JUBA, 31 August 2010 – The minister for Health in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), H.E. Dr. Luka Tombekana Manoja, today declared that the ministry is determined to offer quality medical and healthcare services to all Southern Sudanese in spite of the myriad challenges it faces.

Addressing this week’s media forum accompanied by the Undersecretary in the ministry, Dr Olivia Lomoro, the minister asserted that the ministry has achieved much despite the fact that it began from scratch only five years ago. He said that the ministry is determined to promote healthy living as a means of preventing illnesses which, he emphasized, is better than curing ailments. Dr Manoja also said that the ministry has established health facilities around the country and encouraged the citizens to make use of them.

The minister listed kalazar, malaria, cholera and typhoid as some of the diseases that are rampant in the country. Other health conditions of concern, he said, include maternal health, guinea worms and sleeping sickness. Lack of doctors, dilapidated infrastructure and insufficient drugs, are the other challenges. However, he said the ministry is doing its level best and with the available resources to expand the reach of healthcare services in all states of Southern Sudan. For instance, he reported that the ministry is currently conducting immunization campaigns against kalazar in Jonglei and Upper Nile states.

To address these challenges, the minister reported that the ministry is currently prioritizing development of health infrastructure and human resource development. He said that the ministry is working with development partners such as the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) and NGOs in these efforts.

Dr Manoja also explained that the lack of medical personnel was exacerbated by the relocation of the medical faculties from Juba to Khartoum during the war. He also explained that there are only three referral hospitals in the whole of Southern Sudan. He said that this scenario explains why many medical students seek education in Khartoum, Egypt and other countries. He also said that lack of adequate medical facilities has made access to medical care expensive with many people seeking specialized treatment outside the country, a situation which is neither desirable nor affordable.

The minister commended the Egyptian government for establishing the Egyptian Clinic in Juba. He said that this facility will help in making healthcare services more readily and affordably accessible to many Southern Sudanese.

Dr Lomoro urged the people to be more conscious about health issues and use the available facilities. She admitted that there are challenges but explained that there are occasions when even the resources available are not used optimally. He also encouraged the citizens to collaborate with the government to improve medical services. She explained that there are times when the government wishes to train people as health workers yet no persons respond to its call. She also appealed to various cadres of leadership in Southern Sudan to promote healthy living, especially sensitizing the people about the HIV/AIDS scourge.

The GOSS Information minister, H.E. Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, commended the minister and undersecretary for the brief. He said that provision of healthcare services is critical for the wellbeing of the citizens. He expressed hope that the various strategies that the ministry has espoused will yield fruit and enable Southern Sudanese to become healthy and capable to participate actively in national development.
 

Reported by Emmanuel Dumba Dima

JUBA, 31 August 2010 – The Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) today formed the Parliamentary Committee for Southern Sudan 2011 Referendum.

During SSLA’s sitting No: 21/2010 a motion was presented by Tulio Odongi Anahus to establish a Parliamentary Committee for Southern Sudan 2011 Referendum to oversee the Referendum. The motion was a result of sitting No: 14 held on 19th July 2010 which recommended establishing the committee.

Today’s session was chaired by the Right Hon. Speaker James Wani Igga in the presence of H.E. Makuei Lueth, the minister for Parliamentary Affairs; and H.E. John Luk Jok, the minister for Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development.

After the presentation, the motion was deliberated and discussed then the SSLA established the committee and nominated seven (7) members to it. The members are:

1. Hon. Dengtiel A. Kur - Chairperson
2. Hon. Tulio Odongi - Secretary
3. Hon. Philip Thon Leek - Member
4. Hon. Beatrice Aber - Member
5. Hon. Dr. Richard K. Mulla - Member
6. Hon. Andrew Ukuac - Member
7. Hon. Charles Majok Alier - Member

The August House agreed that the committee work on a draft and present the final draft to SSLA within seven (7) days shortly after passing 2010 Supplementary Budget. Today’s attendance was 100 honourable members.

Reported by Clement Aturjong Kuot
 

JUBA, 30 August 2010 - H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice President of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) will formally open the Head Office of the Southern Sudan Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (SSDDRC) tomorrow Tuesday 31 August 2010 at 09:00am.

The Southern Sudan DDR Commission is leading the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) program in Southern Sudan, which is an integral element of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement from 2005. The program targets 90,000 combatants and women associated with armed groups (WAAF) from the SPLA in South Sudan and 90,000 combatants and WAAF from the SAF in North Sudan.

The DDR program is planned and implemented in association with many partners and stakeholders. The most important of them are SPLA, Government Ministries and Commissions, National Civil Organizations and International Organizations, including UNMIS, UNDP, UNICEF and funding partners.

The SSDDRC Headquarters is in Thongpiny, Juba (50 meters from the entrance to USA residential compound). For more information, please, contact the following:

Elia Kamilo Dimo, Director of Communication, SSDDRC. Tel. 0914 447124
Johanna Laurila, Public Information Advisor, SSDDRC. Tel. 0925 292390
 

JUBA, 30 August 2010 - The Sudan Presidency met yesterday 29th August 2010 evening under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of the Sudan, H.E. Field Marshal Omar Hassan al Bashir and agreed to hold the referendum of the self-determination for the Southern Sudan on 9th January 2011.

In a press conference held yesterday Lt.Gen. Sahlah Abdulla el Gosh, the Security Advisor for the President of the Republic and Mr. Pagan Amum Okech, the Government of Southern Sudan Minister for Peace-building and CPA Implementation called on the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) to carry out the points agreed on to complete the implementation as scheduled in a conducive atmosphere and to be free and fair.

The leaders pointed out that the Presidency meeting resolved that the demarcation of South – North boundary should be implemented before the referendum takes place. To support this, the Presidency formed a joint political committee headed by H.E. Pagan Amum Okech and Lt. Gen. Sahlah el Gosh to supervise the implementation of the boundary demarcation process and to provide political support for it.

H.E. Amum underscored the resolve of the Presidency to solve all the constraints confronting the Referendum Commission for Southern Sudan. He announced that the Presidency will meet today 30th August 2010 with the commission to provide them with the resolutions and the decisions taken. H.E. Amum also told the press that the Presidency will provide the necessary budget for the referendum to finalize the CPA implementation. He assured the people that the days coming ahead shall witness joint efforts between the two partners to move the constraints and to create new political arena to achieve peace.

By Thomas Kenneth
 

JUBA, 30 August 2010 – The Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) today voted to restore the parliamentary immunity of the SPLM-DC members.

During SSLA’s sitting No: 20/2010 which was chaired by the Right Hon. Speaker James Wani Igga, the GOSS Minister for Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development, H.E John Luk Jok presented the request to restore the immunity of the members who had been stripped of the immunity following an incident in Malakal on 22 May 2010 in which a paramount chief and seven other were murdered by unknown gunmen.

The members were stripped of their immunity to enable the relevant authorities to investigate the crime. The minister explained that the investigations are now complete and that the evidence does not directly link any of the members with the criminal incident.

The minister asserted that any accused person can be treated as not guilty until the evidence pointing otherwise is produced. He argued that since the four members of the August House are found not guilty, they should therefore be set at liberty as required by the law. He also said that the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development authority is given by the law and especially Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly. He urged the members of the August House not to mix criminal issues with politics.

After the minister’s presentation, the honourable members deliberated the request of the minister. After discussions and deliberations a motion was raised to restore the immunity of the SPLM-DC honourable members. A counter motion was also raised against the restoration of immunity. When the two motions were put to the vote, 86 honourable members supported the immunity restoration while 4 rejected it. 6 honourable members abstained. The members of the Specialized Committee who were busy with 2010 Supplementary Budget did not participate in the voting.

Reported by Clement Aturjong Kuot

JUBA, 30 August 2010 – The members of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) living in the United States of America (USA) on Friday, 27 August 2010, donated eleven (11) FM radio stations to the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS).

Receiving the donation on behalf of the government from the SPLM USA delegation, the Acting Undersecretary in the GOSS Ministry of Information, Mr Mustafa Biong Majak thanked the SPLM USA for their donation to the government. He also emphasized that the mass media and especially radio will be very critical in mobilizing the people of Southern Sudan for the referendum. He said that this donation has come at the opportune time.

Mr. Ladu Gobel, the head of the delegation, commended the Ministry of Information for its role in opening the way for them. He also appreciated the ministry for its commitment to the media work and continuing to inform Southern Sudanese and the general public with accurate information on the current affairs in the south. He also thanked the ministry for easing the facilitation of the licenses and provision of the frequencies for the eleven (11) FM radio stations that they have now donated to the GOSS.

Reported by William Jufur
 

JUBA, 30 August 2010 - Eighteen Southern Sudanese civil servants have benefited from a five days workshop on Monitoring and Evaluation Programme under the Regional Capacity Building Project supported by Palama in South Africa. The project targets countries like Southern Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi that emerged from conflict situations.

The Director General for Capacity Building Mr. James Tipo of the Ministry of Human Resource Development in the Government of Southern Sudan during the awarding ceremony on 27th August 2010, urged the participants to implement the lessons learnt to improve respect for departments in the government.

According to Sunjay Panday, Support Manager for Palama, the Regional Capacity Building Project is aimed to improve the management and leadership capacity of the public service in the three countries emerging from conflict through training and development.

Some of the graduands

Palama is a South African government department mandated to provide quality and customized training and development to public service institutions at the national and provincial level.

Mr Panday added that earlier on 9th December 2009 in Kigali a meeting was held on Capacity Building which revealed that a strong organisational development intervention will be required to develop a Public Service Training Strategy for the Government of Southern Sudan and to establish a management development institution able to implement the learning programme on the project.

He concluded that “the Regional Capacity Building Projects also aimed at strengthening institutional capacity building and improved curriculum development and training.”

Reported by Justin Jada Joseph
 

JUBA, 30 August 2010 – The Ministry of Health (MOH) in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) prioritizes the training of medical professionals and other health practitioners. Consequently, the ministry is looking for scholarship opportunities for the healthcare service providers to improve their capacity in delivering the services.

This was reiterated by the GOSS minister for Health, H.E Dr. Luka Tombekana Manoja and his undersecretary, Dr Olivia Lomoro during a meeting with the Director General and all the directors in the ministry held late last week at the Juba Teaching Hospital.

During the meeting, Dr Manoja also unveiled his vision for the ministry. The minister and the undersecretary promised to look into the challenges facing the medical and health workers in a bid to enhance their capacity to deliver quality healthcare services to the people.

Dr Lomoro also cautioned the healthcare workers against taking money illegally from the patients. She said that a committee will be set up to investigate allegations that some doctors are taking money from patients without following the procedures established by MOH and the Public Service.
 

Reported by Olaw Othon Dak
 

JUBA, 28 August 2010 – The standoff between the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) and its counterpart in the Government of National Unity (GONU) as well as the Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS) over the remission of Southern Sudan’s share of oil revenues in local currency, and not hard currency, has been resolved.

The First Vice President of the Republic and President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit was briefed on the matter yesterday by the President of the Bank of Southern Sudan (BOSS) and Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Sudan, Mr. Elijah Malok.

Shortly after the briefing, Mr. Malok told the press that the decision to transfer Southern Sudan’s oil share in the local currency was taken by individuals, among them being the minister for Finance in the GONU and implemented by officials in the Central Bank of Sudan.

Mr. Malok revealed that the issue was resolved after the GOSS sent a high-level delegation to Khartoum to look into the issue. The BOSS president said the political system of the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Governor of Central Bank of Sudan has now agreed to send Southern Sudan’s oil share in hard currency as usual.

By Thomas Kenneth
 

JUBA, 28 August 2010 - The Advisor to the President of the Government of Southern Sudan on Gender and Human Rights, Madam Nyandeng Garang today launched “Keep Juba Initiative” to rid Juba town of dirt and plastic bags.

Speaking during the launch of the initiative in Juba, Madam Nyandeng said the initiative is an important step in preventing diseases such as cholera caused by unhygienic and unhealthy conditions. “Diseases such as cholera brought about by unhealthy living conditions can be avoided by practising basic hygiene”, she said. She added that the initiative is also aimed at uplifting the status of Juba city to the level of the other developed cities in Africa and around the world.

Madam Nyandeng further challenged all the government institutions particularly the ministries of the Government of Southern Sudan to promote cleanliness and hygienic conditions at their places of work by mobilising their staff to take up the initiative. “Almost all the ministries are not clean. You will find that dirt is lying all over the area. These ministries have the resources and more importantly human resources that they can mobilize to keep their areas of work clean”, she stressed.

The Presidential Advisor urged the Government of Southern Sudan to come up with laws that will restrict dumping of waste and other materials in Southern Sudan. Madam Nyandeng described Southern Sudan as a “dumping ground” for used materials from other countries in the region. “Southern Sudan has become a dumping ground for waste from other countries. For example, cars that are no longer driven in other countries have found their way into Southern Sudan. The Government of Southern Sudan has to put an end to this”, she added. She further urged the government to ban use of plastic bags all over Southern Sudan.

Madam Nyandeng said the much-anticipated independence of Southern Sudan after the referendum will only be realized if Southern Sudanese can pay attention to simple tasks such as maintaining cleanliness and hygienic conditions around their homes and places of work.

The “Keep Juba Clean” initiative organised by the family of the late Dr. John Garang De Mabiro, was also attended by representatives of the Kenya Commercial Bank, Jit Supermarket, SPLA and women church groups.

By John Agou Wuoi
 

JUBA, 28 August 2010 - The Minister for Internal Affairs in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), Major General Gier Chuang Aluong, has categorically criticized the Sudan ruling National Congress Party (NCP) as an entity which has no political will of making unity achievable and attractive to the people of Southern Sudan as provided for in the Naivasha peace accord which brought the longest civil war in Africa’s largest country to an end.

Addressing a joint press conference attended by ambassadors, heads of different consulates and other dignitaries, besides the media, an eloquent Gen. Aluong attributed all sources of instability, rampant innocent killings and insecurity as artistic design by NCP in Khartoum to ensure that Southerners don’t enjoy the dividends of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). He said making unity attractive through the use of Sudan Airways white Chopper which ferries ammunitions, firearms and other logistical supplies to militias so that they compromise peace in the South would never help lure any Southerner in changing his/her mind towards unity of death.

He said the CPA which was signed in the Kenyan capital Nairobi in 2005 between the NCP and the SPLM has obliged the two principal parties to desist from supporting militias loyal to each other, giving only two armies besides the Joint Integrated Units (JIUs) composed of aggregates of equal numbers from the two sides of SAF and SPLA. However, he said some elements in the north are still supporting militias working against the Government of Southern Sudan and this is evidenced by the capture of the chopper M.I 8 ST-SFD-054 at Paloch recently in Upper Nile State.

The chopper in question codenamed as Special Flight Services was brought to Juba on 23rd August after it was captured ferrying military equipments and logistics to dissident General George Athor Deng who rebelled after he lost the seat of Jonglei state governor in the April elections to the SPLM candidate, Kuol Manyang Juuk. According to the minister, it is in the interest of all Southerners to see that the CPA is implemented fully.

In addition to the capture of the chopper, Gen. Aluong said the government is puzzled by the reckless utterances meant to incite chaos in the South by elements in the North like what was reported in a Chinese daily newspaper on August 25th quoting State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kamal Hassan, as saying that if the result of the referendum in Southern Sudan does not bring peace and stability to the region, it will not be recognized. “Peace and stability is a top priority for the Sudanese government, and if the result of [the] referendum is war rather than peace, we will not recognize it”, the minister is reported to have said.

Also in attendance was the GOSS Information minister, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, who said the CPA which was witnessed and supported by countries of IGAD, US, UK and Norway plus Arab League and many others is the only viable provision that would lead Sudan to sustainable peace, hence, there is need of internal support and goodwill to maintain it.

Dr. Benjamin said that the maintenance of peace in Southern Sudan is marred by several conflicts ranging from inter-tribal fights and cattle rusting which are instigated by elements in the NCP. However, he dismissed reports of inter-tribal conflicts in Southern Sudan saying that what existed in Southern Sudan is cattle rustling which has been there since the Anglo-Egyptian era. He said GOSS had been receiving reports from chiefs and civilians about the infamous white chopper which used to hover over Southern Sudan but NCP had been denying it.

The SPLA spokesperson, Lieutenant General Kuol Diem Kuol, said the chopper was captured after peace-loving Sudanese in the national intelligence gave them a tipoff about the plane supplying ammunitions to the renegade General Athor. He said certain elements in the Sudan government which support such mischievous activities do so to create the impression that Southern Sudan is not capable to manage its affairs and therefore should not be allowed to govern itself after the referendum.

By Atok Dan
 

JUBA, 27 August 2010 – Women suffering from the obstetric fistula condition should report to the nearest hospital to get treatment because this condition can now be managed here in Southern Sudan, H.E Dr. Luka Tombekana Manoja, the minister for Health in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) said yesterday.

The GOSS Ministry of Health in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched obstetric fistula surgical operation in Rumbek from the 16th August to 16th of September 2010. Obstetric fistula is a hole in the birth canal caused by prolonged labour without prompt medical intervention. A woman suffering from this illness usually has leaking urine or faeces or both, and in most cases, a still birth.

Dr Manoja (right) addresses the press accompanied by Dr Lomoro (left)
[Photo: Joseph Garang Deng]

This condition leaves the patient traumatized and with a tendency to hide from the public. This problem is being addressed by GOSS in collaboration with UNFPA which have hired specialist doctors from the neighbouring countries such as Ethiopia in order to redeem the situation in the Southern Sudan. Normally, patients have to come to Juba Teaching Hospital for treatment for this condition but many people seem not to be aware of it.

Dr Manoja explained that under this initiative, the patients will be transported to Rumbek free of charge and given accommodated till they are treated. Successful operations take about one month.

On his part Mr. Kondwani Mwangulube of the UNFPA South Sudan explained that since the beginning of the campaign 20 patients have been successfully been operated in Rumbek. He expressed hope that the number will increase with time as the information continues to reach the people in the rural areas.

The two were addressing a press conference at the ministry’s headquarters in Juba yesterday afternoon. The conference was also attended by the Acting Undersecretary in the ministry, Dr. Olivia Lomoro; UNFPA representatives and journalists from different media houses in Southern Sudan.

Reported by Joseph Garang Deng

JUBA, 27 August 2010 - The Minister for Internal Affairs in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), Maj. Gen. Gier Chuang Aluong has exposed a plot by what he called “elements within and outside Sudan” to disrupt or postpone “free, fair and timely conduct of the referendum in Southern Sudan”. 

Speaking during a media briefing in Juba on Thursday, Maj. Gen. Gier said some elements in Khartoum are supporting militia activities in Southern Sudan to create instability in Southern Sudan in order to call off referendum on self-determination. “We are aware that some elements in Khartoum are arming, training, providing financial and logistical support to armed groups and militias to cause instability that threatens peace and security in Southern Sudan. In so doing, some of these elements hope to use that as a basis for postponing referendum or stopping the exercise from taking place all together”, he said. 

The minister cited the recent capture of an aircraft transporting soldiers loyal to renegade Gen. George Athor Deng as a clear evidence of the involvement of elements in Khartoum in the recent wave of tribal conflicts and rebellion particularly in Greater Upper Nile region. “Our security forces captured a helicopter owned and operated by Sudan Airways that had been chartered to deliver supplies to Athor’s forces as well as [to] transport wounded soldiers to Khartoum for treatment”, he added. 

He also added that the helicopter which has been spotted several times in the area had been hired by Dr. Lam Akol who is working closely with Gen. Athor to form a political movement headed by Dr. Lam the former leading the military wing. The minister added that Dr. Lam Akol has been receiving support from Khartoum to disrupt preparations for referendum in Southern Sudan. 

Maj. Gen. Gier added that Sudanese security have been inciting tribal conflicts through re-arming communities and encouraging them to fight against each other. He reiterated that Gen. Tanginya incident in Malakal in 2006, Abyei clashes, tribal conflicts in Jonglei State of 2009 and LRA menace are all part of a master-plan designed by elements in Khartoum to portray Southern Sudan as unstable, insecure and that the Government of Southern Sudan has failed to govern the South and use this to postpone referendum. 

He appealed to the international community to support the Government of Southern Sudan to ensure “a timely, free, fair and transparent conduct of referendum that reflects wishes and aspirations of Southern Sudanese people”. 

Maj. Gen. Gier was accompanied by GOSS minister for Information, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, SPLA spokesman Lt. Gen. Kuol Deim Deng and other top security officials of the Government of Southern Sudan. Representatives of the diplomatic missions and consulates also attended. 

By John Agou Wuoi 

JUBA, 27 August 2010 - The Minister of Information, Hon. Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, warned on Thursday that the Governor of Sudan’s Central Bank, Mr. Sabir Mohamed al-Hassan, is losing the confidence of the people of the south by insisting that the bank had paid the south’s July and August shares of the oil revenue in hard currency.

‘’This is not correct. We have not received our share of the oil revenue in hard currency’’, said Dr. Marial, who is also the official spokesperson of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS).

Mr. Sabir on Tuesday (24 August 2010) insisted that the bank had paid up the south’s July and August shares in hard currency. His remarks followed a complaint by South Sudan’s minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Hon. David Deng Athorbei, that the bank had ‘’unilaterally stopped payment of the GoSS 50 percent share of the revenues in hard currency, and instead made the payment in local currency’’.

Mr. Sabir alleged that the Bank of Southern Sudan (BOSS) has a reserve of US$726 million, twice the amount the Central Bank possesses. Responding to Mr. Sabir’s allegations, a source at BOSS said: “We don’t have US$726 million. We only have a reserve of about US$300 million. Whenever the south has reserve, Sabir thinks it doesn’t need hard currency. This is why they transferred our share in local currency in July and August. What they don’t know is that this money is not transferred here (Juba) to be kept. It is to be used for providing services to our people.’’

Hon. Athorbei told a news briefing in Juba on 24 Aug 2010 that the Central Bank’s action was starving the economy of southern Sudan of the hard currency it desperately needs to operate. “The foreign exchange needed by the business community to pay for imports and to meet their foreign currency obligations and commitments cannot be provided. Investor confidence in southern Sudan is eroded as we cannot meet their foreign exchange requirements. The public is unable to send money to their families abroad for school fees or any other purpose’’, said Hon. Athorbei.

The 2005 north-south peace deal, called the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), calls for a 50/50 share of oil revenue between the north and the south. “Sabir is becoming a problem, although the Central Bank of Sudan has no role in the CPA. The CPA is very clear that the federal ministry of finance in Khartoum deals with the ministry of finance in Juba. It didn’t say that the south should deal through Sabir and the Central Bank,’’ the source BOSS said.

Mr. Sabir, a diehard Islamic fundamentalist, is coming under intense criticism in the south. His unilateral decision to stop the payment of the south’s share of the oil revenue in hard currency is widely seen in Juba as a desperate attempt to undermine the CPA at the time when the south is preparing for a referendum in January 2011 to decide on whether to remain part of a united Sudan or opt for an independent state.

“This (decision to stop the payment of the oil revenue in hard currency) has shaken our confidence in the governor of the Central Bank of Sudan. The governor is forgetting that he is serving both the north and south. We hope that this problem will be resolved amicably’’, Dr. Marial said.

There is a perception in the north that the south is using its hard currency reserves for buying weapons. Oil is crucial for the Government of Southern Sudan which depends on the revenue for 97 percent of its annual budget.

By Moyiga Nduru

JUBA, 26 August 2010 – The enemies of the Southern Sudan are sponsoring militia to cause insecurity in the country in an effort to sabotage the forthcoming referendum, the minister for Internal Affairs in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), H.E. Gier Chuang Aluong, has said. Maj. Gen. Gier explained that the intention of the saboteurs is to portray Southern Sudan as ungovernable and not ripe for independence so as to deny it the right to self-determination.

During a media conference held today in Juba, also attended by the diplomatic corps, the minister explained that the recent capture of the helicopter suspected to have delivered weapons and food supplies to the renegade General George Athor is evidence that the militia groups in Southern Sudan are receiving support from some benefactors. The minister further explained that investigations have revealed that the national intelligence and SPLM-DC are some of the sponsors of these militia groups.

Maj. Gen. Gier addressing the media accompanied by Dr Marial and top security officers
[Photo: Ajang Monychol]

On the helicopter, the minister explained that GOSS leaders have been receiving information, since 2006, from the public about a white helicopter which had been hovering over the region and sometimes dropping unknown cargo, especially in areas such as Pibor and Akobo whose security has been volatile. He said that initially, the leaders suspected the UN agencies because they are the ones which have white helicopters. The capture of the helicopter, he said, now settles the suspicions.

Critically, the minister explained that the crew and the passengers captured with the plane have given leads on the identities and motive of the sponsors of the operations. For instance, he explained that the crew reported that Dr Lam Akol have in the past contributed to the hiring of the helicopter and paid SDG 200,000 for ten hours’ operation to and from Belewic. The allegations about the involvement of the SPLM-DC, the minister said, have been corroborated by the former secretary general of the party, Mr Charles Kisanga, who decamped from the party recently to rejoin the mainstream SPLM.

Gen Gier explained that the SPLA received a tip from peace-loving members of the national intelligence about the helicopter, its trip and cargo on the 7th August 2010. The information intimated that the helicopter would deliver weapons and food supplies to Gen Athor. The SPLA together with the JIU laid ambush and intercepted the plane on its return trip. The minister explained that the security forces did not intercept the plane on the first leg of the trip to let it pick the passengers who would provide more information and evidence of the motive of the sponsors. The plane, its crew and passengers are now in the custody of GOSS. Investigations are ongoing and appropriate legal actions will be taken once they are complete.

Some of the diplomats who attended the function
[Photo: Ajang Monychol]

It is now evident that the cases of insecurity instigated by the militia have been supported from elsewhere to wreck havoc in Southern Sudan. “We have no factories that manufacture guns and ammunition; these militia get the weapons from somewhere else”, he said adding that the helicopter saga points to the sources of this support. The minister asserted that in spite of these incidents, and many others, GOSS is determined to lead the people of Southern Sudan to a peaceful implementation of the CPA. He said that the Southerners do not fear war but are restrained by their love for sustainable peace.

The minister decried the apparent dishonesty of some CPA partners and the Government of National Unity. “Sudan is eating itself when it is supposed to be making unity attractive”, he said. He emphasized that under the circumstances, unity is not tenable. He called on the international community to impress upon the CPA partners to be honest and pursue civil strategies to either unity or separation. He asserted that one partner cannot instigate disharmony and bloodbath in another’s region and expect no consequences. The minister emphasized, however, that Southern Sudan will not go back to war in spite of the provocation.

“We have tasted the bitterness of war. We are not interested in war now; we want to enjoy peace; to be engineers and doctors just like the citizens of the other countries in the region”, he emphasized. He said that even though the efforts of GOSS were being sabotaged, the government will not relent. “We are disarming the civilians and someone is busy rearming them”, he lamented but added that the resolve of the government to deal with insecurity conclusively will not be derailed.

Ag. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information, Mr Mustafa Biong Majak (left) accompanied by the DG of Southern Sudan Radio and TV, Mr Arop Bagat (second left); Director of News Agency of Southern Sudan (NASS), Mr Moyiga Nduru (second right); and Director of Training and Research, Ministry of Information, Mr Gwado Alor (right) follow the proceedings.
[Photo: Ajang Monychol]

H.E. Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin, the GOSS minister for Information who organized the media conference and was in attendance also said that GOSS is taking security matters seriously. He urged all the stakeholders and partners to collaborate in these efforts. He explained that the government is working round-the-clock to deal with insecurity issues emanating from LRA attacks, cattle rustling and militia groups.

The media briefing, held at the New Sudan Hotel in Juba, was also attended by top security officers, diplomatic corps and journalists from both local and international press. Earlier, journalists had an opportunity to view the helicopter which is at the Juba International Airport.
 

JUBA, 26 August 2010 – The minister for Information in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), H.E. Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin, today asserted that GOSS has not received any money from the Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS) as shares from the oil revenue.

The minister was reacting to allegations from the CBOS officials that GOSS has already received its share of the funds. Dr Marial tabled financial statements from the Bank of Southern Sudan (BOSS) and GOSS ministry of Finance and Economic Planning which indicated that the monies have not been remitted as claimed. Dr Marial explained that the funds, in excess of 132 million Euros, have not been received.

Dr Marial addressing the media
[Photo: Ajang Monychol]

Dr Marial appealed to the top leadership of the country to resolve the matter amicably. He, however, castigated the CBOS governor for being dishonest and acting in the interests of only one partner in the government. He reminded the governor that Sudan is still one country and that CBOS ought to serve the entire country. He said that CBOS holds all its funds on behalf of the people of the Sudan and should not be seen to be partial in its operations.

The minister said that GOSS needs these funds urgently to honour its obligations for the people of Southern Sudan. He expressed hope that this issue will be resolved as soon as possible so that the scarcity of hard currency in Southern Sudan may be resolved. He said this matter is affecting the economy negatively and should be given the priority that it deserves.

The minister made these remarks during a press conference at the New Sudan Hotel in Juba today.
 

JUBA, 26 August 2010 - The GOSS Minister of Labour and Public Services, H.E Awut Deng Acuil yesterday met the consul general of the Republic of China, Mr. Zhang Hao, in her office. They discussed about the formation of agricultural training institutes, vocational training institutions and co-operative farms in Southern Sudan as China has experiences in these areas.

H.E. Awut (left) meeting the Chinese ambassador

Furthermore, they also discussed about possible research to investigate soil fertility to ascertain which type of crop yields best in Southern Sudan and which one will be used as a cash crop to be sold at the International level.

In another development, the minister also met the Ambassador of Zimbabwe Madam Hilda Suka with whom she discussed the CPA implementation, particularly on the upcoming referendum and the political atmosphere in the country.

Reported by Jogo Joice Duku
 

JUBA, 26 August 2010 – Plans are underway to design new and modern studios for the Southern Sudan Radio and Television. This was revealed by the minister for Information in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) yesterday when he met a delegation from Media Consultancy International (MCI), a media firm based in Germany and which is undertaking the project.

The MCI delegation, which was led by Ralf Schimmel, underscored the role of the media in mobilizing the citizens to participate actively in democratic processes such as the forthcoming referendum. The minister, on the hand, urged the team to ensure that the studios being designed meet international standards.

H.E. Marial meets the French diplomat

Dr Marial also met the Assistant Director of the Embassy of France in Juba, Mr Claude Ryba, and discussed possible French support in the strengthening of radio and TV journalism in Southern Sudan. One possible areas of support, they agreed, is training of journalists. This will be done in due course.

In another event, the minister met a team of engineers from the Sudan National Radio led by Mahajob Osman al Hassan who is the director of Radio Omdurman. The engineers are in Juba to assess areas in which they can support Southern Sudan Radio. They are considering installing new radio transmitters to facilitate extensive coverage of radio broadcasts in Southern Sudan. They will also visit Malakal and Wau.

Dr Marial welcomes Miss Malaika
 

Dr. Marial also met the reigning Miss Malaika Southern Sudan, Ms Atong Ajak Maj, and her predecessor Ms Nok Nora Duany. The minister urged the beauties to mentor young girls and also to provide humanitarian assistance to the community especially on issues affecting children.

Reported by William Jufur
 

JUBA, 25 August 2010 - The Ministry of Labour and Public Service in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) has constructed a new Vocational Training Centre for Women in Lakes state, Yirol county at Aluakluak. The ministry also runs the renovated May/Wau Vocational Training Centre under CABIHRD Project funded by the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) in Western Bahr el Ghazal state. The ministry is therefore inviting applications from qualified Sudanese nationals to fill up the vacant posts in the two vocational centres. The deadline for the applications is 9th September 2010. Please, visit the “Career Opportunities” page for the positions and the Job Description.

KAMPALA, 24 August 2010 – The Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) Secretary for Syndicated organisation Comrade Martin Majut Dieak organised workshop today in the Africana Hotel in Kampala Uganda to brief the Southern Sudanese who live in Kampala on the forthcoming referendum.

The key issues discussed at the workshop include awareness creation on voter registration; the borders demarcation; issues relating to Abyei, Southern Kordofan, and Blue Nile; eligibility of voters; sensitization of the youths who are in Uganda to vote in the referendum of Southern Sudan scheduled for January 2011.

Comrade Majut urged the gathering of more than 4,000 Southern Sudanese at the hotel to vote wisely in referendum so as to stamp their choice. He urged the community representatives in Kampala to mobilize the people to register in large numbers to vote during the referendum and conduct civic education among the citizens on how to vote during the exercise.

Comrade Majut told the press that next year will be joyous for South Sudanese because they hope to get their independence. He urged the students who study in different universities and colleges as well as the mothers who are taking care of the children in Kampala to vote for the independence of Southern Sudan during the referendum.

He clarified that the issue of border demarcation will not affect the conduct of the referendum. He said the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) and Government of National Unity (GONU) are now discussing the issue and that it will soon come to an amicable end.

The acting Principal of Southern Sudan Liaison office in Kampala, H.E Ador assured the gathering that the Southern Sudanese who are in Uganda will register as voters at the opportune. He also urged the community leaders from different parts of Southern Sudan to get involved in the mobilization and civic education process for referendum to facilitate every eligible voter to exercise their right.

One of the delegates from Juba, Mr. Zalson Khor, read the Referendum Act to the people. He also highlighted the five major aims of the SPLM which are facilitating the referendum, good governance, security, food security, and provision of basic social services.

Reported by Peter Gai Manyuon
 

JUBA, 25 August 2010 – The traffic police in Juba have decried the rising incidents of traffic accidents and offences in the capital. The Director of Southern Sudan Traffic Police Service, Major General Joseph Lado Lako, said that Juba had experienced a decrease in traffic accidents but there was a sudden increase last week.

Speaking to the Southern Sudan Radio in an interview on Tuesday in his office in Juba, General Lako identified drunkenness, over-speeding and general negligence as the major causes of traffic accidents in Juba. He said the recommended speed within the city is supposed to be 40 kph but lamented that drivers don’t obey this rule leading to fatal accidents taking the lives of pedestrians, drivers or passengers.

General Lako also explained that harassment of public transport vehicles drivers is attributed to disobedience by elements of the traffic police force but not with the intention of targeting foreign drivers. He cautioned the members of the public not to accept to be driven by underage persons because it contravenes the traffic rules and regulations for drivers in Southern Sudan. He said that anyone who does risks the life of his/her child and would always be subject to punishment by law. He also blamed the public and drivers for their rigidity in obeying pedestrian crossing ethics leading to accidents.

“It is our sole responsibility and top [priority] to ensure that traffic accidents are completely reduced and minimized as we enter the referendum period”, General Lako emphasized. He concluded that the top agenda immediately after referendum is to reform the traffic department through further training of the officers to enable them to manage traffic issues and accidents effectively.

Report by Atok D Baguoot
 

JUBA, 24 August 2010 – The ministry for SPLA and Veterans Affairs in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) today assured the public and other stakeholders that the security situation in Southern Sudan is calm and that all efforts are being made to maintain it.

This was announced by the Undersecretary in the ministry, Lt. Gen. Bior Ajang Duot and SPLA spokesperson Lt. Gen. Kuol Dem Kuol during the weekly media forum hosted by the GOSS Ministry of Information in Juba.

They explained that even though there are some isolated cases of lawlessness in some areas especially in Jonglei and Unity states where some militia groups have been wrecking havoc, the overall security situation is normal all over Southern Sudan.

The two security officers also announced that the helicopter which was detained recently in Paloch airstrip together with the crew and passengers will be flown to Juba today. They also explained that the helicopter saga is an embarrassment to the national government and that investigations are ongoing to unravel the mysteries around it. They emphasized that the rights of all the crew and passengers will be respected according to the existing legal provisions.

H.E. Marial chairs the media forum. On his right is Gen Ajang and on his left is Mr Mustafa Biong Majak, the Ag. Undersecretary of Information [Photo: Ajang Monychol]

Gen Kuol reiterated SPLA’s commitment to protect the country and the people living within its borders. He said that the army is now pursuing the militia groups, including the LRA, aggressively and expressed hope that the recurrent attacks will soon be a thing of the past. He asserted that the army will not tolerate any persons or groups jeopardizing the security of the country and added that it will not spare any such entities. Gen Kuol announced that a militia leader in Unity state, Col Gatluak Gai was injured in combat and is reportedly in Khartoum for treatment and that Col Kun Char has taken over from him. He said the army will not relent until they are crashed. The general also reported that the former militia that used to attack boats in Upper Nile and led by Guang Robert who is associated with SPLM-DC, has been crashed. The militia leader, he reported, is now under the protection of the Shiluk king and is seeking opportunity to negotiate with the government.

They also called on the international community to work together to resolve the menace of the LRA. They also appealed to the national government and the other relevant authorities to negotiate with the governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central Africa Republic to increase patrol on their borders and also to allow the SPLA to pursue the LRA forces in those countries. They said that the SPLA is now prohibited from entering any of these countries to pursue the LRA which continue to ambush and then retreat to their safe havens in the neighbouring countries. “LRA is not a strong army; they only hit and run. They behave like rats which come out of their hideouts at night, steal food crumbs and then rush back to the holes”, Gen Kuol said adding that the SPLA will not spare any efforts to push them out of the country.

The generals refuted claims reported in some media outlets and on the Web that the SPLA forces have used excessive force in the disarmament process in Pigi County in Jonglei state. They explained that there were cases of alleged rape which were investigated and found to be false. They reiterated that the SPLA is not a guerrilla army any longer but a professional army whose members conduct themselves with decorum and respect to human rights. They also announced that disarmament is currently ongoing in Warrap state. They said that these disarmament efforts will continue until all illegally-held arms are mopped out.

The security officers also denied reports that the SPLA is harassing foreigners and international non-governmental organizations. They said that the army has only dealt with isolated cases where individual doctors have given medicine and food supplies to militia groups. They mentioned the case of Tear Fund which is recognized as a credible humanitarian organization but added that some of the individual employees of the organization had been engaged in un-lawful activities and links with some militia leading to their arrest. In such cases, they explained, the target is not the organization but the unscrupulous individuals. They also said that the recent registration of foreigners was a regular security measure to smoke out possible criminals in the country to avoid situations like the terrorist bombing in Kampala in July.

Gen Kuol stresses a point during the media forum [Photo: Ajang Monychol]

The officers also said that payment of the SPLA soldiers will be reviewed as soon as funds are available. They explained that the government appreciates the army and is committed to its welfare but added that it is not possible to increase the salaries at the moment. The terms of services will be reviewed as soon as ample resources are available.

The two officials addressed the media on behalf of their minister, H.E. Nhial Deng Nhial, who is out of the country on official duty. They were supported by the minister for Information, H.E. Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin who responded to policy and political issues on behalf of his colleague. For instance, Dr Marial explained that the SPLA has been transformed into a modern army with requisite legislation and policy frameworks entrenched within the Interim Constitution and other Acts of Parliament. He also said that he will create another slot in the near future when the line minister is available.

Dr Marial also announced that next week’s media forum will focus on the provision of health services and will be addressed by the minister for health. Today's forum was also attended by top Ministry of Information officials led by the Ag. Undersecretary, Mr Mustafa Biong Majak and Mr Arop Bagat, the DG of Southern Sudan Radio and TV, among others.
 

JUBA, 24 August 2010 – The minister for Information in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), H.E. Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin yesterday held meetings with diplomats from Iran and Zimbabwe in his office in Juba. During the meetings, the minister briefed the diplomats on the implementation of the CPA and the preparations for the forthcoming referendum.

H.E. Marial in meeting with Zimbabwean ambassador [Photo: Ajang Monychol]

The two delegations appreciated the cordial relations between their countries and Southern Sudan and expressed hope that this friendship will continue for the mutual benefit of the countries. The Zimbabwean delegation also promised to support the ministry in its capacity building efforts by providing training for journalists and other media personnel in the country.

The Iranian delegation was led by their ambassador Jawad Tor Kabary who is based in Khartoum while the Zimbabwean one was led by the country’s Ambassador Ms Hilda Suka Mafudze.

H.E. Marial meets the Iranian delegation [Photo: Ajang Monychol]

Reported by William Jufur Akol
 

JUBA, 24 August 2010 – The ministry of Health in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) is planning to build medical laboratories in all the ten states of Southern Sudan.

The Undersecretary in the ministry, Dr Olivia Lomoro announced this during a workshop for health sector stakeholders yesterday. She said that this initiative will help take medical services closer to the people and also to reduce the costs associated with seeking health services from Juba which is far from the states.

Dr Olivia Lomoro [File Photo]

Dr Lomoro called on the international non-governmental organizations and other sector stakeholders to support these efforts and help extend the reach of health services to all parts of the country. The workshop was held at the Juba Grand Hotel.

Reported by Olaw Othon Dak
 

JUBA, 23 August 2010 - The minister for Finance and Economic Planning in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) explains the foreign exchange situation in Southern Sudan. Click here for the document.

JUBA, 23 August 2010 - The Kakwa Community Association held a meeting in Juba on Saturday to enlighten the community on the forthcoming referendum.

Addressing the occasion, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, Professor Aggrey Abate urged the leaders of the Kakwa community to lobby sufficiently for the representation of the community in all levels of governments. He said citizens of Yei River County had been very hospitable to the SPLM/A during the liberation struggle.

Professor Abate also called for frequent meetings of the community to plan development projects to make the County home second to none. Central Equatoria State Minister of Social Welfare and Religious Affairs, Helen Mursal Boro urged student members of the community not to feel shy to seek assistance to further their studies and stressed the importance of educating girls for a better society in the future.

The president of the Kakwa Community Association in Juba Hon. Paul Yoane Bonju appealed to the entire Kakwa community to work together with the rest of the Southern Sudanese community to complete the arduous journey to the Promised Land through the referendum. He said the main reason of the occasion was to unite the people before referendum. “Yei River County is not only peaceful but is also a model of peace in the whole Sudan and Southern Sudan”, said Bonju. Kakwa Youth leader Mr. Francis Taban Nathaniel told the gathering that time has come for Southern Sudanese to realize that they are full citizens of the country and must vote wisely in the referendum.

Reported by Abraham Garang

JUBA, 23 August 2010 - The Director General for Labour and Industrial Relations in the Ministry of Labour and Pubic Service, Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), Madam Helen Achiro has called for the end of child-labour in Southern Sudan.

Madam Helen said this during a speech to close the workshop on child-labour issues held at the Beijing Hotel in Juba on 20th August 2010. The workshop brought together participants from NGOs, Ministry of Education Science and Technology and from the Ministry of Labour Public Service in the Government of Southern Sudan.

Madam Helen thanked the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for sending facilitators from Turin in Italy to train about seventeen participants who will act as “Trainers of Trainers” (TOT) to eliminate child labour throughout Southern Sudan.

Madam Helen added that all the participants will go and start advocating for the elimination of child-labour through scram model which remains one of the effective models used all over the world. She explained that Southern Sudan is the second country to be trained on this model, after Uganda. She called on the participants to implement the lessons learned during the workshop. However, the DG asserted that unless all stakeholders take the matter of child-labour seriously, the problem will not be eliminated in Southern Sudan.

The scram model emphasize that all the rights of children should be respected. One of the ways in which these fundamental rights of children were violated was by recruiting children as child-soldiers. She explained, however, that in Southern Sudan most of the child-soldiers have been demobilized and reintegrated into the society.

Madam Helen called on all the stakeholders to collaborate in this front. She explained that the role should not just be left to the government alone.

Reported by Justin Jada Joseph
 

JUBA, 20 August 2010 - The Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) through the then ministry of Presidential Affairs, now Office of the President, has developed a “Vision 2040” document to harness the resources and efforts of the government to transform Southern Sudan into a modern nation. Titled “South Sudan Vision 2040: Towards freedom, equality, justice, peace and prosperity for all”, the vision was adopted by the GOSS Council of Ministers on January 15, 2010.

The vision is founded on seven pillars: educated and informed nation; prosperous, productive and innovative nation; free, just and peaceful nation; democratic and accountable nation; safe and secure nation; united and proud nation; and compassionate and tolerant nation.

Educated and informed nation
On education, the government recognizes that the education system literally crumbled during the liberation struggle. The government also understands that historically, Southern Sudanese have never had a favourable education system. Both the colonial and Khartoum-based governments have only focused on providing elementary education in Southern Sudan which was merely aimed at producing junior government officers. Furthermore, the education system was not sensitive to the cultural contexts and needs of Southern Sudanese. The government also recognizes the fact that human capital is critical for the development of any nation. The vision is that by 2040, Southern Sudan will have quality education system that prepares its youth to cope effectively with the emerging challenges of the dynamic global environment. This education system will be characterized by its relevance, quality and accessibility; and will apply the latest information technology in expanding and enriching the learning experience.

Prosperous, productive and innovative nation
The vision is to transform the country to an economic powerhouse in which all members of the society play their honest part in the “baking” and sharing of the national cake. This vision will be achieved through the creation of a diversified economy driven by agriculture, industry, mining, manufacturing, tourism and services. The vision recognizes the role of all segments of the population including women, youth and communities synergized through appropriate partnerships. The vision is to generate sizable GDP and achieve full employment scenario in which the number of jobs available in the formal and informal sectors is equal to the number of the citizens seeking employment. It is also envisaged that by 2040, all Southern Sudanese will have obtained access to good quality basic shelter either in rural or urban setups.

Free, just and peaceful nation
The vision recognizes that the lack of freedom, equality and justice are some of the factors which drove the people of Southern Sudan to war. The people fought with the single determination to liberate the nation from the deliberate deprivation of these rights and midwife a just and tranquil society. These rights and aspirations are now enshrined in the Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan which seeks to guarantee the rights of all citizens. This vision will seek to entrench and perpetuate a tranquil environment in which freedom, equality, justice and peace thrives.

Democratic and accountable nation
A cardinal tenet of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the vision of the New Sudan is democratic transformation of the country. This will entail the mainstreaming of democratic practices and processes which enjoin the active participation of the citizens in determining their destiny. The vision identifies some of the hallmarks of democracy as decentralization of institutions; regular, free and fair multiparty elections; as well as widening of the democratic space in which all citizens can enjoy their civic rights. The vision is to nurture a Southern Sudan which will have developed morally, ethically upright and educated society matched by exceptional leadership that provides a role model for the younger generation.

Safe and secure nation
Citizens cannot be free if they don’t feel secure in their own country. The vision asserts that true freedom can only be realized if the country is protected from internal and external aggression. By 2040, it is envisioned that Southern Sudan will have established a crime-free society where all forms of crime and illegal possession of firearms as well as drug addiction will be eliminated. It is also envisaged that the law enforcement forces will be trained, strengthened and professionalized appropriately to win sufficient confidence of the citizens. Due to the increasing incidence of natural and other disasters, the vision recognizes disaster preparedness and management as a critical component of security. It is envisaged that by 2040, relevant institutions and procedures will be in place to anticipate, prevent and manage the consequences of natural and manmade disasters.

United and proud nation
The vision underscores the fact that the people of Southern Sudan have been marginalized for many years. It also recognizes the fact that all people of Southern Sudan played a role in the liberation struggle regardless of their ethnicity and domicile with the conviction that their common freedom and aspirations could not be achieved otherwise. The vision seeks to facilitate further integration so that by 2040 the country will have a united citizenry who though may be from diverse cultural or religious backgrounds are patriotic and proud to share a common heritage, national pride and desire for peaceful coexistence. This will be demonstrated by mutual respect and widespread use of the flag and other symbols that signify national harmony and common destiny. The vision also recognizes the place of the family and will seek to strengthen the family unit and maximize its benefits in transmitting social and moral values from generation to generation.

Compassionate and tolerant nation
The people of Southern Sudan have been gone through economic hardship for a very long time, forcing many of them into extreme poverty. Their expectation now is to have a compassionate and caring nation which offers support and opportunity to those who are poor and vulnerable and guarantees equitable share in the benefits of economic growth. It is envisioned that by 2040 all the people of Southern Sudan will have access to productive resources as a means to eradicate poverty to the extent that no one will live below the poverty line; Southern Sudan will be a tolerant nation that cherishes free expression of ideas, free practice of religion and association with other people in the pursuit of legitimate goals; and that no Southern Sudanese will be disadvantaged by gender, age, religion, creed, colour, ethnicity, language or political ideology. Significantly, the new Southern Sudan will have citizens who are law abiding, have strong moral values and exhibit high ethical standards.
 

RUMBEK, 19 August 2010 - Lakes State Governor, Engineer Chol Tong Mayay, has named the
long-awaited Commissioners for the state’s eight counties. The appointments come barely a week after the Government of Southern Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit relieved the Commissioners of their duties.

The decree appointing the new Commissioners was read by the State Information and Communications Minister Marik Nanga Marik.

In the new appointments, Isaac Mayom Malek is the new Cuiebet County Commissioner replacing John Madhang Majok while Deng Mathiang Deng becomes the new Rumbek North County Commissioner replacing Isaac Mayak Noah. Wulu County has Gideon Shilur Mbele as the new Commissioner as he replaces Simon Waiwai Ali while David Marial Gumke has been reappointed Rumbek East County Commissioner.

Matur Majok Magol replaces Dut Makoi Kuok at Rumbek Central County while Makur Kulang Lai becomes the new Yirol West County Commissioner replacing Dairdit Bol Dak. In neighbouring Yirol East County Bullen Bol Achinbai replaces the immediate former Commissioner Athian Majak Maloi while David Mayom Riak is the new Awerial County Commissioner replacing Simon Aguto Kok.

The new appointments have, however, been met with mixed reactions amongst the state residents, with some saying they have been imposed on the populace. Upon the announcement over the local media on Sunday night, students and village chiefs of Awerial County strongly opposed the appointment of David Mayom Riak as the new Commissioner. They have lodged a petition with the State Governor and the SPLM State Secretary seeking to revoke the appointment.

However, Information Minister Marik defended the appointment, saying the decree was final and satisfies all the state residents. “There is no way that the Governor is going to revise his decree”, he told the critics.

At the same time the SPLM State Secretary Samuel Mathiang Keer welcomed the appointments and said the appointments were made after wide consultations with the respective communities. “I wonder why Awerial people are rejecting the appointment of one of their own. There is no going back as the appointment has already been announced”, he said.

Reported by Manyang Mayom
 

JUBA, 20 August 2010 – The Ministry of Labour and Public Service in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) is working on an initiative to train 200 public service staff to equip them with modern skills in an effort to boost the delivery of services to the people.

The initiative was announced yesterday by the Undersecretary of the ministry, Madam Rebecca Joshua, on arrival from Nairobi, Kenya where a GOSS delegation led by the minister for Cabinet Affairs, H.E. Kosti Manibe, had met the Government of Kenya as well as other IGAD country representatives to discuss the initiative.

Madam Rebecca addresses the press yesterday

Madam Rebecca explained that her ministry is working on a mechanism of selecting the staff members who will then be trained in various skill-sets. The staff members are also expected to act as models for their colleagues. She explained that they will be trained in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and other IGAD member countries.

Reported by Jogo Joice Duku
 

JUBA, 20 August 2010 – The minister for Regional Cooperation in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), H.E. Deng Alor Koul, today met a delegation of Southern Sudanese students in Egyptian universities and other institutions of higher education, led by Peter Luka Makuaj Majak and Daniel Wur Thon, in his office in Juba.

The students briefed the minister on their activities and commitment to obtain their education and come back home to support the development of their motherland. They also expressed hope that they will be facilitated to cast their votes for the referendum from Egypt. They also asked the government to continue supporting them in all ways to enable them complete their education successfully.

On his part, the minister encouraged the students to keep up the spirit and remain determined. He also assured them that every effort will be made to enable the Southern Sudanese in the Diaspora to vote during the referendum.

H.E. Alor also met the renowned Southern Sudanese scholar and novelist, Prof Taban Lo Liong, who is currently a lecturer at the University of Juba. During the meeting, the minister urged the local artistes, journalists, writers and scholars to use their skills and platforms to disseminate the message of the referendum and mobilize the people to exercise their democratic right effectively during the referendum. Prof Lo Liong assured the minister that all the people in the creative sector will mobilize the people to vote wisely during the referendum.

In a similar event yesterday, the minister also met representatives from the UNDP in Sudan led by the Project Manager, Mr Francis Luwangwa, and the Planning & Budgeting Coordinator, Mr Ferdinand Olang. They underscored the need to prepare adequately for the referendum and mobilize the Southern Sudanese in the Diaspora to participate actively in the process. The UNDP representatives pledged to support the budgeting for the landmark event.

Reported by Miriam Maneno
 

JUBA, 19 August 2010 – The President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, has appointed Mr Jimmy Lemi Milla as the new minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development. The President also decreed the movement of Dr Anne Itto Leonardo as the new minister for Agriculture and Forestry. Dr Itto was formerly the minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development.

The position of minister for Agriculture and Forestry fell vacant following the demise of the late Dr Samson Kwaje.

According to the Presidential Decree No. 72/2010, the appointments are effective from 17th August 2010. Click here to read the decree.
 

JUBA, 18 August 2010 – The Ministry of Investment in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) has identified agriculture and development of infrastructure as the key investment areas for Southern Sudan in short term.

According to the minister for Investment, H.E. Gen. Oyay Deng Ajak, the two sectors hold the key to sustainable development in Southern Sudan. During an interview in his office yesterday, the minister explained that robust agriculture will address the food insecurity in the country and reduce the cost of living besides facilitating better livelihood for the people. He also explained that good infrastructure such as road networks will open up the country for investment in the other sectors such as tourism.

H.E. Oyay also explained that another priority sector for investment is education. Recognizing the fact that educational institutions and systems crumbled during the two decades of the liberation war, the minister explained that Southern Sudan needs modern schools and other tertiary training institutions to build the human capital needed to spur development.

The minister also identified mineral resources and the oil sectors as the other major potential investment areas in Southern Sudan. He said that the country holds vast deposits of precious natural resources and oil wells which remain largely untapped.

H.E. Gen. Oyay stresses a point during the interview

H.E. also assured the potential investors, especially foreigners, that the country will remain stable regardless of the outcome of the referendum. He explained that GOSS and the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) are committed to the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and will not allow any parties to provoke it into returning to war. He also said that the security forces are doing their best to safeguard the peace.

“We have lost so much and so many lives. Going back to war is not tenable. We are working to facilitate the full implementation of the CPA”, he said.

The minister also encouraged the young people to consider investing in agriculture rather than run to the towns for quick money. He said that Southern Sudan is blessed with fertile arable land with sufficient rainfall which the people can exploit to produce adequate food to feed the country and even export. He also said that Southern Sudan has the potential of being the bread basket for the region, a potential that can transform the country if tapped well.

H.E. Oyay also encouraged the citizens to forge partnerships with potential foreign investors to achieve the economies of scale which ensure better returns. “We are in need of almost everything; the people of Southern Sudan need to work together with credible partners worldwide to develop the country”, he said.
 

JUBA, 18 August 2010 – The Indian ambassador to Sudan, Mr Avanidra Kumar Pandey yesterday expressed the keen interest of his country in the development of Southern Sudan.

During a meeting with the minister for Regional Cooperation in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), H.E. Deng Alor Koul, the diplomat said that India is keen to support the development sectors in the country especially health, general capacity building and higher education.

H.E. Deng Alor assured the diplomat, who was accompanied by the Indian Consul General in Juba Primal Kar, that Southern Sudanese are ready for partnership with sincere, cooperative and development minded countries.

The meeting was also attended by the Undersecretary in the ministry, Mr George Justin Achor.

Reported by Miriam Maneno
 

JUBA, 17 August 2010 – H.E. Jemma Nunu Kumba, the minister for Housing and Physical Planning in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), today announced that plans are underway to develop modern housing estates 15 km outside Juba and in all the other ten states.

The minister further explained that the project is envisaged to provide mass housing with complete community amenities such as water, power, telecommunication, roads and sewerage systems. She said that these estates will serve as models of modern cities which will remain as examples to be followed by the coming generations.

H.E. Kumba also explained that the plan targets the poor and will use low cost building techniques and materials to make the houses affordable. She said that the $ 10 billion project will be implemented by Abu Malek Companies & Agencies Ltd. with funding from Canada. She also said that the actual cost of the project will depend on how much the government guarantee the company will get.

The minister was speaking to the press during the weekly media forum organized by the GOSS ministry of Information at the ministry’s headquarters in Juba. She also reiterated what she said yesterday to a delegation of senior Central Equatoria state officials led by the governor, H.E. Clement Wani Konga, that the role of issuing land registration certificates lies with the state governments adding that her ministry’s role was just to register the plot numbers only.

H.E. Jemma Kumba (centre), H.E. Dr Marial (right) together with Dr Wani (left) during the media forum [Photo: Ajang Monychol]

Dr. Daniel Wani, the Undersecretary in the ministry also explained further that the current plan in Juba is not good and that the ministry is working on a model which will be unique to Southern Sudan. “We are not going to copy Khartoum but we are going to establish our own [model] to avoid creating class system but [develop] one where all people live harmoniously”, he said. He also advised the public not to waste time on moving to empty plots which may be demolished later but said that they should instead save money to buy a readymade property which has all requisite facilities. He encouraged citizens to work with local design companies and individuals. “We want to discourage too much reliance on the outside planners. This has caused building houses in Juba to be much more expensive than any other city in the world. We have professionals in the South; what we need is the way forward to empower them to do the job”, he advised.

In response to a question about the saga of Kuwait Housing Project, especially whether the houses are being rented out or being owned by some individuals, Dr. Wani explained that those houses are not under the ministry but under Central Equatoria state. He clarified that his ministry will not interfere with them adding that their role now is to facilitate appropriate policy for building new houses. The Kuwait Housing Project was implemented in the 1970s after the signing of the Addis Ababa as part of developmental assistance to the Southern region by the Kuwaiti government.

The minister for Information, H.E. Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin, who chaired the forum, congratulated the minister and her Undersecretary for enlightening the media about their plans in the ministry. He also said that the planned housing estate will provide an opportunity for the civil servants and other citizens, especially the young people, to invest wisely by taking loans and mortgages from the banks and other financial service providers to own houses and support the realization of GOSS’s vision of providing proper housing for the people of Southern Sudan.

Today’s forum was also attended by the Acting Undersecretary of the ministry of Information, Mr. Musafa Biong Majak, senior government officials and the members of different media houses.

In other news reported by Mr Alfred Eddy, H.E. Jemma Kumba also met the Indian ambassador to Sudan, Mr Vahinda Kumar who is based in Khartoum. They discussed possible technical support to the ministry on areas of sanitation. Her Excellency assured the diplomat that the government is open to receive investors from India willing to invest in housing.

Reported by Joseph Garang Deng
 

JUBA, 17 August 2010 – The Government of Southern Sudan’s minister for Finance and Economic Planning, H.E. David Deng Athorbei, today submitted the 2010 Supplementary Budget to the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA).

While presenting the 2010 Supplementary Budget during the SSLA’s sitting No. 20/2010, H.E. Athorbei reported that no funds shall be transferred without being presented to the Assembly first in accordance with sections 4&5 of the Appropriation Act for approval.

H.E. Athorbei presenting the 2010 Supplementary Budget

The total of the 2010 Supplementary Budget is SDG 5.570 billion instead of SDG 4.483 billion earlier planned. Thus, the budget has increased by 24 percent. The additional items will cater for the new and old GOSS institutions as well as famine relief and grain reserve purchases which were purchased last year. The amount allocated to relief is SDG 80 million and SDG 50 million for reserve grain.

The session was attended by several GOSS ministers among them, H.E. Gier Chuang Aluong, Minister for Internal Affairs; H.E Garang Diing Akuong, Minister for Energy and Mining; H.E. James Kok Ruea, Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management; H.E. Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and the Auditor General. The sitting was chaired by Right Hon. Speaker James Wani Igga who called upon all the GOSS ministers to attend all sittings deliberating the 2010 Supplementary Budget in the forthcoming sessions of the SSLA until it is passed by August House. Today’s quorum was 112 members.

Reported by Clement Aturjong Kuot
 

JUBA, 17 August 2010 - The SPLA General Headquarters on Friday issued a statement on the chopper that had been captured by the SPLA forces in Faluj early last week. The statement read as below:

On 8 August 2010, at 2:00 pm, a helicopter with the registration ST-SFD-O54 landed at Faluj airstrip. Asked about its destination by the airport security, the crew said the plane was flying to Fangak. The people of Fangak according to the statement were informed about the plane destined for their area. The plane took off but after three hours failed to arrive at Fangak. Eventually, the plane returned to Faluj. Shortly after this second landing at Faluj one renegade officer disembarked and took to his heels much to the surprise of onlookers. The security personnel approached the plane and discovered eight other persons on board. The members of the crew were two Russians and a Pakistani. Among the passengers was the third man in command of Athor Deng’s rebellious movement. The plane is grounded and the remaining passengers and the crew taken to custody.

Reported by Abraham Garang

JUBA, 17 August 2010 – Pensioners in Southern Sudan now have a reason to smile because experts from the National Pensions Fund arrived in the capital, Juba, on Sunday 15 August 2010 to deal with all pending pension issues in the region.

While receiving the experts and delegates from the states, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour and Public Service, Madam Rebecca Joshua, described the visit as an historic milestone in the pensions management that will help sort the pending pensions files to the benefit of the pensioners and their families. The Director General of the National Pensions Fund and Coordinator of Sudan States, Mr Makawi Geilani underscored the significance of the visit and explained that it will facilitate the resolution of the pending pension cases in the country.

The same message was also reiterated yesterday by Mrs Hellen Achiro of the Ministry of Labour and Public Service when she announced that the team of experts have begun reviewing the files. One of the experts, Mr Kenneth Loboka Wani said that the initiative marks a turning point for the pensioners as well as the widows and orphans of the former civil servants. Another expert, Mr Standslous Obac Edward urged the pensioners to remain calm as the process progresses.

Reported by Justin Jada
 

JUBA, 16 August 2010 – The airplane detained by the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army (SPLA) at the Paloch airstrip has suspicious cargo and passengers who have confessed that they are members of the Gen. George Athor militia.
 

The plane which was detained last week had come from Khartoum and landed briefly at Paloch before proceeding to Panjak where it took longer than usual raising the curiosity of members of the public. When it landed back at Paloch three hours later people rushed to it to find out what may have happened only for one of the passengers to take off on foot raising the suspicion further.

The detained crew and passengers [Photo: Ajang Monychol]

When members of the public searched the plane, they discovered seven (7) injured people who upon interrogation confessed that they are member of the militia group allied to the renegade Gen. George Athor and were on their way to Khartoum to seek medical attention. Perhaps in an effort to win public sympathy, they claimed that they were in the process of decamping from the group to rejoin the SPLA allegedly because Gen. Athor was not giving them any money.

The plane also had three crew members – two Russians and one Pakistani – who when asked about the cargo they had delivered claimed that they had not inspected the cargo but only relied on the manifest which showed the cargo as humanitarian aid. They also alleged that they had been chartered by a group associated with Dr Lam Akol and Salah el Ghouch.

One of the detained passengers speak to the press [Photo: Ajang Monychol]

One of the passengers who had escaped on foot was later apprehended. He also confessed that he was a member of the militia associated with Gen. Athor and that he and his colleagues had been injured in combat and were heading to Khartoum for treatment.

The plane, its cargo and passengers, are still being held at the Paloch airstrip pending further investigations.
 

Reported by Joseph Garang Deng

JUBA, 16 August 2010 – The Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) today appointed the chairpersons and deputy chairpersons for the specialized committees of the Assembly.

H.E. Wani Igga during the SSLA sitting

During the SSLA’s sitting No: 19/2010 chaired by the Honourable Speaker, H.E. James Wani Igga and attended by 123 honourable members, the house received and discussed nominees for the various specialized committees. After deliberations, the following chairpersons and deputy chairpersons were appointed:

1. Security and Public Order - Hon. Aleu Ayieny Aleu
2. Economy, Development and Finance - Hon. Prof. Bari A. Wanji
3. Public Accounts - Hon. Kom Kom Geng
4. Constituency Development Fund (CDF) - Hon. James Reth Gony
5. Legislative and Legal Affairs - Hon. Dengtiel A. Kur
6. Information and Culture - Hon. Joy Kwaje Eluzai
7. Members Affairs - Hon. Daniel Deng Monydit
8. Regional and International Cooperation - Hon. James Lual
9. Natural Resources and Environment - Hon. Pascal Bandindi
10. Education Science and Technology - Hon. James Janga Duku
11. Peace and Reconciliation - Hon. Mathew Mathiang
12. Health and HIV/AIDS Affairs - Hon. Dr. Martha Martin Dar Both
13. Services and Physical Infrastructure - Hon. Stephen Ajongo Akwal
14. Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs - Hon. Anjelina Nyamouka
15. Gender, Social Welfare, Youth and Sports - Hon. Debora Chol
16. Public Service and Administration - Hon. Timothy Tot Chol
17. Industry, Energy and Mining - Hon. Henry Dilang Odwar

Deputy Chairperson standing specialized committees:

1. Security and Public Order - Hon. David Akwier Akwany
2. Economy, Development and Finance - Hon. Henry Omai Okolawin (Declined)
3. Public Accounts - Hon. Kutin Bayak Gil
4. Constituency Development Fund (CDF) - Hon. Betty Achan Agawro (Declined)
5. Legislative and Legal Affairs - Hon. Parmena Awerial Along
6. Information and Culture - Hon. Lucy Lyaya Linca Loki
7. Members Affairs - Hon. Umjuma Juma Sabil
8. Regional and International Cooperation - Hon. Rowi Koul Jal (Delined)
9. Natural Resources and Environment - Hon. Atotok Yak
10. Education Science and Technology - Hon. Akod Deng Kuac
11. Peace and Reconciliation - Hon. Ngong Deng Gum
12. Health and HIV/AIDS Affairs - Hon. Mary Kiden Enoka
13. Services and Physical Infrastructure - Hon. Gordon Matot Tut
14. Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs - Hon. Remijo Lasu Peter
15. Gender, Social Welfare, Youth and Sports - Hon. Mary Nawai Martin
16. Public Service and Administration - Hon. Akur Akol Deng
17. Industry, Energy and Mining - Hon. Jusmine Samuel Adakayi

The session was also attended by H.E. Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Minister for Information; H.E. Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs; H.E. Madut Biar Yel, Minister for Communications and Postal Services; H.E. John Luke Jok, Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development; and H.E. Anthony Lino Makana, Minister of Roads and Transport.

Reported by Clement Aturjong Kuot
 

JUBA, 16 August 2010 – The minister of Housing and Physical Planning in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) today hosted a delegation from the Government of Central Equatoria state led by the Governor, H.E. Clement Wani Konga.

The parties discussed the issue of land registration and ownership in the state. The government had stopped issuing land registration certificates and thus making land ownership transfers impossible. There had also been misunderstandings on which government agency – between the state government and the GOSS ministry of Housing and Physical Planning – should issue the certificates.

The parties agreed that the provisions of Article 54 of 2009 give the GOSS Ministry of Housing and Physical Planning the authority to issue land registration certificates. However, they noted that this is yet to be tabled before the Council of Ministers. Consequently, they agreed that the state government will continue to issue the land registration certificates until further notice.

The meeting was also attended by the chairman of the Southern Sudan Land Commission, the Central Equatoria state ministers for Environment, and Physical Structure as well as the Undersecretary in the GOSS Ministry of Housing and Physical Planning, among others.

Reported by Alfred Eddy
 

JUBA, 13 August 2010 – The Political Bureau of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) is holding an emergency meeting in Juba today.

According to the SPLM Secretary General, H.E. Pa’gan Amum Okech who is also the current GOSS minister for Peace Building and CPA Implementation, the meeting will discuss many issues among them the referendum date which the National Congress Party (NCP), through its influence, wants to deliberately delay with many excuses such as non-completion of the demarcation of the borders as well as the notion of inadequate time.

H.E. Amum asserted that the SPLM’s position is always clear that the referendum should be held on its due date that is on the 9th January 2011, as is stipulated in the CPA. He explained that the border demarcation should have been done within the first six months of the interim period but it was delayed by the NCP to date, and yet they now want to say that they are concerned about the demarcation. H.E. Amum explained that the real intentions of the NCP seem to deny Southern Sudan and Abyei an opportunity to exercise their political right to choose between unity and separation. He warned that if the referendum failed to be held on the due date, then Southern Sudanese have other options which are also stipulated in the CPA. The Secretary General also explained that the Abyei referendum process is being obstructed by the NCP yet the international court of arbitration ruled that the border of Abyei be demarcated immediately. He said that it seems that the SPLM and NCP are facing a political deadlock. He appealed to the IGAD member countries and the international community to intervene.

H.E. Amum (right) address the press at the Juba International Airport accompanied by H.E. Malik Agar [Photo: Joseph Garang Deng]

Another issue to be discussed at the meeting, said H.E. Amum, is the post-referendum arrangements. He explained that various committees have been formed to work out the post-referendum arrangements whether Southern Sudan chooses unity or separation. H.E. Amum said that these prior arrangements would facilitate peaceful coexistence between the two countries should the South choose for the separation or confederation incase the people vote for unity. H.E. Amum reported that the first round of discussions has gone on well and expressed hope that the second round will also proceed likewise. “We the SPLM want the transition period to end peacefully without taking people back to war”, H.E. emphasized.

He dismissed media allegations that there are some Southern Sudanese who support the postponement of the referendum.

The Secretary General was accompanied by H.E. Malik Agar, the governor of Blue Nile State; Yasir Arman, SPLM Deputy Secretary General for the Northern sector; H.E. Paul Mayom Akec, the GOSS minister for Water Resources and Irrigation; Dr. Mansur Khalid, the Advisor to the President of the Republic of Sudan; Dr. Adwok Nyaba, the Minister for Higher Education in the Government of National Unity (GONU); and Dr. Tabitha Boutros, among other SPLM Political Bureau members.

Reported by Joseph Garang Deng and Emmanuel Dumba
 

JUBA, 13 August 2010 - In his two-day visit to Kampala- the capital of Uganda, the first Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and President of the Government of southern Sudan, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit and the accompanying delegation was warmly received upon his arrival at Entebbe International Airport by the Ugandan state minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Okello Oryem.

H.E. Salva Kiir visited Kampala as a result of an invitation extended to him by the President of Uganda H.E. Yoweri Museveni. The GoSS Minister for Regional Cooperation Mr. Deng Alor described the visit as successful and explained that the presidents Kiir and Museveni in a meeting at the state House in Entebbe discussed bilateral relations and cooperation between the GoSS and Ugandan Government besides issues relating to peace and stability in the region.

Hon. Alor added that H.E. Kiir briefed the President of Uganda on progress on the CPA implementation, referendum and outstanding issues, and that the two presidents appreciated the cordial relations between the two countries.

H.E. Kiir also conveyed his condolences to President Museveni on the untimely death of the former Ugandan former President Mr. Geoffrey Binaisa. H.E. Salva Kiir left Kampala and returned to Juba yesterday afternoon.

Reported by Thomas Kenneth
 

JUBA, 13 August 2010 – The minister for Labour and Public Service in the Government of Southern Sudan, H.E. Awut Deng Acuil, today met the Ethiopian ambassador to Sudan, Mr Negash Legesse in her office in Juba.

During the meeting they discussed issues relating to the scholarships offered to the Government of Southern Sudan by the Ethiopian government last year as well as the preparations for the referendum. The minister emphasized that the referendum is an important milestone in the CPA and said that all systems will be set to ensure that it goes on as planned.

Madam Awut also met her Regional Cooperation counterpart H.E. Deng Alor Koul yesterday and discussed public service appointments in the ministry. She assured H.E. Alor that the two ministries will work hand in hand for better service delivery to the people of Southern Sudan.

Reported Jogo Joyce Duku
 

JUBA, 13 August 2010 - The Governor of Jonglei State, H.E Eng. Kuol Manyang Juuk has reported that the security situation in the state is under control.

Speaking today on arrival at the Juba International Airport from the state capital Bor, the governor also reported that the security situation in Pigi where the renegade Gen. George Athor Deng was active is now under control. The governor also said that the forces allied to Gen. Athor are now being pressed by the Sudan People liberation Army (SPLA) to either surrendering themselves or be overcome militarily.

The governor also explained the recent incident in which a suspicious plane was captured in the state. He explained that there was information from a civilian that a humanitarian plane was being used to flow in guns and ammunitions from a neighbouring country to Dengjok area near the Sudan border. He said that these arms would then end up in the hands of the Gen. Athor base. The governor said that the plane was monitored and eventually intercepted and detained last week by the SPLA with wounded soldiers on board on their way from the base to Khartoum. H.E. Manyang also reported that the security situation in Pibor County is also calm.

However, the governor reported that the only problem facing people now in Jonglei state is the flood affecting all the seven counties which have swept crops and endangered the life of the people. This problem, the governor said, has been exacerbated by the recent outbreak of Kalazar disease at Pigi and Ayod counties where 40 people have reportedly died of the disease. The governor said the situation is desperate as there are no adequate health facilities available forcing the local people to walk long distances carrying patients on their shoulders with blankets to seek for treatment because the road network is dilapidated.

H.E. Manyang being received at the Juba International Airport [Photo: Joseph Garang Deng]

The government has tried to manage the situation with the little available resources. The governor also announced that the Minister for Health will travel to Ayod tomorrow to assess the health situation. He also appealed to all the well-wishers to intervene to save the lives of the people affected by these catastrophes.

The governor was received by Jonglei State coordinator in Juba Mr. Ali Atem Diing and other senior government officials.

Reported by Joseph Garang Deng
 

JUBA, 12 August 2010 – The Acting Director of the National Pension Fund, Mr Kenneth Loboka Wani today urged all pensioners who may not have returned their files to hurry and do so immediately because the fund will begin sorting the files from 15 August 2010.

Mr Wani was speaking when he hosted the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Labour and Public Service, Madam Rebecca Joshua and other officers from the ministry in his office in Juba today.

Madam Rebecca (second left) poses with the officers after the visit [Photo: Michael Abram Philip]

During the meeting, Madam Rebecca announced that a technical team is expected in Juba next week to work on the files and sort out the pending issues once and for all. The Undersecretary also explained that these files will be kept with the pension fund for five years after which they will be archived. She encouraged pensioners or their next of kin to visit the pension fund offices and confirm the status of their files.

Madam Rebecca said she is happy with the progress made so far and expressed hope that this sensitive matter will finally be concluded. She reiterated the commitment of her ministry to the social wellbeing of the civil servants who, she said, should now reciprocate by rendering exceptional services to the people.
 

Reported by Jogo Joice Duku

JUBA, 12 August 2010 – H.E. Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin, the minister for Information in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) today announced that the ministry will prioritize English training for journalists to empower and wean them from the Arabic patterns in tandem with the emerging contexts and needs of Southern Sudan.

Dr Marial made the remarks when he hosted a delegation of the Government of Uganda led by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. James Mugume, and the Ugandan Consul General in Juba, Amb. Busho Ndinyenka. The parties underscored the role of information in facilitating democracy, national development and regional cooperation. Dr Marial said this role is even more critical now as the country moves forward to the self-determination referendum next year.

Dr Marial (right) and Amb. Mugume during the meeting [Photo: Ajang Monychol]

Dr Marial thanked the delegation for considering issues of mutual interest between the two countries. He also explained that as a young government, GOSS still needs the support of its neighbours to mature. One of the areas where the government needs greater support, he said, is capacity building. For the Ministry of Information, this support can be rendered in news coverage, media institutions management and programming. The minister also asked for support in rural communication in this era of new technologies.

The top officers at the Ministry of Information led by the Acting Undersecretary, Mr Mustafa Biong Majak, also reiterated that the biggest challenge the journalists in Southern Sudan face is inability to communicate effectively in English and asked the Ugandan delegation to explore possibilities of collaborating on conducting English language crash training programmes. This, they said, would enable the journalists to collect, collate and report news and perform other journalistic functions with ease.

The Director General of Southern Sudan Radio and TV, Mr Arop Bagat also said that the parties should explore issues pertaining to expansion of coverage of state radio and TV broadcasts in the respective countries. This, he said, would be important in cementing the cordial relations between the two countries given the high number of Southern Sudanese in Uganda and vice versa.

The parties in discussion [Photo: Ajang Monychol]

Other areas of possible support identified during the meeting include exposure of Southern Sudanese journalists to new technologies and techniques through attachments with the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation; exchange of video editors and telecommunications engineers; on the job professional training in various areas of journalism such as editing and news writing; exchange of correspondents; collaboration between the journalists’ unions; and integration of local languages in TV and Radio programming.

Amb. Mugume thanked the ministry for the hospitality and assured the minister that the two teams would work together to develop appropriate strategies for collaboration in the identified areas. He also said that Uganda will support the interests of Southern Sudan through regional and international platforms such as the United Nations, IGAD and the African Union.

Touching on the referendum, Dr Marial said that dialogue is ongoing on post-referendum issues such as nationality, identity, citizenship, property rights, sharing of national wealth, international debt repayments (currently estimated at USD 36 billion), national security, pension schemes for civil servants, and border demarcations. However, he asserted that the referendum will proceed as planned in spite of the fact that some of the issues may not be concluded by the time of the referendum.

Additional reporting by Emmanuel Dumba Dima
 

JUBA, 11 August 2010 – The Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) today rejected a motion seeking to lift the waiver of the immunity of four SPLM-DC members in the August House.

The motion had been moved by Hon. Dengtiel Ayuen Kur, on behalf of the GOSS Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development, during the SSLA sitting No.18/2010 chaired by the Acting Speaker, H.E. Daniel Awet Akot. Hon. Kur made a case for the lifting of the waiver saying that the affected members were investigated and cleared of any wrongdoing by the relevant authorities. However, the members of the August House in attendance rejected the motion and asked the concerned minister to present the motion in person.

Hon. Kur moving the motion. [Photo: Clement Aturjong]

The SSLA had waived the immunities of four SPLM-DC members on 8th June 2010 following acts of violence in the Shilluk Kingdom in which a paramount chief was killed. The affected honourable members are:

1. Hon. Samuel Aban Achin
2. Hon. Andrew Okony Ayom
3. Hon. Onyoti Adigo Nyikwac
4. Hon. Martha Angar Kur

The sitting was attended by 95 members. The house then adjourned.

Reported by Clement Aturjong Kuot
 

JUBA, 11 August 2010 – The chairperson of the Southern Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission (SSACC), Dr Pauline Riak today reiterated that the war on corruption is on course and that it will certainly be won.

Dr Riak made these remarks at the Juba International Airport on arrival from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where she had attended a three-day workshop on corruption organized by the World Bank and the UNDP, among other organizations. She said that she had learned a lot from the workshop and also had opportunity to network with heads of similar organizations in the region.

Dr Riak (right) escorted from the plane by Mr Deng Yai, the SSACC Executive Director [Photo: Matata Safi]

The SSACC chairperson asserted that corruption is a global vice and affects even mature democracies. She reported that a lot of ground has been covered in the efforts to curb it in Southern Sudan, even more than what other countries have done. She urged all the people to support these efforts to eradicate the vice.

Reported by Emmanuel Dumba Dima
 

JUBA, 11 August 2010 – The minister for Labour and Public Service (MoLPS) in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), H.E. Awut Deng Acuil yesterday announced that an initiative to review and improve the performance of the public service is ongoing.

H.E. Awut also explained that the review will also encompass the enumeration of all the civil servants employed both by GOSS and the Government of National Unity in Southern Sudan. She also explained that a team from Khartoum is expected in Juba in due course to sort out pending pension issues. She appealed to international community and donors to lend a hand in the pension programme.

H.E. Awut meeting the USAID delegation in her office in Juba

The minister also reported that the ministry is aggressively embarking on promoting vocational training to improve the skills of the people to enable them to create employment opportunities and support national development.

H.E. Awut made these remarks yesterday when she met a USAID delegation led by the mission director, Mr William Hammink. During the meeting, the USAID delegation expressed willingness to support the ministry so as to empower it to facilitate the delivery of quality services to the people of Southern Sudan.

Madam Awut also emphasized that the referendum will go on as planned. She also promised that this time round the voting process will be managed well.

Reported by Jogo Joyce Duku
 

JUBA 10 August 2010 – The minister for Labour and Public Service in the Government of Southern Sudan, H.E. Awut Deng Acuil today addressed the media forum hosted weekly by the Ministry of Information.

The minister addressed issues relating to pension scheme for the civil servants who worked in the government controlled areas as well as those who worked as volunteers in SPLA controlled areas prior to the CPA; public sector reform programmes; as well as public service policies and ethics.

On the pension scheme, the minister announced that the ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Government of National Unity (GONU). She explained that under that MOU, GONU will pay the pensions of all the people who worked in government controlled areas prior to the CPA, that is, from 31 December 2005 backwards. She also said that GOSS will pay the pensions for the civil servants from January 2006 onward.

The minister also explained that GOSS is working on modalities of paying some gratuity to those who volunteered services in the SPLA controlled areas during the war. However, she said that the modalities are still being developed and that consultations on the same are ongoing.

Madam Awut also allayed fears that if Southern Sudan secedes after the referendum then GONU may renege on the MOU. She said the teams discussing the post-referendum arrangements will deal with this. She also explained that she doesn’t foresee a situation of such betrayal because there are also Northerners working in the South and GOSS will pay their pensions as well.

On public sector reforms, the minister elucidated the reform programme undertaken by the ministry to streamline the operations of the public sector so as to deliver services to the people of Southern Sudan. She explained that the programme began in 2008 and has resulted in the development of policies, structures, and systems which govern public administration. As a consequence to these reforms, the minister explained, a number of actions have been taken to streamline operations. One of these include a clean-up of the payroll system to rid it of ghost workers, a procedure which she said has saved the government about SDG 6 million since 2007.

Madam Awut (third left) addresses the media forum accompanied by H.E. Marial (centre) and Madam Rebecca Joshua (second left).

The minister also reported that the ministry is in the process of installing an electronic payroll system which will also help clean up the payroll further. Through this system, salaries will only be paid through bank accounts which will reduce loopholes which may be exploited by unscrupulous people to embezzle the meagre resources which could be used for other purposes to benefit the people of Southern Sudan. H.E. Awut also reported that the ministry is currently deploying a new personnel records system to keep this important information safe and accessible for posterity.

Madam Awut encouraged public institutions and ministries to play by the relevant rules and regulations when recruiting and promoting employees. She said that the era of recruitment and promotion based on friendships or relations is over and that now these must be based on merit and performance. She decried the habit of young graduates who insist on being employed at the Director General level which she described as the send-off post from which civil servants ordinarily retire. She explained that if these graduates were to be employed in that grade, they would have to stagnate in those positions for many years. This would not be beneficial to both the civil service and the officers.

On the fate of the former civil servants who resigned to contest political positions whether successfully or not, the minister explained that consultations are underway to explore how to treat them. She said the relevant institutions are working on this and that the ministry will act as soon as a decision has been made.

The minister was accompanied to the meeting by the Undersecretary in the ministry, Madam Rebecca Joshua. They were hosted by the minister for Information, H.E. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, who also chaired the session.

The media forum is held weekly by the GOSS ministry of Information to enable the media to interact with various GOSS leaders and institutions in an effort to keep the public and other stakeholders abreast on various matters of public interest.
 

Additional reporting by Emmanuel Dumba

JUBA, 10 August 2010 – The minister for Labour and Public Service in the Government of Southern Sudan, H.E. Awut Deng Acuil today urged all public servants to do their honest part in delivering services to the people and the country.

During the weekly media forum hosted by the Ministry of Information, the minister emphasized that “every civil servant signs a contract of service to the people of Southern Sudan” and they must deliver as per the terms of their contracts. She decried the practice of some civil servants who just “sit and pass the files”. She emphasized that all civil servants must be productive.

The minister also announced that the ministry is in the process of installing electronic log in and log out systems to track the punctuality and attendance of public servants to duty. She explained that at the moment, some civil servants report on duty late and leave early while others just stand in groups outside offices and pass time yet they are earning salaries. She also discouraged idlers from visiting offices because they disrupt work procedures in the offices.

The minister announced that disciplinary action will be taken on people who flouted their terms of contract. She encouraged civil servants and public institutions to work closely with the Establishment officers to ensure seamless operations.

The minister also encouraged Southern Sudanese citizens, especially the youth, to work hard and develop their own country. She recalled how the citizens used to cultivate and provide food enough for the country. She admitted that the war disrupted these activities but encouraged the people to go back to these habits to become self-sufficient.

On her part, Madam Rebecca Joshua, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Labour and Public Service, refuted the notion that Southern Sudanese are lazy. However, she admitted that the current generation seems to lend credence to this notion because they are focusing only on white collar jobs. She encouraged the youth to create jobs by getting involved in the informal sector. She reported that there are many Vocational Training Centres in the country where the youth can acquire skills to enable them to be gainfully engaged in income generation and national development.
 

JUBA, 9 August 2010 - The Acting Undersecretary in the Ministry of Information wishes to announce to all the shortlisted candidates for positions in the Public Information Centre (PIC), Government Printing Press, and News Agency of Southern Sudan (NASS), that the interviews scheduled for tomorrow 10 August 2010 have been postponed to the 19 August 2010. Any inconvenience is regretted.

JUBA, 9 August 2010 - A Southern Sudanese youth referendum advocacy group called Southern Sudan Youth Forum for Referendum (SSYFR) has strongly defended the popular opinion among Southern Sudanese to vote for a sovereign and independent Southern Sudan during the upcoming referendum on self-determination.

Speaking during a meeting with a joint parliamentary group from the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the National Assembly on Sunday, Southern Sudan Youth Forum for Referendum representative Mr. Ajou Deng said that Southern Sudan has decided to vote for separation during the referendum describing calls for unity as unrealistic. “We, the Southern Sudanese have already decided to vote for an independent Southern Sudan where we will live as first class citizens. We continue to be oppressed everywhere in Sudan and those calling for unity of Sudan have not done anything to make unity attractive”, he stressed.

Daniel Deng, another vocal member of Southern Sudan Youth Forum for Referendum, said that the history of the Sudan favours Southern Sudanese quest for separation adding that Southern Sudanese will vote for separation during the referendum. “Our brothers in the North have done little to make unity attractive. For example before independence of Sudan, the British who colonised Sudan asked Sudanese authorities then to propose names of Sudanese to fill 800 civil servants position being left by the British. Only four positions were allocated to Southern Sudanese, this situation has not changed until now, Southern Sudanese continue to be discriminated against and oppressed”, he said.

Members of My Referendum for Freedom (MRF), a civil society group that is creating awareness on the referendum among Southern Sudanese through civic education programs, also said that the current situation does not favour unity of Sudan adding those calling for a united Sudan are not “sincere” as evidenced by negative media campaign in Khartoum against Southern Sudan and those calling for separation.

The chairperson of MRF, Nyanthon Hoth Mai said those calling for unity have failed to address the critical issues that led to the war between the North and South. “It’s important that we critically look at the issues that brought fighting among ourselves. Even if Southern Sudanese vote for a united Sudan now, that does not really solve the problems of the Sudan. We will still go back to war”, she said. She strongly criticised the so-called Unity Support Fund set up to convince Southerners to vote for a united Sudan describing it as “coating bitter with sugar”. “We did not go to war because of money and availing money for unity will not convince Southerners to vote for unity”, she maintained.

The youth also called on those campaigning for calling for unity to focus on solving the Darfur crisis instead of focusing on Southern Sudan because “Southern Sudan [was] gone [a] long time ago”. They also cautioned the ruling elite in Khartoum against rigging the referendum as this may lead to renewed conflict between the North and the South. The Youth maintained that Southern Sudan and Northern Sudan will continue to live side by side and that there is no need to panic as Southern Sudan prepares to separate.

Joint members of the parliamentary group, among them representatives from Darfur in the National Assembly said they will present their report on issues raised by the youth when the National Assembly convenes.

Southern Sudan Youth Forum for Referendum is holding a public rally today (Monday) to mobilise Southern Sudanese to vote for separation during the upcoming referendum.

By John Agou Wuoi
 

JUBA, 8 August 2010 - The Commander in Chief of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit yesterday, the 7th August 2010, at SPLA General HQs promoted more than twenty senior SPLA officers, as part of the continuous process of SPLA re-organization.

Among senior officers who were promoted include Lt. General James Hoth, the SPLA Chief of General staff who is now promoted to become a full General, and Major General Wilson Deng Kuachrot is promoted to Lt. General, besides twenty Brigadier Generals are promoted to the rank of Major General.

Shortly after the promotion ceremony, the SPLA C-IN-C congratulated the new promoted officers for their new posts and urged them to be alert and carry out their missions in reforming, re-organizing the SPLA and provide security services for the people of Southern Sudan in the coming critical period.

On his part, the SPLA Chief of General Staff, Gen. James Hoth appreciated the C-IN-C for the confidence he has in them. Gen. Hoth also assured the C-IN-C that the newly promoted officers are committed to fulfil their missions in serving both the SPLA and the people of southern Sudan in general with utmost dedication.

Reported by Thomas Kenneth

JUBA, 8 August 2010 – The members of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) from Greater Equatoria and a delegation of the Emergency Sub-committee for the Referendum and Consolidation of Unity from the National Assembly met on Saturday 7 August 2010 at the Assembly in Juba and discussed several pertinent issues concerning the forthcoming referendum.

The delegation from the National Assembly is in Juba to seek the opinions of Southern Sudanese on the referendum due to be held in January 2011. Speaking during the meeting, the members of the National Assembly led by Mohamed El Sadiq told the Greater Equatoria members of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly that the delegation would convey the facts gathered to the National Assembly. He also said that recognition of the diversity of the Sudan is of paramount importance adding that it forms the basis of the unity of the Sudan. Ustaz El Sadiq also asserted that the opinion of the people of Southern Sudan must be respected after all.

The Greater Equatoria Members were forthright in their declaration of the fact that since the independence of the Sudan in 1956, the South has never experienced any genuine peace and development. Therefore, the general opinion of the people of the region, they explained, is total independence from the North so that the South may manage its own affairs.

The National Assembly had formed an emergency committee comprising three sub-committees namely, sub-committee of referendum and unity consolidation, sub-committee for political affairs and sub-committee for Darfur peace to carry out enlightenment programmes on the benefits of a united Sudan.

Reported by Abraham Garang
 

JUBA, 6 August 2010 –Dr Samson Lukare Kwaje, the late minister for Agriculture and Forestry in the Government of Southern Sudan, was today laid to rest at 11 am in his rural home in Lainya County.

The ceremony was attended by top leaders of the Government of Southern Sudan led by the Vice President, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny; several GOSS and GONU ministers; members of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly; state ministers from Central Equatoria and Upper Nile; the UNMIS representative, Mr David Gressly; friends and relatives from other parts of Africa, Europe and America.

During the ceremony, Dr Machar explained that the late Dr Kwaje was a selfless leader who played a big role in the liberation struggle. Dr Machar lauded the service Dr Kwaje rendered as the spokesman of the SPLM/A; and also during the CPA negotiations in Nairobi. Lately, he successfully coordinated the SPLM presidential campaign in the recent elections.

The GOSS Ministry of Information was represented by the Acting Undersecretary, Mr Mustafa Biong Majak; and the Director of Public Information, Mr Paul Jacob Kumbo. The peaceful ceremony was well attended by the community. The final funeral rites will be conducted tomorrow in his rural home and in Juba on 14 August 2010.

Reported by Clement Aturjong Kuot
 

Thomas Kenneth Elisapana
Presidential Press Unit
Office of the President
GoSS – Juba

JUBA, 6 August 2010 - Interested companies and individuals are invited to tender for the following:

1. Competition for designing a logo for the Ministry of Culture and Heritage;
    
2. Invitation for bids for the design of structure to house Museums; Theatre/Cinema; Art Gallery; Hall of Fame; Recording Studio; and Library;
    
3. Invitation to tender for the construction of office and accommodation facilities for the Nyal-Shambe-Terakeka fisheries production and marketing project.

For details, please, visit the "Tenders" page.