Goodevening,it’s5 o’clock.I’m David Lukan.
The Headlines
- Government delegation returns from Addis Ababa to start two-week consultations on IGAD peace proposal
- US and UK urge government to finalize peace deal
- Local chief in Gudele appeals for more security in light of weekend attack on police post
President Salva Kiir and the government delegation have returned from Addis Ababa.
Addressing the media at the airport, information minister and spokesperson of the delegation Michael Makuei said President Kiir put his initials on the text of the document to indicate that the government had reservations with the proposals.
The government requested the IGAD mediators for 15 days to consult with its constituencies on the areas of power sharing, security arrangements and system of governance.
The deal was signed yesterday by opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar and Pagan Amum on behalf of the former detainees and civil society representatives.
Makuei explains why the government did not sign the agreement
Makuei: “The government found that after all there is no change in the document. As such, we decided not to sign the agreement. We decided not to sign the agreement despite the pressure exerted by the people of interest who wanted to use South Sudan to serve their interest. Our objection to the agreement was that the government does not represent itself, it represents the will of the people ofSouth Sudan and if the people of South Sudan are rejecting, there is no way we can accommodate whatever.”
Makuei questions why the different interest groups signed the agreement.
Makuei: “But the so-called civil society organizations and the rest --and there are the former detainees, they have signed under Pagan Amum, who was appointed here as the Secretary General of the SPLM. He has now defected and he has signed the document as a leader of the former detainees. So I really doubt if the Arusha will work again. The others who signed this agreement are the women’s block, the civil society, the faith-based organizations, the Christian wing and the eminent persons but the government did not sign it. As such, anyexplanations as to how good this agreement is, which has been signed by these groups , it is when they come that they will give you a clear explanation as to why they have signed this agreement.”
Faith-based groups are calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The religious groups signed the compromise agreement in Addis Ababa yesterday and say the government must now consult widely.
Bishop Enok Tombe, who represented the religious groups at the talks, says by President Salva Kiir putting his initials to the document, should signal a stop in the fighting and opening up of humanitarian access in all areas.
Tombe: “Generally, the 15 days are supposed to be used for consultation. The agreement now means that there should not be shooting. Nobody should use his gun anymore and the relief should go to all areas. This is not the time to continue any war. Those who want to fight that should be their own reason because all the issues which let war had been resolved except for those the government feel they want to consult their people.”
The United States says it deeply regrets South Sudan's failure to sign the peace proposal by yesterday's deadline.
A spokesperson in the US State Department says the United States government will look at how to raise pressure on those opposing the deal.
Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters in Washington that they are going to work with regional and international partners on the next steps and on ways to increase pressure.
The United Kingdom is also calling on the South Sudan government to sign the IGAD-plus peace agreement.
Foreign Commonwealth Minister Tobias Ellywood welcomed the signature of the opposition and other stakeholders but said he was deeply disappointed that the Government has not yet signed the deal.
Ellywood stressed the importance of all parties to implement the deal for the sake of peace. He delivered a statement in Addis Ababa, on behalf of the Troika countries – of the United States, Norway and the United Kingdom.
Ellywood: “We are not there yet, and we call upon the government of South Sudan to add its signature in full.Today marks a possible turning point but it is no time for celebrations.The peace document has just been signed but one full signature remains missing. So we call upon the government to support this agreement in full, only then will it truly represent a new chapter for South Sudan.Let’s be clear, if they fail to do so the international community will be united in enacting swift consequences – but we will support you if you work to implement his agreement”.
Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta in his statement said peace cannot be forced.
Kenyatta says the government’s initialing of the document is a step forward in the peace process.Kenyatta also called for the silencing of the guns as the government embarks on its 15 days of consultation.
Kenyatta: “We must recognize that peace is not an event, but a process. A process that we must acknowledge cannot be forced, and even as we pursue that process of peace, we must silence the guns.I believe we have made progress. We have had some of the parties sign, but even the government has initialed the document and by initialing that shows also commitment. I believe it is only right and just that the issues that they have may be given some time to consult and resolve because like I said, if we do not carry everybody there is no lasting peace. So it is important that we carry everyone on board.”
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The people of Warrap state have welcomed the appointment of a new Governor.
Crowds have gathered in Tonj South County, the home area of the newly named governor, Akec Tong Aleu, celebrating his appointment.
Celebrations are being held at the county Freedom Square where three bulls, goats and chickens are being slaughtered for a feast.
Gabriel Majok Manyual, the youth chairman of Tonj South County, says the public has been invited to join the celebration.
Manyual: “The whole town is out. There are some bulls being killed in the center and people are now trying to prepare a sound system. It will be attended by very huge number of people that includes women, elders, youth and all the citizens, even the cattle camps. They have come around the village there. They all came into the town and I could see the ground is so very populated with the number of the people that are trying to celebrate. They feel so happy that they heard that Akec Tong Aleu become the caretaker Governor of Warrap state.
Manyual says the new Governor faces a difficult task of dealing with insecurity and uniting the people of Warrap state. Akec Tong Aleu was named governor to replace Nyandeng Malek who was sacked in a presidential decree on Monday.
In Northern Bahr el Ghazal, outgoing Caretaker Governor Salva Chol Ayat says he is ready to work with the new Governor.
Maj. Gen. Akot Deng Akot, the former state commissioner of police, was named governor while Chola Ayat is his deputy. Ayat has been acting as Caretaker head of the state from January this year. He says he received the news of the appointment with pleasure.
Ayat: “For me, I want to confirm that we are going to work with General Akot faithfully because what we are serving is an individual, it is our people. Our people we need to serve them. So we are going to work hand in hand with him and do what we can do in our capacity because this is how we are going to serve our people.”
A chief at the Block 8 Gudele 2 residential area in Juba is appealing to Police to increase the number of security personnel at the police station.
The appeal comes after a senior police officer was killed when unidentified men attacked the police post over the weekend.
Chief Francis Jackson urges police to increase their presence in the area.
Jackson: “Let the government provide security. Nowadays at night people fear to go out to visit the toilet. For example, a big police station like this one which has a court and prison. It is not appropriate to be manned by three police officers. That is why the criminals came and attacked them and took guns. They should change their strategy. In other countries a station like this should have more than a company so that they can work in shifts. But here, three police only, one officer, investigator and guard. Tell me in which country can something like this happen?”
As South Sudan prepares to celebrate World Humanitarian Day tomorrow, aid organizations are finding themselves stretched beyond their limits.
Facing numerous man-made and natural disasters around the world, the United Nations and international aid groups are increasingly competing for resources from donors.
George Fominyen, communications officer for the World Food Programme, says the needs are big with limited resources.
Fominyen: “We continue as best as we can to be able to get in, in the conflict affected areas. We continue to dispatch mobile response teams so they can get into these areas, provide assistance to the people. And with the support of our partners we are able to reach as many people as we can, but it is a very tough situation because we are facing a situation where there are so many competing emergencies around the world. You have a crisis in Burundi, Yemen and Syria. So it is the most important thing for us here in South Sudan is to indicate that South Sudan must not be forgotten.”
World Humanitarian Day is marked on the 19th of August every year, to commemorate and celebrate the spirit of all people who have lost their lives in humanitarian service.
This year holds a special significance for South Sudan – with millions relying on humanitarian assistance.
And in sports, At-labara FC beat Tahrir 2-1 in the ongoing division one football tournament in Juba, cementing At-labara’s position as table leaders.
In today’s matches, second placed Malekia FC face Rainbow. In Wau, Gazala FC managed a 1-nil win over Black eagles at Wau main stadium. Today in Wau, Etihad will take on Salam.
To end the news, here are the headlines once again.
- Government delegation returns from Addis Ababa to start two-week consultations on IGAD peace proposal
- US and UK urge government to finalize peace deal
- Local chief in Gudele appeals for more security in light of weekend attack on police post
Radio Miraya News.
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