Southern Sudan News Bulletin ______

Southern Sudan News Bulletin ______

Southern Sudan News Bulletin ___________________________________________________________________________ An Overview of UN Activities in Southern Sudan Published by the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) _____________________________________________________________________ Vol. 4 Issue No.1 January 2009 Highlights: ¾ Thousands flee LRA attacks ¾ Sudan marks fourth CPA anniversary ¾ Former SPLA combatants turned into Prison Services Wardens ¾ Misseriya still in Southern Kordofan ¾ Planning underway for Tri-State Peace Conference ¾ Data compilation for essential services in Lakes State completed . Sector I – Juba Sudan Marks fourth CPA anniversary Thousands flee LRA attacks On January 9, Sudan marked the fourth Thousands of internally displaced persons anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace (IDPs) and refugees fleeing attacks by Agreement (CPA) that ended 21 years of Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels have conflict between northern and southern poured into Western Equatoria State, Sudan in the Upper Nile State capital of prompting Governor Jemma Nunu Kumba to Malakal. The ceremony, which was attended launch a humanitarian appeal for by both the President of the Government of assistance. The displacement follows a joint National Unity (GONU), Omar Al Bashir, and military offensive by Ugandan and the First Vice-President of the GONU, Salva Congolese forces against the LRA that was Kiir, drew thousands of Sudanese to the launched on 14 December. The IDPs and city’s stadium. refugees, most of whom come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), During the celebrations, President Bashir moved into Sudan after LRA attacks on and Vice-President Kiir, who is also their villages killed hundreds and led to the president of the Government of Southern abduction of women, children and even Sudan (GoSS), inaugurated the Malakal men. power plant and water project. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the The UN, non-governmental organizations CPA and pledged to work towards full (NGOs) and the GoSS have stepped up implementation of the agreement. monitoring and assessment missions to facilitate a rapid humanitarian response to communities and Congolese refugees affected by the violence. Refugees and IDPs ________________________________________________________________________ www.unmis.org -1- Southern Sudan News bulletin January 2009 ____________________________________________________________ living in areas near the border between acquired knowledge to help promote law northeastern DR Congo and Southern and order in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. Sudan have been receiving food and other types of assistance since mid-September. Gangs continuing to ambush and loot Assessments in the Western Equatoria The Lakes State capital of Rumbek counties of Maridi, Gangura and Yambio and remained generally peaceful during the the Central Equatoria counties of Yei and end-of-year holiday period, thanks in part Lainya have been completed, and the to an increased presence and patrol activity findings will be applied to emergency by state police. The state government has response operations in the future. been addressing ongoing issues of insecurity by recruiting and training Parliament passes land bill additional police officers. But despite a A long-awaited land bill has been passed by commitment by government officials to the Southern Sudanese Legislative deploy SPLA units to the area south of the Assembly. Approved on 26 January, the town of Wulu, criminal gangs continue to legislation spells out rules and regulations ambush and loot commercial vehicles affecting land, natural resources and traveling between Lakes State and environmental issues. It requires the destinations such as Juba and Uganda. signature of GoSS President Kiir to become Local administrators also complain that the law. two policemen and three wildlife service officers currently working in the area are Sponsors of the bill hope it will help resolve insufficient to deal with heavily armed numerous land-related conflicts that gangs. continue to claim many lives in Southern Sudan. Other pieces of pending legislation Data Compilation of essential services in the regional parliament include bills in Lakes State completed focusing on government corruption, the The UNMIS Recovery, Return and media, and the Southern Sudanese police, Reintegration (RRR) section has finished prison and wildlife services. compiling data for analysis in the areas of water, health and education in Lakes State. Sector II – Wau RRR believes that the data will provide cumulative support to the state Former SPLA combatants reintegrated government’s own reintegration and into the Southern Sudan Prison recovery planning programs, relevant Services ministries and service delivery agencies. On 29 December, 414 ex-combatants, including 115 women, were reintegrated as Prior to dissemination of the information to prison wardens in the Northern Bahr el key stakeholders, RRR plans to present the Ghazal state capital of Aweil. The new compiled data to the returns and recruits represent the second group of reintegration working group for further former SPLA combatants to be reintegrated study and review. into the Southern Sudan Prison Services in 2008. Former child soldiers reunited with their families in Kuajok Governor Maj. Gen. Paul Malong Awan UNMIS provided road transport for 17 expressed hope that the new graduates, former child soldiers of the SPLA living in who received training on corrections and Sector III to the town of Kuajok, where human rights issues, will use their newly they were reunited with their families. _________________________________________________________________________ www.unmis.org - 2 - Southern Sudan News bulletin January 2009 ____________________________________________________________ UNICEF arranged for their travel from meeting of state ministers and directors Malakal via Rumbek to Wau. However, general chaired by Governor Toor Deng some of the boys refused to get off the bus Mawien took up the matter in Kuajok. upon arrival in Kuajok. Children who were According to an officer at the state Ministry forced to join the military are accustomed of Social Welfare, the assembled officials to receiving a salary, and the recalcitrant decided to dismiss older staff employees as boys apparently were concerned that they well as workers lacking appropriate would not have any funds to assist them in credentials or documents. A list of their reintegration into civilian life. employees who were relieved of their duties has been circulated, and the vacancies will Warrap State swears in four new be publicly advertised with an eye towards County Commissioners hiring younger and more qualified On 22 December, the newly appointed personnel. county commissioners for the Greater Tonj area were sworn in by Warrap State The downsizing at the state government Governor Toor Deng Mawien. Deng Ayieny level is believed to be part of the Public succeeds Yol Mayar Mareng in Tonj North Service Reform Program launched by GoSS County, John Mayiik Bath replaces Ireneo President Kiir and his government’s Ministry Yai Mum in Tonj East and Yorniew Kon Bol of Labour, Public Service and Human succeeds Joseph Atem Baak in Tonj South. Resource Development in 2008. That There are unconfirmed reports that Anei program was also included among key Deng has replaced Awet Aken Atem as recommendations and resolutions adopted Commissioner for Twic County. by the sixth Governors’ Forum last October. Individual state governments have been Challenges to peace building initiatives mandated to implement the reform in Lakes program. CA will follow up and report on Civil Affairs (CA) continued discussions with the issue. the Lakes State deputy governor in Rumbek about methods that are being utilized in Planning underway for Tri-State Peace current, state-led peacebuilding initiatives Conference and interventions and how they might be A trilateral peace conference among improved in 2009. The deputy governor Warrap, Lakes and Unity States was expressed his support for approaches that scheduled to take place during the last enable stakeholders to participate actively week of January in the Lakes State town of in resolution proceedings. CA agreed to Yirol. The conference was aiming to bring provide technical and logistical support to together about 100 core stakeholders for state government initiatives. Key short- peace-building efforts in all three states, term challenges include resource-based ranging from their governors and security conflicts during the dry season, the advisors to SPLM secretaries and traditional statewide civilian disarmament process leaders. The conference was expected to amid widespread availability of small arms, review all previous peace resolutions and and localized tensions among various gatherings, including the Wunlit Peace chiefs. Conference of 1999, and devise conflict resolution mechanisms to solve inter-state Staff downsizing in Warrap State disputes, including border tensions. It was Deliberations have begun in Warrap State also expected to discuss the formation of a over reductions in government staffing tri-state border security force. levels for 2009. On 7 January, a high-level _________________________________________________________________________ www.unmis.org - 3 - Southern Sudan News bulletin January 2009 ____________________________________________________________ Inter-agency assessment mission to Warrap State Ministry for Social Welfare Wulu County urged participants to apply what they had

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