🇸🇸 Land dispute clashes between South Sudan herders kill 39
Fighting between herders from two neighbouring states in central South Sudan has killed at least 39 people, officials said, blaming the violence on protracted land disputes.
South Sudan has been plagued by insecurity since winning independence from Sudan in 2011. A peace deal that ended a 2013-2018 civil war has significantly reduced violence, but lower-level clashes between rival communities frequently flare.
In the latest incident, fighting between herders in Lakes State and Warrap State started on Wednesday and continued into Thursday.
In Lakes State, 20 people were killed and 36 wounded, said the state's police spokesperson.
In neighbouring Warrap State, 19 people were killed and 17 wounded.
#SouthSudan
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Fighting between herders from two neighbouring states in central South Sudan has killed at least 39 people, officials said, blaming the violence on protracted land disputes.
South Sudan has been plagued by insecurity since winning independence from Sudan in 2011. A peace deal that ended a 2013-2018 civil war has significantly reduced violence, but lower-level clashes between rival communities frequently flare.
In the latest incident, fighting between herders in Lakes State and Warrap State started on Wednesday and continued into Thursday.
In Lakes State, 20 people were killed and 36 wounded, said the state's police spokesperson.
In neighbouring Warrap State, 19 people were killed and 17 wounded.
#SouthSudan
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🇸🇩🇸🇸 About 40 killed in violence near disputed Sudan-South Sudan border
About 40 people, many of them civilians, have been killed in violence in a disputed area on South Sudan's border with Sudan over the weekend and hundreds have sought refuge in a U.N. peacekeepers' compound, a government official said.
Frequent clashes have taken place in Abyei region between rival factions of the Dinka ethnic group because of a dispute over the location of an administrative boundary.
Abyei is an oil-rich area that is jointly administered by South Sudan and Sudan, which have both staked claims to it.
The region's information minister said: "In the attacks that took place on February 2 and 3, several markets were set on fire, property looted and altogether 19 civilians got killed and 18 others were wounded."
A further 18 people were killed in separate attacks on Sunday, he said.
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About 40 people, many of them civilians, have been killed in violence in a disputed area on South Sudan's border with Sudan over the weekend and hundreds have sought refuge in a U.N. peacekeepers' compound, a government official said.
Frequent clashes have taken place in Abyei region between rival factions of the Dinka ethnic group because of a dispute over the location of an administrative boundary.
Abyei is an oil-rich area that is jointly administered by South Sudan and Sudan, which have both staked claims to it.
The region's information minister said: "In the attacks that took place on February 2 and 3, several markets were set on fire, property looted and altogether 19 civilians got killed and 18 others were wounded."
A further 18 people were killed in separate attacks on Sunday, he said.
#Sudan #SouthSudan
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🇸🇸 Fresh fighting in South Sudan kills 26 people
Fighting between local groups in western South Sudan has killed at least 26 people, officials said, as the country's president and vice president called for an end to rising inter-communal violence.
The latest clashes occurred on Monday when armed youths from Warrap State attacked and burnt a police station and market in Western Bar el Ghazal State, the state's acting governor said.
He said eight security officers and 10 civilians from his state were killed.
The information minister in Warrap, said eight people from his state were also killed. He blamed the fighting on a dispute over fertile land used for grazing and farming.
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Fighting between local groups in western South Sudan has killed at least 26 people, officials said, as the country's president and vice president called for an end to rising inter-communal violence.
The latest clashes occurred on Monday when armed youths from Warrap State attacked and burnt a police station and market in Western Bar el Ghazal State, the state's acting governor said.
He said eight security officers and 10 civilians from his state were killed.
The information minister in Warrap, said eight people from his state were also killed. He blamed the fighting on a dispute over fertile land used for grazing and farming.
#SouthSudan
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🇸🇩🇸🇸 Thousands forced out by fighting in disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan
Humanitarian agencies have warned that two weeks of fighting in the oil-rich region of Abyei on the border between Sudan and South Sudan have led to widespread displacement and hindered efforts to distribute aid.
Both countries jointly administer Abyei and claim ownership of the region.
The clashes have been linked to conflict between rival factions of the Dinka ethnic group - called the Ngok and the Twic.
Close to 100 people including UN peacekeepers have been killed.
Britain, the US and Norway - known as the Troika - have called on the South Sudanese government to hold accountable those behind the attacks.
#Sudan #SouthSudan
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Humanitarian agencies have warned that two weeks of fighting in the oil-rich region of Abyei on the border between Sudan and South Sudan have led to widespread displacement and hindered efforts to distribute aid.
Both countries jointly administer Abyei and claim ownership of the region.
The clashes have been linked to conflict between rival factions of the Dinka ethnic group - called the Ngok and the Twic.
Close to 100 people including UN peacekeepers have been killed.
Britain, the US and Norway - known as the Troika - have called on the South Sudanese government to hold accountable those behind the attacks.
#Sudan #SouthSudan
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🇺🇳🇸🇸 Peace deal and elections top agenda on visit of UN envoy to South Sudan
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the head of UN peacekeeping arrived in South Sudan to assess progress made on the peace process and preparations underway for the upcoming elections scheduled for December, the country’s first since independence.
He is expected to hold meetings with leaders of the Transitional Government of National Unity, civil society representatives, and other key stakeholders involved in the peace process.
Lacroix is accompanied by Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa.
Lacroix said, “this is an important time for South Sudan. There are challenges and there are also expectations on many fronts, and I think it’s also an expression of solidarity from the UN as a whole.”
#UN #SouthSudan
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Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the head of UN peacekeeping arrived in South Sudan to assess progress made on the peace process and preparations underway for the upcoming elections scheduled for December, the country’s first since independence.
He is expected to hold meetings with leaders of the Transitional Government of National Unity, civil society representatives, and other key stakeholders involved in the peace process.
Lacroix is accompanied by Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa.
Lacroix said, “this is an important time for South Sudan. There are challenges and there are also expectations on many fronts, and I think it’s also an expression of solidarity from the UN as a whole.”
#UN #SouthSudan
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🇸🇸🇸🇩 South Sudan blames fighting in neighbouring Sudan and attacks in the Red Sea for its crisis
South Sudan's government blamed the country's economic crisis in part on the fighting in neighbouring Sudan and the instability in the Red Sea, where Yemen's Houthi rebels have been attacking international shipping.
With most government workers not having been paid for the past of five months and the cost of living skyrocketing, Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth told that outside factors have impacted South Sudan's oil exports — the country's main source of revenue.
Lueth also said that oil wells, which were water-logged by heavy floods over the past rainy season, are not yet fully operational.
The low levels of productivity have been compounded by the fact that the pipeline taking South Sudan's crude through Sudan to its main Red Sea hub, Port Sudan, has been blocked in areas where there is fighting, he said.
But even if the crude oil were to reach Port Sudan, it would still not be possible to ship it because of the ongoing threats to shipping in the Red Sea, Leuth said.
#SouthSudan #Sudan
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South Sudan's government blamed the country's economic crisis in part on the fighting in neighbouring Sudan and the instability in the Red Sea, where Yemen's Houthi rebels have been attacking international shipping.
With most government workers not having been paid for the past of five months and the cost of living skyrocketing, Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth told that outside factors have impacted South Sudan's oil exports — the country's main source of revenue.
Lueth also said that oil wells, which were water-logged by heavy floods over the past rainy season, are not yet fully operational.
The low levels of productivity have been compounded by the fact that the pipeline taking South Sudan's crude through Sudan to its main Red Sea hub, Port Sudan, has been blocked in areas where there is fighting, he said.
But even if the crude oil were to reach Port Sudan, it would still not be possible to ship it because of the ongoing threats to shipping in the Red Sea, Leuth said.
#SouthSudan #Sudan
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🇸🇩🇹🇩🇸🇸 Sudan agrees for aid to come via Chad and South Sudan
Sudan's military-led government has said it will allow some humanitarian aid to be delivered via Chad and South Sudan.
It had banned deliveries via Chad after accusing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of using aid convoys to supply weapons to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The UAE has denied doing so.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator in Sudan, said the move was a "welcome step" and would help reach people in "dire need of life saving assistance".
Ms Salami said the government had agreed to open airport routes for humanitarian aid in Fasher, Kadugli and El Obeid.
#Sudan #Chad #SouthSudan
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Sudan's military-led government has said it will allow some humanitarian aid to be delivered via Chad and South Sudan.
It had banned deliveries via Chad after accusing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of using aid convoys to supply weapons to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The UAE has denied doing so.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator in Sudan, said the move was a "welcome step" and would help reach people in "dire need of life saving assistance".
Ms Salami said the government had agreed to open airport routes for humanitarian aid in Fasher, Kadugli and El Obeid.
#Sudan #Chad #SouthSudan
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🇺🇸🇸🇸 US charges South Sudan economist with gun running scheme
U.S. prosecutors have charged a South Sudanese economist and Harvard fellow with conspiring to export Stinger missile systems, grenade launchers and automatic rifles to armed groups in South Sudan, the Justice Department said.
In a complaint unsealed this week and dated February 29, the prosecutors alleged that Peter Ajak, a former economist with the World Bank, and an associate, Abraham Chol Keech, intended to send the weapons to "opposition groups seeking to effect a non-democratic regime change in South Sudan".
The Justice Department alleged in the complaint that the defendants violated U.S. law making it illegal to export weapons to South Sudan, which is subject to a U.N. arms embargo.
#USA #SouthSudan
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U.S. prosecutors have charged a South Sudanese economist and Harvard fellow with conspiring to export Stinger missile systems, grenade launchers and automatic rifles to armed groups in South Sudan, the Justice Department said.
In a complaint unsealed this week and dated February 29, the prosecutors alleged that Peter Ajak, a former economist with the World Bank, and an associate, Abraham Chol Keech, intended to send the weapons to "opposition groups seeking to effect a non-democratic regime change in South Sudan".
The Justice Department alleged in the complaint that the defendants violated U.S. law making it illegal to export weapons to South Sudan, which is subject to a U.N. arms embargo.
#USA #SouthSudan
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🇺🇳🇸🇸 UN condemns killing of its staff in South Sudan
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has condemned the killing of one of its staff in the country.
Charles Kiir Gone was serving with the peacekeeping mission in Wau, in the north-west.
He was reportedly killed during an attack by armed men in a relative’s home, where he was staying.
Gone was on leave from work at the time of the attack that has been linked to cattle rustling.
In a statement, UNMISS head Nicholas Haysom said the attack "illustrates the real and ongoing threat to the lives of UN peacekeepers supporting South Sudan on its journey towards peace”.
#UN #SouthSudan
@africaintel
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has condemned the killing of one of its staff in the country.
Charles Kiir Gone was serving with the peacekeeping mission in Wau, in the north-west.
He was reportedly killed during an attack by armed men in a relative’s home, where he was staying.
Gone was on leave from work at the time of the attack that has been linked to cattle rustling.
In a statement, UNMISS head Nicholas Haysom said the attack "illustrates the real and ongoing threat to the lives of UN peacekeepers supporting South Sudan on its journey towards peace”.
#UN #SouthSudan
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🇸🇸🇺🇸 South Sudan elections not on path for credible process, US official warns
Elections set to be held in South Sudan in December are not on a path for a credible process without urgent action, a senior U.S. State Department official warned on Friday.
South Sudan is planning national elections later this year to choose leaders to succeed the current transitional government, which includes President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, whose respective forces battled each other during the 2013-2018 civil war.
On the likelihood the elections proceed in December as planned, the U.S. official said: "I give it 50/50."
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, warned that the U.S. would look to options including sanctions and adjusting its diplomatic platform in the country if elections were to be delayed or violence breaks out.
#SouthSudan #USA
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Elections set to be held in South Sudan in December are not on a path for a credible process without urgent action, a senior U.S. State Department official warned on Friday.
South Sudan is planning national elections later this year to choose leaders to succeed the current transitional government, which includes President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, whose respective forces battled each other during the 2013-2018 civil war.
On the likelihood the elections proceed in December as planned, the U.S. official said: "I give it 50/50."
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, warned that the U.S. would look to options including sanctions and adjusting its diplomatic platform in the country if elections were to be delayed or violence breaks out.
#SouthSudan #USA
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🇸🇸 South Sudan shutters all schools as it prepares for an extreme heat wave
South Sudan's government is closing down all schools starting Monday as the country prepares for a wave of extreme heat expected to last two weeks.
The health and education ministries advised parents to keep all children indoors as temperatures are expected to soar to 45 degrees Celsius.
They warned that any school found open during that time would have its registration withdrawn, but didn't specify how long the schools would remain shuttered.
The ministries said they “will continue to monitor the situation and inform the public accordingly.”
#SouthSudan
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South Sudan's government is closing down all schools starting Monday as the country prepares for a wave of extreme heat expected to last two weeks.
The health and education ministries advised parents to keep all children indoors as temperatures are expected to soar to 45 degrees Celsius.
They warned that any school found open during that time would have its registration withdrawn, but didn't specify how long the schools would remain shuttered.
The ministries said they “will continue to monitor the situation and inform the public accordingly.”
#SouthSudan
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🇺🇳🇸🇸 UN reports a 35% increase in people affected by violence in South Sudan
The number of people affected by violence in South Sudan increased by 35% in the last three months of 2023, according to the United Nations.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan, or UNMISS, has documented 233 incidents of violence affecting 862 people. Among them, 406 were killed, 293 were injured, 100 were kidnapped and 63 suffered conflict-related sexual violence, she said in a report released Monday.
This is a 35% increase in casualties compared to the previous quarter.
South Sudan is due to hold elections later this year, the first since the 2018 peace deal between President Salva Kiir and his former rival Riek Machar.
UNMISS head Nicholas Haysom said the organization is "doing everything in its power to prevent violence and bring peace to affected areas" and urged the South Sudan government to intervene to “resolve underlying grievances and establish peace”.
#UN #SouthSudan
@africaintel
The number of people affected by violence in South Sudan increased by 35% in the last three months of 2023, according to the United Nations.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan, or UNMISS, has documented 233 incidents of violence affecting 862 people. Among them, 406 were killed, 293 were injured, 100 were kidnapped and 63 suffered conflict-related sexual violence, she said in a report released Monday.
This is a 35% increase in casualties compared to the previous quarter.
South Sudan is due to hold elections later this year, the first since the 2018 peace deal between President Salva Kiir and his former rival Riek Machar.
UNMISS head Nicholas Haysom said the organization is "doing everything in its power to prevent violence and bring peace to affected areas" and urged the South Sudan government to intervene to “resolve underlying grievances and establish peace”.
#UN #SouthSudan
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🇺🇸🇸🇸 US, allies urge South Sudan to ensure genuine elections
The United States, Britain and Norway on Tuesday called on South Sudan's leaders to take urgent steps to ensure genuine and peaceful elections in December.
South Sudan has been formally at peace since a 2018 deal ended a five-year conflict responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths, but violence between rival communities flares frequently.
The joint statement follows warnings from the United States that South Sudan is not on a path of free and fair elections to take place in December as planned unless action is taken.
"Following recent senior-level visits from our capitals to Juba, the Governments of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States reaffirm our call for South Sudan’s leaders urgently to take steps necessary to ensure genuine and peaceful elections in December," the statement said, adding the process should address 10 questions posed by the United Nations, African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development.
#USA #SouthSudan
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The United States, Britain and Norway on Tuesday called on South Sudan's leaders to take urgent steps to ensure genuine and peaceful elections in December.
South Sudan has been formally at peace since a 2018 deal ended a five-year conflict responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths, but violence between rival communities flares frequently.
The joint statement follows warnings from the United States that South Sudan is not on a path of free and fair elections to take place in December as planned unless action is taken.
"Following recent senior-level visits from our capitals to Juba, the Governments of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States reaffirm our call for South Sudan’s leaders urgently to take steps necessary to ensure genuine and peaceful elections in December," the statement said, adding the process should address 10 questions posed by the United Nations, African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development.
#USA #SouthSudan
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🇸🇸 New flare-up of local violence in South Sudan kills 15
Young men shot dead 15 people in South Sudan's eastern Pibor region, including a county commissioner, a senior official said on Wednesday, amid a rise in local conflict ahead of a national election due at the end of the year.
The shooting happened on Tuesday when the commissioner of Boma County in Pibor was returning from a visit to a village.
"The commissioner with his team went to Nyat village and on his return he was ambushed and 15 people were killed including the commissioner," Abraham Kelang, information minister of Greater Pibor Administrative Area, told.
Among the dead were Boma's deputy army commander, government officials and the county commissioner's bodyguards, Kelang said.
#SouthSudan
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Young men shot dead 15 people in South Sudan's eastern Pibor region, including a county commissioner, a senior official said on Wednesday, amid a rise in local conflict ahead of a national election due at the end of the year.
The shooting happened on Tuesday when the commissioner of Boma County in Pibor was returning from a visit to a village.
"The commissioner with his team went to Nyat village and on his return he was ambushed and 15 people were killed including the commissioner," Abraham Kelang, information minister of Greater Pibor Administrative Area, told.
Among the dead were Boma's deputy army commander, government officials and the county commissioner's bodyguards, Kelang said.
#SouthSudan
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🇸🇸 Hundreds of children suffer measles in South Sudan
The medical charity, MSF, has warned of outbreaks of measles in South Sudan and Yemen.
It said that there had been seven deaths and more than 450 cases among children under-five since February in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state.
MSF said that its hospital unit in Taiz Houban in Yemen had received around 1,500 measles patients in recent months.
It said low vaccination rates and difficult access to primary healthcare were major factors in the outbreaks.
#SouthSudan
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The medical charity, MSF, has warned of outbreaks of measles in South Sudan and Yemen.
It said that there had been seven deaths and more than 450 cases among children under-five since February in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state.
MSF said that its hospital unit in Taiz Houban in Yemen had received around 1,500 measles patients in recent months.
It said low vaccination rates and difficult access to primary healthcare were major factors in the outbreaks.
#SouthSudan
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🇸🇸 Schools to reopen in South Sudan after two weeks of extreme heat
South Sudan's government said schools will reopen next week following a two-week closure due to extreme heat across the country.
The health and education ministries said temperatures were expected to steadily drop with the rainy season set to begin in the coming days.
South Sudan in recent years has experienced adverse effects of climate change, with extreme heat, flooding and drought reported during different seasons.
During the heat wave last week, the country registered temperatures up to 45 degrees Celsius.
Teachers have been urged to minimize playground activities to early morning or indoors, ventilate classrooms, provide water during school time and monitor children for signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng singled out Northern Bahr El-Ghazel, Warrap, Unity and Upper Nile states as the most affected areas.
#SouthSudan
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South Sudan's government said schools will reopen next week following a two-week closure due to extreme heat across the country.
The health and education ministries said temperatures were expected to steadily drop with the rainy season set to begin in the coming days.
South Sudan in recent years has experienced adverse effects of climate change, with extreme heat, flooding and drought reported during different seasons.
During the heat wave last week, the country registered temperatures up to 45 degrees Celsius.
Teachers have been urged to minimize playground activities to early morning or indoors, ventilate classrooms, provide water during school time and monitor children for signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng singled out Northern Bahr El-Ghazel, Warrap, Unity and Upper Nile states as the most affected areas.
#SouthSudan
@africaintel
🇸🇸 At least 12 killed, 15 children missing in South Sudan attack
Youths attacked a village in eastern South Sudan and shot dead at least 12 people while 15 children are missing, officials said on Tuesday, as local conflicts continued to increase ahead of elections late this year.
Activists believe the recent rise in violence is at least partly connected to the elections to choose leaders to succeed the present transitional government.
In the latest incident on Sunday, youths attacked Ajwara village in Pibor's Pochalla county, Abraham Kelang, Information Minister of Greater Pibor Administrative Area, said.
"Twelve people were killed, 10 injured and there were some cattle that were raided," he told.
The attackers, from the Murle ethnic group, are also suspected of abducting children, Owety Olung, the acting commissioner of Pochalla County, said.
#SouthSudan
@africaintel
Youths attacked a village in eastern South Sudan and shot dead at least 12 people while 15 children are missing, officials said on Tuesday, as local conflicts continued to increase ahead of elections late this year.
Activists believe the recent rise in violence is at least partly connected to the elections to choose leaders to succeed the present transitional government.
In the latest incident on Sunday, youths attacked Ajwara village in Pibor's Pochalla county, Abraham Kelang, Information Minister of Greater Pibor Administrative Area, said.
"Twelve people were killed, 10 injured and there were some cattle that were raided," he told.
The attackers, from the Murle ethnic group, are also suspected of abducting children, Owety Olung, the acting commissioner of Pochalla County, said.
#SouthSudan
@africaintel
🇸🇸 South Sudan president presses on holding elections as scheduled
President Salva Kiir warned lawmakers against an extension of the period of transition.
He argued it would deny citizens an opportunity to choose their leaders and urged parliament to pass the necessary laws to pave the way for the elections.
Parliament Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba said lawmakers would redouble their efforts to ensure that all the prerequisites for elections are met.
His adress to parliament which return from recess comes just weeks after Salava Kiir's deputy and former rival Riek Machar proposed a postponement of elections expected to be held in December.
Vice President Machar suggested last month an extension of the transitional government’s term to allow for adequate preparation for the elections.
#SouthSudan
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President Salva Kiir warned lawmakers against an extension of the period of transition.
He argued it would deny citizens an opportunity to choose their leaders and urged parliament to pass the necessary laws to pave the way for the elections.
Parliament Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba said lawmakers would redouble their efforts to ensure that all the prerequisites for elections are met.
His adress to parliament which return from recess comes just weeks after Salava Kiir's deputy and former rival Riek Machar proposed a postponement of elections expected to be held in December.
Vice President Machar suggested last month an extension of the transitional government’s term to allow for adequate preparation for the elections.
#SouthSudan
@africaintel
🇰🇪🇸🇸 Kenya hosts South Sudan peace talks with African leaders
Kenya spearheaded high-level mediation talks for South Sudan, supported by African presidents, urging an end to the prolonged conflict straining the nation's economy.
Involving rebel opposition groups excluded from the 2018 agreement that concluded the five-year civil war, the talks aim to foster reconciliation and stability. Pagan Amum Okiech, leader of the Real-SPLM group, underscored the need for a shift away from conflict mindsets towards fraternity.
President Ruto emphasized the importance of African-led solutions and recounted President Kiir's poignant appeal for support during the discussions, attended by leaders from Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, and the Central African Republic.
#Kenya #SouthSudan
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Kenya spearheaded high-level mediation talks for South Sudan, supported by African presidents, urging an end to the prolonged conflict straining the nation's economy.
Involving rebel opposition groups excluded from the 2018 agreement that concluded the five-year civil war, the talks aim to foster reconciliation and stability. Pagan Amum Okiech, leader of the Real-SPLM group, underscored the need for a shift away from conflict mindsets towards fraternity.
President Ruto emphasized the importance of African-led solutions and recounted President Kiir's poignant appeal for support during the discussions, attended by leaders from Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, and the Central African Republic.
#Kenya #SouthSudan
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🇸🇸 South Sudan government and rebel groups sign 'commitment' for peace in ongoing peace talks in Kenya
The government of South Sudan and rebel opposition groups on Thursday signed a "commitment declaration" for peace during high-level mediation talks in Kenya.
The agreement is a key step in efforts to end the conflict in South Sudan that has long crippled its economy.
The content of the agreement was not made public during the signing ceremony, attended by diplomats and civil society groups.
The rebel opposition groups were not part of the 2018 agreement that ended South Sudan's five-year civil war that left 400,000 people dead and millions displaced.
Kenya's foreign office said the agreement was a "first milestone" in the ongoing talks in which warring sides pledged their commitment to end the violence and hostilities.
At the start of the high-level mediation talks launched a week ago, South Sudan's President Salva Kiir thanked his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto, for hosting the negotiations.
The talks have been dubbed Tumaini, Swahili for hope, Initiative and are led by former Kenyan army commander Lazarus Sumbeiywo.
South Sudan is due to hold elections in December but remains politically fragile, in part because the 2018 peace agreement is yet to be fully implemented and because conflict and violence continue in different parts of the country over ethnic and political differences.
#SouthSudan
@africaintel
The government of South Sudan and rebel opposition groups on Thursday signed a "commitment declaration" for peace during high-level mediation talks in Kenya.
The agreement is a key step in efforts to end the conflict in South Sudan that has long crippled its economy.
The content of the agreement was not made public during the signing ceremony, attended by diplomats and civil society groups.
The rebel opposition groups were not part of the 2018 agreement that ended South Sudan's five-year civil war that left 400,000 people dead and millions displaced.
Kenya's foreign office said the agreement was a "first milestone" in the ongoing talks in which warring sides pledged their commitment to end the violence and hostilities.
At the start of the high-level mediation talks launched a week ago, South Sudan's President Salva Kiir thanked his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto, for hosting the negotiations.
The talks have been dubbed Tumaini, Swahili for hope, Initiative and are led by former Kenyan army commander Lazarus Sumbeiywo.
South Sudan is due to hold elections in December but remains politically fragile, in part because the 2018 peace agreement is yet to be fully implemented and because conflict and violence continue in different parts of the country over ethnic and political differences.
#SouthSudan
@africaintel