Month: March 2021

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) called parties to the Agreement to reconstitution the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.

Parliament is yet to be reconstitution despite milestones made by the signatory to the Agreement forming the States’ government last month.

In a statement shared by the RJMEC members delivered electronically, the Interim Chairperson H.E. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said, “a reconstituted TNLA is required to enact a range of legislations critical to the ongoing implementation of the R-ARCSS.

I appeal to the R-TGoNU (Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity) to reconstitute the assembly to enable the enactment of the Bills into law and expedite judicial reforms.”

Gen. Gituai caution 35% of women representation in the appointment should be observed. He said there is a need for more women to be appointed at all government levels, especially at the state executive and legislative positions.

Head of RJMEC noted cantonment sites and training centers continue to face severe logistical constraints, such as food, medicines, and sufficient shelter, which are lacking, and female combatants continue to lack appropriate facilities and personal hygiene items.

“Training of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) has stalled, and no graduation or redeployment plans have been announced. The lack of sufficient funding to the Security Mechanisms is a constraint,” he said.

Peace monitor says It is the responsibility of the RTGoNU, according to article 1.2.2, to restore permanent and sustainable peace, security, and stability.

He called the Central and State Governments to work jointly with local leaders to end the violence. Mentioning the operationalization of the State Security Committees will be instrumental in improving the situation.

RJMEC reminded leaders of the cost of the struggle for independence. He says three months from now, July, marks ten years of independence for South Sudan. Now is the time to accelerate the implementation of the Agreement so that there will be much to celebrate in a decade of independence.

Gituai wishes to see new development after the Easter break from the unity government to implement the R-ARCSS and build momentum towards its full implementation in letter and spirit.

National human rights organization, Anataban has called South Sudan Police Service and National Security to release three activists arrested on Tuesday. 

James David Kolok, Michael Wani, and Mannesah Mathiang, who led the peaceful demonstration in Juba, were reportedly detained in police custody.

A group of activists, musicians, and comedians protested on March 30th after prominent singers, namely Trisha Cee, passed on from horrible road accidents.

Mourners were stunned about police service unlawful arrests that disarrayed the peaceful demonstrators in Mobil roundabout. Shocking arrested was said to “violence the constitutional rights of citizens, freedom of assembly and expression.”

Anataban and South Sudan’s youth said they were deeply concerned over the poor management of national institutions’ way of handling issues; and subsequent increase of ongoing silencing and dehumanization of youth peaceful protest and nation-building.

They called upon Police and the Judiciary to follow up the case and ensure justice for the lost lives; while urging the President to immediately create an independent National Hospitals Management Authority to look into the National hospital management deficiencies. 

Right defenders further suggested that the police consider establishing functional police units within the main hospitals to ensure timely provision and emergency services delivery.

Anataban commended the police should monitor license issuance to all drivers, introducing speed limits of not more than 40km/h within the city, Clear marking and provisions of zebra signs, and crossing on the roads. 

And the City Council and Traffic Police should have clear scrutiny over water tanks that are offering services to the public.

Anataban stated to carry their logo without a name or official stamp due to security concerns.

 

South Sudan artists, youth activists and comedians have staged a frustrating protest on Tuesday demanding justice for local artist Trisha C’ untimely death in a tragic road accident at Mobil roundabout. 

Artist was knocked together with a motorcycle rider by a water tanker. The Boda Boda die immediately, and Trish C later passes on from a severe body injured in Egyptian hospital. 

Trisha’s dreadful death has shocked many of her supporters and citizens. According to an eyewitness, a driver who made a road accident believed an Ethiopian national. 

Anger protesters say they needed speedy justice and accountability for the person who committed a road accident. It is not the first-time water tankers were being blamed for such road accidents. People alleged some water tankers are driving recklessly.

A Female activist, her name kept anonymous, said, “young people were so oppressed, we have been watching incidents, and enough is enough. We need the system to be in place; the health care system must be put in place. A transportation system must be put in place. We need peace. 

“We are angry young people. Today we are coming here because we lost Trisha C. Where is the government when we have lost people on road accident, we have lost people from road ambushes, we have lost from unknown gunmen.” 

Artists were so irritated, saying they are tired of the government that does not intervene on citizens’ issues. And they will not leave Mobil roundabout until the minister of justice intervenes. 

The decease colleagues, 𝗔𝗸 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝘀 called the government to checked Water tank drivers if they are fit for road driving. He said Trisha C would not have died in a road accident if traffic police were busy checking for logbooks and Tinted windows. 

“The SPLM and Government of South Sudan, you have failed. Just let go. We are dying. The young generation is dying every day because of your incompetence. I gave my blood first. Meanwhile, Trisha C is still conscious and in a lot of pain, and running out of blood, a youth activist said.

After receiving my blood, the doctor asked us to go back to the hospital and bring the patient’s blood to see it’s compatible. At the same time, she refused to take my friend’s blood because he hasn’t eaten.”

Activists led the protest, the Coordinator for South Sudan Civil Society Forum Caroline Kibasa, Wani Michael, and some prominent musicians include Manasa Mathiang.

Caroline Kibasa said traffic police are “corrupt of giving driving license to unqualified foreign drivers.” They demanded blood compensation for decease victimized in the road accident.

The governor of Unity state, Dr. Joseph Nguen Monytuil has visited flooding affecting counties on Tuesday in the Southern part of Unity state. Governor one day visited designed to explore two counties, Mayiandit and Leer counties, to see those affected by devastating flooding.

It is the first time for the governor to visit the Southern part since the conflict started in mid-December 2013. 

Thousands of people in two counties received governor with the optimism of peace dissemination, improvement of insecurity threats, roads repairing, and local dyke construction to prevent heavy flooding.

Governor Monytuil was accompanied by his deputy Tor Tungwar and state dignitary government officials. He was received respectively by newly appointed county commissioners Dr. Gatluak Nyak Hoth and Stephen Taker Riak Dong. 

Monytuil said his administration was so concerned about thousands of people who have been affected by unprecedented flooding. And his government is ready to construct local dykes protect lives.

State authority condemned insecurity threats imposed on innocents people by unauthorized armed youth, taking the law into their own hands. All areas “imposed insecurity such illegal check-point in the counties and river shall be abolish.” be abolished residents to stop prohibited cattle raiding during peace implementation when people require reconciliation and healing.

“We will not accept again that civilians will be mistreated; it is unacceptable. The time vulnerable people suffered has ended. It is time for the civilians’ government. Now, we will do what civilians want. And we shall unite civilians; we will not do anything that divided civilians; we will not bring such issues to you again. We are being appointed as a government for peace to unite people of Unity state.”

Deputy Governor Tor Tungwar said peace is only a national platform that has brought the country together; while urging people to embrace agreement to end suffering. 

Leer County commissioner Stephen Taker Riak Dong appreciated the governor visiting see people affected by flooding since last year. He urged the state government to repair roads that will help business people to bring in food commodities. 

According to NGO, an estimated 1 million people believed were affected by the flooding in eight states and one administrative area in South Sudan between July 2020 and January 2021. And more than 500,000 people displaced from their homes.