Day: February 5, 2023

The eastern Sudanese High Council of Beja Nazirs and Independent Chieftains faction led by Ibrahim Adarob announced its disavowal of any central bloc, in particular the mainstream Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC-Central Council) and the recently established FFC-Democratic Block.

In a statement on Friday, the faction’s political secretary and official spokesperson Sayed Abu Amna accused “all traditional and modern national power centres and institutions of deliberately excluding the Beja people, Beja Council, and all other people in the region from all the political processes that are taking place”.

Adarob’s faction repeated its rejection of the Eastern Sudan Track protocol in the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA), while “the two FFC blocs both have accepted the protocol”. The statement further warned of “attempts to exploit the eastern Sudanese problems in Khartoum”, adding that any plans to break up the Beja Nazirs Council “will backfire on the security and stability of the country”.

The High Council of Beja Nazirs and Independent Chieftains witnessed a rift last year, when a faction opposed to Hadendowa Beja Nazir and Council President Sayed Tirik, made their own plans and joined the Forces for Freedom and Change-Democratic Block (FFC-DB) in early December last year.

However, both factions have been calling for the cancellation of the Eastern Sudan Track protocol of the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) and threatened to decide on self-determination for the region if Khartoum would not comply with their demands.

Eastern Sudan Track

Rebel leader and Sovereignty Council member El Hadi Idris, stated that not even one per cent of the Eastern Sudan Track agreement has been implemented.

Idris called on the protocol’s objectors to communicate their views in the conference on governance in eastern Sudan, that will soon be organised by the AU-IGAD-UNITAMS Trilateral Mechanism.

Regarding calls to annul the Eastern Sudan Track protocol, Idris told Radio Dabanga that “this is not possible, because it is part and parcel of the JPA, and if a part of this agreement is cancelled, this means that the entire agreement is cancelled”.

He stressed that the signatories to the Framework Agreement are committed to an evaluation of the protocol and any of points of contention “will be addressed through the conference.”

“Many people criticise the agreement without having seen it. Others do not look at the gains but only care for the puppets,” he told Radio Dabanga.

He added that the protocol “stipulates a focus on development and reconstruction of the region”, saying that almost “$300 million would be allocated annually for seven years for this purpose”.

Idris underpinned some of the developmental strides the protocol could make, such as combatting safe water scarcity, particularly in the three eastern Sudanese states “which need drastic improvement”.

Source: Radio Dabanga

The inter-Sudanese dialogue conference to discuss a range of contentious issues was launched in Cairo on Thursday and was attended by at least 75 Sudanese political representatives. The Egyptian government who brokered the conference, which is set to conclude on February 8, hosts various Sudanese voices representing political parties, movements, civil society organisations, displaced people and refugees, and native administrations, in addition to a number of diplomats from the USA, Europe, South Sudan, and the Arab League.

Noureldayim Taha, a leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement under the leadership of Minni Minawi (SLM-MM), told Radio Dabanga that issues related to the democratic political transition, constitutional arrangements, a political declaration, the formation of the transitional government, as well as post-transitional issues will be discussed.

El Amin Daoud, head of the eastern Sudanese United Popular Front for Liberation and Justice, reported to Radio Dabanga that the opening session on Thursday included welcoming words from the Egyptian side, and speeches from the representatives of the various participating blocs.

Chief amongst the conference’s welcoming speakers was Jibril Ibrahim, head of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) on behalf of the Forces for Freedom and Change-Democratic Block (FFC-DB). El Tijani Sisi for the National Movement Forces, and Nabil Adib, representing the Sudanese civil society also reportedly welcomed the delegation.

Daoud also stated that preparations are ongoing for three conferences in Red Sea state, Kassala, and El Gedaref “with the participation of all parties in eastern Sudan”, in order to agree on a roadmap to address the crises in the region.

He underscored that the most influential parties in eastern Sudan did not sign the Framework Agreement, arranged by the FFC-Central Council, due to their “affiliation with the FFC-DB”.

The FFC-CC has attempted to convince both JEM and SLM-MM separately, founding members of the FFC-DB, to join the signatories of the Framework Agreement, yet refuses to “flood the political process” with parties and alliances “that are not interested in democracy” such as the FFC-DB.

Yahya El Hussein, head of the Sudanese Ba’ath Party, said in a press statement on Friday that his party apologised for the Cairo conference. He said he does not believe that the platforms in Juba, Cairo, and Khartoum “will lead to a positive result”.

The party adheres to its proposal in solving the Sudanese crisis through a Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue within the country, stating that Sudan should “return to the Declaration of the Forces of Freedom and Change and other revolutionary charters, away from international and regional influences”.

Source: Radio Dabanga

Several officials who were detained for over a week by the SPLA-IO forces while on a peace mission in Mogok Payam of Ayod County, Jonglei state have been released.

The officials detained on January 24 included Ayod county executive director Juach Gathoth and the county SPLM party secretary-general, Tot Kai Teny.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, James Chuol Jiek, the Ayod County commissioner, said the officials were released on Wednesday after a delegation from Bor and Juba arrived in Mogok.

“Last week, I sent a delegation led by the county executive director on a peace mission to Mogok because there was tension over cattle rustling with our Nyirol neighbors,” Chuol said. “But as the delegation arrived there, they were detained by an SPLA-IO commander called Thomas Diang.”

He added, “There was no reason for their week-long detention and they were only later released following negotiations by a delegation from Juba and Bor.”

Tot Kai, one of the released officials called for an investigation into their detention.

“We were a delegation of 11 led by the county executive director, and included the county finance director plus three women representatives and then security guards. Our mission was to preach peace so that our youth do not revenge because of a cattle raid carried out by a youth group from Nyirol County on December 19,” he said. “However, on reaching, we were detained for almost nine days. We were not investigated and there was no reason for our arrest. So, we want an investigation into this incident.”

However, Lt. Col. Khor Nyang Mabor, the spokesperson for the SPLA-IO Sector 3 in Jonglei State, said no officials were arrested in Ayod.

“Those people moved from Ayod town to the area without communicating with our commander. After this message was intercepted, they were told to hold on because there was an ongoing youth mobilization and our leadership wants to stabilize the area first but they refused and came,” he said. “So, what happened was they were not arrested. There were at the compound of our commander for their safety because if anything was to happen to them we could have been held accountable since the area is under our control.”

Source: Radio Tamazuj

South Sudan’s Vice President for the Gender and Youth Cluster and the widow of SPLM founder Dr. John Garang said her husband and all who lost their lives in the liberation struggle died in vain.

Madam Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior was addressing Christians at the All Saints Cathedral in Juba on Saturday during the service presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby who were in the country on an ecumenical visit with the Pope and the moderator of Scotland.

Nyandeng said it was unfortunate that the church leaders came at a time when ‘the country was bleeding’.

She was referring to the recent incidents where 27 people were killed in Kajo Keji County of Central Equatoria State on the eve of the church leaders’ visit to South Sudan.

“My condolences to those who lost their lives in Kajo Keji, being the cattle herders and the residents of Kajo Keji,” she said.

“My heart is broken and I am sure if it was not for this country, Dr. John would not have died. But he died for you. But the way his people are dying now, he died in vain. Change your hearts,” she added.

Madam Nyandeng acknowledged that the government had failed the people of South Sudan and urged the church to pray for the leadership to forgive each other and work for the people.

‘Our hearts and minds are filled with bitterness. Pray for us for forgiveness so that we can open a new page,” she urged.

“I want you to pray for political will so that we as the leadership accept one another because if we accept one another we will not be working as parties but as one government and serving one people,” she stressed.

According to Nyandeng, the leaders who are supposed to serve the nation have taken their positions for prestige instead of service.

“Let us stop divisions, let us stop the bitterness in our hearts. We are one people, God created us in his own image,” she concluded.

The Vice President also called on her fellow leaders to open their eyes to the invasion on South Sudan lands by neighbors who she said are using their disunity to amass lands.

Source: Radio Tamazuj

Pope Francis on Sunday urged South Sudanese to remain hopeful assuring them of his prayers and efforts to bring lasting peace to the conflict-ridden nation.

He made the call during the Holy Mass held at Dr. John Garang Mausoleum to end a three-day peace pilgrimage to South Sudan.

“Hope is the word I would leave with each of you, as a gift to share, a seed to bear fruit. As Saint Josephine reminds us, women, especially here, are a sign of hope, and in a special way I thank and bless all the women of the country,” Pope said.

“To hope, I would associate another word, the word that has echoed in these days and – this I desire with all my heart – in days yet to come: peace,” he added.

The head of the Catholic Church said they will continue to accompany and pray for South Sudan to achieve lasting peace.

“I came here with my brothers Justin and Iain, whom I sincerely thank. We will continue to accompany your steps and do all we can to make them steps of peace, steps to peace,” he said.

The 86-year-old pontiff entrusted the path of reconciliation and peace to the women of South Sudan.

He expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome accorded to him, Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland Rev. Dr. Iain Greenshields.

“I am grateful to all of you, brothers and sisters, who have come here in great numbers from various places, spending many hours, if not days, on the road. I thank you for the affection you have shown me, but also for your faith and your patience for the good you do and the hardships that you willingly offer to God without growing discouraged but continuing to move forward.”

Archbishop of Juba, South Sudan, Stephen Ameyu Martin hailed Pope for his visit.

“I hope your visit is a sign of solidarity with us and shows the desire to restore tranquility in this country. Your Holiness, you have come to our country to urge our political leaders to work for peace and the common good of Sudan and South Sudan,” said Ameyu.

The Holy Mass was attended by more than 150,000 people.

Pope leaves South Sudan

After the Holy Mass, the Holy Father left South Sudan for Rome after a three-day trip to the African youngest nation.

The plane carrying the head of Catholic, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and Church of Scotland Moderator Iain Greenshields took off at 11:56 AM at Juba International Airport on Sunday.

Source: Radio Tamazuj

Construction works for new offices of Bor municipality is underway, with residents being asked to pay SSP 2,500 to fund the project.

The town’s mayor, Samuel Ateny Pech, told Radio Tamazuj over the weekend that the project which started in mid-January will be the headquarters for the municipal council when completed.

“We are now constructing the new offices for Bor Municipal Council at a site that was allocated to us by a previous government in 2013. Foundation has been laid and we expect the 16-office building to be ready in 6 months,” he said.

Ateny said the 473,000 USD project is funded by locally-generated revenues and that all households within the bounds of the municipality have been asked to voluntarily contribute SSP 2,000 each to the project.

A resident of Bor, Bior Ajang Garang, lauded the initiative.

“I heard it over the radio that each house should contribute at least 2000 SSP. I paid because I consider it as part of development,” he said. “However, they should not specify the amount since theirs is a request because there are families who can not afford 2000 SSP.”

Another resident, John Makuei, who also serves as Achengdiir quarter chief, said the project means service delivery.

“As residents, we are happy with the new project because it means we will now get better services. In Achengdiir, we raised at least 700,000 SSP from 350 households. The people of Bor are happy with this initiative,” he said.

Source: Radio Tamazuj

The Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS), through the leadership of the Primate Justin Badi Arama, on Saturday honored Retired Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth with an award for evangelism and his work in the church.

Primate Justin Badi Arama announced the award during the service presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the All Saints Cathedral in Juba.

“In recognition of his evangelistic ministry in the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, we nominated him for the accent Award of Evangelism. We are glad that the Archbishop of Canterbury with his committee, honored our nomination and approved the award for Nathaniel Garang,” Badi said.

Garang was the first Diocesan Bishop of Bor in Jonglei and the first South Sudanese bishop to receive from the Anglican communion.

“Today, on this fourth day of the month of February, in the year 2023, I the most Rev. Dr. Justin Badi, honor our beloved in the Lord, the Rt. Rev. Nathaniel Garang Anyieth, by handing over this accent Award for Evangelism, in the name of God the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Badi presided.

He described Bishop Garang as a man of great passion saying, “During the liberation struggle, he dedicated himself to spreading the gospel among the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), and all traditional practitioners in Jonglei.”

Bishop Nathaniel retired in 2011 after nearly 30 years of service as the Bishop of Bor Diocese, a position he has held since 1986.

He was consecrated in 1984.

Source: Radio Tamazuj