Adjust UN force in Abyei to current realities, peacekeeping chief urges Security Council

Amidst an increase in criminal activity in the Abyei area, which is contested by Sudan and South Sudan, the United Nations top peacekeeping official on Thursday called for deployment of additional police units, to enhance the UN’s focus on maintaining law and order there, and furthering peace between local communities

The proposed additional personnel – both formed police units and individual officers – are within the current troop ceiling authorized for the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, told the Security Council. UNISFA was established by the Security Council in 2011, amid…

South Sudanese soldier who shot UN peacekeeper on Saturday, will face court martial: UN mission chief

The South Sudanese soldier who shot and wounded a UN peacekeeper on Saturday is facing a court martial, said David Shearer, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), during a press conference in the capital, Juba

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr. Shearer said that the peacekeeper, a Nepalese national, had been travelling with a convoy to collect water when the shooting occurred. The peacekeeper, he added, is recovering at a hospital in Juba. The authorities have assured UNMISS that the shooting was an “isolated incident.” The targeting…

Commission on Human Rights Urges South Sudan to make peace and justice a reality

South Sudanese civilians continue to live in complete insecurity as the violence is ongoing, arbitrary detention and torture at the hands of the National Security Service are on the rise, some 6 million people – around 60 per cent of the population -- live under “emergency” food insecurity and humanitarian assistance convoys are routinely attacked

The Commissionto use the opportunity created by the renewal of the peace agreement to ensure justice and accountability for the victims of the many crimes committed against its population. While welcoming in its oral update before the Human Rights Council the “Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in…

Human Rights Council hears plea for victims of ‘brutal’ sexual violence in South Sudan

The plight of South Sudan’s women and girls “should no longer be ignored”, UN investigators told the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, citing the disturbing testimonies of sexual abuse victims who have been treated by soldiers and militias as the “spoils” of the more than five-year conflict

“The Commission…once again heard testimonies of wanton killings and numerous accounts of brutal sexual violence,” said Yasmin Sooka, Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan. “Women in South Sudan have been treated by government soldiers and armed actors to the conflict, including local militias, as spoils of…

UNHCR calls on South Sudan parties to deliver a lasting peace

UNHCR reiterates its call that all parties fully implement and uphold the deal for South Sudan to maintain a sustainable and permanent peace

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the signing of the Revitalized Peace Agreement on 13 September in Addis Ababa between the South Sudan warring parties. This is a crucial milestone towards permanent ceasefire and lasting peace for millions of war beleaguered South Sudanese. UNHCR reiterates its call that all parties…

‘Wind of hope’ blowing through Horn of Africa says UN chief, as Ethiopia and Eritrea sign historic peace accord

There is a powerful wind of hope blowing across the Horn of Africa region, said UN chief António Guterres on Sunday, in Saudi Arabia to witness the signing of a peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea, ending decades of simmering conflict. Saudi Arabia facilitated the agreement, and in a message…

Deputy President David Mabuza to brief Parliament on efforts to address Poverty And Inequality

Deputy President Mabuza will also update Members on various mechanisms implemented by government to strengthen financial controls and sound financial management in provincial government departments

Deputy President David Mabuza and Leader of Government Business will tomorrow, Wednesday 12 September 2018, update the National Assembly on various strategies and programmes adopted by government to deal with poverty and equality during his oral replies to Parliament, Cape Town. Deputy President Mabuza leads government’s anti-poverty programmes and works…

South Africa: President and Deputy President Scheduled to Answer Questions for Oral Reply in Parliament this week

Regular oral question and answer sessions are one of the ways in which Parliament fulfils its constitutional role of scrutinising and overseeing Executive action

The President and Deputy President will both be answering questions for oral reply this week. President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to have his question and answer session tomorrow, Tuesday 11 September at the plenary sitting of the National Council of Provinces. Deputy President David Mabuza is scheduled to answer questions…

South Sudan: Without peace deal, scorched-earth tactics and civilian suffering will continue

It is important that any political solution takes into account the needs of everyday South Sudanese people, especially marginalized groups like women

The signing of a peace agreement between South Sudan’s warring parties is a hopeful sign that a sustainable solution can be found for a conflict that has had tragic consequences for millions of civilians.  It is important that any political solution takes into account the needs of everyday South Sudanese…

Perpetrators of violence against civilians at Terrain Hotel held accountable for their crimes

The judges delivered their verdict today and handed down lengthy prison terms for murder, rape and other crimes

The finding of a military court that 10 soldiers were guilty of committing violence against civilians at the Terrain Hotel in Juba, South Sudan, has finally delivered justice for the survivors and the family of the journalist murdered in the attack. The judges delivered their verdict today and handed down…