Africa

Every month we travel to a different African country to discuss a chosen topic.

A selection of the best photos from across Africa this week.

Amid rising terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the United Nations envoy for the region called on the Security Council to further support national and Regional efforts to combat this "serious threat", including strengthening the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel.

The humanitarian situation in Eritrea – which is quite isolated and off the media radars – is “on a positive trajectory” but international donors need to give malnourishment and food insecurity continued attention, a senior United Nations relief official today said.

July 13, 2017 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir has issued a republican order sacking 14 judges who spearheaded a campaign seeking to improve working conditions in the the country's judiciary.

The republican order, read on the state-owned SSBC on Thursday, affected five courts of appeal judges, two from the high court, five first grade county judges and two second grade county judges.

President Kiir did not give reasons for the move and neither the office of the president nor that of the country's chief justice commented on the matter.

The chairperson of the judges and justices committee, Khalid Abdulla Mohamed and several colleagues who went on strike, demanding higher wages and the chief justice's resignation are among those affected.

The directive came after negotiations between judges and a committee formed by the president to hear their grievances failed to meet the demands set by the judicial officials.

The committee chaired by the minister of justice, his information and cabinet affairs counterparts did not, however, make any public comment about recommendations they presented to the president in relation to the grievances of the judiciary.

Meanwhile, the courts of appeal judges sacked by the president include Khalid Mohamed Abdallah, Malek Mathiang Malek, Geri Raymondo Lege, George Anger Riing and Charles Abyei Jok.

High court judges affected include, Nyok Monyrok Akwai, Awol Moyak Deng, while the first grade county judges affected are, Thor Andrew Makur, Geri Leon Wani, David Eriko Kati, George Phillip Laku, Maker Tong Kiir. Also, the second grade county judges affected by the president's order are Bullen Isaiah Kulan and Paulino Duk Wayo.

(ST)

July 13, 2017 (JUBA)- South Sudan government admitted that its forces launched offensives to take control of Pagak, a stronghold of rebels loyal to former First Vice-President Riek Machar.

SPLA soldiers sit at the back of a pick-up truck in Malakal, Upper Nile state January 12, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Andreea Campeanu)

The presidential adviser on military affairs, Daniel Awet Akot said Thursday that the move resulted from the rebels' failure to observe the declared ceasefire.

“What can one do when the other side does not reciprocate the good gesture and the will to end the conflict? There are people who continue to advocate war. They have refused dialogue and refused to observe ceasefire,” Akot told Sudan Tribune.

He added, “They [rebels] did not declare ceasefire, instead what they are doing is attacking civilians and holding them hostage and using them as their bargaining card”.

Meanwhile, the information Michael Makuei Lueth said the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Kiir does not include Pagak area, a war-time opposition headquarters when the civil war began in 2013.

The minister equally justified the military offensives taken against the armed opposition fighters, saying rebels loyal to the exiled former First Vice-President had rejected the government's offer of a ceasefire.

“The SPLA-IO [Sudan People's Liberation Army-In-Opposition] movement led by Riek Machar does not recognize the peace agreement. It is saying the signed peace agreement is over, so they are not part of the peace agreement. The area of Paged has nothing to do with the ceasefire deal,” Lueth said on Thursday.

He, however, said the coalition government only recognizes the armed opposition faction loyal to Machar's successor, Taban Deng Gai, saying the latter recognizes the existence of the August 2015 peace agreement.

“We don't have any problem with the peace wing led by Taban Deng. The president had declared a unilateral ceasefire, but the rebels of Riek Machar failed to reciprocate the unilateral ceasefire and started attacking our positions, then we have the right to defend ourselves”, stressed the South Sudanese information minister.

About 5,000 civilians, the United Nations said, have been forced out of their homes in Pagak.

The head of the U.N mission in South Sudan said thousands of South Sudanese civilians are fleeing to neighbouring Ethiopia as government troops advance towards Pagak, expressing grave concern on the growing refugee crisis.

“At least 25 aid workers have been forced to relocate from Pagak and surrounding areas due to increased insecurity,” said Shearer.

Stressing there was no military solution to the South Sudan conflict, the senior U.N official called upon all the warring both factions to stop the fighting.

“It's unacceptable that 250 innocent children, and the people who care for them, find themselves in no-man's land between the warring parties,” stressed Shearer.

The South Sudanese conflict started in mid-December 2013 when President Kiir accused Machar of a coup attempt. Since then, tens of thousands of people have died and over 2 million displaced.

(ST)

Former Ivory Coast international Olivier Tebily has forged a new career away from football - as Africa's first maker of Cognac.

July 13, 2017 (WASHINGTON) - U.S. officials Wednesday praised the efforts exerted by the Sudanese in the five-track engagement stressing that their decision to postpone the permanent lift of sanctions on Sudan was just motivated by the need for more time to conclude this robust process.

On Wednesday the State Department organised a press background briefing to explain a decision by an interagency team to extend the review period for the revocation of the economic embargo on Sudan for additional three months. However, the three officials who are members of the assessment team preferred to remain anonymous during the call.

The three-month delay came after a tense campaign carried out by human rights activists and Congressmen to maintain the sanctions, insisting on the human rights record of the Sudanese government. Although there were some doubts over Khartoum commitment to the humanitarian access, the pressure remained high on human rights particularly when the activists pointed that the 1997 sanctions were also imposed against the bad human rights record of the Sudanese government and not only its support to terrorist groups.

"Sudan has made significant progress in these areas (five tracks) over the last six months, but given that a new administration came in January and looking at where we've gone and where we will go, the administration decided that it needed more time to review Sudan's actions and to establish that the government has demonstrated sustained, positive actions across all the areas that are set out in the executive order," said the senior administration officials.

They further reiterated that Washington remains committed to continuing this discussion on the five tracks but also to engage Khartoum "on other vital issues outside of the five-track arrangement", including "dialogue on improving Sudan's human rights and religious freedom record, and also to ensure that, like we are on track with that throughout the globe, committed to the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on North Korea".

Angered by the additional postponement, the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir ordered on Wednesday to suspend the ongoing discussions with the American administration over the normalisation of bilateral relations and the lift of sanctions.

But the senior officials minimised the decision saying they are waiting for official notification and more accurate details on the suspension.

The five track agreement, which was negotiated by the former U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Donald Both, includes the counterterrorism cooperation, the humanitarian access to the conflict areas, Sudan support to regional efforts to end the South Sudanese conflict and to fight against the Ugandan rebel group Lord Resistance Army.

Asked about the impact of the campaign by human rights activists and the Christian right group hostile to Khartoum, the senior officials ruled out such influence pointing that they haven't made a decision yet on the sanction but only delayed it.

Further, they went to explain that the three-month delay was motivated by the five tracks and the humanitarian access particularly.

"Humanitarian access has always been a real problem, and I think we've succeeded in reversing a number of longstanding impediments. The extended review period is going to let us do even more, and we want to make sure that our principle – which is unfettered humanitarian access in all contexts – is something that we could go forward with the Government of Sudan, and (those) restrictions on travel and other issues - that are inconsistent with the freedom of movement- are addressed and overcome," they said.

NORTH KOREA

"The implementation of Security Council resolutions in North Korea, and especially efforts to stem North Korean missile proliferation and financing activities, is a top security priority for the President," said the officials to explain why they included it in agenda of bilateral talks even if it is not part of the five-track process.

Hover ever they stressed the North Korean matter has not been added to the five track framework but "it has been a continual concern we have with the Sudanese Government, and we've expressed that all along".

During a visit to Seoul on 1 November 2016, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour announced that Khartoum had severed its diplomatic relations with Pyongyang and added there was no longer any military cooperation with the government of South Korea.

In March 2017, a report released by UN experts said that North Korea in 2013 supplied Sudan with sophisticated air-to-ground missiles that use satellite guidance systems.

(ST)

July 12, 2017 (WAU) – The governor of South Sudan's Wau state, Andrea Mayar Acho has slightly reshuffled his cabinet.

Those affected were the deputy governor, two ministers, two commissioners, the state security advisor and the town mayor.

Acho, in a gubernatorial decree issued Tuesday, relived his deputy, Anthony Charles Barende, state security advisor, Dominic Emilio Bafuka, local government minister James Joseph Uyu, among others.

Also sacked was the council of ministers' secretary general Acho Modesto Wol.

Although no reason was given in the decree, the governor thanked the outgoing officials for the services they delivered during their time in office.

(ST)

July 12, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan's armed opposition forces on Wednesday dismissed claims that they detained three aid workers working with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in Pagak.

South Sudanese rebels pictured in Jonglei state on 31 January 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Goran Tomasevic)

UNICEF said three of its subcontractors have been detained in Pagak, the headquarters of the armed opposition faction loyal to Riek Machar.

A deputy rebel spokesperson, Col. Lam Paul, said their forces never abducted humanitarian workers as alleged.

“The SPLA-IO strongly refutes accusations made yesterday in the joint press release of Taban Deng Gai's loyalists that our forces abducted and detained three UNICEF contractors in Pagak,” said Lam.

He added, “SPLA-IO under the leadership of Riek Machar Teny does not harass NGO [Non-Governmental Organizations] or UN staffs”.

Over the years, aid workers have been increasingly targeted in various conflict zones in the country, where at least 80 humanitarian workers have been killed since conflict began in December 2013.

The South Sudanese conflict started in mid-December 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused Machar of a coup attempt. Since then, tens of thousands of people been killed and over 2 million displaced.

(ST)

The United Nations Security Council today expressed concern at the ongoing clashes between armed groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) and deplored that civilians from some communities, UN peacekeepers and aid workers continue to be targeted.

July 12, 2017 (KAMPALA) – War-torn South Sudan is due to host the first ever dedicated energy and infrastructure conference in the nation's history.

Organized by Africa Oil & Power and fully commissioned by the government, the event will take place in the capital, Juba from 11-12 October.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir is expected to deliver the keynote address at the conference where industry experts, government officials and private sector leaders will advance discussions on the extraordinary investment opportunities in energy and infrastructure.

“This is a historic event for South Sudan, a country that is demonstrating its commitment to peace and stability and where oil and gas are the bedrock of the economy,” Guillaume Doane, CEO of Africa Oil & Power said in a statement.

He said South Sudan, East Africa's only oil producer, has a profound legacy in oil and gas, stressing that “we are eager to work with our government partners to attract the interest of companies”.

“We are witnessing the emergence of a country with vast potential,” he added.

South Sudan Oil & Power will reportedly assess the security, technology and infrastructure needs for developing all segments of the industry, and how to finance, build and operate new projects.

The program, an official said, will also explore local content, supporting infrastructures such as roads and telecoms, gas monetization and power investment, with a focus on regional integration.

“South Sudan Oil & Power is an outstanding opportunity for our country to showcase its incredible potential in both energy and infrastructure,” said South Sudan's Petroleum Minister, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth.

“We welcome any and all visitors to discover the wealth of natural resources we have and the accommodating investment environment being created by our people,” he added.

South Sudan's major petroleum companies, including Nilepet, Dar Petroleum Operating Company, Greater Pioneer Operating Company and Sudd Petroleum Operating Company, as well as locally based private enterprises, will attend the event.

(ST)

July 12, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan government troops launched offensives against a rebel stronghold in north of the country, the head of the United Nations mission in the country said.

SPLM (IO) Chairman, Riek Machar, addressing the 2nd National Liberation Council (NLC) meeting in Pagak, November 5, 2015 (ST Photo)

David Shearer said there was "heavy fighting" and an "extremely worrying" situation around the town of Pagak, in the Upper Nile region, over the past week, forcing civilians and aid workers to flee.

Pagak has been a military stronghold for the armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) loyal to former First-Vice President, Riek Machar.

At least 5,000 civilians, he said, have been forced out of their homes.

According to Shearer, thousands of South Sudanese civilians are fleeing to neighbouring Ethiopia as government troops advance towards Pagak, expressing grave concern about what is already the world's fastest growing refugee crisis.

“At least 25 aid workers have been forced to relocate from Pagak and surrounding areas due to increased insecurity,” said Shearer.

Stressing there was no military solution to the South Sudan conflict, Shearer called upon all the warring both factions to stop the fighting.

“It's unacceptable that 250 innocent children, and the people who care for them, find themselves in no-man's land between the warring parties,” said Shearer.

The South Sudanese conflict started in mid-December 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused Machar of a coup attempt. Since then, tens of thousands of people been killed and over 2 million displaced.

(ST)

July 12, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudanese legislators have ended several months of dispute over how to distribute parliamentary seats between parties in the Transitional Government of National Unity.

South Sudanese MPs stand during a parliamentary session in Juba on 31 August 2011 (AFP)

In a parliamentary announcement on Wednesday, the lawmakers approved Twenty-five chairpersons and their deputies, who were appointed to the Specialized Parliamentary Committees. The announcement puts to rest a stalemate on the matter.

The Committees were dissolved in May to pave way for the formation of a new leadership that includes all the political parties represented in the Parliament as per the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.

The appointment procedure became controversial after previous appointees were rejected by MPs on the ground that the speaker's selection criteria were inappropriate and did not reflect regional balance.

The SPLM party leadership then decided to increase the number of parliamentary committees from 18 to 25 in order to accommodate all political parties in line with the signed peace agreement according to Atem Garang, the SPLM Chief whip.

Anthony Lino Makana said the latest appointment was done in coordination with Chief Whips of parties represented in the Assembly and was free, fair and transparent.

List of the new Chairpersons and Deputies

1- Committee on Security, Defence and Public Order

Hon. Daivid Okwier Akuay

Hon. Maker Thiong Maal

2-Committee on Legislations and Justice.

Hon. John Clement Kuc Achol

Hon. Gatluak Ruon Nyuot

3- Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Hon. Prof George Bureng Nyombe

Hon. Mary Nayrieka Lorjok

4- Committee on Information Communication Technology.

Hon. Paul Yoane Bonju

Hon. Philip Jiben Ogyal

5- Committee on Members, Affairs, Ethics and Integrity

Hon. Martin Tako Moyi

Hon. Mary Nyiyom Lual Kadjok

6- Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs

Hon. Daniel Dhieu Matuet

Hon. Mary Puru Michael

7- Committee on Federal Affairs

Hon. Otim David Paul Okot

Hon. Michael Rwot Koryom

8- Committee on Regional Integration

Hon. Lydia John Jok Chol

Hon. Aisha Abbas Akuei

9- Committee on Government Assurance: Monitoring, Evaluation and Follow-up

Hon. Grace Amo Alex Abalang

Hon. David Dokori Alili

10- Committee on Labour, Public Service and Human Resources.

Hon. Madut Biar Yel

Hon. Victor Omuho Ohidei

11- Committee on Finance and planning

Hon. Dr. David Nailo Mayo

Hon. Jonathan Jongkuc Kulang

12- Committee on Public Accounts

Hon. Kot Martin Mirich

Hon. Ayak Ngor Athian

13- Committee on Petroleum, Energy and Minning

Hon. James Lual Deng Kuel

Hon. Suzan Peter Machar

14- Committee on Trade, Industry and Investment

Hon. Kom Kom Geng

Hon. Ayen Luka Ngor

15- Committee on Food Security, Agriculture, Animal Resources and Fisheries

Hon. Deng Tong Kuol

Hon. John Mayual Nyot

16- Committee on Land and Physical Infrastructure

Hon. Eng. Majok Dut Mwuorwel

Hon. Martha Atong Monsur

17- Committee on Environment, Forestry, Wildlife Conservation and Tourism

Hon. Rejoice Bauda Simon

Hon. Akuot Chan Kawac

18- Committee on Water Resources and Irrigation

Hon. John Gatnyai Thot

Hon. Leticia Ihure Santino

19- Committee on Constituency Development Fund

Hon. Adeng Leek Deng

Hon. Allajabu Samson Sabur Oryam

20- Committee on Transport, Roads and Bridges.

Hon. Paul Pur Liah Liew

Hon. Said Saleh Uku

21- Committeee on Gender, Child, Social Welfare and Religious Affairs

Hon. Dr. Martha Martin Dar

Hon. Bernardo Kpasira Martin

22- Committee on Health

Hon. Catherine Peter Laa Ajawin

Hon.Riek Manyiel Ayuel

23- Committee on Education, Research Science and Technology.

Hon. Ahmed Mohamed Musa

Hon. Simon Udum Aye

24- Committee on Culture, Youth and Sports

Hon. David Unyo Demey

Hon. Gege Morris Konyi

25- Committee on Peace and Reconciliation.

Hon. Imelda Aluel Bol

Hon. Ramadhan Al-Amin Musa

(ST)

July 12, 2107 (KHARTOUM) - Share price of Sudanese companies listed on the UAE capital markets fell sharply during trading on Wednesday after the U.S. President Donald Trump delayed the lifting of trade and financial sanctions imposed on Sudan.

An engineer stands in front of a new electronic trading board at the Khartoum stock exchange April 25, 2011 (REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

On Tuesday, Trump delayed the lift of economic sanctions on Sudan for a three-month period until next October saying more time is needed to appreciate the permanent revocation of the 20-year embargo.

According to the Turkish Anadolu Agency, the share price of the Sudanese, Al-Salam Bank listed on Dubai Financial Market (DFM) has declined by 3,85% topping the list of the losing stocks.

Also, the share price of the Sudatel Telecom Group (STG) listed on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (A.D.X.) has dropped by 3,64%.

Last January, former President Barack Obama eased the 19-year economic and trade sanctions on Sudan allowing resumption of trade exchange and banking transactions between the two countries.

On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said his government is committed to the lift of sanctions within three months “if the Government of Sudan (GOS) sustains the positive actions that gave rise to” the initial decision taken by the former President Barack Obama.

(ST)

July 12, 2017 (JUBA)- South Sudan has announced plans to remove a fuel subsidy; sparking fear such move could increase prices of basic commodities in an economic crisis caused by the unabated conflict.

People queue at a fuel station in South Sudan's capital, Juba on 18 October 2014 (ST)

Finance Minister Stephen Dhieu Dau said removing fuel subsidy would allow the government to use what it would save from the cut to paying salaries of the civil servants on time.

“We need to seriously consider reducing or eliminating the fuel price subsidy managed by Nilepet – this is the single most viable option for increasing resources for Government spending in 2017-18.

If we eliminate the fuel price subsidy, we will be in a position to pay salaries on time, something we have struggled to do this year,” said Minister Dau.

The Africa's youngest nation is also experiencing a severe fuel shortage, with consumers queuing for hours outside fuel stations and often paying way over the new price for black-market products.

The minister told reporters on Wednesday that it was time to take painful decision to salvage the situation instead of burying heads in the sand hoping for miracles to fall from the sky.

“There can never be miracles to the current situation. It requires political will and the decision of the leadership to stand behind current reforms. We share the pains of the current situation with our citizens but the inherited difficulties of the past and the challenges of current times imply that we must take difficult decisions on these sorts of critical national issues. We cannot just sit down and watch the citizens wail haplessly. That is the best way to handle the situation. Something has to be done to alleviate this suffering,” he appealed.

Observers say the cost of fuel will rise from 22 South Sudanese pound per litre if the subsidy is removed after the budget is approved by parliament after it has been approved by the council of ministers.

(ST)

July 12, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on Wednesday has issued a decree to freeze all negotiations with the United States on the normalisation of bilateral relations until 12 October, in retaliation to President Donald Trump's decision to delay the permanent lift of economic sanctions on Sudan.

On 13 January, former U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order to ease the 19-year sanctions against Sudan enabling trade and investment transactions to resume with the East African nation.

Washington is involved in a five-track engagement process with the Sudan over the permanent lift of sanctions on Sudan. The process includes the fight against terrorism, Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), Sudan's role in the peace process in South Sudan, Sudan's peace and the humanitarian situation in Darfur region, the South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

After the 90-day postponement by President Trump on Tuesday, the State Department announced a number of additional conditions citing human rights, religious freedom practices and commitment to UN Security Council resolutions on North Korea. Initially, the human rights and freedoms were considered for the second phase of talks after the lift of embargo.

"President of the Republic Marshal Omer Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir today issued a republican decree ordering to freeze the work of the negotiating committee with the United States of America until 12 October 2017," reads a laconic statement released by the official news agency SUNA.

The suspension was decided following a series of meetings, al-Bashir held with the senior members of his government.

It is not clear if the decision includes the cooperation between the CIA, FBI and the NISS, or not. Also, the Sudanese army recently started to cooperate with the United States Africa Command, (U.S. AFRICOM), one of six of the U.S. Defense Department's geographic commands.

It is noteworthy that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ibrahim Ahmed Omer had earlier warned against escalating rhetoric against the U.S. if Washington decides to not lift the sanctions permanently.

In an interview with Al-Shorooq TV on Sunday, Omer urged to deal carefully with the sanctions file, saying the government should continue its efforts to convince the U.S.
Administration and influential pressure groups of the importance of lifting the sanctions and its adverse impact on the Sudanese.

Sudan has been subject to comprehensive economic sanctions over terrorism charges in 1997 and additional sanctions related to the situation in Darfur region in 2006 and 2007.

Also, the East African nation was placed on the US terrorism list in 1993 over allegations it was harbouring Islamist militants working against regional and international targets.

UNJUSTIFIED DECISION

For his part, Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour has expressed regret over the U.S. decision to delay the lifting of sanctions, describing the decision as “unjustified”.

He stressed that all U.S. agencies besides the European Union and the United Nations acknowledged that Sudan has met its commitment towards all issues included in the five-track engagement process.

The top diplomat added that Sudan's looks forward to seeing these “unjust sanctions” lifted fully, expressing hope that the decision would be reversed.

Ghandour held unnamed pressure groups of seeking to influence the sanctions file, saying these groups have benefited from the embargo and the war in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

“These groups continued to raise slogans and [issue] outdated reports and sometimes we see funny and fabricated reports,” he said.

(ST)

July 12, 2017 (ABYEI) - The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has condemned all attacks perpetrated by unknown armed groups in the disputed oil-producing Abyei region, which resulted in deaths and injuries of civilians.

Soldiers of the United Nations' Interim Force for Abyei (UN)

The U.N body, in a statement, expressed its deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the attack victims, vowing to swiftly investigate these incidents with the Joint Peace Committee, the traditional leaders, as well as Sudan and South Sudan governments, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“To date, Abyei has no police service system in place and there is no functioning joint local administrative structure. The absence of these systems has resulted in the increase of criminal cases,” partly reads the statement.

“The current influx of population in Abyei has contributed towards increased economic and social activities in the area. The unemployment among the youth is a cause of concern which also leads to manifestation of crime in various forms,” he added.

The U.N body in Abyei, however, emphasized its commitment to implement its mandate to secure Abyei area and to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence, without prejudice to the responsibilities of the relevant authorities.

In essence, it said it had stepped up security measures particularly in and around Amiet common market, which is a vital economic hub for different tribal groups including Ngok Dinka and Misseriya.

UNISFA urged all communities and groups to support the mission in its efforts to maintain the peace and stability Abyei experienced over the last two years.

The last two months, it said, have seen an upsurge in cases of cattle-rustling, carjacking attempts and robbery incidents in the disputed region, citing a grenade explosion in Amiet market, which injured some civilians in May.

UNISFA was approved on 27 June 2011 by the U.N Security Council in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1990 after a flareup in the South Kordofan conflict in June 2011. The Ethiopian army is its largest contributor.

(ST)

Thousands of South Sudanese civilians are fleeing to neighbouring Ethiopia as Government troops advance on a rebel stronghold in the Upper Nile region, a senior United Nations official today said, expressing grave concern about what is already the world’s fastest growing refugee crisis.

July 11, 2017 (NAIROBI) – The Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni has been urged to support the renewed peace process spearhead by leaders from the East African regional bloc (IGAD) and help galvanise the region into ensuring lasting peace and stability in South Sudan.

Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni speaks at the national dialogue launch in South Sudan, May 22, 2017 (PPU photo)

The call was made by South Sudan Young Leadership Forum (SSYLF) day before its members pay an inaugural visit into Uganda in their renewed call for leadership into the South Sudan conflict situation.

A forum of young South Sudan leaders, SSYLF, has an agenda that seeks to ensure South Sudanese youth take over the peace process.

According to the group, by addressing Museveni and calling upon him to take centre-stage to pro-actively push for a lasting solution to the South Sudan conflict, regional stakeholders will be reached to embrace fresh thinking and intervention to the South Sudanese crisis.

“The central role that president Museveni plays within the South Sudan crisis places him in a position of leadership to ensuring that peace process works and is inclusive of all including the youth” the SSYLF said in a joint statement issued on Tuesday.

It added, “This new approach is to infuse the inclusivity and full participation of the younger generation who have, over the years been overlooked in the unfolding events of the South Sudan conflict”.

Renewed violence broke out in the South Sudan capital, Juba when forces loyal to South Sudan president Salva Kiir clashed with those allied to his former deputy Riek Machar on the eve of last year's Independence Day, leaving over 200 dead. The incident forced the rebel leader out of Juba into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and later to Khartoum for treatment. He currently lives in South Africa.

Almost 2 million people are internally displaced in South Sudan, and more than 1.9 million South Sudanese have fled the country as refugees and asylum seekers since December 2013. Uganda is one of the countries in the region that shoulders a huge baggage of refugees fleeing the conflict.

On Wednesday, however, the delegation of the SSYLF will hold a public discussion in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, with a focus on discussing what options exist for addressing the crisis of leadership in South Sudan.

Campaigns on social media platforms will reportedly be under the hash tag “#NxGenSouthSudan” and “I am #NxGenSouthSudan”.

(ST)