SPLA-IO Accused of Detaining Civilian Boats, Demanding $4,000 Along Sobat River ‎

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‎ Boat ferrying civilians  Nasir, Upper Nile State  ‎Authorities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, have accused forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) of detaining civilian riverboats and demanding ransom-like payments of up to $4,000 from traders and passengers along the Sobat River. ‎ ‎According to Nasir County Commissioner James Gatwech Joak, several boats traveling from Matar in Nasir County to Malakal were intercepted by SPLA-IO soldiers in Yakuach, an area in Nyirol County, Jonglei State. ‎ ‎“Our traders paid local taxes to SPLA-IO in Mandeng before setting off. But on reaching Yakuach, they were detained again and told to pay an additional four thousand U.S. dollars,” Commissioner Gatwech said. ‎ ‎He explained that the detained boat operators and traders were reportedly held for four days while armed men demanded more payments.  ‎ Some of the passengers were women, children, and patients traveling for medical treatment in Malaka...

South Sudan Parliament In Chaos As Members Of Parliament Refuse To Listen To The New Budget


South Sudan National Legislative Assembly erupted in Chaos on Thursday Morning today after Members of Parliament denied the Finance minister to read the 2019/2020 budget.  
The reason to why the Finance Minister was denied chance to present the 2019/2020 budget is because the Members of Parliament were not paid some outstanding arrears. 
The Members of Parliament insisted that all outstanding arrears of over 6 months should be paid to all the civil servants. 
Last week on Friday council of ministers approved a raft draft of the budget of 208 billion pounds for the year 2019/2020.
When the finance minister stood to present the 2019/2020 budget for scrutiny he met with noise and boos.  
One Member of parliament said that “Mr. Speaker, the salaries for the budget of the financial year 2018/2019 have not been paid upto today. How can we debate the new bill yet the previous bill has not been accounted for.” 
Another Member of Parliament added that “In Juba, the salaries for 6 months have not been paid, while in the states the salaries for 7 months have also not been paid.” 
Other members of the parliament said that “We are telling the Minister of Finance that –if you are not able to do this job, please go home.”
After all the chaos in the parliament the speaker was left with no choice but to adjourn the session. 
More to follow shortly.... 

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