28 August 2014
Good afternoon. It’s 1pm and I am Agole Alex with the Radio Miraya news.
The headlines:
- IGAD monitors release report on violations
- The body of the late Eliaba Surur expected in Juba today
- Authorities in Upper Nile receive fuel to boost agriculture
IGAD envoys have released a report of violations of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
The report was compiled by IGAD Monitor and Verification teams and covers the period January to the 21st of August.
Sworo Charles Elisha is here with more…
Sworo Charles Elisha:
*********************************
“The report lists 12 violations over the eight-month period. The opposition has been cited for committing eight violations, while government forces have been pinpointed for five. The first violation recorded was in April committed by the opposition forces in Mayom, Rubkona and Bentiuin Unity State. The opposition has also been accused of carrying out attacks in Ayod, Jonglei State and Nasir in Upper Nile. On the government side, the report highlights an attack by armed youth loyal to the government on a protection of civilian’s site in Bor in April. The government has also been cited for various violations in Bentiu, Nasir and Maban. The monitors have advised IGAD special envoys to take appropriate action against parties in response to the violations. Neither side has commented on the report. I am Sworo Charles Elisha for Radio Miraya News.”
President Salva Kiir has briefed members of the SPLM Political bureau and the National Liberation Council on the recently signed matrix for the cessation of hostilities agreement.
SPLM Acting Secretary General Ann Itto says the briefing is to acquaint the party leadership about the protocols how they will be implemented.
The meeting is expected to reconvene today and will be attended by the government delegation at the talks who are now on recess.
The body of the late James Eliaba Surur is expected in the country in afew hours.
Eliaba Surur, one of the country’s war veterans fought in the Anyanya war movement and was also the founder of the People’s Progressive Party.
David Lukan is here with more:
*************************************
“The remains of the late James Eliaba Surur are expected in Juba at about three o’clock in the afternoon. A requiem mass will be held at All Saints Cathedral in Juba followed by a procession to his home in Rock City – Hai Tarawa. His body will lie in State at the National Legislative Assembly on Friday before being flown to his home village in Lainya County for burial on Saturday. The late Eliaba died from suspected kidney failure in Kampala last week. He was 87 years old. I am David Lukan for Radio Miraya News.”
The Ministry of Agriculture in Upper Nile has received fuel for farmers.
The State Agriculture Minister, Thou Chan Liyol, says the ministry has received 3000 barrels from the National Ministry of Agriculture, to be used for tractors and other mechanized farming equipment.
Liyol says the fuel will be distributed to farmers today.
Chan Liyol: “We received the approved quantity of 3000 barrels and this will be distributed to four counties – Renk, Maban, Melut and Akoka. Famers’ Unions and County Committees will get their share of the fuel from today. After that every county will have a committee to distribute the fuel. Each committee will have representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, the agricultural bank and famers.”
You are listening to Radio Miraya News
Authorities in Kajo-Kejio County in Central Equatoria State have made an urgent plea for the repair of the main county road.
County Commissioner Henry Kala Sabuni says three culverts along the Kajo-Keji–Juba road have been washed away, causing a lot of flooding along the route especially during the rainy season.
Sabuni says the road will soon be cut off.
The commissioner says he has made several requests to the state government.
Henry Kala Sabuni: “My problem in Kajo-Keji is road infrastructure. That is my serious sickness. All the roads connections from payam to payam, boma to boma and county to county, have become a very big issue. I continue putting it in my report. All those who come here also take it as part of their report. I hope with all this information, including this one now over Radio Miraya, my government will see it to that at least something is done before this rain blocks us and leaves us as a landlocked county.”
In 2007, motorists from Kajo-Keji were forced to access Juba through Koboko in Uganda before the Kajo-Keji-Juba road was repaired.
Students of the Bahr el-Ghazal University in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, are protesting a new administrative directive requiring them to complete payment of their tuition fees before they receive results of their final examinations.
The students say the results are sealed and only opened upon payment.
The Chairperson of the Student’s Affairs Union, Danson Pagarau, says the students are also concerned a recently announced increase in tuition fees.
Pagarau says an increment of about 500 South Sudanese pounds per semester has been announced by the University administration.
Danson Pagarau: “The increment that was done by the administration is what we are all disputing. Also, I am calling on the administration to recruit more lecturers. Number two to this, I am appealing to the administration: Why do we want the results to be open, maybe he or she has (F) and may come for supplementary, is that our colleagues are not here they went for holidays some are even outside the country they are in Uganda or Kenya, but if this results are closed, one cannot know exactly will he comes for supplementary or not.”
The state government has formed a committee to look into the students’ grievances.
The Western Equatoria State government has formed an Ebola task force in response to an outbreak of the deadly disease reported in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
The team will carry out surveillance along the common border and set up an isolation unit at Yambio hospital for suspected cases.
The Acting State Minister for Health, Pia Phillip says the taskforce is comprised of experts from different organizations.
Phillip Pia: “The taskforce is made up of experts like the World Health Organization, World Vision and UNICEF. This taskforce is charged with the responsibilities of doing the surveillance and also creating a space in the Hospital so that in the event that such cases are identified, the patient can be kept in an isolated place. Our challenge is we do not have facilities. For example if somebody is sick in Tambura, how do we quickly get that person to Yambio Teaching Hospital?”
Western Equatoria borders the DR Congo where 2 deaths from Ebola have been confirmed.
And, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is expected to get worse before it gets better, according to the top US public health official.
Tom Frieden, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control, said the epidemic would need an "unprecedented" response to bring it under control.
Health ministers from across West Africa are due to meet in Ghana to discuss the growing crisis.
According to the World Health Organization the outbreak has since killed 1,400 people and infected an estimated 2,600 others
And in sports, Cameroon's striker Samuel Eto'o has announced his retirement from international football.
The 33 year old announced on social media that he is ending his international career, further thanking Africa and his fans for their support.
Eto'o signed a two year contract with English Premier League side Everton on Tuesday.
He made his final appearance for Cameroon against Mexico during last month’s FIFA World Cup. He is also Cameroon's record scorer with 56 goals.
To end the news, the main stories once again:
- IGAD monitors release report on violations
- The body of the late Eliaba Surur expected in Juba today
- Authorities in Upper Nile receive fuel to boost agriculture
You have been listening to Radio Miraya news. I am Agole Alex. Good bye for now.
1