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Zawya
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
New facility aims at supporting prisoners to complete their sentences with dignity
Poor sanitation and overcrowded facilities that leave little to no privacy for inmates at the Magwi Prison have been long overdue for replacement. This week, thanks to joint efforts by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and implementing partner, the Community Initiative for Development Association (CIDA), construction has begun on a new facility in this conflict-prone county in Eastern Equatoria state. 'It is our hope that the new cells for women, men and juvenile offenders, as well as the office spaces, will provide a protective environment for prison officers and inmates, in which dignity and human rights are respected,' said Anthony Nwapa, a Human Rights Officer at the UN Peacekeeping mission's UNMISS Torit Field Office. Once completed, the new prison is expected to reduce overcrowding, ensure human rights standards are adhered to, and minimize attempts to escape incarceration. 'Prisons should provide detainees with a second chance at life through rehabilitation programmes. To do this, inmates must be able to serve out their sentences with dignity so that they can hope to be fully reintegrated into society,' explained Abdalla Hassen Adidi, Director General, state Ministry of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies. 'This project has started precisely when we need it the most, with criminality rising in our neighbourhoods,' added Aldo Ojara Akwilino, Magwi's paramount chief. Construction is set to finish in around five months, after which, Mr Nwapa says, it will be handed over to the local authorities. 'The new prison facility is part of UNMISS' Quick Impact Projects programme, where we fund small-scale projects that have a big impact in terms of addressing urgent public needs. Once we hand it over to authorities, it's up to them and community members to ensure that the facility remains in good condition and serves its purpose.' After years of civil war, such projects are crucial for lasting peace in South Sudan. 'The prison construction in Magwi aims to address gaps in the justice system such as human rights violations, weak law enforcement and slow court proceedings, all of which contribute to overcrowded prisons and police cells. Any initiative that strengthens the rule of law while keeping in mind the rights of prisoners is critical for communities to look forward to a better future,' said Grace John Kenyi, Executive Director, CIDA. 'That's why we partner with UNMISS to implement and deliver such projects.'
Zawya
10-04-2025
- Zawya
United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) peacekeepers from Mongolia protect hundreds of civilians following violence in Abiemnhom
It was 7am, when Zecharia Malual Achiel heard the first gunshots. That was the only warning he had of the terrible violence that was about to unfold as heavily armed youth from Mayom rampaged through the town of Abiemnhom, in the north-west of Unity State. 'They overran the entire town very quickly. People ran wherever they could, leaving everything behind. Many went to Ajakkuach and Abyei, but we went to the United Nations base because we knew there would be protection.' Zecharia was among 800 civilians who sought sanctuary at the temporary base established in Abiemnhom by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) last August to help deter persistent cattle-raiding and revenge attacks. 'The Mongolian peacekeepers patrol our area at night, and we feel more secure. I do worry though about those who fled to the bush. Who is protecting them?' he questions. At least 46 people are reported to have died in the clashes between armed youth from both communities and more than 36 were injured. Children are still missing. Homes were burnt to the ground and health centers were looted. An estimated 20,000 have been displaced. 'Women and children were among those killed. As mothers, we are deeply saddened by this conflict,' says resident Mary Nyajuor. 'The only positive aspect is that the UNMISS peacekeepers are protecting the elderly, children, and women who were unable to flee any further away to safety.' The Commander of UNMISS' battalion in Abiemhom, Major Davaadorj Boldbaatar, says with tensions still high, the 80 Mongolian peacekeepers remain on full alert. 'Our job as peacekeepers is to protect civilians facing an imminent threat. That is what we have done by deploying Armoured Personnel Carriers and troops around those who rely on us for help.' An UNMISS team, led by the Head of the Bentiu Field Office, Stella Abayomi, flew to Abiemnhom to assess the security situation and engage with local authorities, humanitarian partners and communities. 'We have been able to create a protective space for those who have been displaced, and our peacekeepers are dominating the area to provide security,' she says. 'However, we are encouraging the Government to take up its primary responsibility to protect civilians as the situation outside our temporary base is not sustainable.' The Abiemhom Relief and Rehabilitation Coordinator, Gabriel Gook Lual, says the conflict is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation with around 13,000 people now displaced into Ajakuac and 7,000 in Abyei. 'They are in desperate need of support, particularly food and water. We are calling for the humanitarians to come and help our community,' he pleads. There are also calls for the communities to come together to resolve grievances and prevent further violence. 'We urge the communities to engage in dialogue to resolve this conflict for everyone's sake. Killing one another is not the solution,' urges Mary Nyajuor. Zecharia Malual Achiel agrees. 'I appeal to young people to stop the killing and looting of property. It is better to live in peace and harmony. These incidents are traumatizing us all,' he says. 'The people of Mayom and Abiemnom are one community. Let the government and partners organize a conference to resolve this issue and bring peace back to our area.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Observer
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Observer
S Sudan oppn says V-P's arrest ends peace deal
South Sudan's opposition said on Thursday the arrest overnight of First Vice President Riek Machar, long-time rival to President Salva Kiir, had invalidated their 2018 peace deal and risked plunging the country back into war. A convoy of 20 heavily armed vehicles entered Machar's residence in the capital, Juba, late on Wednesday and arrested him, according to a statement issued by a member of his party -- a dramatic escalation of a conflict that has been building for weeks in the world's youngest country. A power-sharing deal between Kiir and Machar has been gradually unravelling, threatening a return of the civil war that killed around 400,000 people between 2013 and 2018. "With the arrest and detention of Dr Riek Machar Teny, the R-ARCSS 2018 has been abrogated," said Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, deputy chairman of Machar's party, using a technical term for the peace deal. "The prospect for peace and stability in South Sudan has now been put into serious jeopardy," he added. There was widespread international condemnation, including from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), warning that the reported arrest left the country "on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict". Juba was calm early on Thursday, with businesses open and people on the streets, a journalist said. But there was a heavy military presence around Machar's home, which is located just metres from the president's home, including a tank. The population is deeply worried about what might come next, civil society leader Edmund Yakani said. "The public are in a panic," he said. "There is a high chance of full-scale war but it will be more deadly and more violent because of (the need) for revenge," he added. The US State Department on Thursday called on Kiir to "reverse this action and prevent further escalation" in a post on X. And the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a bloc of East African countries, called on the parties to exercise "maximum restraint, prioritise dialogue and resolve differences through inclusive and peaceful means". South Sudan -- which declared independence from Sudan in 2011 -- has remained plagued by poverty and insecurity since the peace deal in 2018. Analysts say an ageing Kiir, 73, has been seeking to ensure his succession and sideline Machar politically for months through cabinet reshuffles. More than 20 of Machar's political and military allies in the unity government and army have also been arrested since February, many held incommunicado. Machar's party says three of its military bases around Juba have been attacked by government forces since Monday. The training centres were established to prepare opposition forces for integration into the unified army -- a key provision of the 2018 peace agreement aimed at uniting government and opposition troops. None of the incidents have been confirmed by the Kiir-aligned army, the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF), although it accused Machar's forces of aggressive manoeuvres from one of the bases on Monday. Prior to Machar's arrest, Kiir said he reaffirmed his "unwavering commitment to restoring peace" following a meeting with church leaders. It follows weeks of violent clashes, particularly in Nasir County, where government forces loyal to the president have battled the so-called White Army, a militia with ties to Machar. - AFP
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
S.Sudan peace deal unravelling after vice president arrest
A fragile peace deal in South Sudan was collapsing on Thursday after the arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar, long-time rival to President Salva Kiir, threatened to throw the country back into war. A convoy of 20 heavily armed vehicles entered Machar's residence in the capital Juba late on Wednesday and arrested him, according to a statement issued by a member of his party -- a dramatic escalation of a conflict that has been building for weeks in the world's youngest country. A power-sharing deal between Kiir and Machar has been gradually unravelling, risking a return of the civil war that killed around 400,000 people between 2013 and 2018. The deputy chair of Machar's party said his arrest had "abrogated" the agreement. "The prospect for peace and stability in South Sudan has now been put into serious jeopardy," said Oyet Nathaniel Pierino in a statement. There was widespread international condemnation, including concern from the African Union and United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), with the latter warning that the country was "on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict". Juba was calm on Thursday, with businesses open and people on the streets, an AFP journalist said. But there was a heavy military presence around Machar's home, which is located just metres (yards) from the president's home, including a tank. The population is deeply worried about what might come next, civil society leader Edmund Yakani said. "The public are in a panic," he told AFP. "There is a high chance of full-scale war but it will be more deadly and more violent because of (the need) for revenge," he added. The US State Department on Thursday called on Kiir to "reverse this action and prevent further escalation" in a post on X. Regional powers scrambled to mediate, with Kenyan President William Ruto posting that he had spoken to Kiir about Machar's arrest. After consultations with the leaders of Uganda and Ethiopia, Ruto said he was "sending a special envoy to South Sudan to engage, try (to) de-escalate, and brief us back." Uganda is already deeply involved in the conflict, having sent armed forces to support Kiir earlier this month. - Arrests and clashes - South Sudan -- which declared independence from Sudan in 2011 -- has remained plagued by poverty and insecurity since the peace deal in 2018. Analysts say an ageing Kiir, 73, has been seeking to ensure his succession and sideline Machar politically for months through cabinet reshuffles. More than 20 of Machar's political and military allies in the unity government and army have also been arrested since February, many held incommunicado. Machar's party says three of its military bases around Juba have been attacked by government forces since Monday. The training centres were established to prepare opposition forces for integration into the unified army -- a key provision of the 2018 peace agreement aimed at uniting government and opposition troops. None of the incidents have been confirmed by the Kiir-aligned army, the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF), although it accused Machar's forces of aggressive manoeuvres from one of the bases on Monday. - 'Red warning' - Prior to Machar's arrest, Kiir said he reaffirmed his "unwavering commitment to restoring peace" following a meeting with church leaders. It follows weeks of violent clashes, particularly in Nasir County, where government forces loyal to the president have battled the so-called White Army, a militia with ties to Machar. "The violence that started in March in Nasir seems to be spreading across a number of states in South Sudan," warned the International Crisis Group's South Sudan senior analyst, Daniel Akech. If wider conflict did break out, he said, "it will be a very decentralised kind of violence, which would be very difficult to stop" as it could quickly escape the two leaders' control. International observers have expressed increasing concern, with Norway and Germany closing their embassies in Juba. The British and US embassies announced they were reducing to minimal staffing and urged citizens to leave the country. burs-er/kjm
Zawya
14-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Internally displaced persons in Wau offered medical examinations and treatment
When an apple a day doesn't keep the doctor away, access to healthcare is vital. At the Naivasha camp for internally displaced persons in Wau, more than 400 people have enjoyed free medical check-ups and treatment for free, courtesy of peacekeepers from Bangladesh serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). 'I have been properly examined and given the medications I need, and so will they,' said Mariam Adut, pointing at a long queue of women, children and elderly people waiting for their turn. Ms. Adut, accompanied by her two-year-old son, had been suffering from bad effects of malaria for days without getting any help from other clinics in Wau. Shortages of medical supplies are common, and when they are available, they may be too expensive for persons in need to afford, like Nunu Nicolas, a mother of three. 'Both my three-year old and I have been having health problems, so today is a good day,' she said. Bangladeshi peacekeepers based in Wau and serving with the UN peacekeeping mission frequently conduct similar medical and veterinary outreach activities. 'A healthy population helps building both resilience and durable peace among the people we are here to serve. Today, we have we have made a difference in the lives of some of the displaced persons staying here at the camp,' said Colonel Razeeb Ahamed, Commander of the contingent involved in the activity. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
