United Nations Mission in (UNMISS) Media & Spokesperson Unit Communications & Public Information Office MEDIA MONITORING REPORT

THURSDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2013

SOUTH SUDAN, SUDAN  Accept the AU proposal on Abyei, EU Special Envoy urges (News Agency of South Sudan)  South Sudan dismisses reports on suspending Abyei poll (Gurtong)  Probe links Sudan to Abyei Chief killing (Gurtong)  Sudanese FM chairs meeting on implementing agreements with South Sudan (Sudan News Agency)  Abyei community remains determined to vote in October (Sudantribune.com) SOUTH SUDAN  EU urges Juba to sign Cotonou Agrement (Eye Radio)  I‟ll return home anytime from now – Dr. Lam Akol (Eye Radio)  Hunger hits Pochalla, kills several (Eye Radio)  Jonglei Assembly approves Revenue Authority Bill (Gurtong)  Lakes State releases students and teachers without charges (Sudantribune.com)  Indian Battalion extends free veterinary aid camp to Panyikang County (Gurtong)  Gum Africa harvest commences in (Gurtong)  Health situation in oil fields deteriorating – Commissioner (Gurtong)  Kenya, South Sudan to boost trade ties (Gurtong)  Kenya Ports Authority faulted over directive on South Sudan-bound cargo (The Standard) OTHER HIGHLIGHTS  US says it‟s comitted to support fight against LRA in CAR (Sudantribune.com)  Defiant Bashir slams “bandits” and “traitors” who planned recent protests (Sudantribune.com)  Islamic coalition group in Sudan calls on Bashir to step down and disband government (Sudantribune.com)  SPLM-N to intensify attacks if regime continues crackdown on protesters (Sudantribune.com)  Sudan denies involvement of its nationals in Kenya‟s Westgate attack (Sudantribune.com)

NOTE: Reproduction here does not mean that the UNMISS Communications & Public Information Office can vouch for the accuracy or veracity of the contents, nor does this report reflect the views of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. Furthermore, international copyright exists on some materials and this summary should not be disseminated beyond the intended list of recipients.

FEATURE  FEATURE – Fire a „constant concern‟ in hotels, managers say (Voice of America) LINKS TO STORIES FROM THE MORNING MONITOR  South Sudan Parliament passes budget to third reading (Gurtong)  Law Society advocates for Death Penalty abolition (Catholic Radio Network)  Nearly 30,000 returnees stranded in Upper Nile, says IOM (Sudantribune.com)  Ugandan in South Sudan calls for job creation (Catholic Radio Network)  Abyei region threatens uneasy peace between two Sudans (Middle East online)  S. Sudan urges AU to reconsider position on conducting Abyei referendum (Gurtong)

Highlights

Accept the AU proposal on Abyei, EU Special Envoys urges News Agency of South Sudan Juba, 09/10/13 - The Special Envoy of the European Union to Sudan and South Sudan, Rosalind Marsden is urging Juba and Khartoum to accept the proposal presented by Thabo Mbeki, on determinig the final status of Abyei. Rosalind said "conducting the Abyei referendum is crucial". Abyei referendum as of the proposal by the African Union High Implementation Pannel is scheduled to take place this October but issues to do with voters‟ registration, Abyei commission and administration are not yet in place. Rosalind after talks with the minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin said a team from the African Union Peace and Security Council would soon arrive in the country to see the situation of the people of Abyei as the return home. Rosalind also promised of the support of the EU to see peace returns in . The minister also held discussions with the Indonesian Ambassador to South Sudan Dr. Sujatmiko. The talks centered on how the two countries can establish diplomatic relation between each other in order to enhance bilateral cooperations. According to sujatmiko the republic of Indonesia is interested in trade with South Sudan especially on the oil and agriculture sector. (Back to Top)

South Sudan dismisses reports on suspending Abyei poll Gurtong Juba, 10/10/13 - South Sudan Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Barnaba Marial has dismissed reports, quoting Khartoum sources, claiming that the African Union (AU) had called off the Abyei referendum. On Wednesday Marial dismissed the reports saying they are rumors and Sudan‟s propaganda aimed at convincing the AU leadership to suspend the Abyei referendum. “There are reports that have come out from Khartoum that the AU has cancelled the referendum on Abyei. That is not true,” Marial told press. “As I speak to you now, the AU is still sitting in Addis Ababa in order for the AU Peace and Security Council in order to make proper communiqué related to the road map for Abyei including the issue of the Abyei referendum,” Marial said. He said the proposal given by President Mbeki as AU‟s position on the Abyei referendum still stands as the only way forward for resolving the final status of Abyei.

2 “We would like to make it very clear as the Republic of South Sudan there is nothing like referendum being cancelled,” Marial reiterated. On Monday pro-Sudan media agency, SUNA quoted a source claimed to be Sudan‟s representative at the Abyei Over Sight Committee (AJOC) that the Sudanese government had received information from the AU calling off any unilateral support from either Sudan or South Sudan on the Abyei referendum. (Back to Top)

Probe links Sudan to Abyei Chief killing Gurtong Juba, 10/10/13 - South Sudan‟s representative at the investigative committee on the murder of the Abyei paramount Chief Kuol Deng Kuol said on Wednesday that Sudan is linked to the killing of the Chief. Deng Biong, a representative in the committee yesterday met and briefed the President on the report of the committee, saying investigations have finished. He shortly told the press that, the first copy of the report was already been presented to the AU leadership. “We had of course descending opinion on the findings of the report and the recommendation will later on be discussed in a forum,” Deng said. “There are some areas that specially related to the link of the government of Sudan to the incident,” Deng said. Deng is part of the member of the AU Committee constituted to investigate the killing of Deng Kuol Deng which occurred in May this year. South Sudan earlier on had linked Deng Kuol Deng‟s assassination to Sudan, saying it was a move aimed at disrupting the Abyei referendum. Sudan up to now has refused to agree on the conduct of the Abyei referendum, pushing for conditions South Sudan and the Ngok Dinka tribe in Abyei consider it not favourable. (Back to Top)

Sudanese FM chairs meeting on implementing agreements with South Sudan SUNA Khartoum, 10/10/13 - Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti on Wednesday chaired the second ministerial level meeting for the implementation of cooperation agreements signed with South Sudan. Among those at the meeting were Ministers of Trade and of Health, the State Minister at the Ministry of Interior, representatives of ministries of transport, oil and defence, the Customs, the chairman of the debts committee and a representative of the local chamber of commerce. The meeting reviewed implementation of agreements particularly those in the trade sector and concerning the opening of border crossings between the two countries. Trade Minister Osman Omer Al-Sharif said he had finalised preparations to resume and expand trade exchanges between Sudan and South Sudan, and had identified 172 types of Sudanese commodities which could be exported to South Sudan. The representative of the Ministry of Transport said his ministry had completed preparations for resuming river transportation services between the two countries, indicating that 246 river transportation vessels were ready for use in trade. He also announced that the Minister of Transport of South Sudan will visit Sudan early next month to sign an agreement in the transportation sector. (Back to Top)

Abyei community remains determined to vote in October Sudantribune.com Juba, 09/10/13 - In a bid to capture the attention of the international community, citizens of the oil-contested border region of Abyei took to the streets in large numbers on Tuesday, expressing their readiness to cast their vote this month.

3 Protesters, which included participants from the general public, members of civil society organisations, faith-based groups, traditional leaders, youth and women‟s groups, as well as trade and student union representatives in the area, delivered a letter to the United Nations Interim Force for Abyei (UNISFA), outlining their grievances. “Our demands remain unchanged. The month of October, 2013, remains as our sacred deadline for holding [the] Abyei referendum on self-determination and if it is not honoured then the Ngok Dinka chiefdoms will organise their [own] popular referendum”, the letter said, a copy of which was obtained by Sudan Tribune. The letter maintains that the Ngok Dinka chiefdoms are prepared to go ahead with the referendum without the involvement of the Sudanese and South Sudanese governments. The letter further states it would hold the AU body responsible should the conflict escalate further as a result of its failure to take decisive action to break the deadlock. “The African Union Peace and Security Council shall bear the responsibility for any escalation and tension that may arise during or in the aftermath of the upcoming popular referendum”, the groups said. “However, we call upon United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei to step up its civil protection component in order to provide necessary protection for the voting centres during the popular referendum”, the letter adds. The demonstrators called for the full, immediate and unconditional withdrawal of troops from the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), which have remained in northern areas of Abyei in defiance of a resolution passed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). “We strongly call upon [the] AU and UNISFA to ensure [the] full withdrawal of [the] SAF from various areas within Abyei borders, especially those stationed in Diffra (Kech) oil fields”, the group said. The letter said troops in Diffra should pull out with immediate effect, calling on the AUPSC to ensure the Sudanese government complies with the UNSC resolution number 204. Luka Biong Deng, a senior member of the governing Sudan People‟s Liberation Movement (SPLM) from the area, said the future of Abyei was at a “crossroad”. “With political stalemate, the people of Abyei are left with no other option but to self- determine the final status of their area”, said Deng, who remains an influential figure despite resigning his ministerial position in 2011. (Back to Top)

EU urges Juba to sign Cotonou Agreement Eye Radio - The European Union is urging South Sudan to join an agreement that it put off signing last year. The Cotonou Agreement is a treaty between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States that works towards eradication of poverty while contributing to sustainable development. Last year, South Sudan Suspended the signing of the Agreement saying it would complicate the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement with Sudan. Speaking after a meeting with the Minister of Petroleum and Mining, the EU Special Representative to South Sudan and Sudan, Rosalina Marsden, said the pact would open opportunity for development: “I noted that the accession of South Sudan to the Cotonou Agreement will open up more opportunities to European Union to support regional infrastructure projects and that will be of benefit to South Sudan developmental, petroleum and mining sector.” The treaty is also intended to fight against impunity and promotion of criminal justice through the International Criminal Court.

4 Unless South Sudan signs the Cotonou agreement, it will not gain from any of its economic benefits. (Back to Top)

I’ll return home anytime from now – Dr. Lam Akol Eye Radio 10/10/13 - The leader of the main opposition political party, the SPLM-DC, says he will return home anytime from now, after the presidential decree granting him pardon. On Monday, President Salva Kiir issued a Republican decree, granting pardon to Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, who left South Sudan for Khartoum and later Cairo, Egypt, over security reasons. Since the 2010 general election, the SPLM-DC, and more specifically its chairman Lam Akol, has been repeatedly linked with armed militia groups in Upper Nile state by the ruling SPLM and SPLA, an accusation he denied. Shortly after South Sudan‟s independence in July 2011, Dr. Lam held a reconciliation summit with Kiir in Nairobi and briefly returned to Juba. President Kiir said by that pardon, Dr. Lam is free to return home. “What‟s important is that now the President has accepted that I go to South Sudan to practice my political right as a citizen, as a leader of a party, to help in the nation building,” Dr. Lam Akol told Eye Radio. “I will come, but I don‟t know yet at what time, but I am coming definitely, because this is my request I have asked to be given the opportunity.” Dr. Lam Akol left the country last year to live in exile in Khartoum and later in Cairo. He claimed that there was no guarantee for his security in Juba. Lam welcomes release of „rebel leaders‟ Dr. Lam has also welcomed the presidential pardon granted to five rebel leaders. “The release of military detainees will enhance and stability in the country,” he said. (Back to Top)

Hunger hits Pochalla, kills several Eye Radio - Pochalla County Commissioner says over six thousand people have migrated to Ethiopia in search of food, after hunger killed several people in the County. Commissioner Joseph Okello says insecurity and floods in Jonglei state have also contributed to displacement of the civilian population. “Aid assistance cannot reach the area because of impassable roads,” Commissioner Okello told Eye Radio. “The situation is worse, people are dying and those who are strong are crossing into Ethiopia. “The situation is displacing people and killing others. “Sometimes people fish in the river and eat wild fruits, and hunt animals; these are the only things they are surviving on.” Commissioner Okello appealed to the government, well-wishers and non-governmental organization to urgently intervene and rescue the situation. (Back to Top)

Jonglei Assembly approves Revenue Authority Bill Gurtong Bor, 10/10/13 - The Jonglei state assembly has passed the Revenue Authority Bill to enable the revenue commission collect revenue from the counties and other government institutions without violations.

5 The state assembly has passed the establishment of chairperson office of Revenue authority commission. In April, Jonglei State government appointed the state revenue authority chairperson to control collection of revenue from the 11 counties in the vast state. Former Governor, Kuol Manyang Juuk, had appointed James Maluit Ruei, a former commissioner of County and said that the revenue authority was under taxation in the Ministry of Finance and has not been receiving any taxes from the counties. Speaking to Journalists in Assembly, Speaker Peter Chol Wal said that key objectives in the bill were the first in the establishment of the commission itself since there are commissions mentioned in the constitution of Jonglei state. “This commission was established according to the article 123 and other institutions that give the Governor and the state Government to establish other institutions because it was not categories of the commission mentioned in the constitution,” Speaker Chol Wal said. Chol said that commission has become the agent of the Government that will collect money on behalf of the Government at all levels whether in the state or in the counties and Bomas levels in Jonglei state. He said that after the bill has been passed into law, the revenue authority commission will later appoint some officials to work in the counties to collect the revenue and send to the commission office in the state headquarters. He said that within the territory that limit of the county, they will be deployed to collect money on behalf of the county and then give the county their portion or percentage when depositing all the money collected and the portion of the state will be deposited to the minister of finance. He says there will be a board of directors that will be chaired by the minister of finance, saying that they will be the ones who will formulate policies on behalf of the commission. Peter Chol said that there will be a yearly auditing and their annual report will be presented to the assembly and also the chair according to the law and there can be summons by the assembly to come and explain the financial situation, whether it is quarterly or at the end of the year. “The passing of the bill will tackle the issue of collection because now we have seen all people are collecting money illegally even the County sometimes, the Payam even there is double tax taking place in the area because within the same payam, somebody can be tax twice, all the Bomas they need to collect,” said the speaker. He stressed that some money collected sometimes are collected to the pockets of the people or individuals and state government is not benefitting from the collections, adding that currently the government has come with policy that will unify the collections. He said that they will be provided with the financial forms as in some areas, monies are collected without a form but now with this policy, nobody will collect the money without financial form. “With this I think there will be a control of collection because there will be a one body chair by one person that will collect money all in Jonglei state on behalf of the Government,” he said. (Back to Top)

Lakes state releases students and teachers without charges Sudantribune.com Rumbek, 09/10/13 - Authorities in Lakes state‟s Yirol West county have released teachers and pupils who were detained following last week‟s violence protest that resulted in the county commissioner‟s office being destroyed.

6 The incident occurred after the national MP for the area, David Deng Athorbei, was prevented from addressing pupils at Yirol Boy‟s Primary school by the county commissioner, Majak Ruei Angong. The commissioner has come under pressure at national and local level. Lakes state‟s military caretaker governor Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol as criticised Angong for unlawfully detaining the students and teachers On Friday Dhuol said the reason Athorbei was blocked from speaking at the third anniversary of Yirol Boy Primary school, where he was invited as a chief guest, was "personal" between the MP and the commissioner. Speaking on Tuesday, commissioner Majak expressed his frustration that the “rule of instruction and verbal communication orders” from the Lakes state government had put him at loggerheads with the powerful MP. The group of people released includes 11 teachers, 2 pupils who were detained during a protest in Yirol Boy primary school that resulted into commissioner‟s office being destroyed. Commissioner Majak was speaking on Tuesday during a meeting attended by chiefs, women unions, youth representatives, the county police inspector and members of National Intelligent Security Services (NISS). He said that he "will not distance myself from this case so much – I will not distance myself like [Lakes state‟s governor] Matur Chut Dhuol.” Majak alleged that the Awerial County commissioner, David Mayom Riak, was sacked by the caretaker governor because he refuses prevent MP Athorbei traveling to Juba visa the Awerial road. “Matur as you know ruling state with instruction, he phone ex-commissioner Mayom and told him to arrest MP David Deng Athorbei but Mayom decline to impose the order. Then Mayom got fire. I will not distance myself very far but school of Yirol Boy primary school have to be reopen immediately tomorrow morning and youth leader including headmaster will remain under house arrest” Majak told the senior county representatives in the meeting. Last week, 23 people including administrators and teachers were arrested in Yirol West County after the commissioner‟s office was attacked last Friday. Majak Ruei Angong ordered the arrests when he saw his office being destroyed by pupils from Yirol Boy Primary school. The commissioner denied reports that those arrested had been tortured while in custody but then said that if any incidence of maltreatment had occurred it had not been ordered or sanctioned. Yirol Boy Primary school complained that their school lost 15,000 SSP when the ceremony concluded without the available food being consumed as the guest of honour, David Deng Athorbei, left the county headquarters after being denied a chance to address the pupils. Commissioner Majak said that he would reimburse the losses to school management but declined to indicate when this would happen. He indicated that a bull will be bought to compensate the meat of the wasted bull. “I will provide another bull instead of your bull that was being wasted and a fresh party for third school anniversary will be done.” The governor of Lakes state has denied ordering the arrests in Yirol West county. Matur Chuol Dhuol broke his silence on Friday after three top security officers were dispatched from the capital, Juba, to investigate the incident.

7 Dhoul later formed a five-member committee headed by his minister for local government and law enforcement agency, Benjamin Laat Mathou to probe the matter. Despite the governor efforts, however, the presence of the three security officers puts to doubt the credibility of Dhoul‟s investigation team. (Back to Top)

Indian Battalion extends free veterinary aid camp to Panyikang County Gurtong , 10/10/13 - The United Nation Mission In South Sudan (UNMISS) Indian Battalion-1 (INDBATT-1) has this week conducted a veterinary camp in Tonga Payam of Panyikang County in Upper Nile State upon a request from commissioner Gabriel Jago Nyawelo. According to the lead Veterinary Doctor, their reaching Tonga was to extend their mandate to support the embattled communities and liaising with local authorities to determine the most pressing needs and provide assistance. Accordingly to Col Manish Sharma, the commanding officer of the Indian Battalion at Malakal instructed Lt Col (Dr) PV Venkatesh Kumar to include his veterinary team as part of the military liaison patrol proceeding to Panyikang County so that the benefits of the free veterinary aid could be made available to the remote area. Capt Utsav, the leader of INDBATT-1 patrol team along with Indian Battalion‟s veterinary staff and veterinary medicines reached Tonga of Panyikang County on Monday and conducted a free veterinary aid camp at the location of the local veterinary clinic. The team along with the support of the Veterinary assistants from the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries provided treatment to 96 livestock of different species like cows, sheep, goats and equines within the short duration of four hours of ground time available to the patrol team at Tonga. There were many cases of infertility among cows and respiratory infection among sheep. All the cases were given appropriate antibiotic injections, anti-inflammatory, reproductive hormones, minerals and vitamin supplements. Panyikang county commissioner Mr Gabriel Jago Nyawelo lauded the stupendous professional efforts of the staff and the prompt response of the Commanding Officer in extending the humanitarian aid to Panyikang County. He said that the aid Camp has created an everlasting impact in the minds of poor livestock owners and also provided an opportunity in synergizing the efforts of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, and INDBATT-1. Col Simon Yien Gatkuak, the Police Commissioner at Tonga welcomed the concept of incorporating humanitarian veterinary aid as a complement of UNMISS patrol team and said that Vet services delivery is almost defunct in this remote area and the humanitarian gesture of the INDBATT veterinary team has won applause of people, administration and the local media. At the camp site, Mr Daniel Mazaku, a livestock owner said “We are extremely happy that a free veterinary camp is organized in our area, as it has provided much needed relief to their animals, especially in this rainy season”. (Back to Top)

Gum Africa harvest commences in Upper Nile Gurtong Malakal, 10/10/13 - Manyo County Commissioner in Upper Nile State has said that his county has started preparation for Gum Africa harvests. Lt Col. Atheif Ajang Okuc said most of the land in Manyo County is occupied by acacia trees which produce Gum Africa in the areas bordering Sudan and South Sudan. Ajang said the preparation includes going to the forest to cut on stems and branches of acacia tree to produce the gelatinous fluids that later develops into gum after some period.

8 “It is like to say that we want to cultivate sorghum or any other crop for example. So we split on the acacia stems for that matter,” he said. “We have a very large belt of land in the county that produces Gum Africa. I think in South Sudan Manyo County is the best known place for Gum Africa and it is for the commercial benefit of South Sudan. It can bring in money to the nation if well developed,” he said. Formerly, the current Gum Africa in South Sudan was known as Gum Arabic under old Sudan but due to the separation of South Sudan, an Africa new nation observes it, not logic to still maintain the word Arabic in and African country like South Sudan. The Commissioner encourages Gum Africa farmers to enter into forest to chop on acacia stems to produce the gum promising that the security in the area is stable. “The security in the area is stable. The rebels which were the threat have now surrendered to South Sudan for peace, so the forests are safe and this is the right season to begin for gum making for those who have interests in the business,” Ajang said. Industries make good use of acacia gum in many ways being, confectionary gums, glues and also for painting and art. Sudan from 1950‟s to 1990‟s was said to be the only country producing 80% of the gum Arabic production present in the world markets. Most of the region producing region gum Arabic in Sudan remains in South Sudan after session. Ajang said that South Sudan has got its new market for acacia gum in east Africa after Sudan closed its border blocking bilateral trades between the two neighbouring nations. “What we collected last year was sold. We got some companies from Juba and east Africa with the interests. They have bought a good quantity. Some is still in Wadakona,” he concluded. (Back to Top)

Health situation in oil fields deteriorating - Commissioner Gurtong Malakal, 10/10/13 - Commissioner in Upper Nile State, Akuoch Teng Deng Juot, has said that the health situation in the oil rich county is deteriorating and called upon the government and oil companies to improve on health services. The commissioner said that the oil exploration has caused damage to the environment in some oil fields in South Sudan because of the poor management of the waste products that are being removed from the grounds during the production of the oil. According to the commissioner, the villages that are affected due to oil discovery and expansion includes the Melut Payam, Payam, Pannhomdit Payam, Goldora Payam, Wun-Amum Payam, Payam and Thaingrail Payam northern Upper Nile State. The total numbers of villages demolished by the oil operating companies are 979 villages; Melut Payam 224, Paloich Payam 309, Pariak Payam 109, Galdora Payam 92, Wun Amum Payam 111, Thinagrial Payam 49 and Pannhomdit Payam 85 villages. Commissioner Akuoch said the county has not received any support from the oil operating companies and government. The Commissioner said that oil exploration has had an impact on the reproductive system of the female in the area causing barrenness and delivery of deformed babies. “We had two of the pregnant women who had side effect of the impacts, when taken to Nairobi Kenya for treatment they went and delivered with deformed babies lacking limbs,” the commissioner said. There were no independent sources to confirm the claims.

9 “This has not been happening in our community and in the descendant of the clan, before oil discovery and expansion those deformities where not there,” he said adding that recently in Wun Amum payam, a woman gave birth to a baby with a tail. “This was not there at all they are the immediate effects of the oil chemicals contaminants,” he said. Akuoch is calling upon the government and the oil operating companies in collaboration with the National ministry of oil and petroleum to critically look into the health impacts and help shift the communities to the safer sides. He said that the communities are living within a distance of less than 50 meters which he said was supposed to be a distance of more than 300 meters. “The local communities are also complaining of health impacts like frequent abortions for pregnant women especially those who are residing near the water, in addition to many other diseases of which they do not know the cause, but which were not there before the oil establishment,” Akuoch lamented. Akuoch added that the oil field has also occupied and encroached on land used for accommodation, agriculture and cattle grazing areas. The villages that were lost by oil companies as a result of oil discovery and expansions were 236, the total villages that were affected due to the presence of the Rigs, Pipelines, and Roads were 312 , and the villages that were affected as a result of soil excavation, roads and electricity were 146 with those affected geologically were 285. According to the commissioner, the government should have the companies Act to follow up with article 100 subsection (8) of the Petroleum Act to carry out an environmental and social audit. He said the audit will define the nature and extent of past and current environmental degradation in the oil field complexes; determine the impact of this degradation on the quality of life in human habitations in and around those complexes; and assess the environmental impact of those operations on fauna and flora, including livestock, wildlife, water, and aquatic resources. South Sudan national parliament has passed a resolution demanding for an environmental assessment of the oil producing states in three months and be presented to the House. This could also be the process by which all past damage and related compensation is to be settled with the affected populations. “In late august this year representatives from Norwegian Workers Union, a representative from Norwegian Embassy in South Sudan, a representative from Ghana, a representative from South Sudan Ministry of Petroleum and Mining and journalists from different media houses paid an environmental impact assessment visits to Palouch in which they found the assessment was not in good condition but the oil operating companies said they would relocate the communities affected to safer side but not done,” the commissioner explains. The commissioner said that the DPOC oil company last time promised to relocate the citizens but until now there is nothing done on the ground. Upper Nile State, Unity and Tharjiath oil fields are the worst affected by oil exploration where the local community and the surrounding areas are not well secured thus the county authority is doing its best to protect the community from harmful chemicals that might be damped recklessly by the oil companies management. The Commissioner of Melut County Mr. Akuoch said that Paloich oil fields were established by Sudan government in 2000 in Adar oil station followed by other three oil fields in Paloich, Gumy and Moleeta when people were dispatched by the long civil war. Commissioner Akuoch Teng Deng in his speech said that waste water is more dangerous to the community of Palouch and that it contributed to the health deterioration. (Back to Top)

10 Kenya, South Sudan to boost trade ties Gurtong Juba, 10/10/13 - Kenya‟s ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga yesterday arrived in Juba for a meeting with the South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit aimed at boosting trade ties between the neighbours. According to Raila, the duo discussed bilateral talks on mainly trade. “We also talked about possibility of expanding business opportunities; Kenyans coming to invest here in South Sudan and vice-versa and also how the trade between the two countries can be improved,” Raila told press after their meeting. Raila said the talks explored on how the two countries can improve roads linking the nations in an effort to better trade. Raila‟s surprise visit came following wanton terrorists‟ attack in the Kenya Capital, Nairobi at the Westgate Mall that left 67 people dead and several dozens injured. Kiir expressed his heart felt sorrow and concern on the incident, Raila said. Kenya and South Sudan being neighboring countries have long outstanding diplomatic relations years back. Thousands of South Sudanese were hosted in Kenya following the long term two decades of civil war between South Sudan and Sudan that led to loss of estimated over two million South Sudanese. It was also the country which provided venue for the settling of the disputes between Sudan and Sudan in 2005 that led to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that has now brought stability in the region. Thousands of Kenyans today are all over the 10 mainly involved in the private sector businesses. (Back to Top)

Kenya Ports Authority faulted over directive on South Sudan-bound cargo The Standard Kenya, 09/10/13 - The Clearing and Forwarding fraternity has protested the manner in which a single company has been given the exclusive rights to clear all import cargo destined for South Sudan at the Mombasa Port. In a letter to all shipping agents, dated September, 27, 2013, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) notified all shipping and clearing agents on the appointment of Panda Clearing and Forwarding as the sole handler of all South Sudan cargo landed in the port of Mombasa. KPA general manager, operations Twalib A Khamis said Panda will partner with Compact Freight Station in the job with effect from October, 15 2013. “Consequently, with effect from October 15, 2013, all South Sudan cargo should be manifested for clearance at the Compact Freight Station,” he said in an internal memo. It is this directive that has drawn sharp criticism from members of the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA). “The port of Mombasa is a public utility and therefore awarding of any contracts or accession to any agreements must be done transparently and with the participation of the public and key stakeholders,” said Boaz Makomere, KIFWA national chairman in a response letter to KPA dated September 28, 2013. The association further states that existing Kenya Maritime Regulations prohibit monopolistic practices, which effectively lock out other players in the industry. “It is very clear that the purported appointment of the sole clearing agent and container freight station is not only discriminatory but also illegal,” said Makomere. South Sudan is considered one of the fastest growing transit destinations for imports through the Mombasa port, according to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

11 Only Second to Uganda, South Sudan‟s cargo stood at 11.6 per cent in 2013 compared to 7.5 per cent in 2011. (Back to Top).

US says it’s committed to support fight against LRA in Central Africa Sudantribune.com Kampala, 09/10/13 - The United States Secretary of State John Kerry has said the American government is committed to offering support to countries in the Great Lakes region in the fight against rebels of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) in central Africa. In a message to Ugandans on the country‟s 51st anniversary which was celebrated on Tuesday, John Kerry said: „„I am committed to continuing our support to help Uganda and its regional partners end the LRA threat and bring the remaining top LRA to justice.‟‟ „„We will continue to help these governments to hold war criminals accountable and bring a measure of justice to LRA affected areas‟‟, Kerry further said in the message released on Tuesday. In October 2011, the US President Barrack Obama authorised deployment of 100 military advisers in the Great Lakes region to help advise the armies of Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan in the fight against the LRA. The deployments came shortly after the US senate past legislation to disarm the LRA and bring its leaders to book. Originally a Ugandan rebel group, the LRA which was primarily based in the north of country fought President Yoweri Museveni‟s government for two decades until 2006 Juba peace talks in South Sudan. The rebel group has since became more active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Central Africa Republic (CAR) where it has been accused by human rights organisations of committing heinous crimes. The rebels were also active in South Sudan before moving over to DRC and CAR. (Back to Top)

Defiant Bashir slams "bandits" & "traitors" who planned recent protests Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 09/10/13 - The Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir, has accused those whom he called bandits, traitors and saboteurs of orchestrating the recent protests in collaboration with the “hostile media” in order to topple the regime. Late last month, violent clashes erupted between the demonstrators and security forces in different parts of the Sudan following the government‟s decision to remove fuel subsidies leading to at least 70 deaths according to official figures and more than a 200 according to human rights organizations, activists, and opposition. Sudanese authorities said they arrested 700 in connection with the riots and denied using live ammunition against protesters. They accused outside elements of firing at the demonstrators, namely rebels from Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF). Bashir further scoffed at those whom he described as “frail” and said that they got ready to take over power following the regime‟s demise, accusing them of using “infiltrators” and “thieves” to carry out their plan which failed "by the grace of Allah (God)" and the “men” of Khartoum. The Sudanese president , who was addressing a public rally in Gedaref state in eastern Sudan on Wednesday, said that his government wouldn‟t back down from implementing the austerity measures. He pointed that they explained to the Sudanese people the reasons behind lifting fuel subsidies, announcing that an economic conference will be held in November. Bashir added that his government faced a lot of difficulties, pointing that he challenged the International Criminal Court‟s (ICC) arrest warrant against him and travelled to several

12 countries around the world, saying that his visa application for the US embassy was the biggest challenge to America. “We were serious and when we challenged them they refused to issue me a visa”, he said. Last month, Bashir applied for a visa to travel to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings. The move by Bashir to seek entry drew rebuke by US officials who called on him to answer charges first at the International Criminal Court (ICC), which indicted him in 2009 and 2010 on ten counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in connection with the decade-long conflict in Sudan‟s western region of Darfur. The Sudanese president, who was addressing the celebration of changing the course of the Blue Nile for building the Upper Atbara and Setait dams, stressed that development projects would continue despite of the enemies‟ attempts to prevent foreign aid and external finance. “Allah supported us with finance from the Arab countries and China because Allah provides livelihood”, he said He gave the signal for changing the course of the river and signed the contract for the dam which will offer storage capacity of 150,000 cubic meter of water for Gedaref state, saying that the project will provide permanent irrigation for 800,000 acres of land. He said that the project would increase power generation and water supply for millions of people as well as agricultural projects. (Back to Top)

Islamic group in Sudan calls on Bashir to step down and disband government Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 09/10/13 - Sudan‟s Islamic Constitution Front (ICF) has called on president Omer Hassan al-Bashir to give up power and form a national unity government. ICF is composed of several Islamist group and individuals mostly representing Salafist groups and individuals as well as far-right political parties. The coalition was officially launched in Khartoum on 28 February 2012, with the stated aim to make Sudan‟s constitution based on Islamic Shar‟ia Law. The ICF rapporteur, Ahmed Malik, in a press conference on Wednesday, vehemently attacked the government on the way it responded to protests, asserting that excessive use of force led to the death of dozens of people including children. Late last month, violent clashes erupted between the demonstrators and security forces in different parts of the Sudan following the government‟s decision to remove fuel subsidies leading to at least 70 deaths according to official figures and more than a 200 according to human rights organizations, activists, and opposition. Sudanese authorities said they arrested 700 in connection with the riots and denied using live ammunition against protesters. They accused outside elements of firing at the demonstrators, namely rebels from Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF). Malik held the government responsible for the death of protestors and added that even if they were killed by a third party [as the government claim], the government was responsible for their protection, demanding that the parliament summons the interior minister for investigation. He said that the ICF supports people‟s demand for the removal of the regime through peaceful means, adding that they call for the escalation of demonstrations and sit-ins. The Islamist figure called for implementing Islamic Shar‟ia Law in words and deeds and forming a committee of Ulama (religious scholars) to cancel all laws and practices which are incompatible with Shar‟ia , emphasizing that all Sudanese people are Muslims.

13 Sudan is home to Coptic Christians and well as Christians in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States, where rebels are currently fighting the government. Following the secession of South Sudan, Bashir underscored Sudan‟s Arab-Islamic identity and vowed to draft a 100% Islamic constitution. Malik further called for forming a national government of fair and respectable figures to restructure the state‟s institutions and appointing a prime minister with open mandate to run the government and conduct immediate reforms prior to holding fair and transparent elections. He warned against the outbreak of civil war similar to that which took place in Somalia and did not rule out the occurrence of assassinations, saying that Sudan could be divided into five states. The rapporteur added that the SRF rebels have sleeping cells in Khartoum in addition to the armed bandits, considering them the “next danger”. The ICF secretary general, Nasser Alseed, for his part, said that Bashir‟s government has brought the country to a standstill and added that corruption has become rampant and the country is on the verge of collapse. He pointed to the tight security measures and absence of basic freedoms, saying that the government did not value human lives pointing to its use of tanks and heavy weapons to quell the protests. (Back to Top)

SPLM-N to intensify attacks if regime continues crackdown on protesters Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 10/10/13 - The Sudan People‟s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) secretary- general warned they , together with the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), would intensify attack on the regime if it continues its crackdown on peaceful protesters. Yasir Arman issued on Wednesday a statement at the end of a three-day meeting of the SPLM leadership council where the group discussed issued related to its organisation and humanitarian situation in the areas under its control besides the political unrest in the country. In a five-page statement extended to Sudan Tribune, Arman said the SPLM-N and the SRF groups discussed the role of the armed struggle in the protection of the popular uprising and ways to support it. "We have concluded on the need for the uprising to retain its peaceful nature", he stressed. However he warned they "are completing our preparations to take the banner from the peaceful demonstrators and inflect another military defeat on the regime" if the anti-regime demonstrations face repression. The Sudanese took to the street last September to demonstrate against the government‟s decision to lift subsidies on fuel and other basic commodities. The security forces killed over 60 people according to the government officials, as the activists speak about 200 victims. Over six hundred people are also under detention. Youth activists call for another protest next Friday as they did last week after Friday prayer, but the government seems confident that the situation is under control after the rise of wages and some specific economic measures aiming to maintain the subsidies of public transportation and bread. Arman who said convinced that the demonstration will increase during the upcoming period also disclosed they held discussions with Islamist reformists, saying they are a factor of the political situation in Sudan to be taken in consideration and to deal with them on the basis of a clear political platform to achieve a comprehensive political change.

14 He also stressed that such dialogue avoids the rise of a new group of Islamists under the pretext they have better solutions than the NCP , or a palace coup bringing military officers. The SPLM leadership meeting agreed to re-compose the liberation council after the separation with the South Sudan ruling party SPLM. The meeting also decided to develop the Movement‟s activities in the towns and rural areas controlled by the government. Regarding the armed wing, the Sudan People‟s Liberation Army- North, it is decided to immediately hold a meeting for the SPLA command and to prepare for a conference of officers. The meeting also approved the SPLM-N transitional constitution to organise the different institutions of the rebel group inside and outside the country. Arman said they believe the Sudanese Revolutionary Front is a strategic alliance that should continue and be developed to include new parties, adding that a committee is formed to contact the new and democratic forces to form a joint political umbrella. "The SPLM-N is willing to unite with the forces of the New Sudan to build a national liberation movement, able to contribute in the building of a new democratic Sudan based on equal citizenship and social justice", he further said. (Back to Top)

Sudan denies involvement of its nationals in Kenya’s Westgate attack Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 09/10/13 - The Sudanese army denied the participation of a Sudanese national in the recent terrorist attack on the Westgate mall in the Kenyan capital Nairobi where 67 people were killed by the Somali militants of Al-Shabaab group. On Saturday 6 October, spokesperson for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Major Emmanuel Chirchir claimed that a Sudanese terrorist by the name Abu Baara Al-Sudani was among the assailants killed when the army stormed the mall. Al-Sudani was identified following the release of video footage showing four armed men in what looks like a store room. However, in a statement released on Wednesday, the spokesperson of the Sudanese army, Colonel Al-Sawarmi Khaled Sa‟ad, said that "Abu Baara Al-Sudani is of Somali origin and has nothing to do with the State of Sudan". "Al-Sudani is just his name", he added. (Back to Top)

FEATURE - Fire a ‘constant concern’ in hotels, managers say Voice of America Juba, 09/10/13 - A week after fire tore through the South Sudan Hotel in Juba, Mel Garang Yout walked amid the rubble, surveying the damage and watching as salvage workers move burnt timber and charred rubble from the roof of the VIP section of the hotel. The hotel suffered some 2.5 million South Sudanese Pounds' worth of damage, not including guests' property, when fire ripped through it last Wednesday, said Yout. But it didn't have to be this way, he said: the damage would have been far less extensive if the fire brigade were better equipped and had arrived within minutes of the first call going out, not more than an hour later, he told VoA News. "They came after one hour or two hours... everything was damaged," Yout said. "They are really very poor. They brought with them one car and that car didn't have water. So we ran to go and look for the water tank to supply them," he said. At another Juba hotel, the Quality Hotel, manager Yemane Binega said fire is a constant concern, partly because all hotels in Juba have to use generators for some of their power supply. An electrical short circuit when the South Sudan Hotel switched from its generator to mains power is believed to have been what triggered the fire there.

15 Binega said the Quality Hotel has invested in fire extinguishers and blankets. He recommended that business owners store fuel at a safe distance from open flames, such as in the kitchen, and other places where fire could break out. New York Hotel manager Eyob Ghebrekristos said his establishment has spent more than 11,000 South Sudanese Pounds on fire extinguishers. "We have fire extinguishers in our generator areas, in the kitchen, in the rooms where we accommodate guests and in the bar," he said. The extinguishers are inspected annually by the fire brigade. Ghebrekristos said. "They do come here. They renew the licences and they check the fire extinguishers," he said. Central Equatoria State Fire Brigade director, Colonel John Domillian, declined to comment for this story, but in an earlier interview said the fire department responded immediately to the South Sudan Hotel fire. He acknowledged his team is short on equipment and said they have asked the government for more. (Back to Top)

For further information or media enquiries please contact: UNMISS Spokesperson Tel.: +211 (0) 912 06 7149 or Mobile: +211 (0) 912 396 539

United Nations Mission in South Sudan - Public Information Office www.unmiss.unmissions.org UN House Juba 03, P.O. Box 29, Juba, South Sudan 16