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Showing posts from January, 2025

‎UN, RJMEC Raise Alarm Over Stalled Peace Deal in South Sudan

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‎International bodies are sounding the alarm as South Sudan's fragile peace process teeters on the edge of collapse. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) have warned of deepening divisions, rising insecurity, and stalled implementation of the 2018 peace deal. ‎ ‎A Dangerous Breakdown in Peace ‎The 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) brought hope to a nation shattered by civil war. But that hope is now dimming. ‎In a briefing to the UN Security Council, Guang Cong, the Deputy Head of UNMISS, revealed that over 130,000 people have been displaced in recent months due to a surge in armed violence particularly in Upper Nile and Greater Pibor.  ‎The increase in military activity and the escalation of localized conflicts have disrupted humanitarian access and eroded confidence between the signatories of the peace agreement. ‎“These are not just isolated ...

President Kiir Considers Egypt’s Bid for AU Deputy Chairperson Position

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This meeting underscores the strengthening diplomatic ties between South Sudan and Egypt, as well as their shared commitment to advancing the African Union's objectives.  President Salva Kiir's reception of Dr. Hanan Morsy's candidacy highlights South Sudan's active role in regional affairs and its support for inclusive leadership within the AU Commission. Dr. Morsy's focus on diversity, inclusivity, and global outreach aligns with the AU's vision for transformative leadership, making her candidacy significant as member states prepare for the upcoming elections in February.  The exchange of goodwill messages between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President Kiir further cements the growing cooperation between the two nations.

South Sudan Rescinds Controversial Driving License Directive Amid Calls for Reform

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In a decisive move to ensure procedural integrity and align with national and regional best practices, South Sudan’s Ministry of Interior has been ordered to rescind a controversial directive on driving license validity.  The decision came after a high-level meeting chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, bringing together key stakeholders, including the Deputy Minister of Interior, Hon. Mangar Buom, and the Spokesperson of the South Sudan National Police Service. The directive, issued by the Director General for Traffic Police, proposed reducing the validity of driving licenses to one year for South Sudanese nationals and six months for non-nationals. This sparked widespread criticism from various quarters, with concerns that it would impose undue burdens on citizens and expatriates while contravening established standards. A Directive in Contention The contested directive was met with significant backlash from civil society, legal experts, and the general public. ...

South Sudan to Resume Oil Production and Oil Exports On Wednesy

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South Sudan to Resume Oil Production and Exports on Wednesday South Sudan is set to restart oil production and exports on January 8, 2025, following the lifting of a force majeure declared in February 2024 due to infrastructure damage caused by conflict in Sudan.  Initial production will focus on Blocks 3 and 7, operated by Dar Petroleum Operating Company, targeting 90,000 barrels per day (bpd) within six months. Oil will be transported via Sudan's infrastructure to Port Sudan for export.  This decision was facilitated through collaboration between South Sudan's Ministry of Petroleum, Sudan's Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, and international partners.  The move is expected to boost South Sudan's economy, as oil exports are a critical revenue source to the country.