one, to be executed over the course of two weeks.

“They were insulting us, saying that this land is an Islamic land and that we were not allowed to be in this land,” he said. “I saw them take my fellow Christian brothers and shoot them in the forest near the place where we were detained. … I was praying despite the fact they were threatening me that I would face the same fate of the six brothers.”

While the SAF and its paramilitary allies have targeted members and supporters of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement forces, the Christian, who requested anonymity as he is still in hiding, said he was detained simply because he was a Christian. A convert from Islam 10 years ago, he said he was scheduled to be executed the day he escaped.

Earlier this month, Sudan President Omar al-Bashir again asserted that the government has decided that Sudan will have a strictly Islamic identity. Al-Bashir, wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity in Darfur, made the statement to leaders of his party in Khartoum on October 12.

Last December, one month before South Sudan’s vote for independence, Al-Bashir declared that if the south seceded as expected, Sudan would amend its constitution to make sharia (Islamic law) the only source of law and Arabic the official language. Sharia is currently only “a source of legislation” according to the Interim National Constitution, but the U.S. Department of State says Islam is favored in law and policy.

This article combines several Compass Direct News reports from Sudan.

Copyright © 2011 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/octoberweb-only/sudan-secession-backlash.html?start=2

Analysis of South Sudan past economic and finance.

By Hearty Ritti

Transitioning from dependency to independent nation, the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) had struggled and experienced a significant unpredictable and challenged economic and financial management turmoil including its private sectors since 2005.Officials concluded that this was due to the fact that, the GOSS/RSS’s interim period appeared to be relatively mix of unstructured and weak frame work measures in place which mitigated financial irregularity and practices.

Officials also stated and indicated that by then the system lucks transparency in which the public access to the nation’s financial data was limited and in-accurate. The structure was said to lucking improved budget structure, financial management mechanism, and accountability to complement proposed budget. Weakness had deepened through institutional and capacity development which failed to recognize efforts of collaborative country development initiatives from technocrats. Human capital was evident set back that slow South Sudan attaining its potentials officials reported.

 The record also saw that the system did not paying any close attention as to how external and internal landing disbursement or investment to ensure positive contribution to equitable and sustainable development. Most importantly the system did not acquire financial instrument or soft ware to prevent unauthorized from manipulating the system for their advantages.

At this point, South Sudan is said to have the cleanest domestic and international debt record compared to the rest of any country in the world. The only debt reported on South Sudan had been the one inherited form old Sudan; this is good news we could capitalize on. Sincerely speaking, we must do everything now at our disposal to save south Sudan from being buried in debt like other African Nations before it is too late.

Seriously speaking, with inflation above 60%, south Sudan is facing the daunting tasks of transforming from dependency to a fully sovereign state; however it is challenged by the extreme dependence on oil revenue, where 98 percent of (RSS) public/government budget came from oil. Economist and financial analyst experts have projected and predicted that the dependence on oil revenue will only last for short-term and has no long term constrain. These are indications that should alert RSS to adjust its dependency on oil and redeploy focus on exploring different sources of revenues to meet its national budget demands in long run.

This lead us to ask the question that when will south Sudan stand on its own feet and develop country system to contribute significantly to development and bring aboard diversity to the natural  development with ultimate hope and objective to transform and develop support for sustainable and measurable results? To-do that, RSS should enact tough rules for responsible financial cash flow where legal framework and enforcement mechanism is in line with what president Kirr called zero tolerance for corruption in any operation being internal, external, or foreign investment.

It is important to note that RSS private capital flows will not deliver for the country’s poor if ambitious regulatory measures to promote responsible finance, transparent and accountability are not urgently executed. Tentatively, in the absence of a fair and binding frame work for responsible finance, where billions are borrowed and un-documented/accounted for, RSS will face repayment difficulties if the borrowed loans or disputes with foreign investors are not transparently documented. The implication of financial crisis will leave lasting scars on the RSS financial system and will have protracted marks on poor people across south Sudan , some thing we must all prevent from happening.

Similarly, the fact that financial prediction is based on the speculation, as RSS economy hopefully rebounds, political leaders will tend to bid on fair and binding frame work for responsible finance negotiated by the other party; however, the bottom line is that someone will be held responsible when citizen suffer, complain, or protest.

With this in mind, I thought of dropping observations, recommendations and suggestions that might interest Key GOSS economic and financial decision makers to forge model to prevent inflation from skyrocketing, say no to heavy browed loans, and apprehend corrupt on time.

A) Urgently, South Sudan needs to develop a charter outlining standards to ensure government landing and investment rules and regulations to better monitor actively financial activities to deliver positive development outcome. The importances of developing responsible finance instrument framework for a decent accountable and equitable manner are essential.  

B) Urgently enact law that can expedite corruption allegations to the court of law for persecution through fair and balanced investigations.

  

C) Public access to national budget information and financial data to improve accountability and help link citizen to development plan, implementation and results.    

 

D) The fact that South Sudan does not yet acquired high tech financial soft ware to track its financial activities and cash flows, I recommend it should only accept grants from an external sources of borrowed finance and should not borrow excess foreign securities which are indirectly attached to the heavy loan that will eventually cause budget deficit, excess spending over income and decline on economic growth and possible inflation.

 

E) RSS should develop principal proposal for practice. The current inflation is direct result of excess borrowed external finance corresponding to failed development projects, while exporting zero commodities to the foreign market with exception of oil revenue; causing risk and uncertainty for the new country economic growth.

 

F) To reduce hyper inflation, RSS needs to renew search for financial returns , meaning that there is currently an increase in short term and volatile private capital flows without frame work of binding standards for sovereign RSS, implying that borrowing, lending, and investment practice are left un-check.

 

G) It is advisable that RSS needs to propose a contractual change to avoid unwanted debts/loans and encourage responsible financing as its investment contract to ensure decent investment and help improve the quality of lending and investment that eliminates future illegitimate and unsustainable debt on RSS’s future.

H) RSS should capitalize on its experienced and professional human capital technocrats to create balanced experienced equivalent to that of the western free market economy to allow competitive business environment.  RSS nationals with certified Public Accountant (CPA, IMF, World Bank, UN, Wall Street etc) are typical asset that could reverse   and redirect expectations, in my view worth investing. e.t.c.

I) Diaspora being the seven (7^Th) fronts during the war should consider voluntarily or organized repatriation to south Sudan. Let us go to South Sudan and make difference and impact. Let us use our diverse expertise to make Republic of South Sudan the best nation on earth.      

In Sudan, peace remains elusive

Sudanese President Omar Bashir attends the funeral of Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Oct. 25. South Sudan declared independence in July. But Sudan’s wars have not ended. They have, in fact, multiplied. (Hassan Ammar / AP Photo)

Hostilities haven’t ceased despite the agreement that ended the decades-long civil war. As aid blockades and bombings of civilians continue, the international community mostly stays silent.

By Jehanne Henry and Gerry SimpsonOctober 25, 2011, 5:01 p.m.

When South Sudan declared independence in July, the international community breathed a sigh of relief. A difficult six-year process, set forth in the ambitious 2005 peace agreement that ended Sudan’s 22-year-long civil war, was finally over. The world appeared to feel it could stop focusing on Sudan.But Sudan’s wars have not ended. They have, in fact, multiplied. Five of Sudan’s 16 states are mired in armed conflicts. Since June, new conflicts have erupted in two volatile states — Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile— just north of the South Sudan border, while the three states in the western region of Darfur are still a war zone, although that conflict has dropped from the headlines. These conflicts are a stark reminder that the 2005 agreement failed to address the root causes of Sudan’s problems. They are also a reminder that without justice, there can be no lasting peace in Sudan.In a grim reprise of the civil war, the Sudanese government of President Omar Hassan Ahmed Bashir has been fighting armed opposition groups with historical links to the former southern rebels, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), in Southern Kordofan and in Blue Nile. Both states are home to ethnic African populations whose grievances and injustices were not appropriately addressed in the 2005 peace agreement or in its implementation. Adding insult to injury, the governor of Southern Kordofan is Ahmed Haroun, who, along with President Bashir, is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes committed in Darfur.

Fighting broke out in Southern Kordofan in early June following hotly disputed state elections, in which Haroun narrowly claimed the governorship for a second term, and in the context of government attempts to disarm the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. The violence has included heavy shelling, widespread arrests, destruction of property and massive population displacement. It has been accompanied by a campaign of indiscriminate bombing, killing scores of people and wounding many more.

During our August trip to the Nuba Mountains in central Sudan, where more than 200,000 people have fled their homes, we witnessed aircraft on a near-daily basis dropping bombs and causing families to scatter. We found large numbers of people in caves and on mountaintops, terrified to return to their villages.

In early September, the fighting spread to neighboring Blue Nile, where Bashir declared a state of emergency and sacked the opposition governor. Government security forces arrested dozens of suspected sympathizers. As in Southern Kordofan, ground battles are ongoing while the government indiscriminately bombs civilian areas. More than 30,000 people have fled, most across the Ethiopian border.

In both states, the government has imposed a cruel aid blockade — in total disregard of international law and of repeated requests for access by United Nations and nongovernmental aid groups — preventing food and other goods from reaching needy civilian populations in opposition-held areas. The people in the Nuba Mountains are surviving on dwindling rations, supplemented by leaves and berries. The persistent bombing has prevented them from cultivating crops, raising fears of malnutrition and famine in coming months.

In these marginalized areas, as in Darfur, Sudan is violating basic precepts of international law with total impunity. The world has been too divided on Sudan, and too silent. Neither the U.N. nor the African Union has uttered a peep of condemnation for Sudan’s actions in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, even though the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights warned that war crimes and crimes against humanity may have occurred in Southern Kordofan.

The U.N. and the African Union should demand an end to Sudan’s bombings, call for unfettered access for humanitarian agencies and press for the immediate deployment of an independent human rights monitoring presence. The United States should push for these actions at the U.N. Security Council and with key African partners. And it should remind other powers that Bashir continues to commit them elsewhere in Sudan.

Sudan’s conflicts all have the same root causes: the Arab-majority government’s economic and political marginalization and neglect of far-flung regions and populations of African ethnicity, and the use of military force to subjugate them rather than guaranteeing democratic reforms and respect for human rights.

But the 2005 peace agreement did not force Sudan to change its ways. Although the parties carried out parts of the agreement — elections in 2010 that were deeply flawed and a referendum on southern independence last January — they did not implement the ambitious reforms that could have helped address some of the inequities driving Sudan’s conflicts. It is no small wonder that the South chose to secede.

Sadly, for those of us who have followed the situation in Sudan for many years, the new wars were predictable. International supporters have repeatedly failed to press Sudan to make needed reforms or hold Sudan accountable for serious abuses — so the abuses continue. If the United States and others don’t insist that Sudan make changes, the conspiracy of silence will continue to perpetuate the myth that Sudan’s long war is over, when for many it is starting up again.

Jehanne Henry is a senior Africa researcher and Gerry Simpson is refugee policy advocacy director at Human Rights Watch.

Copyright © 2011, Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-henry-sudan-20111025,0,2355857.story?track=rss

USAID Provides Equipment to South Sudan for Conflict Prevention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2011
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov

BOR, SOUTH SUDAN – USAID today handed over five speedboats to South Sudan’s Jonglei State government, to help state authorities deter threats to community security in a part of South Sudan that has experienced significant intercommunal violence this year.

By providing these speedboats along with accessories including lifejackets and 25 barrels of fuel to the state Ministry of Local Government and county authorities, USAID will further enhance the government’s capacity to reach isolated counties and deter emerging community security threats.

Delivery of this security-enhancing equipment is part of USAID’s program to support stability and prevent conflict in South Sudan by helping to extend the presence of state authority in isolated and conflict-prone regions, including Jonglei State.

Due to limited road infrastructure and rains that flood the area for many months of the year, many payams (sub-county administrative units) are cut off from county headquarters, which are themselves isolated from the state capital, Bor. River transport is often the only means to reach remote areas in the rainy season.

“We know that there is an inextricable link between peace and development,” Deputy Mission Director Peter Natiello told the crowd assembled at the Nile River in Bor. “And we know that the development that we seek to support the citizens of Jonglei with will not be possible unless we work together on the security issues, to help achieve peace. We’re happy to support the efforts of the local government in Jonglei.”

USAID has provided substantial transportation and communication support in a number of key conflict-prone counties in South Sudan, improving information flows between counties and payams and helping local government authorities monitor emerging threats with equipment including satellite phones, high-frequency radios, and motorbikes. In Jonglei state alone, USAID has distributed 60 satellite phones to county and payam officials, and 17 Codan high-frequency radios to improve communication between authorities. The communication equipment has already enabled local authorities to prevent cattle raids, which can become deadly, by warning communities at risk.

For more information about USAID and its programs in South Sudan, visit http://www.usaid.gov.

http://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2011/pr111025_1.html

South Sudan moves to end Arabic schooling

By Hannah McNeish (AFP)

JUBA, South Sudan — Newly independent South Sudan will change the language of schooling to English this year, shrugging off decades of Arabic imposed from the north, the government announced on Wednesday.

The new nation’s parliament passed the Higher and General Education Bill late Tuesday that all education from primary level will be taught in English.

“This new year, we are teaching our national languages at the pre-school and the rest of the instructions, mathematics or science, all in English, there’s no Arabic. We’ll have Arabic only as a language as a subject”, Information Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told reporters.

“That’s how it used to be, till it was changed, since 1898. They changed it only in 1989 when they declared sharia (Islamic) law in the whole country”, he said of the former British colony.

The fledgling government faces a host of daunting challenges in building a nation from scratch after gaining independence from the mainly Arab north in July after decades of civil war that left the country in ruins.

After years of fighting and neglect, only 16 percent of South Sudanese are literate, and very few of them women.

The government hopes the move will unify the new nation, which is thought to have over 60 indigenous languages, and also bring it into line with neighbouring countries’ education systems.

“This will also make it easy for the syllabuses within South Sudan to fall within the context of East African syllabuses and universities”, Benjamin said.

Khartoum will still set exams for those already at secondary school for the next three years while the country makes the transition to English, which was made the official language in a new constitution last month, Benjamin said.

South Sudan has around 18,000 teachers, many of them from Kenya or Uganda.

The government plans to train 7,000 teachers to use English as the language of instruction and build 11 national secondary schools covering all 10 of the country’s states.

The new act makes primary education free and compulsory for all in a country lacking basic infrastructure, where only 10 percent of children complete primary school and 64 percent do not attend.

The UN children’s agency (UNICEF) said enrolment has increased from around 343,000 in 2005, when the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed with the north, to 1.6 million last year.

Benjamin said renovating “crumbling” schools in the underdeveloped nation was a priority that could tempt the largely pastoral nation with many nomadic tribes into investing in education as well as cows.

“”If you build proper schools, they will take their children there”, he said.

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved. More »

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gYulh9gz7UrSp2sP7hdTCMe5vPUA?docId=CNG.8b116e1fe19856fc787e6748d597e3c2.481

South Sudan schools to teach in English, not Arabic

Wed Oct 26, 2011

JUBA Oct 26 (Reuters) – South Sudan said on Wednesday its schools will start teaching English, phasing out Arabic that had been used as a tool to spread Islamic law and Arab heritage by former civil war foe Khartoum.

The mainly Muslim north imposed Islamic law and Arabic on the south, which seceded in July to become the world’s newest nation, and where most follow Christian and traditional beliefs.

The language move is symbolic of the nation’s vision of closer integration with African neighbours, said Samson Wattara, an associate professor in political science at Juba University.

“The switch will not be automatic and will probably be problematic but South Sudanese want to look southwards,” Wattara told Reuters.

“This is a departure from the arabisation doctrine which was consistently opposed by different rebellions,” he said.

South Sudan’s government passed a bill making English mandatory for teaching in primary and secondary schools, Information Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told reporters.

“Under the Khartoum government subjects were universally taught in Arabic. We will teach our national languages at pre-school and for the rest, the instructions in mathematics or science will all be in English,” he said.

South Sudan has dozens of local languages and dialects, but the most commonly spoken languages are English and Arabic.

Benjamin said the country is training 7,000 new teachers to help launch the new syllabus, to give students easier access to universities in east Africa. Secondary school students will continue to sit exams in Arabic for the next three years.

South Sudan’s independence vote, agreed under a 2005 peace deal, ended decades of civil war with the north over religion, oil, ethnicity and ideology.

North and South Sudan yet have to settle a range of disputes such as sharing oil revenues and other assets and find a solution for the disputed border region of Abyei. (Reporting by Hereward Holland; Editing by Louise Ireland)

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL5E7LQ4XX20111026 

© Thomson Reuters 2011 All rights reserved

South Sudan allows visits to detained members of opposition party

Dr James Okuk, the detained SPLM-DC’s member

By Ngor Arol Garang

October 25, 2011 (JUBA) – The government of South Sudan on Tuesday gave full access to family members of the opposition member who was arrested last week, allegedly for writing against President Salva Kiir on the internet.

On Sunday, Onyoti Adigo, the leader of South Sudan’s largest opposition party told Sudan Tribune that three diplomats aligned to his party were picked up by security elements while leaving the ministry of foreign affairs on Friday last week.

Two members were immediately released but one remains under detention prompting his party the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) to claim they were targeted. He named James Okuk as their member who remains under detention in an undisclosed location on Monday.

However, Adigo on Tuesday said in a follow up interview with Sudan Tribune that the government agents had handed over the detainee to the police service where a statement was taken from him.

He was also allowed to talk to some relative members and friends at police station.

“At least it is okay today. James Okuk has been handed to the police where he can now be visited. A statement was also taken from him by one of the senior judges in the town and is accessible to family members and friends. He is at Juba main prison,” Adigo told Sudan Tribune. The senior member of the opposition explained that the case will now be filled by an attorney general to the minister of justice because it is a political issue.

http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-allows-visits-to,40534

South Sudan, darling of the West, faces charges of political repression

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement dominates South Sudan’s political arena, and its reticence to allow political opposition to develop could hurt its image among Western donors.

By Alex Thurston, Guest blogger / October 25, 2011

After the referendum vote in January 2011 that gave South Sudan its independence, International Crisis Group’s Zack Vertin pointed to some of the challenges that lay ahead for the new country. One of the most important was the issue of internal political pluralism:

The rebel movement turned governing party – the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) – dominates the political arena. Since the end of the war, opposition voices have suppressed grievances and taken a back seat to the SPLM so as to preserve the goal shared by all southerners – self-determination. But now that the vote has been cast, that common denominator is gone. When the jubilation of last week’s vote subsides, the political environment will slowly begin to transform. The current leadership must respond accordingly, recognizing that a genuine opening of political space is both necessary and in their long-term interest. They must find a way to equitably manage the South’s own diversity, lest they simply duplicate the sort of autocratic regime they’ve finally managed to escape.

Nine months later, the issue remains. Over the weekend, the South Sudanese opposition spoke out, alleging that the ruling party was harassing its members:

A major South Sudanese opposition party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) on Sunday protested against the “targeted” arrest of its members.

Onyoti Adigo, who leads the largest opposition party in the National Legislative Assembly, told Sudan Tribune on Sunday said that three diplomats aligned to his party were picked up at gunpoint on Friday while leaving the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation.

He named James Okuk as one of the members being held in undisclosed location by South Sudan’s security services for allegedly for writing against president on the internet. Some other SPLM-DC members including Sabino Tom who were arrested with James have been freed.

As the head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan said in September, the world will be watching to see how the new country performs on pluralism and other issues. I doubt that autocratic behavior by the ruling party would jeopardize funding from donors immediately, but in the long run outside observers may grow increasingly frustrated if the ruling party proves unwilling to open the political space to a greater degree. Internally, moreover, unmet political demands may give rise to violence; the country is already dealing with several rebel movements.

The region surrounding South Sudan is flush with former rebels, revolutionaries, and military leaders who are still in power – President Idriss Deby of Chad, President Omar al Bashir of (North) Sudan, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, to name a few – but there is a lot of pressure on the SPLM in South Sudan to take a different path.

– Alex Thurston is a PhD student studying Islam in Africa at Northwestern University and blogs at Sahel Blog.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/Africa-Monitor/2011/1025/South-Sudan-darling-of-the-West-faces-charges-of-political-repression

South Sudan opposition member remains in detention
Middle East North Africa Financial Network
The leader of the South Sudan opposition at the Legislative Assembly, Onyoti Adigo, announced on Sunday that three of its members were arrested on Friday by the security services. Two were released immediately but one remains under detention prompting …

Sudan pumps 117,900 bpd oil since southern independence

KHARTOUM Oct 25 (Reuters) – Sudan has been producing on average 117,900 barrels a day of oil since its former civil war foe South Sudan became independent in July, official data showed on Tuesday.

South Sudan took most of the country’s oil reserves when it gained independence after a referendum in January agreed under a 2005 peace deal. The loss of oil — the main source of state income — has thrown the northern economy into turmoil,

Sudan’s total oil production from north and south in the first half was 459,900 bpd, acting northern oil minister Ali Ahmed Osman said in a presentation to parliament obtained by Reuters.

North Sudan wants to increase oil production and exploration next year, he said, without giving details. The government had also boosted security measures at oil facilities, he added.

Sudan’s main Khartoum refinery, a joint-venture of the government and China National Petroleum Corp, will be producing 30.4 million barrels in 2011, according to the presentation. The refinery has a capacity of 100,000 bpd.

South Sudan, which produces around 300,000 bpd, needs to use northern refineries and export facilities as the country’s only pipeline goes from southern fields to the Red Sea port of Port Sudan.

The South will have to pay Khartoum a transit fee to use northern facilities but the two sides have failed to reach an agreement. (Reporting by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Anthony Barker)

http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL5E7LP3UQ20111025

China Donates 200 Million Yuan (31.5 million dollars) to South Sudan

Martina Jada and Taghrid George, News Agency of South Sudan

24 October 2011

press release

Juba — The government of the Peoples’ Republic of China today donated 200 million Renminbi (the official Chinese currency abbreviated as RMB) to support agriculture, education, health and water supply projects in the Republic of South Sudan.

The donation was announced this morning by the Chinese ambassador in Juba Hon Li Zhiguo during a meeting he held with the minister for Information and Broadcasting Hon Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin. The ambassador said that China will continue to support development in the new country now and into the future.

The ambassador also announced that the Chinese government will soon send Chinese international radio stations to South Sudan to help develop the sector and share experiences and skills with the South Sudanese media fraternity. He also announced that the Chinese peacekeepers in South Sudan will remain in the country until the nascent peace is stabilized.

He expressed hope that the bilateral relations between the two countries will be strengthened for the mutual benefit of their peoples. He explained that his government is in constant touch with their South Sudanese counterparts so as to identify the areas and frameworks of partnership. He said Chinese companies will come to South Sudan as soon as these modalities are worked out.

On his part, Dr Marial expressed South Sudan’s gratitude for the support of China and explained that the government is keen to strengthen its bilateral links with the Asian country. "We want you to look comprehensively in the areas of investment as well as education, especially university education, which is constantly facing infrastructural and personnel challenges", he said.

Meanwhile in another event Dr Marial also hosted the former Prime Minister of Angola Mr. Lopo do Nascimento. Mr Nascimento announced that SONANGO, the Angolan national oil company will soon invest in South Sudan.

Dr Marial welcomed the announcement and said that South Sudan stands to benefit greatly from the experience of such renowned companies.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201110250222.html

China grants South Sudan $31.5 mln for development projects
Sudan Tribune
October 24, 2011 (JUBA) – Chinese government today extended a grant of 200 million Yuan (about 31.5 million US dollars) to South Sudan for development projects in the newly independent state. The grant was announced Monday in Juba after a meeting …

Protecting Cattle Saves People

By Jared Ferrie

A member of the Mundari tribe stands amongst cattle in Terekeka, South Sudan.

TEREKEKA, South Sudan, Oct 25, 2011 (IPS) – With his bright orange hair, Angelo Waranyang cuts a striking figure as he strides amongst his cattle. His hair colour – dyed with a mixture of cow urine and ash from burnt dung – is symbolic of the close connection that he and the majority of South Sudanese have with their revered animals.

In fact, there are more cattle than people in South Sudan. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) puts the number of cattle at about 11 million, and it estimates that 80 percent of the country’s approximately eight million people depend on the animals for their survival.

With the FAO warning that South Sudan will likely produce only enough food to feed half its people next year, a push to vaccinate cattle against deadly diseases has taken on added urgency.

Preventing outbreaks of disease could stave off hunger, as well as mitigate violence that arises when herders attempt to steal cattle from neighbouring tribes after suffering losses to their own herds.

Waranyang, who hails from the Mundari ethnic group, welcomed the vaccination campaign, noting that he had already lost 25 cows to disease this year.

The FAO and South Sudan’s Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry would like to vaccinate 70 percent of South Sudan’s livestock (including 19 million sheep and goats), according to Edward Ogolla, a communications officer with FAO.

But he admitted that the figure could be achieved only “in a perfect situation.”

The situation in South Sudan is far from perfect. When the country became the world’s newest nation after seceding from the north on Jul. 9, it also became one of the poorest. While rich in oil, revenues from resources in the south had been diverted to the north for decades by Khartoum leaving the region one of the least developed in the world.

The vaccination campaign is hampered by lack of funding and trained personnel, insecurity and poor infrastructure, to name just a few challenges, Ogolla said.

The recent vaccination exercise in Terekeka underscores the point. The community is only about 80 kilometres from the capital Juba, and is considered quite accessible, but it took almost three hours to arrive after driving down rough, rutted, dirt roads littered with water-filled potholes the size of small ponds.

Of a total of 21 million animals, the FAO is targeting five million for vaccination this year. Officials say the campaign is becoming more important as South Sudan faces rising food insecurity due to weather patterns, insecurity and a large influx of southerners who are returning from the north to take up residence in their newly independent homeland.

“These diseases, especially east coast fever, can (result in) up to a 100 percent of the animals getting sick, and you can get up to 90 to a 100 percent mortality, which means it can wipe out the whole herd,” said George Okech, head of the FAO in South Sudan.

The team was also vaccinating against black quarter fever and haemorrhagic septicemia.

“If a disease were to come by and wipe (out) these (herds, people) would easily be tempted to go to the neighbouring county and try and get the animals from there,” said Okech. “And that definitely would be a cause of conflict.”

Cattle rustling attacks are common in South Sudan and were one of the main causes of death in the first half of this year, which was the most violent six months since the civil war ended in 2005. The U.N. said 2,368 civilians had died as of July, compared with 940 last year.

Cattle raiding is also holding back economic development, according to a 2010 study by the Netherlands Development Agency (SNV), which pointed to a large unmet local demand despite South Sudan’s vast herds.

“Despite the potential of home grown Sudanese livestock sources, large volumes of livestock and livestock products are imported from neighbouring Uganda to meet the demand in Juba,” said the report, which put the blame partly on cattle rustling.

“That’s a stumbling block for attempts to improve livestock sales at community level, because the animals can be easily stolen when they are being taken to market,” SNV noted.

FAO officials say a cow or bull can fetch anywhere between 300 and 800 dollars. With 11 million head of cattle in South Sudan, these herds represent vast potential for economic growth – provided they can be kept safe from disease. (END)

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=105589

SDF unit to get South Sudan dispatch orders on Friday

Kyodo

The government has started making arrangements for Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa to order a Ground Self-Defense Force engineering unit to prepare to head to South Sudan as early as Friday, government sources said

Ichikawa will issue the order to Self-Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Ryoichi Oriki and other defense officials once the plan is confirmed at a Cabinet meeting on Friday. The government will notify the United Nations of the plan, they said.

The SDF will start organizing the unit and compiling an operational plan for the mission between early next year and February, the sources said.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda recently said he intends to send an SDF unit to South Sudan early next year to join U.N. peacekeeping operations.

The government is considering sending a unit comprising between 300 and 350 engineers to South Sudan by February at the request of the United Nations, before the African country’s rainy season starts up in April, which will make road work difficult, the sources said.

The government has concluded that local security does not pose a problem for the engineering unit, based on reports from an advance survey team that visited the country in late September, they said.

The United Nations and the Japanese government have already agreed on basing the unit in the capital city of Juba for road and bridge construction.

The Cabinet could approve the size of the unit, the length of the mission and its equipment as early as November.

Panetta gives assurances

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta vowed Monday that the United States will maintain and strengthen the presence of its military in the Pacific region despite calls for defense spending cuts.

"The Pacific remains a priority of the United States . . . we will continue to not only maintain but to strengthen our presence in this part of the world," Panetta said during a speech at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, home to the headquarters of the U.S. military in Japan.

Panetta also told the gathering upon his arrival in Japan that the United States will maintain a strong presence in the Pacific "for a long time" and is "not anticipating any cutbacks in this region." About 230 personnel from the U.S. military and the Self-Defense Forces took part.

Panetta, on his first visit to Japan through Wednesday since assuming his post in July, underlined the vital role of the Japan-U.S. alliance as the "cornerstone of peace and stability in the Pacific" now and in the next 50 years as well.

The U.S. defense chief lauded efforts made by U.S. service personnel in helping the SDF in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and noted that the challenges they continue to face in and out of the region, such as nuclear proliferation in North Korea and terrorism.

Panetta will meet with his local counterpart, Yasuo Ichikawa, on Tuesday at a time when the Japanese government has been trying to break a stalemate over the controversial relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa Prefecture.

The central government recently told the Okinawa Prefectural Government that it intends to submit an environmental impact assessment report by yearend, a key step to pushing the relocation despite strong opposition in Okinawa, which already hosts the bulk of U.S. forces in Japan.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111025a9.html

U.S. downplays concerns as Libya’s post-Gadhafi rulers call for Islamic law

A cell phone photo of Moammar Gadhafi in Sirte Oct. 20, 2011. (Philippe Desmazes/Global Post)

By Laura Rozen | The Envoy

The Obama administration and European allies congratulated the Libyan people as Libya’s interim rulers declared formal victory in their nine-month struggle against the recently killed strongman Moammer Gadhafi on Sunday.

Still, underneath the surface festivities, it seems that some forces aligned with Libya’s interim leaders may be mimicking brutal aspects of the unmourned Gadhafi’s repressive style, even as they seek to distance themselves from his legacy.

Investigators with the international human rights advocacy group Human Rights Watch reported Monday that they had discovered the dead bodies of 53 Gadhafi supporters apparently executed with their hands tied behind their backs at an abandoned hotel in Gadhafi’s hometown of Sirte.

Meanwhile, Global Post reported that its analysis of video images of Gadhafi taken before his execution last Thursday apparently shows him being sodomized by a member of Libyan National Transition Council forces wielding a weapon.

The allegation came as the bodies of Gadhafi and his son Mo’tassim were put on public display in a cold storage facility for two days in the Libyan city of Misrata.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton–who on a visit earlier last week to Libya expressed the wish that Gadhafi be captured or killed–said on the Sunday talk shows that it would be appropriate for Libyan authorities to pursue an investigation of Gadhafi’s death.

Libya’s interim rulers took up the suggestion on Monday, saying they would proceed with such an investigation, the New York Times reported.

“In response to international calls, we have started to put in place a commission tasked with investigating the circumstances of Muammar Qaddafi’s death in the clash with his circle as he was being captured,” Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, chairman of the National Transition Council, told journalists in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi Monday, the Times’ Adam Nossiter and Rick Gladstone reported.

But past such pledges–to investigate, for instance, how the Libyan rebels’ military commander Abdel Fattah Younes was assassinated in July,  apparently at the hands of one Islamist militant rebel faction–have so far gone nowhere.

In the meantime, Western officials got another stiff reminder Sunday that Libya’s victorious rebels plan to steer the country toward greater public observance of Islam.  Libya’s interim leader Abdul-Jalil pledged at Sunday’s festivities commemorating the successful struggle to topple Gadhafi that Islamic Sharia law would be the basis of the new government.

“We are an Islamic country,” Abdul-Jalil told crowds celebrating in Benghazi Sunday, the Times reported. “We take the Islamic religion as the core of our new government. The constitution will be based on our Islamic religion.”

Abdul-Jalil promised that “Islamic banks would be established in the new Libya,” the Times’ Nossiter and Kareem Fahim reported. “He also talked of lifting restrictions on the number of women Libyan men can marry.”

His comments “reflected not only the chairman’s personal religious conservatism and the country’s, but also the rising influence of Islamists among the former rebels,” Nossiter and Fahim wrote. “The Islamists, who include some influential militia commanders, have warned that they will not permit their secular counterparts in a new government to sideline them.”

“Any law that violates sharia is null and void legally,” Abdul-Jalil said, according to Agence France Press’s Simon Martelli, who added that the NTC leader specifically referenced plans to void Gadhafi’s former ban on polygamy. “The law of divorce and marriage . . . . This law is contrary to sharia and it is stopped.”

Abdul-Jalil’s pronouncements are already provoking sharp rebukes from feminists and teir progressive-minded sympathizers  in LIbya. “It’s shocking and insulting to state, after thousands of Libyans have paid for freedom with their lives, that the priority of the new leadership is to allow men to marry in secret,” a Libyan feminist who gave only her first name Rim told the AFP’s Martelli. “We did not slay Goliath so that we now live under the Inquisition.”

The specter of Islamist rule is provoking “feelings of pain and bitterness among women who sacrificed so many martyrs,” Adelrahman al-Shatr, a Libyan opposition politician, told the AFP. “By abolishing the marriage law, women lose the right to keep the family home if they divorce. It is a disaster for Libyan women.”

Former American officials who have worked in the North African nation tend to downplay concerns that Libya’s post-Gadhafi rulers plan to institute extreme, Taliban-style restrictions on expression, women’s dress code and behavior, stressing that there’s a broad range of interpretations of Islamic law. They also contend that Libya which under Gadhafi had made cultural strides toward secular modernity, is not fertile recruiting ground for Islamist extremism.

But Abdul-Jalil’s pronouncements Sunday indicate a continuing struggle for influence between Islamist militant and more secular factions of Libya’s anti-Gadhafi forces.

And documents found in Gadhafi’s seized intelligence ministry in August support previous reporting that showed the CIA was long concerned about al-Qaida links to factions of anti-Gadhafi militants, including the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group. Indeed, Abdel Hakim Belhaj, a top anti-Gadhafi rebel who has become a leading figure in the post-Gadhafi leadership in Tripoli, told reporters in September that he was arrested in Thailand in 2004, tortured under interrogation by the CIA, before he was rendered back to Gadhafi’s Libya. (Belhaj strongly denied any allegiance to al-Qaida or Osama bin Laden.) U.S. officials have also acknowledged concerns about the possibility that Gadhafi’s huge stockpile of surface-to-air missiles and other weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists, including al Qaida’s north African affiliate, al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, which has been active in Libya.

In the short term, however, the United States, like much of the rest of the world, is focusing mainly on Libya’s achievement in toppling a long-ruling dictator–with the assistance of NATO air-power. “On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Libya on today’s historic declaration of liberation,” President Obama said in a statement Sunday.  “After four decades of brutal dictatorship and eight months of deadly conflict, the Libyan people can now celebrate their freedom and the beginning of a new era of promise.” Libya’s transition authorities must now turn “their attention to the political transition ahead,” he urged.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/envoy/u-downplays-concerns-libya-post-gadhafi-rulers-call-182959670.html

Graphic pictures mark coverage of Gadhafi death

By DAVID BAUDER – AP Television Writer | AP – Fri, Oct 21, 2011

• This video frame grab image taken from Libyan TV, purports to show former Libyan …

NEW YORK (AP) — An opposition figure provided Al Jazeera with cellphone video of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi’s violent death on Thursday, testing media organizations around the world on their capacity for showing gruesome pictures.

In the first shaky video viewers saw, Gadhafi was on the ground bloodied, either dead or near death. Other video and even more graphic still pictures emerged throughout the day. One of the most chilling images from the Al Arabiya network depicted a bloody and dazed Gadhafi walking toward a car, then shouting as he struggled with revolutionary fighters; it wasn’t clear how quickly he died after that scene.

Al Jazeera showed its video at 8:46 a.m. EDT on Thursday and it was swiftly picked up by other organizations before official word came that the longtime dictator was dead.

“It’s pretty chilling video when you think of it — that they got him alive and now he’s dead,” CNN’s Wolf Blitzer said.

Al Jazeera obtained and aired the video nearly two hours after reporting that Gadhafi was dead, network spokesman Osama Saeed said. It was obtained by Al Jazeera reporter Tony Birtley in Sirte, Libya.

“It was nothing more complicated than a lot of people running around and he was there,” Saeed said. “People were wanting to give footage to reporters.”

Producers at Al Jazeera were confident that the video depicted Gadhafi primarily because Al Jazeera had already reported from multiple sources that he had been killed, he said.

Before showing video footage, The Associated Press first ran still images taken from the Al Jazeera video, its editors confident of the veracity of the images because AP editors had carefully examined the full video, spokesman Paul Colford said. The ease with which photos can be doctored has made news organizations careful about distributing images.

The AP also provided its members with video obtained from Arab television networks and the AP’s own sources.

The Al Jazeera video was used quickly on U.S. cable news networks CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC. Al Jazeera had no problem with others running their video, as long as credit was given, Saeed said. Some rivals asked for permission, others didn’t, he said.

Broadcast networks also used the video in special reports on Gadhafi’s death that interrupted daytime programming. ABC did not air video until a short special report with President Obama’s statement shortly after 2 p.m. EDT. ABC later preceded the Gadhafi pictures with a warning from anchor George Stephanopolous: “I warn you that it is graphic and gruesome.”

Despite the content, “these images are the very definition of news,” Jeffrey Schneider, ABC News spokesman, said.

NBC similarly aired video of Gadhafi being led to a vehicle and then briefly showed his corpse in a special report. Network officials carefully vetted the material for appropriateness, David McCormick, NBC News vice president for standards, said.

“We want to give our audience the most accurate reports possible without crossing a line into offensive or unnecessarily graphic material,” he said. “We feel the footage that has aired has met those boundaries, and we’re constantly in touch with producers about what is and is not acceptable.”

Still, the presence of the pictures ignited a debate among news consumers about how much of Gadhafi’s final moments should be shown.

“It’s enough to know the world is rid of a brutal, oppressive dictator,” said Carlos Galindo-Elvira, an executive at a nonprofit agency in Phoenix. “The Libyan people can now move forward. The world is not made into a better place by displaying the graphic photos of his demise.”

Bradley McRoberts, a college student from New Haven, Conn., said that if the news media didn’t use the pictures, they would be censoring history.

“We must always err on the side of openness in journalism, even in times when the images are grotesque,” McRoberts said. “Understandably, there should be a warning presented before these images or videos are shown. If someone chooses not to look, that is their choice. It should not be the decision of the news organization.”

Many websites that prominently carried the news gave viewers a choice about whether they wanted to see images or not. At the top of The New York Times’ website, there was a slide show that began with a picture of a revolutionary fighter outside the drain pipe where Gadhafi apparently hid. A visitor needed to click through a series of nine celebratory shots and archive photos of Gadhafi before reaching a black slide with the warning: “The following is a graphic image said to show Colonel Gadhafi’s corpse.” Another click was required to see a picture of the Libyan leader, his eyes closed, and face and fatigues bloodied.

The home page for MSNBC’s website carried four pictures, none showing Gadhafi’s body, but visitors were provided a link to graphic video. A BBC slide show offered three file photos of Gadhafi alive and two of Libyans celebrating his death.

However, viewers who went to Al Arabiya’s website were met first with a large picture of a dead Gadhafi’s face contorted and bloodied. It then switched to another bloody photo without a visitor needing to do anything but watch.

The AP received an email from medical student Amin Demerdash from Cairo, Egypt, with a simple message: “Stop it. We have seen enough already.”

Meanwhile, there was some tension between American journalists and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was in Pakistan on Thursday after visiting Tripoli, Libya, earlier in the week.

During its coverage of Gadhafi’s death, some American networks aired footage of Clinton that had been shot during breaks in a series of interviews she gave to TV reporters traveling with her in Pakistan. Clinton was handed a Blackberry during one break to read news of Gadhafi’s reported capture, and she said, “Wow.” She quickly noted that the report was unconfirmed and there had been similar reports in the past that had turned out to be false.

CBS News’ website ran a different clip of Clinton, before another interview began, in which she was apparently joking about the story. “We came, we saw, he died,” she said, laughing.

Philippe Reines, an aide to Clinton, said he had complained to the traveling network representatives that filming Clinton in between the interviews was a breach of protocol. They wouldn’t show her applying makeup before an interview, for example, even if cameras were set up.

“I think it’s outside the bounds of the relationships we have with our traveling press corps,” he said.

__

NBC and MSNBC are controlled by Comcast Corp.; CNN is a unit of Time Warner Inc.; Fox is owned by News Corp.; ABC is a unit of The Walt Disney Co.; CBS is a subsidiary of CBS Corp.

___

AP National Security Writer Mathew Lee contributed to this report.

http://news.yahoo.com/graphic-pictures-mark-coverage-gadhafi-death-222122899.html

National Anthem Composing Team chairperson appears in court

The Chairperson of the technical team that was tasked with the writing of the national anthem has appeared in the South Sudan Supreme Court to answer charges of misappropriation of funds.
Samuel Mido appeared in court Wednesday accused of misuse of funds, operating an office without consulting the team, and failing to organize and attend meetings.
Mido was dragged to court by his deputy, Edison Arkanjiro, who also told court that the accused embezzled 55,000 South Sudanese pounds.
Mido pleaded guilty to the charges.
Court ruled that the accused should return the money to the national anthem composing team and also advised the aggrieved team members to settle the rest of the issues out of court.