Luka Biong: Three Trajectories Facing South Sudan at the Revitalization Forum

By Luka Biong Deng,^[1] Washington, USA

South Sudan’s coat of arms, in which the eagle symbolizes vision, strength, resilience and majesty, and the shield and spear the people’s resolve to protect the sovereignty of their republic and work hard to feed it.

Saturday, May 19, 2018 (PW) — South Sudan is arguably the most fragile state in the world. Lacking an institutional legacy at its creation in 2011, political, security, economic and social indicators have all deteriorated with the ongoing civil conflict.^[2] As state legitimacy has eroded, the number of armed factions and tribal militias has increased rapidly, now exceeding 40 such groups.

One consequence of the prolonged conflict is that South Sudan is now one of the main exporters of refugees in the world with nearly 2.5 million people seeking exodus in neighboring countries and another 1.85 million internally displaced. Nearly 7 million people (60 percent of the pre-crisis population) face famine and severe food insecurity. The economy has almost collapsed with inflation reaching 60 percent.

Conflicts within and between communities have led to social fracturing and the erosion of social cohesion, the very assets that served southerners well in their long struggle against Arab-Islamist hegemony from governments in Khartoum. The retreat into ethnic cocoons that threatens national unity is due in part to the dynamics of the conflict but also to the refusal by ruling elites to embrace diversity and devolution of decision-making power and resources from the center.

False Beliefs and Lame Excuses That Cannot Help South Sudan’s Progress

By Malith Alier, Perth, Australia

Human Rights Activist, Jon Pende Ngong (on Black T-shirt) and Prophet Dak Kueth, (Dreadlocked) posed for group photo With Rebel Leaders Dr. Riek Machar and Lt. General Dau Aturjong (standing) in Pagak, South Sudan

Saturday, 19 May 2018 (PW) — The cloudy political climate in the independent South Sudan is certain to continue. The generation that has know nothing a part from wars and negotiations in and out since 1955 has no guts to alter course. Unjustified perpetual Wars and skirmishes had developed a tendency of being handed down to following generations on slates of ignorance.

The interludes between conflicts did not availed sufficient grounds to think deeply of what the nation should look and feel like in the real world. Between 1972-1983 and 2005-2013 are such interludes not to mention the periods before these when foreigners of European and Arabs molesters pried the dark continent. Self-rule after the colonial era have seen us hurtling to the abyss because of destructive beliefs, some of which are meant for survival of those close to power.

The respect for Elders is nothing new. It has been cited time and again just for the sake of reminding the youth to be mum while matters descend into the abyss. It may have been appropriate in the past however, in the new brave world, the youth should dare to bring its energy and prowess to the fore to help solve the current predicament the country faces.

Revitalising the Incentive Debate: A Cordial Note to Nephew David Mayen Dengdit

Revitalisation of President’s Incentive Remark Debate: A Note to Nephew David Mayen Dengdit

By Hon Arop Madut Arop, Oxford, UK

Hon Arop Madut Arop is the current MP for Abyei in Juba and author of three classic books, namely: Sudan Painful Road to Peace, a full story of the founding and development of SPLM/SPLA (2006); The Genesis of political consciousness in South Sudan (2012), and The Ngok Dinka of Abyei in Historical Perspective (2018).

Saturday, 19 May 2018 (PW) — Before I respond to the comments made by my dear nephew Hon David Mayen Dengdit, on my article, I would like to thank him first for his well thought comments on my article. Secondly, I am sorry to state that the sub-article intended as food for thought was supposed to be a separate well intentioned article from an experienced elder who has had experiences for decades to younger generations, if only they were eager to learn more. The sub article should have therefore been treated as a separate article and hopefully, would have not been taken out of context.

As an educationist, my intention has all along been that I should share my experiences with the youths by way of educating them. But as education is believed to be a slow process, I am also aware that it will take time before our youths can appreciate the knowledge given to them by their experienced elders. At this juncture, I am reminded of my previous studies of pedagogy the science of teaching which is explained here below.

Experienced has shown that when a trained teacher enters the classroom, he immediately sees, in front of him, five categories of students he has to prepare for life. Category one is composed of trouble-shooters who would obstruct whatever a teacher would want to teach; giving a lesson (ten per cent). Category number two is composed of obstinate lot who will cost the teacher much time and energies to bring them on line with his colleagues in the classroom and to convince them to cooperate (ten per cent). The third category of students consists of opportunists who would cooperate if they are praised and given full marks in the exams.

A Position Paper of The Free Citizens Red Flag League (FCRFL) on the IGAD’s HLRF in Ethiopia

Press Release: A Position Paper of The Free Citizens Red Flag League (FCRFL) on the IGAD Revitalization Talks- Addis Ababa (May 17-21, 2018)

Saturday, May 19, 2018 (PW) — Since South Sudan’s civil war started in December 2013, those who have been made to pay a hefty price are the millions of citizens who have fled their homes, been raped and killed by known gunmen, succumbed to war related malnutrition and disease in swamps and villages across the country and in UN concentration camps known as Protection of Civilians Cites (PoCs), and trapped in insulting conditions in refugee camps across the region.

Many of the so called political leaders who willfully triggered this humanitarian tragedy have since enjoyed greater access to the country’s oil wealth than any time before the war, a privilege they are determined to maintain. Instead of using a portion of oil proceeds to recollect the pieces of a shattered economy, much of the money has been recycled in financing a brutal war machine which is being directed more against civilians than against armed combatants.

Junubeen Eyes and Attention on the National Police Conference in Juba, South Sudan

By Awuol Gabriel Arok, Juba, South Sudan

Jonglei state Director of traffic police Col Solomon Mabior Ruar on fouth independence day picture by Mach Samuel

Saturday, May 19, 2018 (PW) — Openly and without hesitation the general public welcome and salutes the Ministry of Interior and other security sectors for the historical Conference that is being held in the Capital Juba from 17/05/2018 to 20/05/2018 under the Theme “Building trust between the police and the public”

Juba residents are dead scare of night robberies, killings and humiliations under the brutal hands of thugs and heartless criminals who scoffs firm devotion from the security operators.

With utmost expectations and bank on the SSNPS Conference that kicked off a day after South Sudan historical day of 16 May under supervision of the Minster of Interior Hon. Michael Chanjiek and H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan and the Supreme Commander of all the Armed Forces as guest of honour hopefully the perforated hearts of Juba populace will be greased.

You have it all – Dedicated to Chol Ajak

By Constant DC, Perth, Australia

–

“Meek,

Kind

Honest

Chol Ajak,

You have it all

–

You are the Solomon

of this age,

And a Samson of thoughts,

A daring soul

You can’t get whole

Chol Ajak!

You have it all

JMEC: HLRF provides best opportunity to end “catastrophe” in South Sudan

JMEC CHAIRMAN: “THE ONLY OFFENSIVE SOUTH SUDAN NEEDS RIGHT NOW IS A PEACE OFFENSIVE.”

Saturday, May 19, 2018 (PW) — The High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) provides best and timely opportunity to end the “catastrophe that befell the people of South Sudan”, the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), has said.

Speaking during the opening of the continuation of the Second Phase of the HLRF in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, H.E. Festus Mogae said,

“You are at a critical juncture. This forum (HLRF) provides the best and timely opportunity for you all, to collectively decide and bring the catastrophe that has befallen your people to an end.”

“There comes a time in life, where nothing else should matter more, than to do what is right. I believe the time is now, for all patriots of South Sudan, to rise to the occasion.

Government advisor, Anei Madut Kuendit, resigns and joins Gen. Paul Malong’s Group

 

HLRF Update: Religious leaders report progress at the HLRF in Addis Ababa

CEPO 3rd Updates on the IGAD’s High Level Revitalization Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

CEPO Press Release: The Intra-South Sudanese Dialogue at the IGAD’s High Level Revitalization Forum of the Peace Process in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Saturday, May 19, 2018 (PW) — The intra-South Sudanese dialogue yesterday when on nicely. The intra-South Sudanese dialogue was administered in three committees approach. First committee on governance handling the outstanding five issues on governance; second committee on Security handling the security five outstanding issues and the third committee on Trusts and Confidence-building handling matters of mistrust and lack of confidence.

The three committees all made progress on their issues. Compromises were able to be realized on at 1 to 2 issues of out the outstanding issues per committee and change of attitudes among the parties is developing. The chance of the intra-South Sudanese dialogue breaking some of the deadlocks is high. Although still there was the hard position from the parties on some matters. At least demonstration of positive attitudes for peace was observed. Intra-South Sudanese dialogue is a good approach for complementing the HLRF.

CEPO Remarks:

Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO says that “at least senses of the parties are taking responsibility for delivering peace and changing attitudes was observed. This is not little progress but a good indicator that South Sudanese are now taking responsibility for delivering peace. We have been calling for an approach to trust and confidence building for the three years. At least now we have seen it being applied for managing the expectation of the parties and building positive attitudes for peacemaking. Today, the intra-South Sudanese dialogue will continue with the three committees.”

The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) is a non-profit, civil society, South Sudanese organization, registered by the Ministry of Justice on 17th November 2010. The organization was initially formed in Khartoum in 1999 and consisted of mostly University students, but its scope broadened after it was established in Juba, Southern Sudan as a separate entity. Presently, CEPO is engaged in the areas of Peace and conflict mitigation, human rights, rule of law, livelihood, governance and democratic transformation. MR. EDMUND YAKANI BERIZILIOUS is the Executive Director of CEPO.

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