Dr. Machar Riek, the tool of Regime Change, experiencing the proverbial long walk to the presidency

By Ariik Atekdit Mawien, Juba, South Sudan

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August 23, 2016 (SSB) — Sometimes it is not any interesting to start a move that one doesn’t have a great confidence of success. The Khartoum and London learned Dr Riek Machar Teny of engineering science that later shifted to doing his doctorate in Philosophy and Strategic Planning had been dreaming high for Presidency even days before the independence of the country. But does he philosophically and strategically plan well of how to get to presidency?

The Rumbek Secondary School leaver was accepted in the University of Khartoum to specialize in engineering. However, with his ambition in leadership Machar applied for another social science specialization in Philosophy and Strategic Planning, a specialization that he thought would quickly excel him to a giant leadership position in politics.

It is not bad for any South Sudanese including Machar to pursue the interest of becoming a president. Any of the millions South Sudanese can be anybody they want to be in their nation; however, that of Dr Machar has become quite extraordinary. What benefit do we make out of wars and destructions of properties and intended killings of human lives just for quest of office?

Former SPLM Secretary General, Pagan Amum, has Gone Amok

By Deng Kur Deng, Pennsylvania, USA

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August 23, 2016 (SSB) — It has become obvious that the SPLM Former General Secretary Pagan Amum has become committed to the idea of handing over South Sudan to international and regional bodies of control. If we were to interview the deceased who this country took and the living, who are depressed and probably overwhelmed, it would be made clear that no one envisioned South Sudan being run by foreigners after what we went through during the civil war. You must wonder why Pagan Amum is so interested in involving the international community in South Sudan’s affairs.

 I am not surprised, though, because I am not sure why our officials have this selling out tactics that leaves people vulnerable. Early this year, former Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin made a statement that contradicted our ownership of the Abyei, and the government wasn’t heard in its attempt to address the premature statement from the Minister. Why wasn’t he confronted, many of us asked. Someone is always trying to sell people out, and all which is done in response is removing the person from their position, but without proper investigation.

Jonglei state turns to prison service farm to feed its population, amidst economic crisis

Jonglei state turns to prison service farm to feed its population

By Mach Samuel Peter, Bor, Jonglei State

farm in Bor, Jonglei state

August 23, 2016 (SSB) — Jonglei State prison service is expected to produce tones of food this year subsequent by the directorate strategy planting mammoth terra firma in the state with sorghum

Meager food commodities in the market furnish business community to swell prices of the few existing goods, making lives difficult for common citizens without an exception. The percentage increase of dollar against South Sudanese pound has been taken as scapegoat by most foreign and domestic traders as a chance to raise the prices in the Market.

Major General Alfred Manyang Agok the director of Prison service in Jonglei State who has 10 hectares farm said the indigenous must supplement the little they have by engaging in agriculture subsistence farming.

John Kerry: There is a legal provision in the peace agreement to replace Riek Machar with Taban Deng Ghai as 1st Vice President

John Kerry, US secretary of state, with former South Sudanese minister for international affairs, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin

US Secretary of State, John Kerry: “With respect to Machar, it’s not up to the United States; it’s up to the leaders of South Sudan and the people of South Sudan and the political parties and the political process, and their neighbors, to weigh in on what is best or not best with respect to Machar. But I think it’s quite clear that legally, under the agreement, there is allowance for the replacement in a transition of personnel, and that has been effected with the appointment of a new vice president. And what they decide to do is going to be dependent on them in the context of the implementation of the peace agreement.”

James Gatdet Dak : “The recent Summit in Addis Ababa of the Heads of State and Government of IGAD-Plus, including participation of representatives of the United States, passed a resolution which expects the “illegal” First Vice President, General Taban Deng Gai, to step down and for a third party force to be deployed in Juba before the “legitimate” First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, can return to Juba. Any other rumoured opinions are irrelevant and against the IGAD resolutions. We dismiss them as rumours or opinions from individual officials, and call on them to abide by the contents of the peace deal and the IGAD resolutions. We thank IGAD leaders for sticking to their resolutions! Having said that, despite the “rumoured irrelevant opinions attributed to some uninformed officials”, it is the prerogative of the leadership and members of the SPLM/SPLA (IO) to decide how best to stop the violations of the August 2015 peace agreement by President Salva Kiir.”