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

MONDAY, 07 OCTOBER 2013  Traditional leaders back Kiir‘s move to unit SPLM members (Sudantribune.com)  South Sudan avoids talking about diplomatic farce in (Sudantribune.com)  South Sudan finance minister vows to improve governance (Gurtong)  South Sudan security minister vows to crackdown on criminals (Gurtong)  ―Random killing has reduced in – Security Minister (Radio Miraya)  Ugandan police deploy officers in Juba to help S. Sudan crack down on criminals (Sudantribune.com)  Police examines senior officers (Radio Miraya)  New Labor Bill to protect physical disabled (Sudantribune.com)  Finance, transport ministries to review airport contracts (Catholic Radio Network)  At least 20 wounded in market explosion in Malakal (Radio Miraya)  Yambio youths unsatisfied with ―tomorrow‘s leaders‖ statement (Anisa Radio)  ‘s KCB to grow in South Sudan with VISA, more branches ()  UWA refutes mass elephant migration claim (Daily Monitor) SOUTH SUDAN, SUDAN  South Sudan presses for referendum (VoA News) OTHER HIGHLIGHTS  Sudan frees six female activists at Bashir‘s directives (Sudantribune.com)  Sudanese was leader of terrorists that struck Westgate – Kenya‘s military (Sudantribune.com) OPINION  Telar Ring Deng, the de facto president of South Sudan (by Kuir ë Garang on Sudantribune.com)  Justice delayed; justice denied; cry the blood of Isaiah Abraham! (by Biel Boutrous on Sudantribune.com)

LINKS TO STORIES FROM THE MORNING MEDIA MONITOR  Cabinet receives $15mln for completion of Juba Airport (Radio Miraya)  MPs condemns Akobo killings (Eye Radio)  Pibor authorities appeal for aid (Radio Miraya)  Over 900 returnees to arrive in Juba (Radio Miraya)  Government considers relocating citizens away from oil producing areas (Radio Miraya)  Lecturers urged to call off Monday‘s planned strike (Radio Miraya)  State governor dissolves parliamentary affairs ministry (Radio Miraya)  Yei Legislative Council resolves to regulate lodges, phones (Easter Radio)  Over 250 vehicles stranded in Mundri (Radio Miraya)  African Union stops Abyei referendum – Sudan government media centre (BBC Newsfile)

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

Traditional leaders back Kiir’s move to unite SPLM members Sudantribune.com Juba, 05/10/13 - South Sudan president Salva Kiir‘s efforts to unite members of his governing Sudan People‘s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has attracted backing from traditional leaders, senior officials say. ―I believe that people of South Sudan are capable to discern fictions from realities. They know who is who to be confused when we are free. Comrade is the only surviving member of the founding members of the movement,‖ Gen.Garang Mabil, a senior military officer told Sudan Tribune Saturday. He [Kiir] should be allowed time to consolidate peace and of this party, since he knows in and out of it, he added. The ruling party faces growing dissent among its members and there are fears this could negatively impact on the SPLM‘s bid to hold on to power in the forthcoming elections due in 2015. The army official, despite having played a key role in the liberation struggle that ended over two decades of the north-south civil war, insisted patience was vital in nation building processes. ―Sometimes I am asked what big thing have I done to the movement that I have never been appointed to serve at any capacity, but I tell them that God knows what he has for me‖, Gen. Mabil said. Also, I am reminded by what comrade Salva and our late chairman used to tell our comrades during senior leadership meetings, that initiators of any project do not enjoy the benefits which come out from it, he stressed. ―This is exactly what happened to me and I have never blamed anybody‖. The experienced army official also urged the president to sort what he described as the ―tribal image‖ coming out of the ruling SPLM. "What is showing now in the SPLM leadership is against what the movement stood for. It is quite serious at this time for members to be advocating tribalism or supporting tribalism in the party like that," he said. Comrade Salva must sort out this tribal image, which is coming out of the SPLM leadership, he added. General Mabil, in his remarks, seemed imply the suspension of former SPLM secretary general and removal of the ex-vice president could have ignited tribalism within the ruling party. "If this is coming from the [former] secretary general and even the [ex] vice chairman of the party, it means that it is true there is tribalism in the ruling party, and something must be done‖, he observed. ―This is the time when the party leadership was destined to see what they would do within their party‖, he added. The army official said the historical party was at one time deserted and people thought it would collapse. ―[But] that did not happen. They went and came back. So desertion is part of the SPLM history and makes it stronger. It is the time for the people to judge individuals and not SPLM as a party‖, he told Sudan Tribune.

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If SPLM had never failed our people as a movement, why it would fail them now when it is a ruling party with a capacity to deliver services and to reform itself to meet the demands of the current situation, he asked. The chief of the Shilluk tribe, meanwhile, urged president Kiir to embark on unity rather than engaging in spiteful political rivalry. ―We have to look back from 1947 to assess ourselves and consider where we are coming from, where we are going and what have we done, what we will do. This is very important in the country like south Sudan. Development is what everybody wants‖, said Kwongo Dak Padiet in a statement aired on the state-owned SSTV. The chief, who held a meeting with the president, also wondered why officials often turn bitter when removed from service. ―Why can‘t you accept to go and work hard? May be you could return to it in another position‖, he stressed. On his part, however, overall paramount chief of Gogrial West county, said president Kiir possesses ―unique characters‖ and that his experience in leadership will steer the country forward. ―This is not yet time for elections. We still have two years ahead of us. So why can people not work together to support the president to deliver services needed by our people? Why distract and stab him in the back?‖ Nyal Chan Nyal, asked during an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune Saturday. (Back to Top)

South Sudan avoids talking about diplomatic farce in United States Sudantribune.com Juba, 06/10/13 - South Sudan has avoided commenting on an embarrassing incident for two senior officials while they were attending the recent meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The incident first came to light on social media websites but has since been confirmed by a senior diplomat in Juba, who asked not to be named. The diplomat told Sudan Tribune on the condition of anonymity, that vice-president and foreign minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin were singled out from the South Sudanese delegation and made to undergo an aggressive and impolite security check on arrival to an airport in the United States from South Sudan, despite showing diplomatic passports to security operatives. ―I could not believe myself that airport security operative, acting in a clear diplomatic embarrassment made our vice-president to undergo aggressive and impolite security check, despite displaying diplomatic passport. He was singled out with the minister of foreign affairs. It was actually deliberate act because they left out members of the team. They did not check Madam Awut Deng Acuil, minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare and finance minister Aggrey Tisa Sabuni‖, a source who was part of the accompanying delegation told Sudan Tribune on Friday. The diplomat who is close to Igga said the country‘s vice-president and the influential foreign affairs minister were made to remove their shoes and told to stand in an isolated place within the entrance gate of the airport lounge before they were subjected to an "aggressive check from head to toe and from arm to arm after which they were impolitely allowed to go without letting him know that the check was completed‖. ―They did not tell them put on their shoes. They just left them wondering until we have to tell them to do so. The search was carried out just on two of them. We do not know why they did that. It has never happened before to any of our senior government officials visiting United States‖, he said.

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The government has decided not to comment publicly on the issue and it is understood that the two officials did not officially share the incident with their American counterparts in meetings on the sidelines at the United Nations General Assembly. Some analysts interpret the incident to mean the level of frustration the American government has reached with the government in Juba, in their bid to install a leadership that respects the will of the majority and abides by the constitution, as well as establishing responsible institutions to enhance democracy and good governance. ―The search was done for a reason. I believe it was meant to send strong message to the government that it longer represents the will of our people. Also, they were searched because they were feared of carrying money. You know the London incident, in which Stephen Madut Baak was caught with huge amount of money, four years ago‖, a government critic who did not want to be identified told Sudan Tribune in Juba. (Back to Top)

South Sudan finance minister vows to improve governance Gurtong Juba, 07/10/13 - South Sudan‘s Minister of Finance, Commerce, Investment and Economic Planning Hon. Aggrey Tisa has reiterated his commitment to improve governance of public resources. The ex-Presidential Advisor on economic affairs was addressing Kajokeji Community members who gathered in Juba to appreciate the Leadership of President Salva Kiir for the appointment. ―The expectation of the people of Kajokeji is for me to set a very good record, and that is what I am going to do,‖ Tisa said. ―I am appealing for your moral support to help me do these,‖ the Minister urged. ―My humble job is to enable the President mobilize the needed resources and use them according to his policies and plans and I execute them accordingly,‖ he added. Tisa was appointed last month as the National Minister of Finance following dissolution of the national cabinet by the President in July right from the Vice President to and all deputy Ministers. The dissolution of the cabinet witnessed reduction of the cabinet from twenty nine ministries to twenty one. The swift move according to the government Secretary General was aimed at improving service delivery in the fledgling nation. Tisa‘s appointment was viewed by many analysts as a landmark in ending the rampant corruption practices by the government in using the public resources. (Back to Top)

South Sudan security minister vows to crack down on criminals Gurtong Juba, 07/10/13 - The Minister for National Security Services in the Office of the President has vowed to work out more efforts to crackdown on insecurity in Juba and in the country at large. Hon. Obutu Mamur said this in Juba on Saturday. He said 250 criminal gangs have so far been arrested in the past few weeks following their appointments into office. ―When we were appointed, there was everyday killing in Juba. But now we have arrested 250 criminals including foreigners,‖ Mamur said. ―Now some have gone to road robbery. We will continue to arrest them until South Sudan is free but bare with us.‖ said Mamur.

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Insecurity in the few past weeks in Juba had hit the national capital compelling demonstrations by residents carrying bodies of people killed at night to the national parliament. Citizens were angry with the government, challenging it of not doing enough. Veteran senior army Commander, an ex-rebel South Sudanese fighter who scored magnitude of successes during the over two decades of the liberation war between Sudan and South Sudan, Gen. Mamur was among the new South Sudan cabinet appointees in August to minister security affairs in the fledgling nation. He said that after the liberation from the civil war, there is a bigger war that needs to be fought if the people of South Sudan are to be totally free and peaceful – referring to different mentality among South Sudanese who had been displaced to different parts of the world during the struggle. ―We have liberated ourselves but the enemy is still in our minds because we were trained on how to intimidate ourselves. We need some orientation and liberate ourselves mentally from the whelm of our enemy.‖ said Mamur Mamur said there are four groups of people in South Sudan; those who were from enemy controlled areas, those who went out of South Sudan to neighboring countries, those who went abroad and those in the SPLA control areas. ―This insecurity will be overcome,‖ he promised. ―As a National security Minister, I found out where we went wrong; these four mindsets together bring collusion of different minds and cultures. These are the challenges we are facing as security people,‖ Mamur continued. ―We are trying to harmonize all these four categories to become a South Sudan. We are not going to fight them but show them,‖ said the Minister. (Back to Top)

"Random killing has reduced in Juba": security Minister Radio Miraya Juba, 06/10/13 - The Minister of National Security, Obuto Mamur Mete, has said random killings within Juba have been scaled down within the past few weeks. ―When we were appointed there was almost everyday killing in Juba. But today I think there is a relief, there is a change,‖ Gen Mamur said. ―We have arrested over 250 suspected criminals, some of them foreigners who are terrorizing the city, and we will continue to arrest them,‖ he said. The minister spoke at a thanksgiving ceremony organized by the Kajo-Keji community in Juba for the appointment of Aggrey Tisa Sabuni and Juan Benaiahh as national ministers. At the same ceremony, Central Equatoria State deputy governor, Manasse Lomole Waya, said his state government would continue to support security forces. ―The Governor has purchased two land cruiser vehicles for the police to patrol the Juba Kajo-Keji road for the time-being as we crackdown on the criminals. A special force that is given by the Republic of South Sudan in cooperation with the state government will make sure that this problem of Kajo-Keji road is brought to an end,‖ Mr Manasse said. ―The criminals will be contained and our people will enjoy the fruits of freedom. We cannot continue crying when we cried a lot during the war,‖ he added. Two months ago, residents took to the streets of Juba to protest against rising insecurity in the city, calling on the government to end random killings. (Back to Top)

Ugandan police deploy officers in Juba to help crack down on criminals Sudantribune.com Kampala, 06/10/13 - Ugandan police have deployed an officer in the country‘s embassy in Juba to help South Sudan police in identifying suspected Ugandan criminals operating in the capital.

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―The South Sudan police and the community complained that there are wrong elements from Uganda who have taken refuge in Juba. This officer has been sent there to help the South Sudan police in identify the criminals‖, said Patrick Onyango, a spokesperson for the Ugandan police in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Friday. The officer is from the so called ―Flying Squad‖ – a crack unit of the Uganda police force tasked with dealing with violent crime. ―I have not got a brief [about the deployment] but I can confirm that he was recently deployed in Juba‖, the police spokesperson said. According to Onyango, the officer will be assisted by another officer who is already at Uganda‘s embassy in Juba, as well as a third officer who is still in Uganda but will also be deployed in Juba soon. Uganda‘s inspector general of police Kale Kayihura and his South Sudanese counterpart, Gen. Peing Deng, recently met in Juba to discuss security, as well as persistent complaints of harassment by Ugandan traders in South Sudan and concerns that suspected Ugandans criminals were operating in Juba. Addressing Ugandan traders in Juba at the recent meeting, Deng stressed that law abiding Ugandans will not be expelled from South Sudan and promised them that police would provide protection. (Back to Top)

Police examines senior officers Radio Miraya Juba, 06/10/13 - The National Police Service is conducting examinations for more than 1,000 officers, the police spokesman said. Successful candidates will be enrolled into the National Police College for further training. The officers will thereafter be deployed to different areas in the ten states to discharge their duties and responsibilities. ―The examinations will be sat in one day, which is Sunday. About four papers will be sat in that day and senior officers are the ones taking the examinations, that is, colonels. The exams will be supervised by State Police Commissioners who are Major-Generals plus a team of invigilators,‖ said Colonel Monday Enoka, the police spokesman. Col Enoka said retirement is yet to commence in the police service due to lack of a pension law. He said: ―The retirement is not taking place now because there is no pension act yet in place, when you retire them, what will you do with them?‖ (Back to Top)

“New Labor Bill to protect physically disabled” Sudantribune.com Juba, 06/10/13 - The Labor Bill currently before lawmakers will protect physically disabled persons in South Sudan from work place discrimination, a public service official said. Hellen Achiro, the undersecretary in the ministry said the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. A section of the labor law, she stressed, provides for equal employment opportunities for all. ―When enacted, the Labor Bill will facilitate the participation of the disabled in nation building, legislative organs and access to employment opportunities‖, Achiro told reporters in Juba on Friday. South Sudan has ratified the International Labor Organisation‘s Equal Remuneration Convention as well as the Discrimination in Employment and Occupation Convention. However, while the Equal Remuneration Convention guarantees equal pay for equal work, the other prohibits discrimination in employment.

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Sebut Khablu Ebibon, who chairs the disabled persons union in the country, cited the private sector as main discriminator in the country. Most private sector job adverts, he said, allegedly call for physically fit applicants, making them ineligible. The physically disabled people, officials say, constitute up to 15% of the South Sudanese population. (Back to Top)

Finance, transport ministries to review Airport contracts Catholic Radio Network Juba, 05/10/13 - The council of ministers in its ordinary sitting on Friday directed the ministries of Finance and Transport to review former contracts on the construction of Juba International Airport before considering the approval of 15.6 million US dollars for finishing the project. Government spokesperson Michael Makuei Lueth told the press that the cabinet decided that the two ministries should revisit previous contracts before taking action. The 15.6 million US dollars budget presented for cabinet approval was meant for improving Juba Airport to meet international standard. (Back to Top)

Malakal: At least 20 wounded in market explosion Radio Miraya Juba, 06/10/13 - At least 20 people have been wounded in an explosion in the State capital, Malakal, sources said. Details are not clear but sources say the explosion was caused by a hand grenade that was detonated in the market. The injured were rushed to Malakal teaching hospital for emergency treatment, the sources told Radio Miraya. Police are investigating the incident. (Back to Top)

Yambio youths unsatisfied with “tomorrow’s leaders’’ statement Anisa Radio Yambio, 07/10/13 - Yambio County Youths in Western Equatoria State on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction of calling young people ―leaders of tomorrow‖. SPLM Youth League chairperson Anthony Sanangore Atoroba accused some politicians of using youths as tools for their success in power, Anisa radio reported. He added that the youths are not given appropriate meaning of leadership and they were not given opportunities in nation building. IRI Assistant program officer Aate Catherine said youths across the country raised the same complaints. She revealed plans to organise a general youths meeting in Juba to bring representatives from all states. Western Equatoria youths promised to do better if they were given chance in the government. (Back to Top)

Kenya's KCB to grow in South Sudan with VISA, more branches Reuters Juba, 07/10/13 - Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) , the biggest bank in South Sudan, plans to grow by launching the first credit card service in the young African country and adding more branches, executives told Reuters. KCB has won a licence from VISA Inc to launch credit cards in South Sudan, a war-torn country where few people have a bank account, the executives said. KCB was one of the first foreign banks to set up shop in Juba after the end of civil war between south and north Sudan in 2005, which led six years later to the secession of South Sudan.

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South Sudan has a large business potential with a population of nearly 12 million but has struggled to build up state institutions and an efficient legal system. That has not deterred foreign banks from arriving. Apart from KCB, Qatar National Bank, Kenya's Co-Operative Bank and a bank funded by Dubai Islamic Bank are also active in South Sudan. KCB now has a market share of 42 percent serving 138,000 customers, Rebecca Likami, deputy managing director of KCB in South Sudan, said in an interview. "We have started VISA," Likami said. "Some KCB outlets accept VISA. By the end of this year we should (have) VISA in all the hotels." She added customers should be able to use VISA cards at automated teller machines (ATMs) from next year. The bank also plans to add more branches beyond the existing 20, said Harun Kibogong, KCB's managing director, without being more specific. The bank has started offering mortgages as well, another novelty in one of the world's least developed countries. "We have mortgages because there is a lot of construction taking place across the country. Housing is lacking in Juba," said Likami. "We have developers financing, then we have the normal mortgage for people who want to buy the house," she said. KCB was recently hit by a strike of some of its 380 staff over salaries but Likami said the issue was being worked out. She also said the central bank had not yet resumed pumping dollars into commercial banks after the first oil revenues landed in its accounts in September with the restart of oil exports. "They are ... waiting. I am not sure what they are doing but I believe they will be soon releasing funds to the market," she said. South Sudan depends on oil exports, routed through Sudan, to fund its budget and get dollars to finance imports of food and consumer goods. A 16-month oil shutdown due to tensions with Sudan has posed huge liquidity problems for commercial banks. KCB South Sudan boosted profit after tax to 41.5 million South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) (around $14 million) in 2012 from 25.4 million SSP the year before, according to its annual report. (Back to Top)

UWA refutes mass elephant migration claim Daily Monitor Kampala, 06/10/13 - Uganda Wildlife Authority has dismissed claims that more than 1,000 elephants had migrated from Uganda into South Sudanese game parks. Reports from South Sudan Wildlife Authority had indicated that more than 1,000 elephants and Buffalos had crossed into Eastern Equatorial and Nimule National Parks in South Sudan from Uganda and a few hundred from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Lake State in South Sudan. Mr Charles Tumwesigye, the acting chief conservation area manager UWA said there are no such big herds of elephants in any game parks neighbouring South Sudan and Uganda. ―Occasionally, we have herds of about 30 elephants crossing from Nimule to Uganda destroying crops but we chase them back,‖ Mr Tumwesigye said, adding: ―But in such circumstances as animals which are migrational in nature, they are free to enter and exit any country and they take up citizenship of whatever country they are in.‖ Mr Philip Majak, the director general for wildlife conservation, said that elephants and bufallos left the Kidepo National Park and entered Owinykibul in Magwi County and others to Achwa, and Nimule Game parks.

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However, game rangers said the route some of the elephants took couldn‘t be easily traced and were thought to have returned to Uganda, Majak said. (Back to Top)

South Sudan presses for Abyei referendum VoA News, 07/10/13 - South Sudan has called on the international community to ensure quick implementation of the agreement to hold a referendum to determine the final status of the disputed oil-rich border region of Abyei. Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin said the referendum is the only democratic way for the people of Abyei to decide whether they want to remain in the north or return to the south. Benjamin said Juba received international backing during the 68th UN General Assembly for the referendum to take place as planned. ―During the annual General Assembly of heads of state in New York, both the foreign minister of Sudan and me as the foreign minister of South Sudan, were invited to brief the African Union Peace and Security Council. On our side, we briefed our commitment for the referendum to go ahead in Abyei. The majority of members of the African Union endorsed the legality of conducting a referendum in Abyei,‖ he said. Benjamin said both Sudan and South Sudan also briefed a UN team, including the five permanent member countries of the Security Council, as well as member countries of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). ―So, yes indeed, by all assessment, we got the support that the proposal of the African Union on referendum should be implemented. What they have not done is that they have not fixed the date of that referendum which is supposed take place in October,‖ he said. Benjamin said the international community must put pressure on Sudan to accept the proposal for a referendum. ―That‘s why, in my briefing to the African Union Peace and Security Council in New York, I told the members that they need to persuade Sudan to go along with the decision that has been agreed upon by us as partners as well as a comprised proposal by the African Union which is blessed by the UN Security Council [Resolution] 2046. So, what has not been done is for Sudan to agree to that and for a date to be fixed. And this is why we need pressure from all these countries to put on Sudan to go along,‖ Benjamin said. Benjamin said South Sudan is ready to make whatever contribution it can make towards financing the referendum. But, he says it is the responsibility of the entire international community. ―I think the commitment is not only the commitment of the Republic of South Sudan. We will make our own little contribution, according to our own ability. But, it is the commitment of the international community, as a whole, the African Union and the United Nations system,‖ Benjamin said. Benjamin said the referendum is the only democratic solution and that the people of Abyei are ready for it. ―You remember Abyei in 1905 was a part of South Sudan, and then it was transferred for administrative reasons into the northern part of the Sudan. Now, with the CPA [Comprehensive Peace Agreement] protocol on Abyei, we equally agreed that the people of Abyei shall have a referendum to choose whether they remain in the north or to come back to where they were taken from in the beginning. So, yes, the referendum issue is a part of the political settlement of the whole final settlement of Abyei,‖ he said. (Back to Top)

Sudan frees six female activists at Bashir’s directives Sudantribune.com , 06/10/13 - Sudanese authorities on Sunday released six female activists who were arrested during the recent protests that broke out in the country following the government‘s decision to cut fuel subsidies. 9

This included Amal Habbani, Dahlia al Roubi, Ryan Zein El-Abdeen Shaker, Ihsan Abdulaziz , Ethar Nasreldeen and Amal Suleiman who were freed after days of detention. This came at the instructions of Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir who ordered that all females detained in connection with the protests to be set free with the exception of those facing criminal charges. In a related issue, a Khartoum court today acquitted 19 people who were accused of participating in the recent protests. It also formally charged 35 others charges so that they can stand trial. This included three women accused of inciting protestors by ululating in a sign of support. A lawyer by the name of Muatassim al-Haj told Netherlands-based Radio Dabanga that the court charged the 35 defendants under three articles of the law. He added that they were arrested on the second day of demonstrations. This week the United Nations Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan, Mashood Adebayo Baderin issued a statement expressing concern "at the large number of arrests and detentions by the authorities". ―I urge the Government of the Sudan to charge all those arrested with a recognizable offence or immediately release them,‖ Baderin said. ―Furthermore, the Government must allow the detainees access to their families, legal representation and medical care.‖ ―I strongly condemn the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators and the destruction of public property during demonstrations. I urge both the Government and the demonstrators to completely refrain from resorting to violence,‖ he said. (Back to Top)

Sudanese was leader of terrorists that struck Westgate - Kenya’s military Sudantribune.com Nairobi, 06/10/13 - The Kenyan military on Saturday named, Abu Baara al-Sudani, a Sudanese national, leader of the terrorists who struck the Westgate mall in Nairobi on September 21, killing 67 people and injuring 175. The Somali militant group, Al-Shabaab claimed the attack. Kenyan authorities released last Saturday a video footage showing four armed militants inside the Westgate mall. A Sudanese was among them, according to the spokesperson for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Major Emmanuel Chirchir Chirchir said Abu Baara Al-Sudani who was killed when Kenyan forces stormed the mall was an al Qaeda trained terrorist. he further added that a Somali, and a Kenyan Arab where among the four terrorists who attacked the mall. "I confirm these were the terrorists. They all died in the raid", Chirchir told Reuters on Saturday. The Kenya military spokesperson pointed out that Al Sudani, which means "the Sudanese" was leader of the group shown on footage captured by closed-circuit TV cameras in the mall. The Kenyan government initially said the attack was carried out by between 10 to 15 terrorists but now says the number was between four to six. Two weeks after the attack, the spot light has changed to the performance of the Kenyan security services in handling the siege. The Kenyan army has been accused of looting shops in the mall. The government says it‘s investigating the claims and has called on members of the public with information on the misconduct of soldiers to report to the authorities.

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The Kenyan police has released two pictures of terror suspects thought to have had a role in the Westgate attack and offered a cash reward for anyone with information that could lead to their arrest. Meanwhile the US army on Saturday raided a sea side villa in the Southern Somali town of Barawe. An Al-Shabaab leader suspected to have been the planner of the Westgate attack was said to have been in the villa. The US army attack was carried out by the Navy Seal- the same group that killed Al- Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011. The US commandos, according to the reports however aborted the mission when they came under heavy gunfire from the Al-Shabaab. (Back to Top)

OPINION - Telar Ring Deng, the de facto president of South Sudan By Kuir ë Garang on Sudantribune.com 05/10/13 - One of the unbecoming things you easily notice in South Sudan is the significance placed on a few individuals. For those of you who know enough , you know that there were two Mutinies— 1974 and 1975—before the Mutiny of Bor; however, these two Mutinies are not given any significant place in our history. A few conscientious South Sudanese who find it expedient to mention these historical events mention them in a passing. No emphasis! Many South Sudanese have been let to believe that Anya-nya I war started in 1955 when it actually started in 1963 following the formation of Sudan African Closed District National Union (SACDNU) led by Joseph H. Oduho. After Ismael el Azhari hoodwinked and subdued the mutineers of August 1955 Torit Mutiny, nothing substantial happened between 1955 and 1963 in terms of significant liberation war. The remnants of Torit Mutiny, who ran to the bush, carried out ineffective attacks with really primitive tools but strength of will. The greatest achievement of Torit Mutiny is that it raised the consciousness of South Sudanese in a way that could neither be ignored nor reversed. However, Torit Mutiny didn‘t directly lead to full-scale civil war. It was not until political leaders like Joseph Oduho, Father Saturnino, Deng Nhial, Aggrey Jaden among others, formalized the struggle objectives and organized a formidable force (somehow) did the actual liberation war start. In factual honesty, Anya-nya was formally launched in 1963 as opposed to the general belief that it was formed immediately after 1955 Mutiny. However, comfortingly, the Torit Mutiny is given its rightful place in the history of struggle for freedom of South Sudanese even if a few details about it are regularly misrepresented. When one looks at 1975 Akobo Mutiny by Vincent Kuany and Bol Kur, however, one finds that this event has been completely played down. The mutineers of this event helped in the formation of Anya-nya Patriotic Front (APF) under Gordon Muortat Mayen. So when the Bor Mutiny finally happened eight years later, there was already a rebel movement fighting the government of Sudan. Basically, the civil war had already started; however, you‘ll find in history books that the second civil war started in 1983. Those of John Garang, Kerubino, Nyuon Bany, Salva Kiir, Joseph Oduho among others, were joining a liberation struggle that was already started…even if it wasn‘t effective. Historically, we tend to see some people as more important that others in South Sudan even if their objective is the same. Anya-nya II and those of Vincent Kuany were not regarded as highly as those of John Garang, Nyuon Bany and the rest. Without doubt, this is unbecoming of us! In the end, what we have to note is that Anya-nya II and the Mutineers of 1975 led to the formation of APF that was ineffective but historically significant. Curiously, their policies didn‘t augur well with the communist Mengistu Haile Mariam. When APF failed, Anya- nya II remained as a liberation force. We can play down the role played by rebel leaders like Gordon Kong, however, we have to remember that they started the war long before

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SPLA was formed and informed us that the ruling elites in Khartoum will never change and that war is the only solution. What we have to acknowledge is the manner in which SPLA formalized the war. What SPLA did in 1983 is like what those of Oduho and Father Saturnino did in 1963. Admittedly, the war was formalized, the leadership was structured, strong policy papers put in place and a formidable liberation struggle launched. What is curious is that the first civil war actually started in 1963 but we have it down as having started in 1955. The second civil war is put down as having started in 1983 when it actually started way before that date. One has to ask oneself, why? Some people are more equal than others, that‘s why! Now, and for good reason, this brings me to the relevance of the above historiographical input to our current political quandary in Juba. We have a few individuals who have been vested with importance and power. Not only is that true, the said individuals have instrumentalized that state of affairs to our own chagrin. Sadly though, when these individuals became targets of the average citizens given the fact that they are the rulers of the country, their tribe-mates start to bizarrely regard those, who critique the facts surrounding such vested individuals, with damning suspicion. One stand out culprit is Telar Ring Deng, the current legal advisor to the president of the Republic South Sudan. In bizarre, though understandable twist, Telar has assumed a place that is disproportionate with his role as an advisor. Telar has become the single most important person in South Sudan; even better than the president. If the national assembly, the voice of the people, rejects a person for one reason or another, there has to be a very good reason for the president to hire such a person. It‘s either the president doesn‘t respect the parliament, which is the voice of the people, or Telar Ring Deng has a magic wand the president can‘t live without. Truly, there are so many advisors in South Sudan but we don‘t hear about them. Telar talks as if he‘s the president. He‘s just an advisor. In this Press Release after he was chosen by the president (again!!) to be his legal advisor, Telar listed things he‘ll help achieve. Anyone who read the release will agree with me that the voice in the article didn‘t match the role of an advisor. It felt like a message from a minister with effective influence on the presidency and the whole political system. In fact, we have ministry of Justice, the cabinet, the national assembly and the judges of the land, however, Telar wrote as if his message would count more than that of all these legal requirements. In the real world, this makes you wonder who Telar Ring Deng actually is! What is he that we don‘t know? Is he being groomed for leadership by the president? Don‘t ask me! Telar‘s bizarre and inexplicable actions are really mind-boggling. When Sudan Tribune honestly quoted a constitutional provision from a different version of the numerous and often confusing versions of the Transitional Constitution, Telar Deng wrote a scathing letter criticizing Sudan Tribune editors. What came to my mind is WHERE in the world does a legal advisor, a simple legal advisor, become the presidential spokesperson? Why didn‘t the minister of Justice defend the constitutionality of the presidential action? Why didn‘t the government spokesperson do that? Telar‘s role is to help in decision making not to stand in for the president, even in the media. Maybe Telar is something we don‘t know, which we have to know! The Press Release was actually self-incriminating. Convincingly enough, it projected Telar as the de facto president of South Sudan. The man has been given a very important place in the government of South Sudan that he says things that are way beyond his job description. A man who, in 2008, called President Kiir a ‗Dictator‘ is now the most trusted man by the president; trusted even when rejected by the parliament! You can call that politics, but you just have to wonder: will things be okay?

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In 2008, and Deng Alor were in; Aleu Ayieng and Telar Deng were out. Now, you know what has happened. In essence, Telar has dangerously assumed a position of significance and self-importance that is unnerving. Given the bizarre decisions being made by the president one is left with no doubt that Telar is basically telling the president what to do! Anyone Telar doesn‘t like is out or will be out. So who‘s the president? I have to admit however that the president has the interest of the country at heart. At least I want to believe so! He could do the right thing if only he had the right people around him. With the likes of the self-righteous, self-proclaimed pillar of Kiir‘s Presidency around, the president is unknowingly being led to destroy his legacy; which now reeks of autocracy and repression. Kuir ë Garang is a South Sudanese poet, author and publisher living in Canada, but currently visiting family in Perth, Australia. He’s the author of the new analytical book, South Sudan Ideologically.’ For more information visit www.kuirthiy.info or www.thenilepress.com

OPINION - Justice delayed; justice denied; cry the blood of Isaiah Abraham! By Biel Boutros Biel on Sudantribune.com 05/10/13 - Dear Fellow South Sudanese, fellow human rights defenders, colleagues in civil society, friends of South Sudan, people of conscience and good will all over the world; "a sad ten months to all of you‖. Today the 5th of October 2013, I would like to remind all of you that it marks 10 months since our fellow country man, colleague, friend and fellow human rights defender Isaiah Diing Abraham Chan Awuol (Isaiah Abraham) was assassinated at his house in Juba. He was killed on December 5th, 2012 at about dawn hours (My heart and prayers always with you comrade Diing and peace upon your family, Twic East Citizens, Kongor Community and South Sudanese whom you died for). Fellow citizens as you all know, Isaiah was a known political commentator who writes on the socio-economic political issues affecting South Sudan. To political dictators, he was an evil to be gotten rid of, to cool headed politicians, he was controversial but to my colleagues and I, in human rights and civil society and to the cheated majority South Sudanese in Juba and rural counties, he remains a hero of conscience who gave up his life for us and the posterity. Brother Diing, you had said and done what Napoleon didn‘t do! Thank you. Due to his views on many issues and the dictatorship of the South Sudan government including the easy giving away of Miles 14 to North Sudan, a land that belongs to the South Sudanese communities of Mading Aweil, with no fear or favour, we believe among others, he was thereof gunned down. Soon after his assassination, a committee of investigations including the Ministry of Interior was formed and tasked to investigate the incident. It gave a preliminary report after assessing how brother Isaiah was murdered. Based on that report announced verbally(as more often than not in South Sudan‘s leaders‘ jokes on critical issues), the Government of South Sudan concluded that indicatively, about 70% shows that Isaiah‘s death was a planned assassination and whereas, we, his colleagues, believe that 100% of his death was a state‘s organized assassination. Knowing South Sudan as of now, only a fool will immediately ask us for the evidence though! On January 3, 2013, the South Sudan‘s Former Minister of Information Hon. Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, on South Sudan TV, announced that a number of suspects believed to have executed the planned assassination of Isaiah Abraham, were apprehended and kept somewhere. Probably, believably than not, could be with National Security whose office issued two statements thereafter, calling upon any public member who would reveal the killers of Isaiah Abraham and be rewarded, in the first and second press statements, with 50, 000 USD and 100, 000 USD. This ―reward alarm‖ by the supposedly people‘s protectors, was an insult to our intelligence as that shows how his life was cheapened to mere willingness of the public members who because for 150, 000 USD would reveal the killers and there was no expressly shown in our view any political will to investigate the 13 case. This has continued to add our suspicion of the state‘s tainted holiness in the assassination. Held, were a number of follow-up meetings with the office of President Salva Kiir by different groups, including elders and leaders of Greater Bor Community (A community where comrade Isaiah by birth comes from) and constant press statements we have been making calling for justice to be done to his family and also justice be done to those who had been suspected of the assassination as alleged arrested by Minister Marial Benjamin. Nothing as you all know fellow citizens that up to this day, has been done. No one has been held accountable over the death of our colleague Isaiah Abraham nor have the alleged suspects arrested been revealed. This ambiguity on the side of government raises a number of issues as follows: 1. Whether or not there were indeed suspects arrested as wildly and widely claimed by Hon. Barnaba Marial Benjamin? 2. Whether or not the suspects have revealed the truth that implicates the Government of South Sudan or the President or any other senior government of official(s) within South Sudan‘s public institutions? 3. Whether Hon. Marial was not misinformed that there were suspects arrested or he chose to deceive the public to quench off public outrage that was burning at the time after the late‘s ? On the above issues: As to whether or not there were suspects really arrested, this remains controversial as nobody could give clarity except the national security office, the President of South Sudan, Ministry of Interior and Marial Benjamin who announced the news of their arrest but all have failed substantially to give the truth to Diing‘s family nor to the public on whose behalf Diing gave up his life. They remained silent hitherto. What happened to Marial‘s wild pronouncements? It is hard to believe either. Probably the suspects might have been there as alleged being arrested if one would, at least for a minute, believe Marial Benjamin! As to whether the suspects might have revealed the truth that implicates the government, this is a highly probable scenario because despite the announcement by Marial, no suspects have been brought to Court for trial contrary to the Constitutional rights of speedy trial of any accused person(s). Article 19 of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011 provides for the fair trial of the accused. Marial Benjamin must be aware of this provision, the office of the President, the Ministry of interior and above all, the Prosecutor General in the Ministry of Justice and National Security must equally be cognizant of such non-derogable rights(rights that cannot be tempered with whatsoever). Specifically, Article 19(4) of the Constitution provides for speedy trial of any accused person and be produced before the Court of Law within 24 hours after the apprehension. The provision liberally adds that an accused could be further remanded/made to remain in detention for the purposes of completing the investigations but for not more than 3 months and such continued remand only be done so with the permission of the Public Prosecutions Attorney and the Court/Magistrate respectively. Now the alleged suspects if we believe Marial Benjamin, who claims that arrests were made, have spent 9 months plus without trial. Therefore, fellow citizens that their rights to fair trial doesn‘t need a Constitutional expert to conclude that they have been violated!. Failing to take them if they are there though, for trial, in our view, is making double evils. That is, the death of Isaiah, the failure to do justice to his family and failure to try the accused persons who were alleged prominent suspects to his assassination.

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WHO IS FOOLING WHO? Hon. Marial Benjamin and National Security plus the former Minister of Security as well the office of the President and Ministry of Interior ought to give answers to the family of Isaiah, we his friends, the public and the whole world of conscience that reads his documented views and who is constantly angered by his assassination. In short, if the suspects are there, they must have told out the whole truth of who sent them to kill Isaiah Abraham! So presumably, because of that, perhaps, reasonably for the next many years to believe so, that such a person or persons, who sent them to implement the evil, must have been a senior member in any one of the institutions of the Government of South Sudan. WILL THE GOVERNMENT THIS TIME ROUND BREAK THE SILENCE? But it has remained adamant to do so! Fellow citizens and people of Conscience, this ―SILENCE OF GOVERNMENT‖ is what has given my colleagues and I a strong belief that the state has murdered our brother Isaiah because of his political views opposing the evils of Khartoum being implemented by proxy through Juba. Ten months had gone, yet no justice done! WHERE ARE THE ADORED PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND DIGNITY PROCLAIMED BY OUR LEADERS? This silence fellow citizens confirms the most legally quoted equity phrase that ― justice delayed, justice denied‖ The blood of Isaiah has been crying but everybody whether for fear of being Isaiah number 2 or for political calculations has remained deadly silent. This is a complete betrayal of our brother whose blood means a lot for South Sudan‘s transition to democracy. As to whether or not Marial Benjamin was misinformed of the alleged suspects arrested who might not have been there but cleverly coined to quench off public anger. This scenario of deception at the very least could be a possibility. One case example to illustrate this, is that, when the UN Human Rights Officer Sandra was expelled last year by South Sudan government, to date, controversies continue to awash our memories as who actually ordered her expulsion! Was it entirely and single –handedly done by the then Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Hon. ? Or was it ordered by the President of the Republic Salva Kiir Mayardit? No answers so far on this given satisfactorily but by doctrine of co-ordination in the government, it is obvious in the view of the author, that Hon. Nhial acted as instructed(Though Sandra‘s case is beyond the scope of this piece to discuss). By the same token of how things happen in South Sudan, Hon. Marial Benjamin, must have been directed to announce the suspects who are to this date might not be available but was done so to appease the public that remains angry to this day. Or Marial was indeed aware of the real suspects arrested and he was doing it genuinely to inform the public of the seriousness of his salary-paid government on the matter. God and Marial know the truth though! Now that the suspects have not been brought to justice and no information has been given to public neither to Isaiah‘s family, this raises a lot of arguments that Marial Benjamin as he is known these days; must have been doing ―Public relations‖ for the Government of South Sudan but he did it in an unforgettable bitter case whatsoever! Was he aware of the implications of his pronouncements? On August 14, 2013, while visiting the family of Isaiah, I encountered the bitterest reminder from his 13 year old son Chan Isaiah. Upon my arrival, the kids looked at my eye and I made no mistake that probably they were expecting me of any news and I knew that they wanted to know what the South Sudanese are doing on the case of their father. As I know they are young, I have often avoided discussing the assassination of their father with them. But that day the August 14, 2013, caught me by surprise. As fatherless little Chan sat beside me, he pricked me with the most unforgettable question and he humbly asked:

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―Uncle, may I ask you a question; how is the case of dad going on in Juba and has the government found his killers?‖ Monica his sister looked at me too and my colleague Peter Nien who was with me plus their mum looked at me as well. I tried to look up onto the ceiling avoiding any eye contact with anyone in the room neither even Chan himself but as I lowered down my eyes, the boy‘s eyes were on me for answers. I pat him at the back and painfully I responded to his questions: ―Chan, nothing has been revealed yet as those arrested have not appeared before the court‖, To stop him from asking more painful questions, I added; ―Our government is still investigating the case and they will one day give out the final information when the investigations are over‖ Young Chan still looked at me and seemingly regarding what I was saying as unbelievable. I felt guilty all the more of having no ―a better nothing to tell him‖. It increases my bitterness to this day over the case. However, I truthfully told him my conscience and I said; ―Chan; continue with your education and for the case of Isaiah, there are many who will not give up following his assassination. Remain strong and we will not let him down at all‖. He nodded and responded ―Thank you uncle and I am sorry to ask but that is what I wanted to know, thank you‖. The questions asked by little Chan have remained as a bitter reminder that ten months gone without justice. I know in my first response to little chan, I didn‘t tell him the whole truth because as there has never been a government investigating the case. Since Marial‘s January 3 wild pronouncements, nothing has been said again publicly by the government about the case of Isaiah Abraham. This silence each day leaves us with following question: 1. Who killed him? 2. Who sent them? 3. Where are they? 4. When are they going to be tried before the court? The above questions ought to be answered by the government of South Sudan but this date, nothing has been responded to. Marial Benjamin has remained neither without pronouncing anything again on the case nor the National Security telling the public whether or not the 150,000 USD reward which they promised to anyone who gives them information about who killed Isaiah Abraham, has worked! Fellow citizens, we have made a lot of statements for long in Juba on Isaiah‘s assassination and worldwide, we have explored all avenues to inform any person of good conscience that the blood of our brother Diing is so important that the truth of how he died must not be left unearthed but justice be done no matter come what may! The Geneva based Human Rights Council, we are very grateful to date that it was this year able to raise it to South Sudan‘s former Minister of Justice Hon. John Luk Jok. It was a good recognition of the blood of Isaiah and the fact that there were no better answers Hon. Luk could give over the case was in our view, significantly a humiliating exposure of the evils which ordinary South Sudanese people are facing under their own government. Not many months ago, equally to recall, in European Conference at Belgium, Isaiah‘s case topped the agenda and we are happy that South Sudan‘s delegation could not dodge reality openly discussed on the case. Thanks to the people of conscience who know that Isaiah didn‘t volunteer to die for the earlier pleasure to be with the Lord but for what was larger in him, much bigger than the shortsighted calculations of his organized assassins. Fellow citizens, Jesus Christ is not crazy to remind us always that; ―He is ready to leave the 99 members of his flock and goes out to look for one member who is lost‖ This shows the Lord‘s love for each life.. Can we together raise conscience-searching questions and ask

16 our Government under President Salva Kiir Mayardit to answer these questions: 1. Who killed him? 2. Who sent them? 3. Where are they? 4. When are they going to be tried before the court? As my colleagues and I have always believed so, the answers are lying with the state and the state‘s silence has oftentimes confirmed our greatest suspicion that the state killed Isaiah Abraham, that the suspects have told the truth about his death, that they were sent to kill him and that the suspects if taken for trial, would implicate surprisingly in our view some senior government officials and that to cover up the evil done, the suspects would never be tried and no justice would ever be done to the family of our fallen hero Isaiah Abraham. Together, fellow citizens, let‘s stand up and ask the above questions so that the government answers them or give us better version. MARIAL BENJAMIN TELL WHAT YOU KNOW NOW AS YOU TOLD US IN JANUARY THIS YEAR! Finally; we recommend briefly the following: 1. That South Sudanese Citizens and people of good will all over the world and in South Sudan should ask the government to account on the death of Isaiah Abraham and with urgency. 2. That all human rights defenders in South Sudan must gather on December 5th 2013 at the late‘s tomb in Kongor in Twic East County, , where he was buried and in Juba, to peacefully demonstrate, asking for justice to be done so that together, we answer the questions asked by his 13 year old Chan; ―Have his killers been found?‖ 3. That the National Security should declare that they have failed to get anybody coming forward to show who killed the late and that the 150, 000 USD promised as a reward to any informant, must be given to the children of Isaiah Abraham for their education(This must not be construed to mean blood-money/dia for Isaiah, no, because it is the public money that the National Security was able to have so easily and to the extent of making a big joke to give it as a reward). 4. That the Prosecutor General in the Ministry of Justice must tell the public what his office knows about the case of Isaiah since the investigations of crimes succinctly fall within the purview of his office. Sir, have there been investigations done by the controlled committee? 5. That all the lawyers should gather on one of the days by December 2013 in Juba and ask the President of the Republic, Speaker of Parliament and Chief Justice of the , each to throw the first copy of the Constitution into the flaming fire lit by the lawyers and thereafter, the lawyers and the rest of the public members countrywide, burn all the copies of the Constitution. In our view, this would be honourable to do so since the rights enshrined therein have been considered useless by the Executive from the President to the Boma Administrator in South Sudan and by the doctrine of co-ordination, the Chief Justice and the speaker are guilty by association since each has failed to defend the supreme law. HAD THERE BEEN RESPECT OF HUMAN RIGHTS ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION, ISAIAH WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN MURDERED AT ALL! As the copies of the Constitution shoot high in flames, then, South Sudan shall have been declared as under clear military dictatorship, where asking as who killed Isaiah Abraham, would be at the discretion of the top General! Fellow citizens, Dr. Martin Luther King stated; ―Our life begins to end the day we become silent about the things that matter‖. Have our life ended? That is the question we leave with you and as critically aware of, that speaking out on these issues carries particularly when the supposedly people‘s government 17 is the prime suspect, neither my colleagues nor I, could underestimate the high price one is likely to pay! Yet, in our view, our physical protection is our Constitution of South Sudan though constantly violated. Our invisible defender is the Almighty God and our fundamental push to speak out on these issues, is our conscience and our greatest encouragement is the blood of Isaiah whose ultimate loss remains sacrificial for you, for all of us and for posterity. Fellow citizens, as reminder to one of you, human Life is a question of human dignity and once a single life is violated, it is the violation of the whole humanity. Can such a violation not concern the entire humanity? Think about his blood fellow citizens and to the Almighty God, may his soul rest in eternity. Lord, we are ready to drink at any chalice on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves and so your will be done as we say to hell with injustices over our rights! Fellow citizens, over to you! Biel Boutros Biel is lawyer and the Executive Director of South Sudan Human Rights Society for Advocacy. He is currently a visiting Scholar in the Human Rights Advocates Program at Columbia University, New York City, USA. He can be reached through [email protected] (Back to Top)

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