November 10, 2015 (JUBA) - South Sudan government issued Tuesday a circular directing aviation officials to increase surveillance on cargo plane use in the country.
“Aviation rules are very clear. They do not allow cargo planes to be used for people”, David Martin, the undersecretary at the ministry of transport told Sudan Tribune.
The warning followed fresh reports of another crash in the oil-rich Upper Nile state, barely a week after a similar mishap killed dozens in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.
"I just heard about it but I have no clear information about what happened, who were on the plane. We are talking to the people on the ground and the state authorities to give us the information about this incident”, said the senior official when reached on Tuesday.
Multiple sources and Upper Nile officials confirmed that a cargo plane crashed in Malakal shortly after take-off. No casualties were, however, reported.
Several eye witnesses told Sudan Tribune by phone that they could see thick smoke billowing at the crash site near Malakal airport shortly after the plane had taken off.
The state information minister, Yor Akec, told Sudan Tribune from the area that another incident had taken place but that none of the crew members aboard the cargo plane died. Those injured, he added, were rushed to a United Nations-run clinic in Malakal.
“We are still trying to get the details of what happened. We are just like you. We are hearing it from the people on the ground but we do not have details. So I cannot give you any confirmation”, said Akec.
(ST)
November 10, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The African Union (AU) has officially announced that talks on security arrangements between the Sudanese government and the rebel groups in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states and Darfur region will be held on 18 to 19 November.
The head of the AU Liaison Office in Sudan, Mahmoud Kane, told the pro-government Sudan Media Center (SMC) Tuesday that invitations have been handed over to Sudan's foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour and the leaders of the armed movements.
He added the discussions on a cessation of hostilities in Darfur, and the Two Areas will be held separately between the government and Darfur rebels on one side and the government and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) on the other side on 18 and 19 November.
The foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour is expected to lead the government delegation, while Yasir Arman will head the SPLM-N delegation. Ahmed Tugud is expected to lead the joint delegation of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement -Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM).
The Sudanese army and its allied militias have been fighting a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.
Also, the border states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile state have been the scene of a violent conflict since 2011 when fighting broke out between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army.
Nine rounds of talks between the two sides have stalled over issues pertaining to the security, humanitarian and political arrangements.
(ST)
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November 10, 2015 (JUBA) - President Salva Kiir will address the nation on multiple issues on November 12, announced the South Sudanese presidency on Tuesday.
The state of the nation address, according to his spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny will take place on Thursday at the presidential palace known as J1 at around 10: 00 am local time.
Ateny said the country had gone through events and issues requiring attention of the president in his capacity as the head of state as a way to interact with the citizens to update them on what has taken place and what the government was doing .
This will be the second time in less than two months for President Kiir to talk to the nation since September when he held a similar national briefing about the need to ensure a successful implementation of the cease-fire agreement aimed at restoring peace and stability to the country.
The national address or the state of the nation address, which is usually covered by the public and private media, serves as a means through which the president presents to the nation outlook of issues encompassing security, peace, economic, political, and social condition of the state and the society.
It is also becomes the opportunity to review his plans and the accomplishments of programs of government for a particular period and how these objectives could be achieved during period of holding public office.
The Address which lasts ranging from one hour to several depending on the number of messages and precision with which the speech has been prepared is broadcast on television, radio, and print media guided by state agencies such as South Sudan Radio and Television and private media organizations.
(ST)
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