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Five disabled pupils receives wheelchairs

Five disabled’s primary school pupils received wheelchairs from Help Education South Sudan on Wednesday in Mingkaman, Awerial County.

The pupils are among the first group of sixty-six children with different disabilities that need support to access learning institutions in the state. 

Mr. Moses Makuac Ajot is the Education Coordinator and works for Help Education South Sudan in Awerial County. 

He said the wheelchairs would aid their effort to promote inclusive education for all pupils in Awerial. 

He said the five pupils include three boys and two girls to have primary education like any other healthy child.

One of the pupils who received wheelchairs, Mr. Ding Deng, spokes to Mingkaman 100 FM.  He said the donation would ease his movement from home to school on time. 

He said that one of the challenges he faces is mobility from home to school during the rainy season. “I am thankful for the donation; the wheelchair will change my life in terms of mobility,” said Deng.

He stated that he used to be absent from school due to mud or water on the road and could not make it to school.

Last week over fifty teachers received training on inclusive education to treat disabled and girls equally without segregation in the classrooms. 

 

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Yirol East returns 24 herds to rightful owners in Jonglei state

Yirol East authorities in Lakes state say they recovered 24 herds and returned them to rightful owners in Jonglei state. The handing over happens on Wednesday in Nyang Yirol East.

The cows were part of 40 herds of cattle that were raided at Pacuethok cattle camp in June last year by some youth from Yirol East.

James Dhuor Apiu is the County Executive Director in Yirol East. He said that the process has been peaceful and involves much coordination with local leaders and youth in the cattle camps.

Dhuor said that his government is ready to provide security escorts to the owners to move with their cattle to Jonglei state.

“Youth from Jonglei whose cattle were raided in parts of Awerial county have taken 24 cows this morning in my office. I have written a traveling document to take their cows back home,” said Dhuor.

He stated that  the process of tracing the raided cattle is still ongoing and urges cattle keepers in Lakes State who have cattle that do not belong to them to return to the rightful owners.

Deng Alier Deng is one of the rightful owners who received his cows. He said he is so happy to be moving freely in Lakes state, searching for his cows without fear of being killed.

He appealed to the authorities in Lakes to find the missing 16 cattle that had not been recovered.

Deng also thanks the governor of Lakes state, Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor, for restoring stability for people to get some of their cattle back.

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Three people were injured in Bor after a dry old tree collapse on them

At least three people have been injured, leaving one in critical condition after one of the oldest trees collapsed. The incident happened on Wednesday evening around 7 PM in Bor, Jonglei state.

The tree is famous in the area which one of the residential names, “Langbaar,” in Dinkais scientifically known(Ziziphus spina-christi). Langbaar is located 3 Kilometers Northeast of Marol Market in Bor town and is believed to be 100 years.

Chier Jok, a 71-year local chief in Bor said the tree had been there before he was born.

He claimed the Sudanese Soldiers cut off the tree branches during the liberation struggle because of the fear of SPLA spotting the area using it for long-range bombardment.

“I am 71 years old, and the tree has been existing as Langbaar. It was the tallest tree in the area when I was a boy. There was no other Neem tree in the area. Even during British, when they were marking the road that goes up to the area of Athooch. It was known as Langbaar Ateet because it falls just in the territory of Atet Community,” said Chief Chier Jok.

Ustaz Makoy Dhal was nearby when the tree collapsed. He said they rushed in to rescue those who were knocked down by the dead branches of wood.

He said among three injured, two were women, one of them is in critical condition, and a boy sustained injuries.

Dr. Bol Chaw Manyang is the Director of Bor hospital. He said the woman critically injured has been transferred to Juba using an Ambulance for further medication.

The Ziziphus spina-christi tree, or “Langbaar” in the local language, is a thorny tree that bears fruit. Its leaves and fruits are used for nutritional and medicinal purposes.

 

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Visually impaired persons in Yirol want govt set up schools for the blind

Lakes State government is asked to give opportunity for blind people to learn as many visually-impaired persons wish to pursue the careers of their choices.
A 38-year-old visually-impaired student Simon Kuch Majok calls on the Minister of General Education and Instruction to establish a school for the blind in Yirol town.

The visually-impaired learner made his remarks to Mingkaman 100 FM on Wednesday during the commemoration of the International Literacy Day celebrated in Yirol town.

Speaking to Mingkaman FM, Simon Kuch Majok said blind students face challenges of attending classes in Juba due to the lack of school in the area.
He says having access to a visual-impaired educational system in Yirol town would help cut down some expenses for them.

“I want to talk to National Minister for General Education and Instruction to open a learning institution for blind students in Yirol to have access to education like other disabled children in the community,” Said Simon Kuch.

Majok said he’s in coordination with Buluk School for Blind in Juba to support the opening blind school in Yirol possibly.

“If the Minister accepts, I coordinate with my team members in Buluk School to send teachers to teach blind in the field. There are qualified teachers there in Juba only that we lack blind school in Yirol here,” he said.

The Minister for Education was not available to comment on this story.

According to the UN Children Organization (UNICEF), the visually impaired persons in South Sudan have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic amid fractured livelihoods and negligible support from the state.

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Two poachers detain in Bor, Jonglei State

Wildlife Authorities in Jonglei State have arrested two people accused of illegal poaching in the State over the weekend.

The suspected poachers were killed wild animals, including antelope and wild goats, for profitable gains.

The local administrator in Bor said the accused individuals would be taken to court this week once the police investigation is finalized.

Capt. Akol Majak, the Administrator of Wildlife Conservations and Tourism in Jonglei.

He warns citizens to refrain from illegal poaching of wild animals and urges them to help the government protect animals.

According to the wildlife department, the accused were armed civilians who hunt wild animals for food and sell the meat.

“We are telling people who engage in poaching to refrain because our laws are so strict, and they are not favoring anyone. Take an example, you kill the animal and put it in a car. We will take the car and send you to jail for ten years.”

Majak warned that continued poaching could push wild animals to neighboring countries. He said Jonglei is home to several wildlife species that need protection. 

South Sudan’s government allocated nearly $6 million for the parks and reserves in 2019.

According to the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation, South Sudan has a rich and varied fauna, with elephants, lions, leopards, cheetah, wild dogs, and various antelopes.

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Students protest demand reopening of Dr. John Garang University

The students from Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology in Bor Jonglei State have staged a peaceful demonstration demanding the reopening of higher learning institutions.

The protesters blocked the road to the University while carrying posters indicated; Covid-19 is no more and urged the administration to start lectures.

Dr. John Garang University was shut down during the country’s total lockdown due to COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. It was never reopened despite the lifted restriction.

One of the students Agol Panchol, said they call off the strike until the administration reopens within five days.

 “It is coming two years now without lectures. Other public universities like the University of Juba and Upper Nile are operational why only John Garang University is affected by COVID-19 until this time. 

“We are tired of waiting. We are not doing anything for ourselves because we always promised that University would reopen soon. This confines us in Bor without going anywhere to do any other business. We hope to finish so that we get a job and do other things for our families.”

The University Dean of Students affair Prof. Majok Kelei said the administration would brief students over the cause of delay to resume lectures. 

He claimed that students had ended their peaceful protest stage on roads to allow traffic flow.

“My students have abandoned the road as we talk now. I am in front of them. It is no longer on the road. It was a kind of peaceful demonstration, not violent and we are in position to sort it out.”

Dr. John Garang Memorial University of the science board of deans wrote a letter on 3rd June assuring the students that the University would reopen when the contractor supplied food.

The University was established in 2008 as one of the five public universities in the country.

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Suspect shooter of lactating mother fire squad in Lakes

The Commissioner of Rumbek East in Lakes State has fire squad a man alleged of killing lactated mother and infant in Pachong on Monday. A family member of the deceased suspect of murder confirmed to MInGKAMAN FM.

Commissioner Rumbek East County, Hon. Mapuor Malek Maual was said to have contacted the Governor and permitted to kill the suspect identified as Rel-Chiith Marol Kuctiel.

Eyewitness who speak in condition of anonymous said the order was from newly appointed Governor Ring Tueny Mabor.  But no official document seen governor has signed.

This came after group of youth known as Gelweng apprehended suspected and handed him over to the police before he was fire squad.

Youth leader says the suspect was identified through an individual who leaked the information related to the killing.

Police reported that a breastfeeding mother was shot dead with her baby at Pachong in Rumbek East after an unknown man fire in the house through the window. The motive remains unclear.

Makuer Dut Matong is Gelweng Youth leader in Maleng-agok. He says the alleged individual was arrested on Wednesday and will be handover to police for further investigation.

Dut discourages youth from killing women and children who are not part of the conflict in the state.

“Our conflict targeted youth it doesn’t involve children and women like last week fighting was taking place in touch between Gelweng youth. So any person who lost relatives and resorts to kills children and women is not in our custom that person should be handed over to the government to answer his crimes in the court of laws that is why we captured him by forces and called police to arrest him.”

Police spokesperson in Lakes state, Captain Elijah Mabor Makuach, confirmed the arrest.

“This morning at 7 AM, relatives and Gelweng youth managed to apprehend him at gunpoint, and the suspect was handed over to police authorities. He is now in police custody, and he will be investigated to answer his crimes.”

In May two lactated mother was killed in Akot village, and suspects are in Police detention. 

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17 people kills in Lakes communal violence

Police authorities in Lakes state confirmed 17 people dead and 22 others wounded in fresh communal clashes that erupted over the weekend. The fighting was said to be between Athoi and Gony communities in Rumbek East.

Official says wounded persons were taken to Rumbek Hospital, and the police describe their condition as stable.

Captain Elijah Mabor Makuach is the police spokesperson in Lakes state.

He says the cause of fighting remains unclear, and police did not arrest any suspects.

Mabor assured the public that force had been deployed in the area to provide security to vulnerable people and road users.

“Since we heard that there is mobilization among the youth to fight, we assembled the few forces we have and sent them to the area to protect the town, residences, and people using the road. Their youth was well-armed, and the small force cannot stop them from fighting,” He said.

Several communal violence, Road ambushes, and revenge attack have been reported this year in Lakes state and the government effort to stop them remain invisible.

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Nilepet starts renovating road connects to the oilfield in Unity

NilePet has begun the renovation from Twic in Warrap via Wau to Unity state, the government’s own oil company. Officials say the project will allow the easy transportation of crude oil to South Sudan’s capital Juba and other parts of the Country.

The Dal-ke and Ability construction companies are implementing the initiative.

Joseph Mayol Bol is the Bar El Ghazel Nile-pet Regional Director. He says companies are using Murram and are expected to finish the work in three months. Road renovation started last week from Wunrok to Kuajok and Wunrok to Unity state, respectively.

“From Gogrial coming Twic here and proceeding to Unity is not suitable during the rain, and that is why we have given it a priority before heavy rain. So, we have now begun it from Wunrok back to Gogrial and from Wunrok here to Abiemnhom to Mayom County of Unity.”

Resident in Wunrok area where the road passes through expressed happiness, saying the renovation will also improve business through easy transport.

Others believe the road will strengthen security between Warrap and Unity states.

“These roads will improve patient mobility to the hospitals. This is because roads have been impassible. After all, they are damaged. It will improve security because vehicles can rush to the areas of insecurity. Trades between Abyei, Warrap, and Unity state.”

In March this year, South Sudan Nile-pet managing director Mr. Bol Ring Wuorwel promised to renovate the road connecting Unity and Bar El Ghazal.

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Two aid workers kills in Lakes state

Police in Lakes state have reported the killing of two aid workers after humanitarian convey ambushed on Monday.

Authority says the unknown gunmen also injured two other women who were on Board.

The decreases work for international NGO Doctors with Africa (CUAM)

This is the second incident on aid workers within weeks following the killing of medical workers in Unity State.

According to the report, the staff members for an INGO were killed while traveling with a security escort on their way back from the fieldwork in Yirol West County.

Police Commissioner in Yirol, Brigadier Taban Lueth, says his department investigates the matter to identify the suspects who carried the attack.

 “We tried our best to reach the scene yesterday, and there is no identification made to help the police trace the suspects. They shoot people in the vehicles while in the bush and immediately left the scene. That is what we got from the people who were injured”.

Lakes state’s ministry of health has condemned the killing and called the incident a devilish act against aid workers.

Dr. Jacob Akuochpiir Achuoth is the minister of health in Lakes state. He says they will work closely with law enforcement authorities to investigate and hold those involved to account.

He said the two staff were on duty delivering nutrition supplies to the far west Payam of Yirol West County.

Akuochpiir conveys his deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the workers and entire people of lakes for this loss.

Police called for calm and urged the health personnel working in lakes to follow safety precautions.

Doctors with Africa (CUAM) in Yirol do not yet comment on the matter.

Last week, six aid workers from South Sudan Red Cross were reportedly assaulted, forcing the branch to suspend its activities in Eastern Equatoria.