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

FRIDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2013

SOUTH SUDAN  South Sudan building a nation from scratch after independence, UN told (UN News Centre)  President Kiir urges for cooperation within the SPLM Party (Gurtong)  Kiir orders SPLM in Lakes State to hold meeting to resolve differences (Sudantribune.com)  Immigrations officers train for better service delivery (Gurtong)  UNMISS to support public service reforms (Catholic Radio Network)  South Sudan civil societies hold workshop on accountability (Gurtong)  Zimbabwe will teach South Sudanese diplomats English (Eye Radio)  Education Ministry says only 3% of teachers are qualified (Radio Miraya)  IMF urges transparency in oil operations (Sudantribune.com) SOUTH SUDAN/SUDAN  Khartoum and Juba to expel rebels from border demilitarized areas (Sudantribune.com)  Vice President calls for UN action on (Catholic Radio Network) OTHER HIGHLIGHTS  Sudan cuts internet for next 48 hours as fears mount of new post-Friday prayers protests (Sudantribune.com)

LINKS TO STORIES FROM THE MORNING MEDIA MONITOR  US Envoy Donald Booth calls for formation of ‘legitimate’ Abyei referendum commission (Eye Radio)  South Sudan building a nation from scratch after independence, UN told (UN News Center)  Over 150 thousand SPLA combatants to be demobilized (Good News Radio)  Deputy speaker warns security against torturing citizens (Voice of Hope)  Baby killed after car plunges into River Limu (Gurtong.net)  Inmates in need of food and medicines in Tonj (Eye Radio)  MP reports disappearance of 13,000 bags of sorghum meant for residents (Gurtong.net)

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.

Highlights

South Sudan building a nation from scratch after independence, UN told UN News Centre United Nations, 26/09/13 - South Sudan has had to build a country literally from scratch since it gained independence two years ago, Vice President James Wani Igga said today in his address to the high-level debate of the United Nations General Assembly. “We must have made errors of judgment as we try to fix a war-devastated country,” Mr. Igga said, as he appealed for goodwill to continue. According to the Vice President, the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) had been “relatively successful,” although the issue of the contested area of Abyei and the demarcation of the borders between South Sudan and Sudan continue to impede the full implementation of the peace accord. Speaking to delegations on his country’s relations with Sudan, Mr. Igga said that it has been “a mixture of cooperation and squabbles” but acknowledged that there is “no alternative to lasting peace other than harmony and cooperation.” He called on the international community to step up its role in narrowing the gap between the two parties. On the disputed area of Abyei, Mr. Igga promised cooperation to implement an agreement on its final status through a referendum set for October 2013 by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP). South Sudanese President Salva Kiir visited Khartoum in early September where he met with Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir, and the two leaders agreed on improving cooperation including the unhindered flow of oil from South Sudan through Sudan, he added. A set of security and economic agreements – signed in the Ethiopian capital under the auspices of the AUHIP – include provisions on security, the common border and economic relations aimed at enabling the two nations to fulfil their obligations under a so-called roadmap for easing tensions and facilitating the resumption of negotiations on post-secession relations. Turning to the eastern state of Jonglei, one of ten states in the country, the Vice President stated, “It has serious security and infrastructural impediments.” He went on to say that the Government is determined to transform the army, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), into “a professional National Army that respects human rights and the rule of law and committed to the protection of civilians.” He expressed gratitude to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which had helped the Government transform hundreds of former combatants into a police force “conscious of the rule of law.” Mr. Igga expressed regret for the loss of lives of the Indian peacekeepers, the Russian helicopter crew and the Kenyan and South Sudanese relief workers in Pibor county. He was referring to incidents in which UN peacekeepers and humanitarian workers have been caught up in the violence in Jonglei. An estimated 100,000 civilians in Jonglei alone have been cut off from life-saving assistance as a result of fighting between State and non-state armed actors, and the recent resurgence of inter-communal clashes, according to the UN. The Security Council has called on Juba to expedite safe and unhindered humanitarian access for the timely and full delivery of aid to all civilians in urgent need of assistance in accordance with relevant provisions of international law. The Vice President also said the country is being run according to “acceptable standards of competence,” and called on “experts” to appreciate the bigger picture of “how well the country is run outside Jonglei state.”

2

Government spending has been reduced by 40 per cent and non-oil revenue has been increased considerably, he added. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to address literacy rates among women, which is below 18 per cent, and to increase their political participation. “We are determined to uproot impunity and corruption, a phenomenon which is a symptom of post-conflict States,” said the Vice-President. (Back to Top)

President Kiir urges cooperation in SPLM Party Gurtong Rumbek, 27/09/ 2013 - President has concluded his two-day visit to Rumbek, Lakes State on Thursday with a call for cooperation among the members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement Party (SPLM) party. Members of the SPLM held a closed door meeting at Palm-Tree Hotel in Rumbek Central County with the president to address outstanding party power struggles in Lakes State Legislative Assembly. A group of 34 lawmakers in Lakes State filed a complaint against the Speaker John Marik Makur seeking his impeachment but Kiir warned of dire consequences on the party. He said the party would be heavily affected. Kiir called upon the state legislators and SPLM party members at State Liberation Council (SLC) level to show cooperation between junior and senior members. MPs in their petition letter to impeach accused the speaker of corruption, mismanagement of the Assembly and undermining the challenges of the harsh security reform measures that have affected the public. The president directed the State SPLM chairman Daniel Awet Akot to call for State Liberation Council (SLC) for an urgent meeting to iron out their party differences within two days. The SPLM Acting Secretary General Dr. Anne Itto is working around the clock to collect finances to allow SLC to conduct it sitting. Kiir told SPLM caucus members: “I need cooperation and unity among you. If any MP attempts to impeach the speaker, I will apply what I applied on former speakers; Isaiah Alier Machinkok and Bullent Kot..” In 2008, a group of MPs opposed the former speaker Machinkok and president Kiir forced the two rivals to resign from state parliament. In October 2008, a group of MPs supporting Bullian Kot seized state parliament for 13 days. Marik Nanga Marik MP, who represents Rumbek North County, told Sudan Tribune that Lakes State parliament is setting a bad example to the public. Marik said: “Democracy is a valued principle, so much so that some people have sacrificed their lives to fight for it. While no system is perfect, it seems that democracy is once again under assault. What are the challenges posed in a democratic system and are established safeguards helping to strengthen democracy or are their forces successfully weakening it?” Marik told the press, shortly after the Deputy Speaker rejected the discussion on conduct of business. (Back to Top)

Kiir orders SPLM in Lakes State to hold meeting to resolve differences Sudantribune.com Rumbek, 26/09/ 2013 - South Sudanese president Salva Kiir Mayardit concluded his two day visit to Rumbek, the capital of Lakes state on Thursday, after instructing top officials to hold a meeting to resolve their diffences. Members from South Sudan’s ruling party - the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement - held a closed door meeting with the president at Palm Tree Hotel in Rumbek Central county to address power struggle within SPLM MPs in the Lakes State Legislative Assembly. A group of 34 lawmakers have attempted to impeach the parliament’s speaker, John Marik Makur, for corruption and allowing harsh security measures to be introduced. However, president

3

Kiir warned against such internal divisions and called for better cooperation between MPs and other members of the party within the central state. Kiir directed the chairman of the SPLM in Lakes state, Daniel Awet Akot, to call for the party’s State Liberation Council (SLC) to conduct an urgent meeting to iron out party differences within two days. The SPLM’s acting secretary general Dr. Anne Itto is reported to be working to provide the finances to allow the meeting to be held. “I need cooperation and unity among you” Kiir told SPLM members and MPs. In 2008 when a group of MPs in Lakes state opposed the former speaker Isaiah Alier Machinkok president Kiir forced him and his main rival Bullent Kot to both resign from their positions after MPs loyal to Kot seized control of the state parliament for 13 days. In September 2012 speaker Makur was criticised by MPs for not allowing the parliament to amend the assembly’s conduct of business. At the time Marik Nanga Marik, who represents Rumbek North county told Sudan Tribune that Lakes State parliament was not acting democratically and setting a bad example to the public. (Back to Top)

Immigration officers train for better service delivery Gurtong Juba, 26/09/ 2013 - The European Union Aviation Security Mission in South Sudan (EUAVSEC) in collaboration with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), has organized a three day’s training course for 33 Immigrations Officers from the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), to improve their work. The objective of the training held at the EUAVSEC’s training center at Juba International Airport from 25-27 September 2013 was to train, mentor and fine tune the job performance of the officers to internationally recognized professional standards, in line with the standard of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and modern migrations management. “The aviation security course was interesting for us. This is the first time for us to attend such training and all things learned today will apply on our work at Juba International Airport and all the other entry points in South Sudan” one of participants, Abishai Peter Sokifasi said. The Director General, Nationality, Passport and Immigration, Maj. Gen Augustino Madut Palek thanked the European Union and UNMISS for the support. Palek said the training is a step forward in improving immigration services in South Sudan, to international standards. EUAVSEC assists the Government of South Sudan to raise the security at JIA to internationally accepted standards, which will also enable the increased flow of people, goods and boost trade. (Back to Top)

UNMISS to support public service reforms Catholic Radio Network Juba, 27/09/2013-The United Nations Mission in South Sudan or UNMISS will continue to support the ongoing capacity building and reforms in the country. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General who is the head of UNMISS Hilde Johnson said the UN would work with the government to build the work force that can efficiently deliver services to the public. The Special Representative after meeting the national Minister for Labour and Public Service Ngor Kolong Ngor on Thursday told the media that the payroll cleansing was a step in the right direction to weed out ghost workers to avoid wasting public funds. She said capacity building programmes, performance management introduction and pensions fund establishment were positive measures the government undertook. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General said UN would help modernize the promising public service. (Back to Top)

4

South Sudan civil societies hold workshop on accountability Gurtong Juba, 26/09/ 2013 - The coalition of civil society organizations are currently engaged in a workshop to find out ways on how the resources in the country should be managed in transparent and accountable manner. The workshop that organized by Publish What You Pay (PWYP) South Sudan Rev. James Ninrew, Interim Chairperson for Civil society working group on transparency and accountability on natural and public discussed several issues relating to oil impact to the environment, citizens and their livestock. Speaking during the conference, Rev. James Ninrew stressed that the Civil Society Organizations have a great role to play and to advise the stakeholders in the resources channeled to the wrong direction and how best the country could use its resources in the right way despite many challenges. Ninrew urged all the Stakeholders to be responsible in any case arising either from environmental pollutions, water contamination resulting from operation and many lives of people and animals in the oil producing states. One of the oil taskforce member from Unity State say that “the situation on the ground has gone beyond description, people there are living dog life… oil money as stated in the revenue management bill that gives oil producing states 5% is nowhere to be seen.” The conference also highlights the role of the media houses when it comes to reporting the facts and should seriously be involved. Many people believe that if the National Government could not release the community share, the priorities on the top of the State Government plan will not go as they are expected but some say the discussion is a response to curb corruption and misuse of public funds. President Salva Kiir directed the Caretaker Governor of Unity State Dr. Joseph Manytuil Wejang to quickly prioritize the construction of roads, schools, health centers and water network just at the beginning of the dry season among others. PWYP South Sudan is currently building strong coalition to traces the management of all revenues income such as oil that constitute 98% of the total budget, gold, fishes that are said to be imported from Uganda while the Country (South Sudan) has plenty of them. The workshop also urged the government and oil companies to publish what they pay, what they receive and what they have done to the local communities and also urged the oil companies and government to be transparent with the contracts signed to promote and ensure accountability, competence of resources management since the government has signed up for Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI). The Acting and Deputy Governor of the Government of Unity State Col. Mabek Lang Mading stressed last week during a stakeholders forum that “the government of the Republic of South Sudan should do more to make sure that services delivery is among the top priorities and that the local communities are put in picture and consulted when need arises.” He added that the Government of Unity State is committed to implement and developmental project that aimed to improve the current situation in the Country in term of services delivery and how the local community gets their right share of resources. The State Minister of Gender and Social Development Honorable Mary Paul Ngundeng said that the government should also concentrate on other source of revenues such as livestock and agriculture among other resources. The conference has discussed and identified few priorities and challenges in the natural resources management in the Republic of South Sudan. The priority actions included; to improve the management of the oil and mining sector and their respective institutional framework, pass the Petroleum Management Bill and subsequently set up the future generations fund, the government should sign up to the Extractive Industries

5

Transparency Initiative (EITI) and to increase investment in resource extraction, transport and processing and refining capacity. The government and the civil societies organizations has been conducting several conferences with the help from the international communities, Public What You Pay (PWYP) and Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), pushing the government to be a member of two entities so that transparency and accountability are put into action. Since 2008, the Norwegian People Aids have been supporting three oil taskforces of Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei States that are currently involved in advocating for the right of local community, services delivery, and environmental impact to the community, employment and will also be carrying out an awareness and dissemination of petroleum management Bill and Revenue management Bill so that that local community know their right and share of their resources and to mobilize the oil industries employees to form a strong union that will negotiate their grievances with their employers. Three oil taskforces representatives from Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei with support from NPA are invited by PWYP to travel to Norway for the second time to access what role played by PWYP in Norway. Due to the legacy of conflict and neglect, socio-economic development in South Sudan starts from very low base, despite a nominally high income derived from oil, in the absence of the basic infrastructure and limited services delivery capacity where many people remain cutoff from access to social services. The areas discussed in the conference are legitimate politics, security, Justices, Economic foundations and revenues services. (Back to Top)

Zimbabwe will teach S. Sudanese diplomats English: Official Eye Radio Juba, 27/09/13 - South Sudanese diplomats are due to attend an English course in Zimbabwe. According to the spokesperson of Foreign Affairs Ministry, Mawien Makol said diplomats serving in foreign missions will be offered English lessons and technical support in Harare, courtesy of the Zimbabwean government. “There are people here in the ministry who are graduates and are diplomats, but the English ability is so low,” Ambassador Makol told Eye Radio. “The training targets Arabic pattern officials and other staff at the ministry.” The course will last two to three months. “English must be very efficient enough so that they communicate with other counterparts in their missions where they are deployed,” he added. Ambassador Makol did not disclose the number of diplomats who will attend the English course. English became the official Language after South Sudan gained independence in July 2011. (Back to Top)

Education Ministry says only 3% of teachers are qualified Radio Miraya Juba, 26/09/13 - The National Ministry of Education, Science and Technology says only 3% of teachers in the country are qualified. The Undersecretary in the Ministry, Deng Deng Hoc Yai said his ministry in working to address the issue. He revealed that over 28,029 teachers need training. Undersecretary Deng said progress has been made since the opening of the County’s education training centers where the teachers can undergo courses to improve their qualifications. “We are now implementing the project for capacity building and the project is now one year old and is being implemented in all the ten States,” he said.

6

“The project is not able to provide chances to all the teachers that are in need of capacity building because the number of teachers who are in need of capacity building is very big.” The Chairperson of the National Teachers Union, Kachuol Majuang said the Country has nearly 30, 000 registered teachers for both primary and secondary school levels. Mr. Kachuol outlined three categories of teachers who need training. “We have teachers who are qualified but are graduates in the Arabic language, teachers who completed secondary school and teachers who don’t have certificates but they are teaching well.” (Back to Top)

IMF urges improved transparency in oil operations Sudantribune.com Juba, 25/09/ 2013 – A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have urged South Sudanese authorities to improve transparency in oil operation in order to promote economic stability. The call came at the end of a two-week visit to the new nation, during which the IMF held talks with officials from the finance and petroleum ministry, central bank, civil society, academia, among others. The IMF team, in a statement, said their mission agreed with the authorities that, with the gradual resumption of oil production, policies that promote economic stability will remain essential, together with an environment of good relations with Sudan and the pursuit of national unity. “To this end, key near-term priorities will need to be sound fiscal and foreign exchange policies, improved transparency in government and oil operations, and strengthened public expenditure management,” partly reads the statement. South Sudan’s economy has suffered a huge economic setback after last year’s oil shutdown over a dispute with neighbouring Sudan. Oil revenues previously supported 98% of South Sudan’s annual budget. Despite all these, however, the IMF said Sudan’s economic outlook was improving with the rise in its oil production and that inflation was steadily declining. The world financial institution further agitated for more investments in sector like health, education, and public infrastructure, which its said, could put the country on a path of sustained growth and poverty reduction. "As public investment is scaled up in the near-term, sound project selection and prudent debt management should also be priorities", it stressed. WELCOMES DRAFT BUDGET The IMF team lauded the country’s draft 2013/14 budget submitted to Parliament, saying it strikes the right balance between increasing spending on priority areas and maintaining economic stability. The 17.3bn South Sudanese Pound (SSP) budget, according to the finance ministry, will mainly be funded using revenues from oil, non-oil resources, loans and donor support. "The mission also welcomes the authorities’ plans to lift fiscal austerity gradually as the oil revenue stream becomes more certain and to move forward with other key reform including the enactment of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act," the IMF further said. Meanwhile the IMF announced a plan, under its rapid credit facility, to extend financial support to South Sudan government. Discussions on the loan, to be monitored by the institution’s staff, are reportedly in advanced stages and could be concluded soon. "The successful implementation of this program would set the basis for economic stability and help attract support from multilateral and bilateral partners as well as private investors", IMF noted in its statement. (Back to Top)

7

Khartoum and Juba to expel rebels from border demilitarised areas Sudantribune.com Khartoum 26, 2013 - Sudan and South Sudan security officials agreed on Thursday to expel rebel groups from the demilitarised zone on the border between the two countries as part of their efforts to normalise relations and open crossing points. The joint security committee held a meeting in Juba from 24 to 26 September chaired by the heads of Sudanese and South Sudanese military intelligences respectively generals Sideeg Amir Hassan and Mac Paul. In a joint statement released in Khartoum following the meeting, said that the discussions were frank and open, and the parties expressed their sincere and serious resolve to tackle the different concerns and problems. "The Joint Security Committee recommended the expulsion of the rebel elements located in the demilitarised area", said the statement adding that there was "a clear decline of complaints from both sides". A mechanism formed by the African Union Peace and Security Council has just terminated several trips to Sudan and South Sudan where they visited areas where the rebels are allegedly present. It is expected to hand over its findings to the African Union soon. Since last year, the rebel SPLM-N says controlling more than 40% of the Sudan international border with the South Sudan. "The establishment of a demilitarised buffer zone emphasizes the urgency and the necessity to include the SPLM-N in order to reach an effective demilitarised buffer zone", said Yasir Arman SPLM-N secretary general in different statements. The joint security committee agreed to release the prisoners of war detained following the clashes of April 2012 in Heglig area, and to facilitate the return of South Sudanese civilians from Sudan. Also they agreed to task intelligence teams and officers on the border areas to coordinate their activities and exchange intelligence and visits. The joint committee further said they will redeploy troops in the demilitarized zone in line with the conclusions of the joint teams. Interior ministers in both countries agreed in Juba on 24 September to open 10 crossing points to allow the movement of people and goods between the two sides of border. South Sudan interior minister Aleu Ayieny Aleu and his Sudanese counterpart, Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid also agreed on cancellation of the entry visa for holders of the diplomatic, official and trade passports from both countries. In statements from New York, Sudanese foreign minister Ali Karti hailed the improvement of relations between Khartoum and Juba saying Sudan relations with South Sudan relations have never been as good as now since the independence of the latter in July 2011. He further said the two countries are working to resolve the outstanding issues stressing that bilateral meetings through the different mechanisms would contribute to settle it. Adding that their disagreement over Abyei would not be an obstacle to move forward. He also praised the efforts exerted by the African Union and its panel on the two Sudans to help the two countries to end the different issues that resulted from the secession of South Sudan. (Back to Top)

Vice President calls for UN action on Abyei Catholic Radio Network Juba, 27/09/2013-Vice President of the Republic called on United Nations and international community to act on Abyei issue. James Wani Igga made the call while addressing Abyei and South Sudan communities’ demonstration in front of UN General Assembly in New York, United States of America calling for Abyei referendum to take place in October.

8

He assured the demonstrators that President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Government, SPLM and the entire people of South Sudan are committed to the referendum. “Abyei is part of South Sudan and the result of Abyei referendum will prove this hundred percent”, said Wani Igga. The Minister of Finance Agrey Tisa Sabuni called for the implementation of the AU proposal by conducting referendum next month. The minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare Awud Deng said it was time for action on Abyei issue and that all South Sudanese women stand with the government on Abyei referendum to take place in time. (Back to Top)

Sudan cuts internet for next 48 hrs as fears mount of post-Friday prayers protests Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 26/09/ 2013 - Fresh clashes broke out between Sudanese security forces and demonstrators in different parts of the capital Khartoum on Thursday night despite a relatively calm morning compared to the day before. Yesterday witnessed the fiercest protests by demonstrators who were angry about the government’s decision this week to implement new cuts on fuel subsidies causing the prices of gasoline and diesel to almost double. The protestors chanted slogans which included "The people want the fall of the regime!", "Freedom, Freedom!". The Sudanese Interior Ministry announced that yesterday’s protests led to the death of 29 people including policemen. But activists and opposition figures say that the actual number exceeds 100 along with hundreds of injuries and arrests by security officers. The director of Omdurman hospital Osama Mortada told the BBC’s Arabic Service on Wednesday that 21 people sent to his hospital had died, and that about 80 were injured. "All have gunshot wounds, some in the chest," he said. The areas of Wad Nubawy, al-Thawra in Sudan’s twin capital city of Omdurman and al-Kalaklat in south Khartoum saw demonstrations that were met with violent response from the police which chased the protesters by cars to prevent them from blocking a main street in al-Thawra. Eyewitnesses in Wad Nubawy and al-Kalaklat said that police used live ammunition and tear gas adding that mass arrests of young people were carried out from inside the neighborhoods without notifying their parents. The Sudanese police in a statement asserted that security and stability has returned to the states of Khartoum and Gezira but disclosed that some of its members were critically injured. The governor of Khartoum Abdel-Rahman al-Khidir claimed that authorities have detected the movement of "organized" and "trained" elements with stated goals of carrying out the sabotage operations that hit gas stations, public transportation buses and other buildings. Al-Khidir did not blame a specific group but other officials this week accused the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) rebel coalition of infiltrating the protests and inciting violence. The governor said that those elements have emerged during the protests to target people with all types of weapons. He further said that these groups were spotted being moved in vehicles to target specific sites . Some opposition figures and activists accused pro-government militias and National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) of standing behind the sabotage operations to tarnish the nature of these protests. Al-Khidir announced that the state security committee directed the competent organs to decisively address any acts of sabotage as required by law and striking with an "iron fist". The governor of Khartoum in his statement said that authorities instructed police at the beginning of the protests to deal "gently" with the demonstrators.

9

He pledged that his government is working to ensure that the flow of services affected by the acts of sabotage such as fuel, bread and transportation returns to normal. Since yesterday the vast majority of businesses and shops were closed as merchants feared looting. Public Transportation services were also severely downgraded. Al-Khidir said that a security operation carried out resulted in the of arrest hundreds of outlaws and gangs and found stolen goods and properties in their possession. The Sudanese Commission for Human Rights, which is under the purview of the Presidency, called on authorities to establish an independent judicial committee to investigate the damage and loss of life that occurred during this week’s protests and monitor any use of excessive force by Sudanese security .to disperse the demonstrators. The Commission also called for prosecuting anyone involved in the killing, looting or sabotage and demanded that the government compensate citizens affected by the demonstrations. The Secretary General of the National Chamber for distribution of petroleum products al-Agib Suleiman said that 69 gas stations were affected by the riots in Khartoum state with varying degrees of damages. The most impacted companies included Bashayer (12 stations), Petronas (10 stations), Mathew (8 stations), Gadra (6 stations), al-Nahla (6 stations), Neel (5 stations) and Aman (4 stations). He stressed that there is no fuel shortage but that the fewer unaffected gas station are under pressure because of heavy demand adding that the situation will improve when other stations resume work. Zainab Jamal al-Din from al-Nahla fuel said that their loss is estimated at 12 million pounds and that four of their stations were completely damaged and another two partially. Petronas on its end said that out of its 37 stations, 20% were affected and pointed out that the company did not insure against riots. The Khartoum state Transportation Company also announced that they incurred heavy losses as a result of vandalism that targeted its fleet causing a disruption of service. The public transportation company said that 15 buses were completely destroyed by fire while another 105 were partially damaged due to shattered glass and doors. A group calling itself ‘The Alliance of the Youth of the Sudanese Revolution’ called on the people to continue demonstrating peacefully until the regime is toppled. It urged all sections of the Sudanese people including the army and security bodies to unite behind these goals. On Thursday, Sudan TV announced that internet access will be cut off staring midnight and for the next 48 hours without saying why. But social media networks saw the circulation of calls for demonstrations following tomorrow’s Friday prayers. This follows a full internet shutdown on Wednesday but authorities offered conflicting reasons for that. Ahmed Bilal, the country’s information minister and government spokesperson, acknowledged in an interview with the pro-government Ashorooq TV the internet shutdown saying that the government has exercised "plenty of self-restraint" but promised that the cyber-blackout will soon end. But the Sudanese embassy in Washington denied in a statement yesterday that this was deliberate and blamed it on the unrest. "The Government of Sudan did not block internet access. Among other targets, violent protesters burned facilities of Canar Telecommunications Company, which hosts the core base of internet services for Sudan. These fires resulted in continuing internet black outs across Sudan," it added.

10

"The Government of Sudan and Canar Telecom have now partially restored internet service and will work until internet access is fully restored". But a private sector telecoms official told Reuters the government had blocked the Internet without consulting telecoms firms. Renesys Corp., a company that maps the pathways of the Internet, said according to Associated Press that it could not confirm whether the blackout was government-orchestrated. But the outage recalls a similarly dramatic outage in Egypt, Sudan’s neighbor, when authorities shut off Internet access during that country’s 2011 uprising. "It’s either a government-directed thing or some very catastrophic technological failure that just happens to coincide with violent riots happening in the city," said senior analyst Doug Madory. He said it was almost a "total blackout." (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. Box11 29, Juba, South Sudan