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

TUESDAY, 03 DECEMBER 2013 SOUTH SUDAN  South Sudan ranked 173 out of 175 most corrupt countries (Eye Radio newscast @13:00hrs)  Wheelchair Basketball Associaiton celebrates Persons with Disabilities Day with match (Catholic Radio Network)  VP visits Malakal (Saut Al Mahbba)  Governors blamed for rising insecurity (Gurtong)  South Sudan media houses: registering journalists is “inappropriate” (Eye Radio)  Juba acknowledges US role in training security forces (Sudantribune.com)  Five arrested over police officer’s death (Sudantribune.com)  Suspect in Lakes State minister’s bodyguard arrested (Eye Radio newscast @13:00hrs)  Cattle raiding creates tension in Jonglei (Gurtong)  Aweil leaders reconcile chiefs after dispute (Gurtong)  Authorities in Torit arrest two accused of circulating counterfeit dollars (Eye Radio newscast @13:00hrs)  Underground aircraft bombs located in Yambio (Gurtong) SOUTH SUDAN, SUDAN  Sudan’s far right party calls for improved relations with South Sudan (Sudantribune.com) OTHER HIGHLIGHTS  Sudan rebels, govt clash again south of rail town (Agence France-Presse)  Cabinet reshuffle in Sudan expected this week (Sudantribune.com)  Museveni, Kabila reach agreement on M23 rebel leaders (The Daily Monitor)  Kenya plans to ratify defence protocol on regional security (The East African) LINKS TO STORIES FROM THE MORNING MEDIA MONITOR  AIDS Day marked amid high concerns (Gurtong)  HIV infections fall in South Sudan but testing, treatment still low (VoA News)  National Assembly passes Law Review Commission Bill 2013 (Catholic Radio Network)  South Sudan editors agree on dialogue with information ministry (Gurtong)  Minister-ordered journalists registration “improper” (Catholic Radio Network)  Governors cautioned against unlawful arrests (Radio Miraya)  Child’s rights advocacy group launched (Radio Miraya)  Medical centre for gender-based violence victims opened in Bor (Eye Radio)  Joint security operation launched in Wau (Gurtong)  Lakes Governor ‘won’t authorize the release of three chiefs’ (Eye Radio)  Eastern Equatoria communities make peace – no more raids, grazing land disputes (Eye Radio)  Didinga, Toposa celebrate agreement for peaceful co-existence (Emmanuel Radio)  Five officers killed in Guit County attack (Radio Miraya)

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 ranked 173 out of 175 most corrupt countries Eye Radio News Bulletin @13:00hrs. Juba, 03/12/13 – South Sudan has been ranked the fifth most corrupt country in the world. The country was ranked at 173 out of 175 countries in this year’s Corruption Perceptions Index ranking. South Sudan leads Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia who are below the table respectively. The Corruption Perception Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived. The Corruption Perception index 2013 serves as a reminder that the abuse of power, secret dealings and bribery continue to ravage societies around the world. Transparency International called on the world’s governments to urgently renew efforts to crack down on money-laundering, clean up political finance, pursue the return of stolen assets and build more transparent public institutions. Back to Top)

Wheelchair Basketball Association celebrates Persons with Disabilities Day Catholic Radio Network Juba, 03/12/13 - The Wheelchair Basketball Association is organizing a match to celebrate International Day for Persons with Disabilities. The match starts at Basketball Stadium in Nimra Talata, Juba, on Tuesday at 5:00 PM. The match is played under the theme “Break barriers, open doors for an inclusive society for all” to raise awareness on issues about disability and disabled persons, including the many victims of landmine explosions. The match is organized by the South Sudan Wheelchair Basketball Association in collaboration with United Nations Mine Action Service and Handicap International. Back to Top)

VP visits Malakal Saut Al Mahabba Juba, 03/12/13 - The Vice President of the Republic visited Upper Nile state to meet the state authorities and SPLM party intellectuals and to participate in Aids World Day celebration. James Wani Igga urged the entire people of South Sudan not to discriminate against the HIV infected people, Saut al-Mahabba Radio reported. He made the call during Aids World Day celebration in Malakal Stadium on Monday. VP Igga called upon different media houses to work hard for the purpose of raising awareness among the citizens about HIV risks. He added that the government will focus on achieving zero HIV infection. VP Igga said the government has set its programmes all over the country and put the security maintenance, fighting corruption nepotism, and tribalism in the government institutions as the top priorities. He added that the government would improve the education system all over the country by maintaining teachers’ welfare. VP Igga thanked the sons and daughters of Upper Nile State for their quick response to the presidential amnesty. He reiterated his call to the people of South Sudan to unite in nation building. Back to Top)

Governors blamed for rising insecurity in South Sudan Gurtong Juba, 03/12/13 - South Sudan Interior Minister, Aleu Ayieny Aleu, has blamed state governors for rising insecurity in the country, saying governors have not dedicated time to attend to the matter.

2 “All the 10 states with exception of Central Equatoria…there is no Governor now sitting in his own office. They all come to Juba here to find out what is happening,” Aleu said while addressing governors on Friday during a forum in Juba. He charged that several of the governors and the state ministers hardly sit in their offices to attend to issues affecting their states, a factor affecting good governance in the states. An attack took place last month in Jonglei State where tens of people were killed, wounded and displaced and the minister said it was due to lack of concentration by governors to prevent the citizens that leading to the incident. An estimated 80 people mostly civilians were killed in Jonglei State following the rebel attack in Tui East County. about 80 others were estimated to have been wounded with hundreds being displaced. The minister also expressed dissatisfaction on the role played by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) peacekeepers in Jonglei. “Comrade Vice President when the massacre took place in Bor, there was no single Minister in Bor. They all come here [Juba] to lobby for their positions,” said the Minister. Aleu challenged the governors to put more efforts to wipe out the challenges in the states, charging that it is the responsibility of the governors to ensure citizens are adequately protected from any form of insecurity. He also called for more funding of security activities in the states be taken into consideration by the National government, saying that the 30,000 South Sudanese Pounds allocated to states by the National government to govern internal security is little. South Sudan Vice President James Wani Igga during the forum also challenged the governors to march more efforts in fighting insecurity in their various states. Speaking during the closure of the governors’ forum in Juba, Igga called for the governors to focus on creating stability in an effort to create peaceful environment for investment, development and agriculture. “It is our sole responsibility Honorable Governors to ensure there is a political stability in each of the States,” Igga said. Insecurity in South Sudan even after the country gained her independence in 2011 has remained one of the biggest challenges hindering the building of the new nation despite government’s continuous allocation large chunk of the country’s annual budget to the security sector. The problem has continued to remain a major challenge with both government and its partner, UNMISS trading accusations of each not performing its role. It has continued to scare away several investments in the country more especially in the private sector. However, the Western Equatoria State Governor Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro during the forum challenged the central government way of dealing with the states, saying any mistake committed by a particular state is charged on all the states. Back to Top)

South Sudan media houses: registering journalists is “inappropriate” Eye Radio Juba, 02/12/13 - Many of South Sudan’s media houses have defied a recent government that they must register all reporters, describing it as ‘inappropriate’. Last month, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry issued an order, directing that all journalists in the country must personally register by the November 28. “We have decided that this registration is not appropriate and the work of journalists should be organize by the Media authority of South Sudan which has not yet be formed because of the laws concerning the media has not yet pass by parliament,” said Alfred Taban, the editor of the online Daily Monitor, speaking on behalf of the media houses. The heads and editors of the media houses urged the government to reverse its decision at least until the parliamentary President signs the Media Bill into Law.

3 “We hope we will meet the minister and tell him that this idea of registration or listing the names with the ministry is not really appropriate and should really wait for the formation of media authority of south Sudan which is the body that is supposed to supervise the work of journalists,” said Mr Taban. Back to Top)

Juba acknowledges US role in training security forces Sudantribune.com Juba, 02/12/13 - South Sudan has acknowledged the importance of the United States involvement in training of its army and other security organs in the country. Several officers have, in recent months, benefited from various trainings provided with financial support from the US government. At least 15 South Sudan officers with support from the US completed a two-week training program on agriculture management and prison industries in June this year. “Yes, we are thankful to the American government for all types of support we have received and continue to provide to augment the current efforts of our government", interior minister Aleu Ayeny Aleu exclusively told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday. The minister, a general in South Sudan army (SPLA), said the support his government receives from the US administration and its people was “immeasurably reflective of historical ties”. “Effective government, the rule of law and sustainable economic development are all necessary for long-term stability in any country, but multiple factors continue to hinder them”, Aleu said. Currently, they [US] are helping us transform our security forces, particularly police and the SPLA, he added. The US administration had, in the past, affirmed its commitment to help the SPLA transform into a modernized army. In 2011, the US Department of Defense (DOD) initiated a dialogue with South Sudan army to ensure the latter’s transition from a guerrilla force to one that can provide adequate defense capabilities for its people and territory. Meanwhile, a senior military officer has echoed the interior minister’s view on the support South Sudan had received from the US government and it people in terms of training. “The government of America had helped a lot in providing training to our soldiers as part of general transformation into becoming a professional army”, said the officer, who asked not to be named. We have had training on various areas to strengthen the capability of our soldiers in all areas, he added. The officer specifically cited the US role in the fight against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), through intelligence gathering techniques used by its military experts deployed to track down the rebel activities in parts of Western Equatoria state. “Sometimes, people do not see the importance of such training until when time comes. The training on tactical and intelligence gathering which our troops had in 2012 from US military experts is now helping them a lot in carrying out their activities as part of the regional force hunting Lord Resistance Army”, he said. "The main objective of that training was to provide them with basic security knowledge on how to gather information and coordinate with other colleagues involved in the operation. This had helped a lot", he added. This year, the U.S Department of State has reportedly provided $28.9m on initiatives to strengthen law enforcement, judiciary and corrections systems in South Sudan. SERVICE DELIVERY ON COURSE The interior minister, on the other hand, downplayed concerns that government had failed to deliver services to its people in accordance with the ruling party (SPLM) vision of taking towns closer to the people, saying more was underway, despite the challenges.

4 “It is unfair to say nothing had changed from the time we took over the affair of this country. A lot of have been done despite the challenges, but this does not mean that more efforts should not be exerted. More will be done and things will never continue to be the same. The situation will change”, he stressed. Aleu said who claimed government had not delivered services to the people were simply opposed to the current leadership. “We have done a lot even though the whole world knows we are a young new nation. Some countries became independent about 50 years ago [but] are still having challenges today. Our situation is even being appreciated”, said the minister. So, whatever is being said about this country is no less a drama than that in other countries, but portrayed as if they are different, he added. Back to Top)

Five arrested over police officer's death eduburtnaduS.abuJ moc, 20/20/ - 21South Sudan police have arrested five suspects in connection with the death of one of its officers, previously working in the customs department, a senior official said on Monday. Abraham Mayuat, a police commissioner in South Sudan's Central Equatoria state, said those arrested were believed to have played a role in the killing of Mustafa Acuil Tito Madut. Mustapha was the son of Acuil Tito Madut, formerly South Sudan's inspector general of police. Acuil is currently the minister for law enforcement agencies in Warrap state government. “Five people have been arrested. They are suspected to have played a role because they were the last people found to have communicated with him”, Mayuat said in a brief statement We found this through telephone numbers, he added. The senior police officer neither revealed the identities of those arrested nor what prompted police to zero on the five suspects. The deceased was found dead in his own vehicle, which was set ablaze by those who carried out the brutal act on Saturday. It is still unclear as to what led to his death, though security agents have promised thorough investigations into the matter. "We have lost one of our own in a brutal cold-blooded murder," police spokesperson Col. James Monday said Tuesday. He called for justice against the perpetuators, once identified. Although, no statement has been released by the deceased's family, police say they were in touch with relatives, stressing that it was every citizen's right to demand official investigation into such matters. "Obviously the government is concerned. There is already a sense of anguish at what happened,” said Pieng Deng Kuol, the country's inspector general of police. “We are in contact with the family. They have requested a thorough investigation and as their rights, they have asked us to bring to book those who are involved in the death and the consequent issues that followed”, he added in a interview on Tuesday. Back to Top)

Suspect in Lakes State minister’s bodyguard arrested Eye Radio News Bulletin @13:00hrs. Juba, 03/12/13 – A man suspected of killing the bodyguard of the Lakes State Minister of Information has been arrested. The minister’s bodyguard was shot last week while on his way from an official duty in Wulu County, three kilometers away from Rumbek town. He sustained severe injuries and was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital.

5 Rumbek Central County Commissioner, Abraham Mayen, said tha the arrested man is believed to be the major suspect in the murder. Back to Top)

Cattle raiding creates tension in Jonglei Gurtong Bor, 03/12/13 - Two communities in Jonglei’s Pigi County have raised concerns over cattle rustling activities by unknown criminals with cattle moving towards the direction of Nyirol County. The Acting Local Government councillor, John Gajang, has said that at least 47 heads of cattle were stolen two weeks ago by criminals suspected to be from Nyirol County. He said that criminals took the cattle towards the direction of Nyirol passing through Khorfulus areas and scattered them in Akabel area. Gajang said after cattle owners tried to pursue the cattle, they suspected that the people of Khorfulus might have collaborated with the cattle raiders. On Sunday, the cattle were stolen from Wunkiir-Anyang, a section of Atar payam by unknown criminals and the youth are still pursuing the criminals and no casualties have been reported. “Last month there was an ambush done between Khorfulus and Nyirol County were two people were wounded, so there are so many evidences showing that our neighbouring counties are the people raiding in our county,” he said. He urges the state government to look in to the case seriously as it is urgent issue creating insecurity in the county. He said that acting commissioner of Pigi County had gone to Atar but the community refused to hand over the cattle as promised. Member of Parliament, Mathew Matiok Lem, said that they are negotiating as county MPs together two chiefs so that the cattle are returned. The MP said that the community has agreed to form a committee headed by the state minster of Local Government, Diing Akol, who is not the member of Pigi County. He said that there is no any politician who has been involved into the community crisis or current cattle raiding, adding that they are working peacefully to calm the situation as the two communities are now working peacefully. Back to Top)

Aweil leaders reconcile chiefs after dispute Gurtong Aweil, 03/12/13 - Guomjuer community leaders in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have held a meeting to reconcile area chiefs after a prolonged dispute. The community residing in Wedweil payam of Aweil West County whose two chiefs have had outstanding disagreements were brought into a reconciliation meeting under the intercession of the state’s deputy governor Salva Chol Ayat. Chol who also hails from the same county was concerned and wanted the community leaders to live in peace and harmony rather than escalating grudges and tensions among the sub-tribes. In his opening remarks to the community of greater Guomjuer, the deputy governor welcomed the two clans and paramount chiefs who have had regular complaints and accusations against each other over unjustified claims. “Though I have been hearing allegations and accusations from each one of you over a long period of time what each one of you says against the other, today is the right time where you [complainant and plaintiff] are brought together in the presence of your elders and other neighbouring counties’ paramount chiefs especially Aweil North county, so be free and express all your concerns and feelings about what caused this misunderstanding and how it came about,” Chol told the gathering of Aweil west community at South Sudan Hotel in Aweil town.

6 The two chiefs of Mangar Bol Chok and Dut Majak had accused each other on distribution of resources with Mangar Bol accusing his opponent of working against him to destabilize his community leadership and as well as to sideline him from communal growth and popularity. “Dut Majak is the cause of disunity, fuelling of conflicts among the communities of greater Guomjuer especially in wedweil payam, he has been undermining my leadership, unfair distribution of resources and many other things not mentioned here,” Chief Mangar told the mediating team during the reconciliation meeting in Aweil town On the other hand, most of the speakers who expressed their concerns during the meeting condemned the acts committed by the accused paramount chief. “If we are to reach a consensus in this meeting, then let’s ask the accused paramount chief to tell us if he does not need other clans this payam,” Dut Chol wol, one the chiefs who also accused the participants during the meeting said. “Dut is very troublesome man, who always works for the negative impact, his leadership is very discriminative, divisive and isolative on clannish basis,” Atak Akuei, one of the chiefs accused Dut as well. Additionally, Ghol Angok Apiin, another chief ueged the gathering to prohibit the accused from creating conflict, tension and confusion among the clans and sub-tribes section in the Guomjuer society. In response to the alleged accusations, the accused Dut Majak denied the allegations saying that he is just the man of peace who works for the better relations and improved peace issues within the area. The meeting recommended a monitoring committee chaired by the deputy governor to further peaceful coexistence within the area. Back to Top)

Authorities in Torit arrest two accused of circulating counterfeit dollars Eye Radio News Bulletin @13:00hrs. Juba, 03/12/13 – Authorities in Torit have arrested two people accused of circulating counterfeit dollars and other currencies in Eastern Equatoria State. The two men were arrested in Kapoeta South last week for using $74,700-worth of fake notes to exchange with real South Sudanese Pound notes. The state High Court sentenced Juma Taramati Makwizi and Joseph Lagu Andruga for five years each over importing and trading in fake dollar notes in the country. The State Attorney and Legal Advisor John Wani said that the state security had arrested the two foreign nationals after tracking them for sometime right from Nimule Customs to Kapoeta. Mr. Wani said the fake notes had originated from Uganda. Back to Top)

Underground aircraft bombs located in Yambio Gurtong Yambio, 03/12/13 - A company contracted by the United Nations in South Sudan (UNMISS) has revealed that they have located eight underground aircraft bombs in Yambio, Western Equatoria State. Zachariah Awuol Awet, The Development Initiative (TDI) representative for Western Equatoria State told the press that they conducted non-technical survey in 62 schools and bomas in which the communities reported 17 areas suspected with to have aircraft bombs underground in Yambio. He mentioned that they investigated and located eight aircraft bombs, four in Napere, one next to the state prison wall and others in Pazuo, Kpirabe and Khor Habiba residential areas. Mr Awet added that the survey shows no mines in Yambio, but only aircraft bombs underground.

7 He disclosed that in early November, they successfully removed one of these bombs near Napere stream and currently they are digging two others; one in Napere next to Curia of the catholic diocese of Tombura Yambio and another one near the state prison wall. Mr Awet cited that improper information from the local communities and lack of safe site for demolishing the extracted bombs are the biggest challenges. He appealed to the local communities of Yambio to give all information so that TDI team could help the lives of the people around. Napere resident, Amuna Ousman reported that around 1991 and 1992, she witnessed the aircraft dropping bombs in Napere, one fell in her neighbourhood and killed one dog, but it entered the ground without exploding. “We are worried because there is that thinking that one day it can explode and at times our children who are moving randomly also makes us worry because any time something can happen,” she said. Mr. Awet stated that they were tasked by UN to target Yambio and Tombura counties which were suspected to have explosives and advised all the people who are staying in the identified areas to stay informed about the bombs. Back to Top)

Sudan’s far right party calls for improved relations with S. Sudan Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 01/12/13 - Sudan’s Just Peace Forum (JPF) has announced that it has changed its policies towards South Sudan and is now calling for improved relations with the new nation. The JPF, a splinter faction of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), is a radical Islamist and separatist party. During the transitional period of 2005-2011, it campaigned strongly for separation between Sudan and the South. The political group is headed by Al-Tayeb Mustafa, president Omer Hassan al-Bashir’s maternal uncle. Its main forum is the best-selling daily newspaper Al- Intibaha, which is notorious for its aggressive rhetoric. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, JPF spokesperson Satti Sorketti indicated the party had softened its position on South Sudan, stressing the country “is no longer an enemy to the Sudan”. Sorketti said border issues and Sudan’s ongoing dispute over Abyei area with South Sudan should be put “in its true context”, also dismissing reports the new nation had played a role in forcing Mustafa out of Al-Intibaha. Sudanese authorities banned Al-Intibaha after JPF spoke out against economic measures announced last September, condemning the bloody repression of anti-austerity protests that broke out following the decision. The paper was allowed to resume operations on 3 November on the condition that Mustafa step down as chairman. Sorketti said that they had won the battle against the secularist parties and would now direct their efforts towards fighting corruption and highlighting the NCP’s inability to govern Sudan, saying the country is on the verge of collapse. He claims the ruling party is targeting JPF, accusing it of orchestrating Mustafa’s removal in order to separate JPF from the newspaper. “The law, state, politics, and rights have become [the] absolute property of the NCP”, he said. He added that the NCP doesn’t seek to serve public interests, but aims to cling to power even at the expense of the country, accusing unnamed influential figures in the government of instigating current problems within the JPF, saying that they had incited “sacked members to split the JPF”. The JPF official has also threatened to reveal the names of the influential NCP figures involved.

8 He claimed that some senior figures within the NCP deemed Mustafa more dangerous than the rebel Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), describing the alleged attack on the chairman as nothing more than a character assassination attempt. “We will stick to Al-Intibaha to the last gasp”, Sorketti said. JPF’s deputy chairman, Hassan Al-Tom, maintained the party would not abandon their ownership rights in Al-Intibaha, adding that it may be forced to resort to other options to finance the party’s activities, including launching a new newspaper. Back to Top)

Sudan rebels, govt clash again south of rail town Agence France-Presse Khartoum, 03/12/13 - Rebels and government forces in Sudan's South Kordofan state have clashed again south of a railway town the insurgents briefly occupied last month, both sides said on Monday. The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) insurgents said they had killed dozens of government troops -- including several officers -- in fighting Friday and Saturday around Abu Doma mountain, south of the rail town of Abu Zabad. "We know the area very well," but government troops were not as familiar with the terrain, JEM spokesman Gibril Adam Bilal told AFP. "They were preparing to attack us by three sides." Sudan's army spokesman, Sawarmi Khaled Saad, told AFP there had only been "a little battle" around the mountain about a week ago and government forces were pursuing the rebels in various parts of the state. JEM occupied Abu Zabad, which is just over the border in North Kordofan state, for several hours on November 17. JEM, originally from the western Darfur region, has been supporting Sudan People's Liberation Army-North (SPLA-N) rebels in South Kordofan since shortly after an uprising began there in 2011, analysts say. The SPLA-N separately said they had "destroyed" a government military camp in Dalami district on Monday, further east of the Abu Doma area. Both rebel groups belong to an alliance aiming to topple the Arab-dominated Khartoum regime and install a government more representative of the country's diversity. Back to Top)

Cabinet reshuffle in Sudan expected this week: sources Sudantribune.com Khartoum, 02/12/13 - The Sudanese cabinet is expected to hold an extraordinary session on Tuesday which could be the last one before the new formation is announced, sources told Sudan Tribune. Thursday is usually the day when the cabinet holds its weekly meeting but the sources said that president Omer Hassan al-Bashir will use the Tuesday session to bid farewell to the ministers following discussing other items on the agenda. The sources further said it is likely that the new cabinet formation will be announced by Thursday at the latest following a meeting of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) leadership council that is also chaired by Bashir. The new cabinet will hold surprises, the sources confirmed but will also retain some of the old faces. Hassan Ahmed Taha, the Secretary General of the NCP Economic Bureau, said that no spending cuts are planned to accompany the new formation and that the goal of the reshuffle is to bring capable figures on board and not to reduce expenditure. The reshuffle has been anticipated since earlier this year amidst deep divisions within the ruling party in the wake of a coup attempt staged last year by NCP supporters and Islamists in the military.

9 Another crisis shook the NCP when more than 30 of its top members including the party’s ex-head of its parliamentary caucus Ghazi Salah Al-Deen Al-Attabani presented a memo to president Bashir last September criticizing the government’s decision to remove subsidies on fuel and other basic commodities, saying it "harshly" impacted Sudanese citizens. They chided the government for the excessive violence used against protestors who took the streets against the subsidies cut and called for deep political and economic reforms. They also urged Bashir to form a mechanism for national reconciliation comprised of various political forces and assign the economic dossier to a professional national economic team. "The legitimacy of your rule has never been at stake like it is today" they said in their letter to Bashir which was seen as a direct challenge to the president who is now the country’s longest serving leader. Bashir formed a committee headed by national assembly speaker Ibrahim Al-Tahir to query those whose names appeared in the petition that was circulated publicly. The commission of inquiry recommended dismissing three members including al-Attabani and temporarily suspending nine others. The decision was endorsed by the NCP leadership council. Al-Attabani and others later declared his intention to leave the party and form a new one that would "bring new hope to Sudan". Besides the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and several smaller parties no other major opposition parties are expected to join the new cabinet. Back to Top)

Museveni, Kabila reach agreement on M23 rebels The Daily Monitor Kampala, 03/12/13 - Congolese President Joseph Kabila yesterday flew in for talks with Ugandan counterpart Mr Museveni, which officials said aimed at re-setting bilateral relations stressed by mutual suspicion over the M23 rebellion. The principals, according to State House, agreed during the closed-door meeting to bring to “conclusion as soon as possible” the hanging peace agreement between Kinshasa and M23 brokered by Uganda. A DR Congo delegation led by Foreign Minister Raymond Tshibanda, who was present at yesterday’s talks, held protracted talks in Kampala with M23 leaders before declining last month to sign a final pact following the defeat of group in October. Kinshasa said it could only sign onto a document committing M23 to formally declare an end to hostilities, but not a peace agreement because the Congolese army, supported by the UN-backed intervention brigade, had beaten Sultani Makenga’s group hands down in North Kivu province. Uganda as the negotiator felt slighted. According to highly-placed government sources, President Museveni, who had stormed out of his own State House following the flopped peace agreement signing ceremony, later telephoned President Kabila and friendly leaders in southern Africa, particularly Angola, to get Kinshasa’s endorsement. At yesterday’s meeting, the officials noted in a joint communiqué that conclusion of the process would enable the peaceful return of M23 ex-combatants and the completion of their demobilisation. “This would further create appropriate conditions for the return of Congolese refugees living in neighbouring countries and the Internally Displaced Persons,” they noted. Although a plethora of rebel and militia groups still hibernate in eastern Congo, the defeat of the stronger M23 has created relative stability, enabling President Kabila to undertake an unprecedented 1,000 kilometre drive from Kisangani via Goma to Rutshuru border town. He reportedly told yesterday’s meeting at State House Entebbe, that he wants to conclude with M23 so as to embark on huge infrastructure projects in the mineral-rich but under-

10 developed eastern DR Congo, and mob up negative elements, including the Allied Democratic Forces, hiding there. Kampala and Kinshasa also agreed to reactivate the stalled joint permanent commission to tackle infrastructure, border demarcation and cross-border aggression issues between the neighbours. The developments came as the United Nations, which has a 17, 000-strong peace keeping force in DR Congo, moved to deploy drones for surveillance over the vast country to track negative elements. Back to Top)

Kenya plans to ratify defence protocol on regional security The East African Nairobi - Kenya is moving to ratify a protocol on defence co-operation with its East African neighbours, potentially allowing armed forces from the five member countries to conduct joint military operations in combating terrorism and other international crimes on the bloc’s soil. The protocol, which is awaiting ratification by the individual partner states, is part of a plan to boost security and stability in the region. Creating a single defence territory has been an issue of contention among the EAC member states, delaying the ratification of the protocol. Simiyu Werunga, the director of the African Centre for Security and Strategic Studies, welcomed the signing of the protocol: “It is very important to ratify such laws because by the time we enter into a political federation all the important state organs of the respective countries are required to have harmonised their laws for its smooth functioning.” He said the protocol will reduce the chances of EA countries engaging in war among themselves, since the army generals of the member states will meet regularly to discuss security matters. It is not the first time East African countries have sought to have a common defence policy. In a meeting held in January last year to discuss a common security protocol, Tanzania expressed reservations about a clause that required member states to “assist each other” during times of war. It sought clarity on whether one country going to war would enjoin the other EAC members. Under the protocol, an attack on Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda or Burundi will be considered an aggression against all five. Mr Werunga said the protocol will be an important document in fighting terrorism. “It will require countries to harmonise their counter-terrorism laws, and share information and resources in fighting terror. It will also stop militants from committing acts of terror in one country and seeking refuge in another.” Last week, Kenya’s Ministry of Defence invited members of the public to comment on the planned ratification of the document. The five countries will be expected to act in tandem, consult and find common ground on defence and security. The protocol states that partner states will manage and seek to resolve any conflict within, and between two or more partner states, or with foreign countries, through peaceful means in consultation with the United Nations Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council. The region will be required to adopt the UN and AU model on mutual assistance on criminal matters. The protocol comes in the wake of a recent MoU on defence, security and foreign policy signed by Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda in Kigali. The three countries, also referred to as the Coalition of the Willing, have agreed to establish a collective defence and security territory by January next year.

11 The three countries will also establish a common foreign policy, which will be implemented by the ministers of foreign affairs of the respective governments by January 1, 2014. It is yet to be seen how the MoU and the EAC Protocol on Defence Co-operation, which both focus on security, will work out. Under the arrangement, the armed forces of partner states will also work as a team in maritime patrols to ensure that the region’s international waters are free of piracy. A recent report by the EAC heads of anti-narcotic and human trafficking units states that drug dealers have penetrated the region, and that transnational crime is the biggest challenge to peace and security in the region. Security analysts have blamed the current lukewarm approach to security for rising insecurity in the region. “We need to work with partner states to address major security challenges facing the region,” said Atuti Atunga, the executive director of the East African School of Human Rights. “This can only be achieved if the EAC member states work together,” he added. Reginald Okumu of Safer Nairobi said the EAC should invest more in intelligence sharing. He said member states should also deal with the enemy within, like corrupt immigration officers and security personnel who have compromised the security of the region. 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 12