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By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

July 31, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) – A group of South Sudanese activists have expressed dismay at the persisting mass displacement of the civil population due to renewed fighting between government loyalists and opposition forces across South Sudan's three greater regions.

IDPs shelter near the UNMISS base in Wau (IOM/Gonzalez 2016)

The peace activists' group, Forhowlong, said the ongoing provocative attacks and delusional pursuit of gaining more territories will yet perpetrate another humanitarian crisis to what already exists.

“There is an urgent need to find a promising solution that will yield sustainable peace and stability in the Republic of South Sudan, rather than flexing muscle on tribal lines” Ngor Mariano Ajuet, the group's representative told Sudan Tribune.

He said the continuous displacement of the civil population along the Ethiopia- South Sudan border in the surrounding areas of Maiwut and Bieh state showed irresponsible undertaking of government and opposition groups with response to the suffering of the innocent women and children affected by the ongoing war.

“This man-made humanitarian catastrophe, killing and compelling the entire civil population to seek refuge in neighbouring countries,” he added.

The group urged all the youth, community leaders and church elders to protest against “this cruel and uncivilized approach of our politicians” in dealing with national issues affecting the country.

“We shouldn't merely contemplate on external help, which is intensified with individual's interest”, stressed Ajuet.

The group called upon the parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostility and purge way to find peaceful means for ending the conflict in the world's youngest nation.

It called upon friends of South Sudan (lobbyists) peace partners, IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development] and the Troika to quickly find a possible solution to end the ongoing civil war.

“South Sudanese leaders will never think to help the civilians but continue to fight each other's on the level of personal hatred using the country's resources to defeats their antagonists”, said Ajuet.

Forhowlong is a newly established South Sudanese peace activists' organization operating in at least 10 countries across the globe.

South Sudan's civil war broke out in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup. However, a peace agreement signed in August 2015 led to the formation of a coalition government but was again devastated by fresh violence that broke out in July last year.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and over two million displaced since 2013.

(ST)

July 31, 2017 (JUBA)- A group of South Sudanese former political detainees has issued a statement regretting commemorating Martyrs Day while the war continues unabated, despite the suffering it has inflicted on the people.

“It is regrettable and shameful that martyrs days 2017 is being marked while the country is still mired in senseless war years on. This is an indelible mark of shame on us the survivors and beneficiaries of the ultimate sacrifice heroes these and heroines made for our freedom,” the group said in a statement marking the 12th anniversary of the martyrs' day.

30th July is the day on which the former First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan, President of the Government of Southern Sudan and Chairman of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), Dr John Garang de Mabior, died in a helicopter crash on his way back to Southern Sudan from Uganda.

The statement argued the best honour to martyrs of war is the stoppage of war and declare a ceasefire.

“There is no great honour or homage we can pay in memory of our martyrs, war heroes and heroines, no better recognition we can give for the ultimate sacrifice they paid for our freedom to end this war without further delay,” the statement adds.

It called on the government and armed opposition forces to agree on an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire to give citizens respite while engagement for war is conducted.

“We urge all peace loving South Sudanese, friends of South Sudan, the region and the international community at large to sue for peace, urge and pressure the warring parties to stop the war and make peace”.

(ST)

July 31, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir Monday has pledged to continue efforts to achieve peace and development in South Kordofan state.

South Kordofan and the neighbouring Blue Nile state have been the scene of violent conflict between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) and Sudanese army since 2011.

Al-Bashir, who addressed a public gathering at the opening of South Kordofan 2nd Festival of Tourism, Investment and Shopping in Kadougli Monday, said “war brings nothing but destruction”, pointing it hinders development and construction.

He said that South Kordofan's peace is a top priority for his government, stressing they would continue to launch development and reconstruction projects.

For his part, the governor of South Kordofan Essa Adam Abakar said security has been achieved in his state, praising al-Bashir's successive decisions to extend the ceasefire.

“Our forces have complied with the ceasefire and we say with all courage that the SPLM-N is also abiding by it,” he said.

Abakar revealed that his government is in direct contact with SPLM-N leadership, making a personal appeal to the Movement chairman Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu to return to the homeland.

Talks between the Sudanese government and the SPLM-N for a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access under the auspices of the African Union are stalled since last August.

The SPLM-N demands to deliver 20% of the humanitarian assistance through a humanitarian corridor from Asosa, an Ethiopian border town.

But the government rejects the idea saying it is a breach of the state sovereignty and a manoeuvre from the rebels to bring arms and ammunition to their locked rebel-held areas in the Two Areas.

The SPLM-N is now divided into two factions: one in South Kordofan led by al-Hilu and the other in the Blue Nile state led by Malik Agar. The rift emerged several months ago over the right of self-determination and other issues.

(ST)

July 31, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf has threatened to use force to collect illegal arms and impose the authority of the state.

Sudan's defence minister Awad Ahmed Ibn Ouf (Photo SUNA)

In a press release following his meeting with the parliamentary subcommittee on Defence, Security and Public Order, Ibn Ouf said the “the army is keen to impose the authority of the state and collect [illegal] weapons from the residents even if it requires the use of force”.

He pointed to the crucial role played by the tribal and community leaders in raising awareness of the dangers of illegal weapons.

For his part, the Sudanese army Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Emad al-Din Mustafa Adawi, said the army is paying the necessary attention to all issues affecting national security, stressing it is “mindful of all threats that surround Sudan”.

In April last year, Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir announced the formation of a national body, Darfur Disarmament Higher Committee, tasked with the collection of illegal arms in the region, adding the campaign will be voluntary in a first phase and then become compulsory.

The disarmament of armed groups and tribesmen is seen as an important step that will create a suitable atmosphere for security and stability in the troubled region.

But the failure to achieve a comprehensive peace delayed its implementation. Also, the tribal conflicts over land ownership and pastures are a second obstacle for the weapon collection.

Last week, the defence minister said they plan to restructure the government militias pointing it is an important step before the disarmament campaign.

Also, the governor of South Darfur Adam al-Faki Mohamed on Sunday said his government would start to collect illegal arms from individuals and tribes in early August.

(ST)

July 31, 2017 (JUBA) – The spokesperson for South Sudan's presidency, Ateny Wek Ateny denied that he was poisoned, saying he did not even eat at a wedding party he attended on Saturday.

South Sudan's presidential spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny (AFP)

Ateny, reacting to rumours that circulated on social media, clarified that reports linked to poisoning were “malicious and bear no truth”.

“In fact, there was food poison that was reported to have occurred on Saturday July 29, 2017 during the wedding of Mr. Cleto Akot Kuel's daughter which I had attended, but ate nothing in the wedding. The talk of food poison just became rampant on Sunday and many people contacted me and wished me quick recovery,” said Ateny.

"However, it is important to inform all of my relatives and friends that I did not even eat at that occasion. I just heard [about] the poison during the wedding [occasion], but I cannot verify it”, he added.

The presidential aide did not further elaborate on the information that became a public matter, as many equally expressed sympathy.

Ateny, a lawyer and renowned former political commentator for the Juba-based Citizen newspaper was appointed press secretary to President Salva Kiir in 2013.

Prior to his appointment, however, Ateny commented on various political incidents and processes and was a staunch critic of the country's political leaders and officials.

(ST)

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