Predicting the future of South Sudan under President Kiir and Gen. Taban Deng Gai

Predicting the future of South Sudan under Taban Deng Gai and President Kiir and problems that lie ahead in some time to come

By Daniel Juol Nhomngek, Kampala, Uganda

The swearing-in ceremony of Gen. Taban Deng Ghai as the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, photo by Maal Maker Thiong on July 26th, 2016, J-1, Juba

January 3, 2018 (SSB) — Perhaps, it may be important to begin this article with the quote from Margaret Thatcher, the former British Prime Minister and stateswoman who was once quoted to have stated that “ power does not corrupt men, fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power”. This is exactly what is going in South Sudan, which the subject of this article is.

I cannot say that those who are in power in South Sudan are fools but if they corrupt power as they are doing now then they fit to be described as such. This article, therefore, attempts to predict what will happen in some time to come in South Sudan if South Sudan continues to be run by both Taban Deng and President Kiir Mayardit.

In particular, the way Taban Deng is dealing with and relating to the president of South Sudan leaves much to be desired.  Taban’s dealing with the President now appears that he has interior motive and there is the likelihood that it will be too late before South Sudanese discover that Taban has already taken power.

CEPO: Fighting Erupts In Yei River State Despite Stern Warnings from Troika

The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) strongly condemns the fresh violation of the Cessation of Hostilities (CoH) agreement in Yei River State, South Sudan.

MR. EDMUND YAKANI BERIZILIOUS is the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), a Juba-based South Sudanese civil society organization.

January 3, 2018 (SSB) — The two warring factions in South Sudan, government forces and SPLA-IO rebels on Wednesday blamed each other for carrying out attacks in Yei River State, with both sides confirming fighting resumed this morning in the area.

The governor of Yei River state David Lokonga Moses said that the rebels have attacked their defensive positions in Morobo and Kaya areas, but they were repulsed today morning. While, Paul Lam Gabriel, spokesman of SPLA-IO forces, accused government forces of carrying out attacks on their defensive position in the area of Dudulabe today morning.

Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) in strong term is urging the Government and SPLM-IO under Dr. Riek Machar ground forces to demonstrate compliance with the cessation of hostilities agreement. It is disturbing and wronging to see same parties that revitalized the cessation of hostilities agreement in Addis Ababa-Ethiopia in national spirit is again violating the agreement.

Differences between Agou John Wuoi and Yel Luol Koor and the Privilege Granted

By Deng Kur Deng, Pennsylvania, USA

Agou John Wuoi Chuit, the former Executive Security Attache to the office of the president, was arrested on the 29th of May 2016, accused of misappropriating public funds, forging the President’s signature, and money laundering

January 3, 2018 (SSB) — The statuses of these two men—specifically, the release of 14 men, including Yel Luol Koor, while Agou John Wuoi remains behind bars—have generated concerns over the justice system in this country. This is causing many citizens—both the informed and the less informed—to wonder about the injustice we witness on a regular basis.

Why does Yel have privilege over Agou and what were the criteria used to grant him such privilege? Apparently, based on the current word on the streets of Juba, Yel is more deserving than Agou. I won’t comment on that here because my sole involvement is in requesting the President to reevaluate the case of Agou.

As we, the family, have heard to date, many have questioned the integrity of those who indirectly inserted inadequate, unsatisfactory materials and conspiratorial information for the sole purpose of keeping this young man caged. In addition, many citizens are questioning the President’s decision and the execution of justice in the country because of this recent decision, which embodied an unfair implementation of the law.

Creation of Two Counties in Lou Ariik is the Final Solution to the Naming Dispute

By Ariik Atekdit Mawien, Warrap, South Sudan

Atem Gualdit, Speaking in March Conference – Discussing the County’s Name dispute

 

January 3, 2018 (SSB) — It is now the beginning of 2018 nevertheless the quarrel over which name to use for Lou Ariik County is being campaigned for on debates. In mid-2016, President Salva Kiir Mayardit issued a decree creating 19 counties in Tonj State that later on multiplied; the decree carried the name of Lou Ariik County with its capital at Alabek. Some members of the Lou Ariik Community disputed the name and only wanted Lou Ariik to be replaced by Alabek County with its capital at Alabek.

The Solution which the governor kept skipping always and which the national government can keep the county united is maybe by dropping Ariik and go for Lou County with its capital at Majak or Ayod, not Alabek any longer. These precious options were overrun by the governor against the will of the people who always contribute positively to arrive at a peaceful end of the dispute.