The political return of Dr. Riek Machar: Flogging a dead horse vs. a comeback kid?

By Dr. Simon Wuor Gai, Colorado, USA

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August 22, 2016 (SSB) — While many South Sudanese in the social media always argue that Dr. Riek Machar is a comeback kid, this writer always argues that Dr. Riek Machar is a dying horse politically and militarily. The man lacks intuitive leadership coupled with, self-pride, and blind ego. Such a leader never intuitively sees dangers ahead of time due to aspects above. Meaning, he always puts the society at a greater risk of butchering themselves while he enjoys being served with the scarce resources people have at their disposals as a leader.

For example, the incidence of Juba in July 2016 could have been mitigated and averted had it not been Dr. Riek’s way of doing things. There were many signs showing that the danger was looming before the outbreak of the fighting in Juba. He knows his few soldiers would be in danger because the government forces would outnumber them. He knows his military logistics is not in good shape. He knows that there could be collateral damage when two armies fight in the capital city.

Riek Machar is seeking a visa for eye treatment in South Africa

By Kenya Standard Reporter, Sun, August 21st 2016

Reports from Isiro in DRC where ousted South Sudanese Vice President Riek Machar is under protection indicated yesterday that he is seeking a visa for eye treatment in South Africa. On Friday, UN helicopters carrying Dr Machar returned to Dungu where he was evacuated from days earlier to take away about 75 soldiers from his army.

UN admitted that peacekeepers in DRC rescued Machar and his wife Angelina Teny from the jungle. The Standard on Sunday independently established that the ousted VP’s entry into DRC was facilitated by Chad with support from Sudan. Following the Chadian intervention, the Kinshasa government authorised its military intelligence to extract Machar from Dungu, about 90km from DRC’s border with South Sudan but the planned rescue mission was abandoned for lack of adequate capacity.

How social media influence politics, peace and war in South Sudan

Marko Mawien Mawien, Kampala, Uganda

August 22, 2016 (SSB) — In a good faith, I kindly urge the government of South Sudan to serve the country from the wide spread of tribalism by simply shutting down both Facebook and Twitter. It is because some people misuse those pathways but when it comes to those who used social media outside South Sudan, I think it can’t have much effects within the country. You know how they misuse them.

Telling the public lies and if the social media is shutdown then they will learn how to use them properly if they are reopened. I know it is ill advised if anyone shuts down or blocks social media. Social media has totally brought divisions among our people. It has increased tribalism and hatred in our beloved nation. The government has to do something to safe our country from being torn apart by a well-known disease which is social media.

Over 600 candidates sit for Bor County Mock Examinations

By Mach Samuel Peter, Bor, Jonglei State

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August 22, 2016 (SSB) — More than 600 candidates in Bor County sit for Bor county mock examination in five centers Monday.

The number of candidates sitting for exams this year across five centers of Bor A, Bor Public, Baidit and Lualdit Primary schools amplified from 470 as of last year to 649 and out of this figure girls are 135 with boys tallying 514.  This year, 23 schools emerged with candidates compared to 13 schools of 2015.

The examination that will run for 3 days is meant to prepare, measure the performance and challenge students’ capacity of understanding including teachers’s teaching methodology according to Bor County deputy director Mr. Gabriel Panchol Anyang

The legacy of President Obama and his historical foreign policy in Middle East

By Mok Dei Gual, Kampala, Uganda

President Kiir with President Obama of the USA at the White House, Washington DC

August 22, 2016 (SSB) —- Before I get started to analyzing some events happening around the world, therefore I want to remind the people about what the current US president said when he was doing his campaigns in his first term in United States of America. As I have watched him traveling to other States to mobilize citizens to vote for him. All he used to tell his supporters is the change we believe in. Most people have seen him as the change maker within the country and around the world. Sooner than later, the man was democratically elected by the US citizens. It’s the first time in US history for the black person to enter to white house as the US president.

Press statement from G-10: The UNSC Resolution 2304 (2016) on South Sudan

G-10 press statement on the UN resolution 2304 on South Sudan

Who is Comrade Pagan Amum Okiech, the leader of G-10?

By Michael Chol Tor, Juba, South Sudan

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August 22, 2016 (SSB) — Who is Pagan Amum?  Mr. Pa’gan Amum Okiech is a South Sudanese politician. He is the co-founder of South Sudan the reborn Country. Pa’gan Amum was born in a small post known as WAT in the Lou Nuer area and his father was a commissioned police officer responsible for the WAT post. His family moved to Malakal after his grandfather, Okiech of the Ubuar people, died and Pa’gan’s father was asked to take over the role of his father. His father went from being a clan chief to later being paramount chief and president of the court.

In 1982 Pa’gan Amum left law school in Khartoum to organize and command a group of young revolutionaries committed to the establishment of a new Sudan project. This group jointed by Mr. Pa’gan with other insurgent groups to form the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement SPLA/M under the leadership of his mentor or adviser or counselor Dr. John Garang De Mabior 1983.

Ugandan Gov’t compares UN resolution on South Sudan to the one passed on Libya that depose Gadhafi

MONDAY AUGUST 22 2016

By TABU BUTAGIRA

KAMPALA. A Ugandan diplomat has “accidentally” shared a confidential government brief about South Sudan with the UN Security Council, triggering a diplomatic incident and embarrassment.

In Kampala, Foreign Affairs ministry officials in an attempt to mute the backlash held an emergency meeting with and apologised to US Ambassador Deborah Malac whose country sponsored the August 12, 2016 UN resolution on Africa’s newest nation.

Our investigations show that in the tense run up to the vote on the resolution, Kampala on August 10 prepared a two-page document to provide talking points to guide its diplomats in presenting the country’s position to the world body.