Category: South Sudan

South Sudans president undermines peace agreement

28/12/2015

S.Sudan refugee camp

The world’s newest country is locked in a vicious civil war that has displaced millions and set many more onto the road to starvation. Two years ago the president, Salva Kiir and the vice-president Riek Machar split in a disagreement and plunged the country into war – again.

South Sudan had been part of Sudan since the territory was granted independence from the European colonists. It had had ongoing civil unrest and intercene warfare. The people voted two years ago to form their own country and a fairly peaceful transition was made. There were high hopes for the fledgling country which is rich in petroleum resources and agricultural land.

Violence erupted shortly after the two top leaders split.

Peace talks have since been held in Ethiopia. Both sides have agreed to conditions necessary to end the warfare and both sides have violated the agreements. The latest round of talks seemed to be more effective and envoys from the Machar camp were scheduled to travel to the capital city Juba to progress the peace process.

Last week Pres. Kiir suddenly dissolved the state lines and instituted 28 new states and boundaries, complete with new governors. This is a violation of the most recent peace agreements. In addition, more splits in the country’s unity have surfaced, where armed groups have declared their own course independent of either the president or former VP.

This week Pres. Kiir is calling on faith based groups and other peace loving individuals to help him implement the peace deal.

“help his government disseminate messages of peace, reconciliation and forgiveness as he implements the peace deal which he signed in August with leader of armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), Riek Machar, and other stakeholders” Sudan Tribune

The UN and human rights groups have maintained that war crimes have been committed by both sides in the conflict.

The country is in a shambles. Only a minority of people have access to a protected water source such as an enclosed well and few have the luxury of piped water. Open ponds and rivers are the only water supply for many. The UN estimates that starvation stalks the people with one third and more at risk of severe food shortages and starvation.

Pres. Kiir and ex-VP Machar look well fed when TV cameras cover their peace talks.

Sources:
Al Jazeera
Human Rights Watch
Sudan Tribune

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S Sudan peace talks on again in Addis Ababa

17/8/2015

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The face of S. Sudan

The warring factions in South Sudan have once again met at the negotiating table in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. South Sudan voted to separate from Sudan after years of civil unrest. Shortly after voting to gain independence, President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar had a falling out resulting in the bloody civil war. For the past 20 months, government troops and rebel troops have fought each other and committed brutal crimes against the civilian population.

The well-fed, well-clothed president and former vice-president and their respective entourages were a sharp contrast to the civilians of S. Sudan. Human Rights Watch has accused government troops of burning whole villages, using rape as a weapon of war and forcing civilians to flee for their lives to UN camps.

One UN camp near the town of Bentui had over 81 000 people seeking safety last April with more arriving daily. Conditions are poor and unsanitary. About two million people have been forced from their homes while the two armed factions continue the bloody war.

Pressure from outside countries is beginning to increase. When U.S. President Barack Obama was in Africa, he took time to confer with the Ethiopian president to tackle the civil war in S. Sudan.

Both sides in the war were quick to claim that further sanctions against them would damage the peace process.

The process has become more complex as one of the rebel generals has announced that he doesn’t agree with Machar trying to form a transitional government with Kiir. He is rumoured to have split from Machar and taken other rebel commanders with him.

S. Sudan started with much promise. It is oil rich. Revenues from oil provide over 90% of its foreign money. It also has great potential in developing its agriculture. Large tracts of land have abundant water and could be developed.

Meanwhile the country is dependent on the charity of foreign nations to help it feed and clothe the millions who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

Sources:
Sudan Tribune
All Africa
Human Rights Watch

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South Sudan peace talks fail again

6/3/2015

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People die, leaders continue their spat

Peace talks in South Sudan have broken down again, leaving the citizens of the world’s youngest country wondering when or if peace will be achieved. The talks between the government people and rebels were held in Ethiopia in the attempt to bring an end to a bloody civil war that has killed thousands and displaced millions.

The war started over a year ago when a spat between President Salva Kiir(he’s the one wearing a large black hat in all the photo ops) and his deputy Riek Machar. Machar mounted an armed campaign against his former colleague and the situation devolved into a vicious conflict along tribal and religious lines. Many people fled their homes to find sanctuary in the UN compounds around the country. Even there, many were not safe.

Ethiopian PM Hailemarian Desalegn, had harsh words for the well fed, well clothed leaders of the factions.

"The consequences of inaction are the continued suffering of you, the people of South Sudan, and the prolonging of a senseless war in your country. This is unacceptable, both morally and politically," he said. BBC News

Recently one of the rebel group’s top negotiators abandoned that camp to join the government group, alleging that Machar was unreasonable in his demands.

Because the fighting has displaced farmers and prevented the planting and harvesting of crops, about 2.5 million people are at risk for malnutrition. The UN has appealed to member countries to donate money for food to stave off starvation.

In addition, the UN envoy to S. Sudan is demanding the release of hundreds of children dragooned into the rebel army.

Sources:
BBC News
All Africa
Bloomberg News

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South Sudan kidnappers take scores of boys

23/2/2015

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Armed kidnappers surrounded the town of Malakal in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State and abducted at least 89 boys. The armed men conducted house to house searches and took away any that they thought older than 12. It is believed that the children are destined to become child soldiers.

UNICEF has come out with strongly worded condemnation of the action.

S. Sudan has been embroiled in a vicious civil war since December 2013 when a disagreement between President Salva Kir and his deputy Rick Machar led to fighting that has killed thousands and displaced about one and a half million people.

The conflict between supporters of the President and those of his deputy has devolved into nasty fighting along tribal lines – Dinka vs Nuer people.

There have been peace talks held in Ethiopia but they have not stopped the violence. Now it seems that even the rebel group is splintering. The former top rebel negotiator has condemned his former leader, Rick Machar and gone over to Salva Kir’s camp. General Koang is now reported to be in Juba.

General Lul Koang, who accused South Sudanese rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar of asking for what he described as “impossible demands” unexpectedly deserted his position this week and joined the government. South Sudan News Agency

It seems that General Koang’s former allies are furious about the defection.

Greater Fangak Community appeal to all resistance fighters to remain firm and united for common cause, not to be discourage by Lul ,s desertion that will not affect the movement because he did not fight for the rights of freedom that he give up soon South Sudan News Agency

South Sudan began its existence peacefully when a referendum received support to separate from Sudan. After decades of fighting it was hoped that the south would be able to govern peacefully and fairly. It is all too obvious that that hasn’t happened.

Sources
Sudan Tribune
CNN
South Sudan News Agency

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South Sudans president undermines peace agreement

S Sudan peace talks on again in Addis Ababa

South Sudan peace talks fail again

South Sudan kidnappers take scores of boys

Barbara McPherson

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