IGAD: Statement on the Violations of the Cessation of Hostilities (CoH) Agreement

For immediate release: IGAD Council of Ministers (CoM) statement on the reports of violations of Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in the Republic of South Sudan

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development is an eight-country trade bloc in Africa. It includes governments from the Horn of Africa, Nile Valley, and the African Great Lakes. Its headquarters are in Djibouti City.

January 25, 2018 (SSB) — The Council of Ministers of IGAD (Council of Ministers) have received reports from Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) that there have been violations of the 21 December 2017 Agreement on Cessation and Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (ACOH) since its entry into force on 24 December 2017. CTSAMM has also submitted two very disturbing reports about the issues of Sexual and Gender Base Violence (SGBV) and Child Soldiers, which were the result of long-term investigations.

It is deplorable that the conduct of the Parties amounts to not only a failure to comply with the Articles of the ACOH, but also serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws. These violations have been perpetrated by the SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO (RM) and SPLA-IO (TD) against their own people, and include the killings of civilians, inflicting serious mental and physical injuries on people, rape, sexual violence and looting.

Amb. Telar Ring Deng: My Letter of Resignation

“Rumormongers will one day stop what they are spreading about my rebellion. I am still an Ambassador accredited to Russian Federation and if I want to rebel, there are two things a politician of my standing would do.(1) I will first submit my resignation as an Ambassador as stated above to HE the President of the Republic through Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Republic of South Sudan.(2) I will make a public statement stating reasons for my rebellion. Those rumour mongers should wait until that day of my rebellion, they are praying for comes. What our country is craving for today is not rebellion, but how we as leaders bring peace through a negotiated settlement. Thanks.” Ambassador Telar Ring Deng via WhatsApp messenger on 17 January 2018

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1. Letter of Resignation

2. Letter of Recall

Dear All,

This is for your publication.

Thanks,

Telar

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Telar Ring Takpiny Deng: My Letter of Resignation (PDF)

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Telar Ring Deng, later South Sudan President Salva Kiir’s nominee to become the new justice minister, 21 June 2014

Related historical article: Leaked Memo: Backstabbings and Political Intrigues within the SPLM

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Front Leader: Awan Kuol Awan and South Sudanese Youth in Australia

By Deng Kur Deng, Pennsylvania, USA

Marial Wel who shot dead his wife in front of the kids in the USA, January 2018

January 25, 2018 (SSB) — First, before I go any farther, I would like to acknowledge and appreciate Awan Kuol Awan and those who have invested so much of their time to ensure our youth are protected, irrespective of what they have done. Your openness to involvement is crucial, even when there are complexities associated with the issues around the concerns of our youth. Believe me, I am aware of the difficulties involved in dealing with youth in the western world, which is known to be tough because there are limits per the law and resources.

However, any strategy that is deemed to foster good citizens and self-value is essential. Among those who have shown leadership and devoted their time is Mr. Awan. Mr. Awan spearheaded how to deal with youth—especially their emotions and their differences that were triggered in their homes.

The language presented by Mr. Awan’s words resonates with an average person; therefore, it is needed by the youth on the streets. It appeals not only to them but to those who are willing to share their time to help. Mr. Awan’s method can work if it is turned into a mentoring program, to purposely reach youth and give them a reason to reorganize their lives. This allows them to deliberately build self-awareness and self-reflection in the process while enjoying privileges granted to them by the Australian government. This could also create room to thrive through the influence of adults and peers who are well informed about others who are experiencing difficulties in the community.

Dr. Chol Deng Thon Abel of NilePet: The Right Appointment at the Right Time

The Right Appointment in the Right Position at the Right Time: The Case of NilePet Managing Director Dr. Chol Deng Thon Abel

By Duluma SK’ Maker, Juba, South Sudan

salary

January 25, 2018 (SSB) — On September 8^th, 2017, South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit sacked the Managing Director (MD) of Nilepet (a State-owned Oil and Gas Company) James Thelweng Mathiang Rok replacing him with Dr. Chol Deng Thon Abel who is a learned Civil and Environmental Engineer by profession. Dr. Chol has been the Director-General for Downstream at the Nile Petroleum Corporation since 2015 till his promotion to the top job of the most lucrative institution. He worked under direct supervision of a number of previous MDs and therefore through experience, he has known the strengths and weaknesses of managing the Oil and Gas Corporation and indeed he has acquired knowledge and experience of managing the Nilepet Corporation from his previous position.

With experience, love for his country and decision-making ability, Dr. Chol prove himself to be the right appointment in the right position at the right time by introducing a system in which businessmen are permitted to import fuel together with the Nilepet Corporation making fuel available in all fuel stations at all times hence the issue of transport is no longer a problem, whether, in the early morning hours or late evening hours, people can still get transport available without competing for seats which was not the case during the time of  previous MD of Nilepet provided that an individual has a bus fare.