Joint Statement from the AU, IGAD and the UN Consultative meeting on South Sudan

Joint Statement from the AU, IGAD and the UN Consultative meeting on the Republic of South Sudan

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 27 January 2018

 

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 27, 2018 (SSB) — The African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations (UN) held a joint consultative meeting on the current situation in the Republic of South Sudan on January 27, 2018, in Addis Ababa, on the margins of the African Union 30th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government.

The AU, IGAD and UN welcomed the outcome of the first phase of the High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 18 to 22 December, 2017 and appreciated the impetus it gives to bring peace in South Sudan.

The AU, IGAD and UN, however, strongly condemned the recent violations of the 21 December 2017 Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (ACOH) in South Sudan which have caused further pain and suffering on the people of South Sudan.

Communique of the 60th Extra-ordinary Session of IGAD Council on South Sudan

Communique of the 60th Extra-ordinary Session of IGAD Council of Ministers on the Situation in 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 27, 2018 (SSB) — The IGAD Council of Ministers held its 60TH Extra-Ordinary Session on January 27, 2018 in Addis Ababa under the chairmanship of H.E. Workneh Gebeyehu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers. The session was attended by H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti; H.E. Amina Mohamed Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic Kenya; H.E Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia; H.E Dr. Matin Elia Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the Republic of South Sudan; H.E. Professor Ibrahim Ghandour, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan; H.E. Sam Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda; and; H.E Hirut Zemene, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

H.E. Festus Mogae, Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC); H.E. Mahboub Maalim, IGAD Executive Secretary and H.E. Ismail Wais, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan were also in attendance.

The exigency of an indigenous middle-class caste for state building in South Sudan

The Exigency of an indigenous, detribalized, middle-class cates for nation- and state-building in South Sudan

By Hon. Peter Wal Athiu Madol, Kampala, Uganda

Gen. Wal Athieu posted with Defence minister and other generals during the launching of second phase construction of Bor-Juba road 29th January 2015 Picture by Mach Samuel

January 27, 2018 (SSB) — The people of South Sudan have been embroiled in a deadly civil war since December 2013, barely two and half years after the independence in July 2011. Thus, war has crippled the young nation in all aspect of lives, being politically, economically and socially. And we, the former liberators and the current ruling elites, are caught in a moral dilemma for what we have to say to our beloved people of South Sudan. We have failed ourselves and we have failed our own people – for the aspirations of the liberation struggle and the promises of our independence have come to nought.

Today, South Sudan is in the deepest sense of the words, in hope and despair. “Everything seems equally meaningless, equally hopeless.” The horror of war is eroding the noble traits of its people. The excessive mental suffering, just as excessive physical suffering. Alas, the people are only there on sufferance, because it is the land of their forefathers. It is shameful to be indifferent towards another simply because of racial or tribal distinctions. Each wants to wipe out other, from the face of the earth, and each is at another throat. We need full development of our sentimental attitudes, instead of persistent antagonisms.

Yet, it is no secret that the conditions necessary for the inevitable state failure in South Sudan were evidently present on the eve of independence in 2011. The spirit of the new era was negated like a closed book, not read up to date in order to know or understand what mission the SPLM has to fulfil after the independence.

The Opprobrium Remarks of US Ambassador to the UN, Ambassador Nikki Haley

By David Matiop Gai, Juba, South Sudan

Ambassador Baak Valentino Wol, undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

January 27, 2018 (SSB) — South Sudanese people are dying day and night under the external pressures and internal interests. With internal interest, South Sudanese politicians are divided and allow external interest exploiting the young country in the name of concerning about the lives of citizens. Really, when and how? I say no, and nobody who is concerning about the lives of South Sudanese citizens outside there.

Those of Nikki Haley who always saying this statement lying to themselves. If you are concerning about somebody’s life, and you feel the pain of your fellow human being and hardship is going through, you don’t add anger, you don’t insult, you help and find solutions. That is the right spirit of somebody who is concerning the pain of others.

Us is said to be a long friend to South Sudan, and US government is always hampering people of South Sudan indirectly or impede the progress of peace process by lack of funds. In the latest 1990-1991, US government was supporting rebellion within SPLA movement and withdrawn their support later after Nasir faction committed genocide in Bor.

Does disarmament work in South Sudan: The case of South Sudan warring parties

By John Agata, Nakuru, Kenya

Taban Deng Ghai with top army officers of the SPLM-IO in Yuai, Greater Akobo area, January 2018

January 27, 2018 (SSB) — “Does anyone really think that getting rid of guns solves any problems?” The Encyclopedia of Psychology defines violence as “an extreme form of aggression, such as assault, rape or murder.”

“Often, violence is the medium used by an individual to openly express their feelings such as anger, frustration, or sadness” Aided by lethal household self-defence tools such as Fire extinguisher, Knife, Hot water, Jembe, stone, stick, fists, etc, used against the nuisances.

The regular usage and widespread of guns have given some people, who have lost the sense of reason, an audacity to conclude that getting rid of getting solves any problems.