UNSC, AU and US: Provide Civilian Protection in Sudan

Hey,

I just signed the petition “UNSC, AU and US: Provide Civilian Protection in Sudan” and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name.

Our goal is to reach 1,500 signatures and we need more support. You can read more and sign the petition here:

https://www.change.org/petitions/unsc-au-and-us-provide-civilian-protection-in-sudan-2

Thanks!
Ngor

216 West 104th Street | Suite #130 | New York, NY | 10025

South Sudan’s Apology for Downing UN Helicopter Accepted !!

South Sudan’s Apology for Downing UN Helicopter Accepted !!
Sudan Vision
As many observer predicted, the incident in which a UN helicopter was shot down and four Russian crew were killed in the troubled Jonglei last Friday by South Army was completely forgotten asSouth Sudan apology was accepted for the eyes of United …

Turkey wants to mediate between Sudan and South Sudan
Sudan Tribune
December 29, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese foreign minister Ali Ahmed Karti said that Turkey presented a proposal to resolve the disputed issues between Sudan and South Sudan. In statements to the Turkish Anadolu Agency in Ankara, Karti said that …

President Agrees to Summit With South Sudan AllAfrica.com Sudan’s President, Field Marshal Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir has said he is ready to meet with his South Sudanese counterpart, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, “anywhere and anytime” to expedite the implementation of the cooperation agreement they …

South Sudan says president ready to meet Bashir Ahram Online South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir is willing to meet Sudanese counterpart Omar Al-Bashir to resolve conflicts and resume vital oil flows, a South Sudan minister said Friday after Bashir agreed to hold a summit. The neighbours agreed in September to …

South Sudan accuses Sudan of launching air attack inside its territory … Washington Post Aguer said the areas are part of South Sudan. The areas are near the Kiir River, the southern boundary of a 14-mile strip of territory claimed by both countries. Sudan andSouth Sudan reached an oil and border security deal in August that called for …

Ethiopian Prime Minister Visits Juba for Talks With President Kiir AllAfrica.com Juba — The new Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn visited Juba, the South Sudan’scapital Thursday where he held a closed door meeting with President Salva Kiir in the state house. The visit was the first of its kind by the new Ethiopian …

SAF Denies Attacking South Sudan’s Territories but Reports Clashes With … AllAfrica.com Khartoum — The Sudanese army has denied accusation of launching air and ground attacks on theSouth Sudanese border state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal while reporting clashes between the southern army and Al-Rizigat tribesmen in the disputed region …

South Sudan’s Apology for Downing UN Helicopter Accepted !! Sudan Vision As many observer predicted, the incident in which a UN helicopter was shot down and four Russian crew were killed in the troubled Jonglei last Friday by South Army was completely forgotten asSouth Sudan apology was accepted for the eyes of United …

At Israel school, anyone can learn to be a prophet

Instead of long beards and robes, they wear track suits and T-shirts. Their tablets are electronic, not hewn of stone, and they hold smartphones, not staffs. They may not look the part, but this ragtag group of Israelis is training to become the next generation of prophets. For just 200 shekels, about $53, and in only 40 short classes, the Cain and Abel School for Prophets says it will certify anyone as a modern-day Jewish soothsayer. The school, which launched classes this month, has baffled critics, many of whom have dismissed it as a blasphemy or a fraud.

http://news.yahoo.com/israel-school-anyone-learn-prophet-155452294.html

Eight Years of Suffering, What to Celebrate in the New Year 2013?

Eight Years of Suffering, Funerals and Weeping, What to Celebrate next?

By Heskey Deng

I wonder what to celebrate, my birthday has already past, while Christmas is gone, and New Year is on the way with a lot of sadness, but those are obvious in human life. Apart from those events, I was looking to celebrate what our government has done, but no accomplishment to be a party because last year I notable the independence day at my house after the new year, now what achievement, is I {are we} going to commemorate at the end of this year and to tell the world, nothing on the ground, only corruption. Eight years of freedom in South Sudan past with nothing, just mirroring eight years of blood-bleeding, funeral and suffering, just corruption made by our government both former and current, as a year of CPA, only referendum but not their made, it was something documented in the CPA, that results to the independence, all this year, are misleading, no clear ruling, citizens are unsatisfied, years of darkness future, just bloodshed, funerals and death are the good news in the Country.

Joys and celebration end, once the Comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) has signed in Kenya 2005, by the Khartoum government and the current government of late rebel John Garang De Mabior and now headed by his comrade Salva Kiir Mayardit, and the Independence of South Sudan, was the only time the citizens were happiest and display theirs’ hope that no more suffering, funeral and weeping, and this is exactly time I saw joys written on the peoples’ faces, but things fall apart.

First, I thank you {president}, just because of the referendum, which has made on time and results in the independence of this country, that is achievement you did and it will be count on you because you didn’t return the Country into a senseless war, and no more on you again which I can say and people know of you.

More so, once the current president took the front seat on the same year, he botched to look into the Country‘s affair but just of his own affairs. He has applied the short-sighting and brains, which can’t view the country situation. Also he took leadership for the different means, that’s why most of his government officials are not working together, also president security personnel are from his region, who doesn’t know what do the security means? They are not well-train; they leave their work and turned it to illegal murdering, assassinated and torturing innocent people.

All in all, the eight years of Kiir ruling, are well-known for corruption, suffering, weeping/crying and funerals in the country, no change has been brought by the president, he don’t work like elected president. President with his governments has failed to development the Country, no schools, no clearing water and no road networks, even failed to modernized and equipping the country national army, no aircraft anti-gun and warplane to defense the Country, due to his government failure has results to many rebels in the country and inter-tribal conflicts, peoples died every days, Khartoum government bombed innocent people, biased South territory for example what has happened in northern Bahr Al Ghazel and no words from the president, he didn’t appear on the television screen, who are you ruling if you don’t talks on such things. Do you have another country, are you president somewhere apart from South Sudan.

However, Mr. President with your second person and cabinets in the government, these eight years reflecting nothing to the citizens, you just look at your nose, doesn’t mean that when your home is satisfying and rich, then likewise to other homes, “No”, just corruption, looting public funds and assassinated the government critics, has been made by your government. Also you even failed to organize war wounded, forget them and you know, they don’t have the power to make theirs owns’ living, disable is not disability. While they were effective during the war eve, now they are useless.

This was not their fault; they don’t love or choose to be disabled, they were defending the South Sudan territory from the Khartoum government, they were not cowards, that’s why their legs and hands left on the war zone ground and their bloods have cemented this land, and now you put deaf ear on them, what do they celebrate for all these eight years of your ruling? If they are crying or shouting at you, do you think your leadership will go smart, think big president with your government, because is shameful for president to forget his war-mates comrades, if your government is not working, you would have compensated the war disables and even numbering your Army/soldiers into batches, CPA signed, as those who were at war front, would be batch one and follow by militias but now is too confusing.

Of course, this time around, it needs to review your leadership and government, what did your government do for this all eight years? Where the country is heading now? Because being the president, want big brains, high thinking capacity and absent yourself from sleeping, tribalism, nepotism, drinking and woman, because those are the enemy of leadership, so think big. When will your leadership and governments going to satisfy the entire citizens.

Even as, gone eight years are enough, your government officials are satisfied. Let your government get make use of this upcoming year 2013, let peace rain in the country, show your leadership to the citizens, a year of freedom, peace/stability, development and no corruption, let it be the year of no more bloodshed, no hunger, weeping and funeral, a year of no rebels, tribalism/nepotism. As a year of erection worth schools, road networks, and services reach the civilians, also a year of taking town to the people.

I wish all of you happy prosperous New Year 2013.

You can reach the author through his email: <deng.machol@gmail.com>

Kiir’s failed leadership slowly killing the nation

Evidently, the killing of political commentator, Isaiah, followed by the ruthless gunning down of peaceful protesters in Wau by the blood-thirsty National Security agents, and the deadly shooting down of a clearly marked UN helicopter killing all four Russian pilots by a trigger-happy and unrestrained army, are acts of a regime that’s desperately sliding downhill on the road to dictatorship and failed governance. What kind of nation have we become when tens of dead bodies are literally popping up every night with decapitated heads in Juba wrecking fear on poor civilians, and yet the president unfairly fails to fire for incompetence neither the inspector-general of police nor Juba police commissioner but yet he had the Wau police commissioner fired after the deadly protest? And compounding it all, we’ve a president who confoundingly declared in Wau on Christmas eve, that, “if he himself was in Wau, he would have even fought against the demonstrators,” instead of publicly exuding leadership tact, empathy for the dead, sensitivity and sensibility, and leaving the whole episode to the rule of law while personally seeking reconciliation among the warring tribes. With a president with such a mentality of vengeance, there is great trepidation in the country and among citizens wondering about the utter subversion of the norms of conflict resolutions and the rule of law, things that the UNMISS and the US government have being desperately but without success trying to inculcate into the leadership in the South.

A Great Response to the Article By Domkooc Ismail

Dear citizen of South Sudan, don’t blame the president for nothing, it is very difficult for the primitive society to be transformed into a modern system. South Sudan is a new country and this will take us time to understand the word government itself, leave alone the system of government. Why are we not working and stop blaming the government? There are so many job opportunities and people don’t want, everybody is in need of white collar job which is not supportive. There is no government without people, we are the government, if you say govt, it means the people are not working in the country; also the position of president Kiir is only one position which will not accommodate all of us……….. OK, WHO DO YOU EXPECT TO BE THE TRUE NEXT PRESIDENT OF SOUTH SUDAN AFTER KIIR?

Access the entire article on the SSN website here: 

http://www.southsudannation.com/kiirs-failed-leadership-slowly-killing-the-nation/

South Sudan says president ready to meet Sudan’s Bashir

South Sudan says president ready to meet Sudan’s Bashir Yahoo! News (blog) JUBA (Reuters) – South Sudan‘s President Salva Kiir is willing to meet his Sudanese counterpart Omar Hassan al-Bashir to sort out conflicts and resume vital oil flows, aSouth Sudanese minister said on Friday after Bashir agreed to hold a summit.

Turkish FM vows to work to solve issues between Sudan, South Sudan Shanghai Daily (subscription) ANKARA, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) — Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Friday that Turkey and Sudan have agreed in principle to establish channels among the two countries and South Sudan to solve issues between the two African countries.

University of Juba: The travails of South Sudan’s premier university New Sudan Vision (Juba, South Sudan) – The establishment of the University of Juba in Southern Sudan in 1975 represented historically the first attempt to address the issue of inequitable distribution of resources in the former Sudan (including higher educational …

A land of futility: UN helicopter loss underscores South Sudan mess Pittsburgh Post Gazette The shooting down last Friday of a United Nations peacekeeping helicopter in South Sudan by that country’s armed forces is a clear indication of the futility of the considerable U.S. military and assistance involvement there. Four U.N. troops died … Rwandan Military Deploys Choppers to South Sudan AllAfrica.com RWANDA yesterday deployed three aviation units to South Sudan, under the auspices of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The units that were seen off Thursday morning are composed of three helicopters with a crew of 18 personnel … Oil Producing Areas Demand Better Services and Safety AllAfrica.com Bentiu — The Commissioner of Koch County in South Sudan’s oil-rich Unity State says that pollution from oil companies operating in his area is severely damaging the environment and water supply for local people. John Chuol Wang, told Sudan Tribune … Rizeigat blame Khartoum for border conflict with South Sudan Radio Dabanga The Rizeigat tribe, living on the border between Sudan and South Sudan blames the Khartoum government for the recent border clashes in the Samaha area, also known as Warguet. Rizeigat chief, Nasr (king) Mahmoud Moussa Madibo, told Radio Dabanga… 8-Year-Old’s Mission To Help South Sudan KCUR In 2001, when the Lost Boys of Sudan came to the United States, most of the young refugees brought painful memories of war as well as a deep desire to help their home country. Now, over a decade later, many of them have families and children of their own.

South Sudanese Gang Members Shoot and Stab Themselves on Christmas Day

‘Confusion and chaos’ at Lincoln social hall shooting

A private party at a north Lincoln social hall erupted in gunshots and chaos early Wednesday, sending three men to the hospital.

One victim was shot several times, police said, and another had wounds consistent with those from a katana sword, a Japanese blade used by samurais.

Police arrived to find bedlam at the Welfare Society Inc. social hall at 1430 N. 10th St. at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.

“There was a lot of confusion and chaos,” said Capt. Jon Sundermeier, head of criminal investigations for the Lincoln Police Department. “It appears to have started with a stabbing that caused a lot of people to flee the building.”

Then shots rang out in the street.

Majok Riak, 25, was hit several times, and Dian Domach and Ruachjuoth Thok, both 20, were stabbed. All three remained hospitalized Wednesday in serious or critical condition but were expected to survive.

Police originally thought Thok’s stab wounds were so serious that he also might have been shot. Capt. Jim Davidsaver later said Thok probably was stabbed with a sword officers found at the scene.

Police have been interviewing witnesses, but they said the cause of the incident still was under investigation. They hadn’t released the names of any suspects Wednesday evening.

The hall’s manager, Ernie Covert, said the hall had been rented for a private party, and the renter brought in private security.

Sundermeier said two security officers told police about 300 people had been at the hall.

Officer Katie Flood said Wednesday morning that police believe all three of the injured men were victims and that none had wielded a knife or gun.

The hall remained an active crime scene and still was taped off Wednesday night.

“I hope they’re finished with it soon,” Covert said. “We’ve got it booked this weekend.”

http://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/confusion-and-chaos-at-lincoln-social-hall-shooting/article_79fb428f-7d80-5a83-a25b-d6f3346e2860.html

YOUR RIVER, MY RIVER

I have a riddle; here is a riddle for you to crack. One River has outgrown itself and customized into two different species–Your River and My River. If Your River is called Iteru; what is My River? 

By Tearz Ayuen

—————

Your river is perpetual,

It’s older than time itself

Mine is a passer-by,

It’s a passing wind

Your river is long

Mine is tall

 ————–

Yours has no oculi but it sees

Mine has a pair but it sees not

 —————

Your river flows

Mine walks

Yours is filled with colorless liquid

Mine with reddish liquid

————-

Your river ripples

Mine squelches

————–

Your river kills

Mine too

Yours drowns

Mine executes

—————

Your river is home to crocodiles, Chironex fleckeri

Mine shelters unintelligence, ignorance and thievery

Generous is your river,

A million lives depend on it

————

So selfish is mine,

It cares for selected few

Your river is called Iteru

Mine is called………..?

Tearz Ayuen ©2012

Jonglei Governor Urges Civilians to Maintain Peace

By Heskey Deng

Bor-in his generosity Christmas messages, the Jonglei State Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk, have urged entire citizens of his hot-blooded state to continue maintain and praying for peace.

“We need to live in peace” Kuol said, and if we have peace in the state, then our state will be the best and it will fetch many people from the countryside, Governor said, while he is addressing twenty two thousand and three hundred and forty six (22,346) congregations, who turn out for praying on Tuesday 25th, at St. Andrew Cathedral Church, apart from more than ten churches  in Bor town, Jonglei State.

The largest State is well-known worldwide for its inter-communal conflicts and rebel threatened, but this year {Christmas} is more peacefully than the previous year, although there are many cattle raiding and rebels clashing with South Sudan Army {SPLA}, according to the Governor.

“There are no more inter-tribes and clans, nepotism and tribalism in the Bor town that means; peace has drawn closer in our heart and also in the State in general, Juuk assure, and urging believers not give up, but to continue praying for peace and stability.

However, Kuol cited that, Yau’s forces will not be a threat any more in his State, while calling civilians to return to their residences and produce their own food than rely on foreigner product, let use our muscles for cultivation or agricultural project, and building our land or state for a better place to attract other southerners to come than uses it to raids and killing innocent people, which scare people in the nation and worldwide.

Governor, in his statement, it seems that, his insecurity state will be stability and peacefully next year, while urges citizens to abandon their ancestors’ life and cope up today day modernization life, life of no tribes, nepotism and tribalism but life one people,one states and one country in general with one love.

Moreover, on the same Christmas messages, Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister for Parliamentary Affair, urges citizens to be calm, “not to lose hope but hope”, in what he foreseeing that the coming year will be peace year.

More so, Michael call on the migrant citizens to go home and cultivating, make their own food, “let feeding ourselves with our hands” as independent than to be co-dependent, he said this in reference to the delayed of oil flowing due to Khartoum government refusal, he seen only way for means of surviving is on the edges of hoes.

Meanwhile, Bor County Commissioner Agoot Alier Leek describes the Christmas day, as a day for peace in the worldwide, forgive one another and repent, to be happy because Jesus was born once again in your heart and thank God, who forgive and washing our sins that why you {we} witnessed the day, Agoot concluded.

You can reach the author through his email: <deng.machol@gmail.com>

Reuters launches podcast about South Sudan

This year, Reuters explored the most important issues facing the world’s youngest country in an eight-part series, “Birthing a Nation – South Sudan’s first year.” Now we are publishing podcast versions of some of the reports in Juba Arabic, and making them available to South Sudanese listeners and radio stations.
This story, by reporter Alexander Dziadosz, focuses on the town of Pibor, which saw cattle raids and fierce fighting a year ago. You can listen to it here: http://audioboo.fm/Reuters.Enterprise

And you can read the story in English here.

You can follow all of our stories on Twitter @SpecialReports and on our Facebook page.

President Kiir Should Fire All His Presidential Advisors

Reflection on President Kiir’s Instructions to Arrest those alleged to have burnt the National Flag in Wau during protest

By Nyan Nyiir

I am not sure if it is my President that is losing his mind or I am the one who is losing mine. Surely, I do think there is nothing utterly wrong with the National Flag being burnt by Wau protestors? I personally, do not endorse the act, but I think the torching of the National Flag should be the least of things on President Kiir’s agenda. For a person to burn their own National Flag, something that defines them, that’s a clear sign of complete frustration.

It signifies that one must have felt very unpatriotic with the on-going unaddressed problems in Wau and elsewhere in the country. In spite of all the present predicaments, the government is busy polishing its own image instead of working to gain the trust of the citizens so that they may be able to embrace their country, their National Flag, and above all look up to their country leaders with respect and dignity.

If I were Kiir, I would request a peaceful mediation with the flag burners and other outraged protestors who acted out of utter frustration and disillusionment. Perhaps it may be even more beneficial if I meet with Wau Elders and see what could really be the root cause of flag burners’ behaviors and gauge out what ideas the Elders have.

The national government could work together with local residents to prevent such acts of violence from happening again. Arresting the alleged Flag burners and punishing them is not the best solution. If anything, it’s like adding fuel to a burning fire, which will only create more flames.

You know Mr. President, for an individual to burn their own National Flag is another way of saying that they are fed up and not happy with the way things are going in the country. It’s like saying I /we feel oppressed in our own land; some may even feel it was better being under the Khartoum regime. Sometimes some people contemplate that exile is the best way out of South Sudan, instead of feeling like we are under some kind of communist regime where the citizens are totally hopeless about the future of the country.

I do not want to sound discouraging or put some negative ideas on some people minds but I think, my President, you need to rethink your random policies and decision because they are hurting your credibility and worst of all holding us back from moving forward.

Because an unhappy nation is no nation at all, there is a need for better assessments to be made. You, I and we all, love this land so much to just let it run like the Nile River! God bless our precious land and help our leaders make better decisions. United we stand divided we fall!

You can reach the author through her email address: Nyan Nyiir <nyannyiir@yahoo.com>

Sudan, South Sudan accuse each other of border attacks

Sudan and South Sudan in Fresh Border Clashes AllAfrica.com Khartoum — Fresh fighting at the border between Sudanese forces and the South Sudanese army (SPLA) has killed an unconfirmed number of people today, 26 December. Casualty reports vary between 8 and 28 people dead in the area of Warguet, also …

In Memory of the Darkest Day – 20 Days Later – a Christmas Letter to Isaiah … AllAfrica.com To them, you are an idiot, spoiler, sectional and unwanted material fit for elimination little their brainless heads could understand that you remain a true son of South Sudan, a man of conscience, frank and brave soul whose love for the poor of South …

Sudan, South Sudan accuse each other of border attacks Reuters JUBA/KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Sudan and South Sudan on Thursday accused each other of incursions into disputed border areas, in a new setback to plans to secure their volatile boundary and resume cross-border oil flows. The accusations come a day after …

Modern Technology Helps Meet the Needs of Refugees AllAfrica.com In South Sudan, UNHCR is using satellite imagery, interactive mapping, digital fingerprinting and text messaging to strengthen refugee protection, help the most vulnerable and reach out to refugees in urban areas. UNHCR is conducting the first …

Sudan and South Sudan in fresh border clashes Radio Dabanga Fresh fighting between Sudanese forces and the South Sudanese army (SPLA) on the border between both countries has killed an unconfirmed amount of people on Wednesday, 26 December. Casualty reports vary between eight and 28 deaths in the area …

South Sudan accuses Sudan of air attack, killing 5 Sioux City Journal South Sudan says Sudan has launched attacks inside its territory, killing at least five people. Military spokesman Col. Philip Aguer said Thursday that the attacks came on Christmas Day, killing three women and two children. Aguer said Antonov …

Ethiopia PM in Khartoum to Push Sudan-South Sudan Peace Rigzone “The Ethiopian prime minister’s visit comes in the context of the Ethiopian endeavors to push ahead the peace process between Sudan and South Sudan,” Khartoum’s presidential press secretary Emad Sayed Ahmed told the SUNA news agency. Desalegn …

Christians Urged to Pray for the Leadership AllAfrica.com Juba — Christians of the new born South Sudan are urged to pray for the leadership of the country as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ for the second time in an independent nation. Over ten thousand Christians assembled at the Presbytery Church …

Situation border Sudan and South Sudan ‘quiet but tense’ Radio Dabanga The army spokesmen from Sudan and South Sudan are accusing each other for being the cause of the conflict. The SPLA repeated the accusation that Khartoum started an aerial attack in Warguet area also known to Arab tribes as Samaha. SPLA spokesman …

S Sudan groups attack disputed area News24 Khartoum – “Armed groups” from South Sudan clashed with Arab tribesmen in Samaha, a flashpoint border region disputed by Khartoum and Juba, the Sudanese military said on Thursday. The fighting occurred two days ago, army spokesperson Sawarmi …

Ethiopian PM attempts to provide impetus to peace between two Sudans Sudan Tribune Ethiopia is leading the regional organisation of IGAD which brokered the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended war in South Sudan and led to its independence in July 2011. Jointly with African Union mediation , Addis Ababa seek s to facilitate the …

Armies of Sudan and South Sudan Trade Accusations of Border Violence New York Times Sudan and South Sudan on Thursday accused each other of military incursions into disputed border areas, in a new setback to plans to resume the cross-border flow of oil. The two countries agreed to end hostilities in September and to resume oil exports …

The SPLM’s Policy of Taking Towns to the People is Sorely Misunderstood?

Reflection on President Kiir Response to Wau Incident

By Nyan Nyiir

I was very much disturbed about president Kiir’s reaction to Wau incident. As most of you may be aware there has been a series of unrests in Wau town. Consequently, numerous lives have been unnecessarily lost as a result of our national army shooting at innocent protesters who were opposing the relocation of the Wau County headquarters to Bagari.

This sudden change of the County Headquarters has made a lot of the local Wau residents very upset and therefore they decided to march peacefully to the roads, expressing their displeasure with the unpopular decision. Not long after their march commenced, the sound of gunshots was heard coming from the SPLA soldiers. The poignant question being pondered by all concerned South Sudanese citizens is this: how could the SPLA—our liberators—just shoot at armless and peaceful civilians who are not posing any kind of threat whatsoever to the government? I am yet to understand the answer to this afflicting question.

I read that our president said there is nothing wrong with transferring the county headquarters to the location solely decided and assigned by the government. He goes on to say that it is the strategy of SPLM—Sudan People’s Liberation Movement—to take towns to the people in the rural villages. I was like: really Mr. President? Who advised you that such change is that easy? When people are used to something, there needs to be a lot of convincing before they could give it up and get used to an alternative.

Yes, I can understand you are possibly trying to bring the best services to those people living in rural areas of South Sudan. The concept of bringing town to the people in the villages or remote areas, I believe, is a good one. No one would oppose it if they truly understand the benefits that come along with such a policy. The problem that I think happened in Wau is the local residents lack of knowledge concerning the benefits accruable from such undertakings. They were not made part of the decision-making process. I think those of you in the national government in Juba just met and made this decision without first sending a survey team to Wau town to survey or consult with the residents of what they think and how they could be of help to this new idea.

If I were a resident of Wau, I believe I will feel like some kind of dictatorship took place. What guarantees do I have that tomorrow the government will not come and kick me out of my house and say that ‘by the way, we are going to use your house for official business.’ You see, what I am saying is that there could have been a better approach by the president not just for him to come out on the defense that it’s the SPLM policy to bring town to people and there should be no questions. At least, the most the President could have done is to apologize for the way his administration mishandled the issue of Wau. He also owes the families of those who lost their life a proper explanation of what bringing towns to people really means. If anything, he could share the tentative programs they have planned for the relocation of the Wau County headquarters. The President could have clearly been giving the pros and cons of the decision that he made and how his administration got the decision to move Wau office out of all the other state’s offices. At least, providing some answers that made sense could or would portray President Kiir Mayardit as a real man on a mission with a vision of a better South Sudan.

The damage was done in Wau already; those lost lives cannot come back to life. But what could happen from now onward is for the government to find a positive way forward to avoid another Wau incident. The next time the South Sudan government decides it’s going to make or is planning to make a major change in any South Sudanese state or village, it is vital they send out a team that will analyze the possible foremost implications that could arise from the decision.  Also, that selected future team or committee job will be for briefing the local residents. Thus, they should come prepared to answer all the questions that the citizens may have.

Mr. President, I understand you are doing your level best for this country but please, sometimes take time and listen to us the citizens and what we want you to do. It is in doing so that a real democracy is achieved. Democracy is the rule by the people, for the people and of the people. May God bless the leadership of South Sudan and its people!

You can reach the author through her email address: Nyan Nyiir <nyannyiir@yahoo.com>

Sudan’s Bashir says ready to meet Kiir to try to get oil flowing

Prime Minister’s Visit to Sudan and South Sudan AllAfrica.com Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, is visiting Sudan and South Sudan as part of the efforts to coordinate and facilitate face-to-face discussions between the presidents of Sudan and South Sudan. The aim is to encourage the leaders of the …

Sudan’s Bashir says ready to meet Kiir to try to get oil flowing Reuters UK KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir said on Wednesday he was ready to meet his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir to try to move forward with setting up a demilitarised border zone and restart oil flows. His comments … Sudan and South Sudan in Fresh Border Clashes AllAfrica.com Khartoum — Fresh fighting at the border between Sudanese forces and the South Sudanese army (SPLA) has killed an unconfirmed number of people today, 26 December. Casualty reports vary between 8 and 28 people dead in the area of Warguet, also … In Memory of the Darkest Day – 20 Days Later – a Christmas Letter to Isaiah … AllAfrica.com To them, you are an idiot, spoiler, sectional and unwanted material fit for elimination little their brainless heads could understand that you remain a true son of South Sudan, a man of conscience, frank and brave soul whose love for the poor of South …

Dec 25th, 2012: Christmas Reflection for my Beloved Land

By Nyan Nyiir

As I sit here in my room this Christmas day of 2012, I can’t help but to recall the best and happiest day of my life during the Christmas holiday of 2011 when our country finally became a free nation. I could clearly remember all the joy I saw on people’s faces around town that day and the prior days leading to Dec 25^th, 2011 because I was in Juba, South Sudan, which had many churches marching on the roads everywhere you go. It was just beautiful! The love for Jesus Christ, unity, and peace was spread all over town and I thought that, that spirit will last forever because it was the kind of joy that one mostly sees in movies with happy endings.

But I am sad today, and have remorsefully reminded my dear self that the joy it saw last Christmas has died away with the season of that year of Independence. South Sudan has now regressed back to its old worst stage. Before Independence our nation was busy fighting the enemy in the North, and after Independence South Sudan has spent the year 2012 fighting each other. We have become our own worst enemies, killing, kidnapping, terrorizing each other and hindering the development of the nation. This is mainly because somewhere along the excitement of freedom we lost or had forgotten what brought us this far in the historical struggle of South Sudan.

This Christmas day of 2012 I hope we put aside all the negatives that took place in the past year, and start a new chapter. As the sons and daughters of South Sudan, we have to take sometimes to slow down and reflect on what matters the most in our lives and how to accomplish it.  It is my prayers that we find that peaceful soul within that will bring us back to our sense of loving one another as one nation, putting aside our differences and working for the betterment of this lost land. South Sudan has great potentials in the world but this can only be achieved if we unite ourselves, putting aside our tribal differences, finger pointing, and living in denial. Above all, in the spirit of constructive criticism, let’s commence holding our government and ourselves accountable. Let’s become one in the fight for equality, peace and prosperity by restoring security and political stability in our country. This is only achievable through the fostering socioeconomic development of our young beloved nation.

Former US president John F. Kennedy once said, to paraphrase him, ‘ask not what your country can do for you but instead ask what you can do for your country.’ As we all know this is not the Republic of President Salva Kiir Mayardit. Therefore, we need to stop blaming Kiir for all that goes wrong or not to our likings.  We need to be committed citizens. The government is each and every one of us since nothing will ever move forward without our inputs and support.  The government is the people and the people are the government; without supplementing each other, they are doomed to nothing. While we the citizens must demand, peacefully, what we want to see in the country, the duty of the government is to deliver those demands that will make us all happy and on the same agenda and direction.

My appeal is to those South Sudanese intellectuals around the world to please come back home with your skills and let us build this nation, because all it lacks is the brilliant minds that incubates great ideas. If you all come back home, our country will be like those other nations in the West that we enjoy living in. South Sudan could be the best it could be if we brought back the knowledge and work hand in hand to apply what we learnt in the Diaspora. We would be able to build those castles and huge mansions. There is nothing impossible to the determined mind, because there is always a way where there is a will. Most importantly, let’s build a strong self-esteem and love for our nation.

Happy holidays and may this year be a year of positive change around the world in general and in Junub el Sudan in particular. May God bless the citizens of South Sudan in their quest of better days and years! And may God bless our leader, Kiir Mayardit, with a better vision as he leads this nation forward! May love, peace, and prosperity be with you all, Amen!!!

Mabior Garang de Mabior: A Call for Fundamental Change in South Sudan

As the Movement grew and became strong she became a victim of her own success. The movement gained in quantity of members, while declining in the quality of membership. The administrational anarchy is further exacerbated by an increasingly authoritarian regime which reacts to criticism rather than act towards reform. The current state of collapse of all sectors in South Sudan should not be blamed on the loss of our leader. We should take it as a deliberate program of the leading clique in Juba not to serve the interests of our people. The notion of all power belonging to the people has been completely usurped! Instead of using the goodwill expressed by the people when they affirmed their sovereignty by voting in overwhelming numbers for independence, the new elite has instead focused their efforts on grotesque accumulation of wealth. The popular goodwill could have been mobilised again in a popular constitutional referendum, as many people of goodwill had urged the SPLM to do. That is another opportunity squandered. There exists currently two scenarios in our country; either we have an honest and free dialogue on the future of our Republic, or we can descend into the abyss.

Complete the story on this link: http://newsudanvision.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2669:capt-mabior-garang-de-mabior-a-call-for-fundamental-change-in-south-sudan&catid=1:sudan-news-stories&Itemid=6

South Sudan president Kiir backs relocation of Wau county headquarters

South Sudan president Kiir backs relocation of Wau county headquarters Sudan Tribune The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) initially put the death toll at ten before revising the statement down to nine. Former Wau County commissioner, John Peter Miskin, claimed that 25 people were killed and 21 others were wounded in the …

Rights Body Calls for Resignation of Ministers AllAfrica.com Juba — The South Sudan Human Rights Society for Advocacy (SSHURSA) in a strongest terms possible once again calls for the resignation of General Oyai Deng Ajak, the Minister of Security in the Office of the President and General Alison Magaya, the …

‘Vulnerable’ South Sudanese to be air-lifted over Christmas Mail & Guardian Online “We are resuming the flights,” and 101 passengers took off from the Sudanese capital in two trips Monday to Aweil in the South’s Northern Bahr El Ghazal state, said Filiz Demir, an IOM official. The flights will continue until Thursday moving around … South Sudan airlift re-starts News24 South Sudan’s embassy says that, at last count, there were 171 000 South Sudanese still in the Khartoum area after an April deadline for them to formalise their status or leave the country. Sudan and South Sudan have not come up with a detailed plan … South Sudan: Sudan’s Ruling Party Welcomes Bashir-Kiir Summit AllAfrica.com 24 December 2012. Khartoum — The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) welcomed the organization of a summit between the Sudanese president Omer Al-Bashir and his South Sudanesecounterpart Salva Kiir before the African Union summit next month.

In memory of the Darkest Day; 20 days later; a Christmas Letter to Isaiah Abraham

By: Biel Boutros Biel[1]

December 25, 2012, Juba, South Sudan

Dear broher Isaiah,

Who will ever forget the DARKEST DAY OF DECEMBER 5, 2012 WHEN YOU WERE MURDERED BY THE AGENTS OF STATE? No one forever; your blood is all over us and it is everywhere in our memories.

Dear brother; as I look at your picture on the wall of my room, my soul is troubled, my mind is filled with anger, my spirit is crippled and I remember the sight of where your blood poured at the door of your room when you gave up your last breath, I see clearly the destruction caused by bullets fired to you through the back and front  windows and that other one  which destroyed the wall of your room which  I believe was fired through the hole on your door . I just can’t help recalling the tears of your mum Rebecca when she looked into the room right to your bed where you were forced to come out to be murdered. Dear brother Isaiah, I recall this day of seeing your blood stained the green grass and how your dear wives poured river of tears as they looked into your room and the broken fans and pieces of papers scattered all over your room, which shows how bravely you struggled with your assassins before they over-powered you and shamefully killed you like a dog when they themselves are true dogs of their stomachs, devoid of any pure conscience all of which you are a true hero. They are cowards and poor souls of this earth whose power is the barrel of the gun and misuse of the public resources to kill a democrat like you; they are agents of intimidations and opression, symbol of injustices, dictatorship and bloody ruling. THANK YOU ISAIAH FOR DYING FOR THIS COUNTRY’S CURRENT AND NEXT GENERATIONS.

To them, you are an idiot, spoiler, sectional and unwanted material fit  for elimination little their brainless heads could understand that you remain a true son of South Sudan, a man of conscience, frank and brave soul whose love for the poor of South Sudanese majority caused him his life. You are the best Jesus Christ of the season for you refused to give up and sacrifice at the altar of ignorance the very sacred principles of democracy, rule of law, universality of human rights, good governance and instead, you gave up your life by speaking out for those who could not speak for themselves. THANK YOU ISAIAH FOR DYING FOR THIS COUNTRY’S CURRENT AND NEXT GENERATIONS.

Dear brother Isaiah, as I reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ today, it reminds me of how the ineffective, insecure and incompetent leadership of Jews killed Jesus as they were scared of his teachings but did the Jewish authorities stop the teachings of Jesus Christ today? Never, I wished the Jews realized then that they were idiots and that Jesus Christ was not the enemy of their state and selfish interests but love for power blinded them for they were bogged down by the assumption that Christ was to take up Jewish power. They could be right as Jesus called himself; “King of Kings” but their stupity never allowed them to understand his message when Christ told the hopeless Jewish leaders that he was a “King” but his kingdom didn’t belong to the world of Jews. What did Christ mean?  The direct and true philosophical and theological meaning was that, from that time to date, Jesus is a king but his kingship doesn’t belong to:

• Dictatorship,
• Injustices
• Use of soldiers to intimidate poor people
• Use of ruthless brainless sections of the society to kill others                        
• Misrule and bad governance
• Looting of public resources while leaving all poor people dying in rural areas of Jewis society
• Violations of human rights and abuse of rule of law by the state

In his own words, Christ simply means; his kingship is for justice, for respect of human rights, for unity of all tribes, for protection of human rights and rule of law, for democratic governance, for freedom of speech and expression and a kingdom devoid of any evil. Dear brother Isaiah, as I look at your picture, it reminds me of how Uganda’s Dictator Idi Amin murdered Bishop Luwum for speaking out against evils to which Ugandans were flown into by the Amin’s bloody era of dictatorhsips and lust for power.

Dear Isaiah, as I look at your picture, it reminds me  of the first day I met your younger son and daughter Chan and Aluel who because of the fight against injustices, dictatorship and all evils of our time, they lost you their beloved dad and they like Arok your elder son, Ajah and  Ajok have remained without dad. Dear brother Isaiah; as tears flow for missing you and for knowing your brain is not longer with us but there is one task for my colleaggues, good hearted South Sudanese and I and it is this’  We will always ask the following questions:

1.       Who killed you among the state agents? 2. Where are your assassins now? 3. When are they going to be brought to justice and be convicted?

True as your conscience, the answers to those questions lie with the leadership of South Sudan and until they are answered in affirmative, we will not rest, for we cannot betray you brother since you died for the interest of majority. THANK YOU ISAIAH FOR DYING FOR THIS COUNTRY’S CURRENT AND NEXT GENERATIONS.Dear brother Isaiah, as an assurance, we will never ever betray you and we will peacefully fight on till justice is achieved for your family. Finally dear brother Abraham, your beloved daughter Aluel in her speech during your funeral has made my colleagues and I more courageous to continue your fight for justice to be done for your family; young Aluel says; “It is not because of us that we need justice done, but many people will die the same way if nobody and agency is held responsible for this assassination. When good people die in a country, nobody can do things rightand the progress as a nation is in doubt”. Thank you brother and May God rest your soul in eternity; Lord Jesus Christ, receive him for Isaiah is one of those who does the will of your father, that is fighting for truth, justice and humanity all of which he died for. We must and we will fight on, no matter the price; we are prepared!

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[1] Biel is the Executive Director of South Sudan Human Rights Society for Advocacy and also the Secretary General & official spokesperson of South Sudan Civil Society Alliance but the  views expressed are his own views and do not reflect the views of the two institutions. Biel can be reached on e-mail:bboutrosb@yahoo.com.

Meet the Modern African Woman on the Prowl

They are young, beautiful and live on the fast lane — enjoying every city luxury, yet their monthly pay is peanuts, writes Shirley Genga. The Nairobi woman is barely 23, but she lives in a Sh55,000 apartment in Kileleshwa. She wears shoes worth Sh4,000 (in five different colours); her handbags cost Sh6,000 and her long fake European hair costs a whopping Sh8,000 to attach. She has an iPhone 4 or the latest gadget that everyone in town lusts for. She drives a new red Toyota Ist and, to top it off, has an accent that can easily be confused as American yet she has never stepped out of the country. When she goes out with her girlfriends, she pays a Sh20,000 bill without blinking — yet she barely earns that in a month. Brilliant budgeting? Nah! Shrewd saving skills? Of course not! If you examine her life closely, you realise her rich lifestyle can all be attributed to one thing:  ‘Multitasking’. To survive today’s tough economy, young Nairobi women have taken multitasking to a new level by ‘triple dealing’ — dating three, or even more men depending on their financial ambitions. Their excuse? You cannot eat love.

http://standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000073571&story_title=Kenya-Nairobi-women-and-their-many-%E2%80%98hoes%E2%80%99

South Sudan must punish those who downed UN helicopter: Russia

South Sudan must punish those who downed UN helicopter: Russia Reuters MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia called on South Sudan on Saturday to punish those responsible for shooting down a U.N. helicopter, killing its four Russian crew, and take steps to ensure such incidents do not happen again. A Russian Foreign Ministry …

South Sudan Armed Forces Shoot Down UN Helicopter; 4 Dead Manila Bulletin UNITED NATIONS (AP) – The United Nations said South Sudan’s armed forces shot down a UN helicopter on Friday killing all four Russian crew members on board, an attack South Sudan’smilitary spokesman blamed rebel fighters. Secretary-General Ban …

Four killed as South Sudan shoots down UN helicopter The Age SOUTH SUDAN’S army has shot down a United Nations helicopter killing all four crew on board, a UN spokesman says. The helicopter was hit on a reconnaissance flight over a troubled part of the world’s newest country where the government has already …

South Sudan army downs UN helicopter Deutsche Welle UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned Friday’s attack on the helicopter which he said was “clearly marked.” He called on “the government of South Sudan to immediately carry out an investigation and bring to account those responsible

Why the armed forces of South Sudan shot down a UN helicopter Sudan Tribune “South Sudan’s army on Thursday accused the army of neighbouring Sudan, of carrying out renewed aggression in its territory despite the ongoing negotiations on security arrangements between the two parties in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

Russian diplomat expresses hope South Sudan will be quick to probe deadly … Russia Beyond The Headlines The Russian president’s envoy for relations with Africa expressed hope on Saturday that authorities in South Sudan would be quick to investigate an incident the day before where a UN helicopter was shot down, killing its four-member Russian crew.

Attack of an UNMISS Helicopter in South Sudan US Department of State (press release) The United States deplores the shooting down of a UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) civilian helicopter in Jonglei State on 21 December, in which four Russian crew members died. The United States expresses its condolences to the families of the …

Russia urges South Sudan to act over downed UN helicopter CNN International (CNN) — Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday called on South Sudan to punish those responsible for shooting down a U.N. helicopter and taking the lives of four Russian crew members. His words come a day after the South Sudanese armed …

South Sudan’s Kiir, Museveni discuss trade relations Sudan Tribune South Sudan has in recent years, emerged as the largest importer of Ugandan goods. Currently, over 150,000 Ugandan traders, according to the trade and industry ministry, operate across the border, generating an estimated $900 million in business.

South Sudan: Army Shoots Down UN Helicopter New York Times South Sudan‘s Army shot down a United Nations peacekeeping helicopter on Friday, killing the four Russian crew members on board, United Nations and military officials said. A United Nations official said the helicopter was on a reconnaissance mission …