Tuesday, 10 April 2012

Written by Rachel Alek

Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro of the Catholic Church has urged the people of South Sudan to stop conflicts and follow the word of God.

While delivering his Easter message recently, Lukudu said, “All the people of God in South Sudan, what’s happening with us in our new country particular in this period of fasting? There’s fighting in the border between North Sudan and South Sudan, people are killing themselves in Jonglei, there’s killing in Komiru in Juba and the problem in the University of Juba. What’s all this? Let us turn to God.”

Lukudu who was speaking to journalists in his office advised the Christians to reflect on the meaning of fasting during the period of Lent and pray together for the new nation.

“We have been fasting, restricting ourselves as Christians to live a sober life. It’s a time for us to say this period is ended and we are celebrating the results of this period,” he said.

In a related development the preacher at Emmanuel Jieng Parish Episcopal Church on Easter day Pastor Bartholomew Bol Deng said that the Easter has a lot of significance to South Sudanese.

“South Sudan is praising God on Jesus’ victory over death and victory over Satan through our independence as a new country,” he said.

Speaking at the same prayers, lawyer Majok Madiing asked all the Christians to pray for peace in South Sudan.

“We need to ask the pastors to pray for us so that we can achieve peace in Jonglei and in the border between the North and the South and to pray for our President to continue with the hard work,” he asked.

Wednesday, 04 April 2012

Written by Emmanuel Data

Japanese army engineers Monday started repair works on Gabat road in Juba city.

A total of 1.2 kilometres of the road from Sahara Resort Hotel junction through WFP stores and to the water treatment plant in Juba Na Bari will be upgraded with murram and a drainage system.

The Japanese Special Representative to Juba, Akira Chiba said that this is one of the many projects his country is supporting in South Sudan by deploying young army professionals through UNMISS and other UN  agencies.

“Realizing that infrastructures is key to peace, stability and prosperity, Japan decided to dispatch hundreds of her men in uniform for the maintenance and repair of roads,” Chiba said.

He called on the people of South Sudan to support the projects as joint ventures between the peoples of the two nations.

“We need your cooperation so that we can cooperate with you in excellent partnership, and let today mark further friendship between Japan and South Sudan” Chiba said.

The director general in the ministry of Physical infrastructure of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Matayo said the road is expected to reduce traffic along the main Juba road.

While the deputy minister of information Atem Yaak thanked the Japanese government through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for supporting other programmes in South Sudan including the improvement of his ministry.

He encouraged Japanese in South Sudan to mix freely with the locals and learn the local languages.

Monday, 02 April 2012

Written by Rachel Alek

The United Nations Population Fund and the Ministry of Health last week trained data collectors on emergency obstetric and newborn care needs assessment in Juba Bridge Hotel.

According to one of the trainers, midwifery specialist, Gillian Garnett, since South Sudan is now an independent nation, it is important to collect fresh data on maternal and child health to help in programme formulation.

“We want to collect quality data of high standard and accurate data that can inform the kind of programs and kind of initiative that we are to start,” Garnett said.

She explained that is need to know the actual status of facilities at different levels.

“We need to know what actual facilities exist to deal with emergency cases at the level of payam health centres, state hospitals, as well as the teaching hospital,” she said.

The 2006 health indicators for southern Sudan show that it has the highest number of mothers dying during pregnancy and childbirth, in the world.

“The rate of maternal mortality here is 2054 per 100,000 live births. We are talking of 2054 mothers dying because of pregnancy and childbirth related complications out of every 100,000 live birth,” she explained.

Garnett said that it is important to do the research to find out what the real causes of maternal deaths.

“The data we collect will tell us what it is that makes women die from pregnancy. We have to form plans and initiatives that can address some of those issues; besides, the government should get more health workers, midwifes, clinical officers and more doctors, surgeries, equipment, more ambulances  and make people aware in terms of health education,” she explained.

Tuesday, 27 March 2012

Written by Peter Moi

Sudanese President Omar al Bashir is still expected to vist Juba next week, despite the attacks by Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) on the border of South Sudan, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Benjamin Marial has said.

“We need Bashir and we will welcome him. Though there is bombing, we expect him to come. South Sudan cannot arrest him and we expect citizens to be courteous,” Marial told journalists at the weekly media briefing.

Marial said the Council of Ministers recently endorsed April 3 as the date for the Presidential Summit between Bashir and President Salva Kiir of South Sudan.

While condemning the bombardment, the minister said that Khartoum advance negotiating team is expected in Juba this Friday March 30.

“The Government of South Sudan strongly condemns these acts of aggression, but we remain committed to peace and a peaceful resolution of our differences with Khartoum. We have been working to achieve this with President Bashir in Addis abba and we hope to continue this in Juba next week,” he said.

Asked who started the fighting at the border, Marial said, “It was the Sudanese Armed Forces. They started bombing and then followed by ground attacks.”

Marial said that although Bashir had agreed to come to Juba, there were some elements within the Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) who were opposed to the visit.

President Kiir’s invitation was delivered to President Bashir by South Sudan’s chief negotiator, Pagan Amum last week.

The Presidential summit is expected to discuss issues of oil transit fees, Abyei, and border demarcation.

On the north-south border demarcation, the minister said South Sudan wants the 1956 borders as agreed in Naivasha, Kenya during the peace talks.

Marial explained that 80% of the border has been agreed upon.

“The contested areas are part of South Sudan, but occupied militarily. These have resources and they (Sudan government) want to keep for themselves,” Marial said.

Speaking at the same briefing, Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) spokesperson, Phillip Aguer, accused SAF of launching aerial and ground attacks in Heglig, Pariang county, Unity state.

Aguer said that there is a crisis of credibility on the side of the Sudanese army and added that some of them to not wish peace to prevail between the two Sudans.

“The forces of war do not want Bashir to visit Juba,” Aguer said.

He pointed that their forces are within the area of Heglig and will not proceed beyond.

“The forces of SPLA repulsed the attackers since their mandate is to defend and

Aguer accused Khartoum of arming tribes at the border.

The army spokesman said SPLA had captured one SAF sergeant.

South Sudan and Sudan accuse each of supporting rebels in their territories, a claim both deny.