FAMINE: WE HAVE BEEN EATING WATER LILY FOR MORE THAN NINE MONTHS

There is now hope for survival of thousands in South Sudan, following WFP and Humanitarian Agencies' intervention in the famine hit areas in Unity.
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GOVERNOR URGES UN TO RESPECT NATION’S SOVEREIGNTY

By: Lokuri Henry

Eastern Equatoria State’s Governor Louis Lobong Lojore has urged the United Nations (UN) to respect the sovereignty of the nations in which they work.

Lobong was speaking on Friday 23^rd October 2015 during a Dinner at UNMISS Compound in the Eastern Equatoria State’s capital Torit, to celebrate the 70^th Anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter. The Anniversary was celebrated under the theme: Strong UN. Better World.

He said one of the reasons of forming the United Nations was to ensure respect of the sovereignty of nations.
“One of the core reasons why the United Nations was established before some of us were born, it was to ensure that all nation states: regardless of their size,  regardless of the religion background or regardless of continents; their sovereignty are respected, so that no any other nation should temper with the sovereignty of another Country” said Lobong.

Governor Lobong congratulated all the nations that have formed the United Nations and all the men and women who have volunteered to carry the jobs of the United Nations working all over the world including South Sudan and Eastern Equatoria State. He acknowledged the good work done by United Nations agencies in the Republic of South Sudan in the field of; capacity building, humanitarian assistance and the protection of civilians. He appealed to the UN Agencies to carry on with the work.

Governor Lobong described the working relationship between UNMISS and the State Government as being cordial, adding that the friendly working relationship would continue.
He however said the United Nations should go to a Country with a specific mission and once it is accomplished, then the Country should be left to grow.

 

UNMISS State Coordinator Hiroko Hirahara commended her staff for dedicating their time to serving the people of Eastern Equatoria State.
Hiroko said there are allot of conflicts everywhere in the world not only in South Sudan. She said that if the people of South Sudan and Eastern Equatoria State could put their minds together with the help of those who are trying to assist them, then success could be achieved.

She however told the gathering that before she leaves, she wants to see that people have started looking inwards in terms of educating their children, instead of sending them outside the country for studies.
Hiroko said allot of money that is being used to pay students in Uganda, Kenya and other foreign Countries, could be used to build a new school and to hire teachers to attract students to study back home in South Sudan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Church Leaders Cleanses Land While Jan Ransom Prays For Mercy on the British



ECS Church Leaders and Flame International Team praying
for forgiveness of sins committed by South Sudanese, their
fore ancestors and the sins committed by the British Army

By: Lokuri Henry
Leaders of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and South Sudan (ECS) in Eastern Equatoria State together with the team of Flame International from United Kingdom (UK) have performed the prayer for cleansing of the land of South Sudan that has been cursed as  a result of; bloodshed, witchcraft and idol worshipping, breaking of the covenant and sexual immorality.

Jan Ransom, the Director of Flame International, a Christian Organization that is working for; healing, forgiveness and reconciliation in post conflict zones around the world said that God can heal the land when the church leaders and the leaders of the area take responsibility for what has happened on the land and when they repent of the sins and forgive those who have hurt them. 

On Saturday the 21^st of February 2015, the cleansing activity for the land of Eastern Equatoria was done in the Church Compound of the ECS in Torit. 

Hymns were sung, prayer was said for the forgiveness of sins committed by fore ancestors in South Sudan and those in the British Military and the activity was finalized by the burial of the scripture in the land.

Bernard Oringa, the Bishop of the ECS Church in Eastern Equatoria led the prayer in local Arabic, calling on God to forgive the sins committed and to bless and heal the land of Eastern Equatoria and South Sudan.

Retired Lt. Col. Jan Ransom and her team prayed for forgiveness of the British military for having abandoned the people of South Sudan by handing the land to the Arabs, who later abused the land and the owners.

“We stand in the gap on behalf of the British military, we say to you that we’re sorry, we apologize for the sins of the British military when they abused you, when they handed you over to the Arabs, we’re so sorry and we ask for your forgiveness. (Colleague) yes, yes, Lord we confess as British people that we abandoned South Sudan, you gave Britain a mandate to protect the African people in Sudan. But Lord we abandoned them to the Arab government in 1955. We neglected the responsibility you gave us and we confess on behalf of our nation, on behalf of our ancestors. And we say we’re so sorry in Jesus name,...(Jan) And we ask you to have mercy on the British, what we can do is stand in the gap but today, we pray Lord Jesus that the abuse of the African Sudanese by the British will be forgiven and will be broken. The curses that we left, the curses put on you, we ask Jesus that you break, in Jesus name, Amen” Jan and the team confessed.    

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible were buried under ground, sprinkled with water and oil in the four corners of the Church Compound while one was buried in the middle of the Compound to symbolize the cleansing and healing of the land of Eastern Equatoria State and South Sudan.

Flame International’s overseas mission has reached; Siera Leone Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and South Sudan among other Countries in Africa.

Like in other parts of the world, Flame International has been teaching the ministry of; healing, forgiveness and reconciliation in places like Malakal, Maridi, Rumbek, Juba, Kajo-Keji, Ezo, Nzara and Torit, South Sudan.

Jan Ransom said they had performed the prayer for cleansing of the land in Kajo-Keji in 2010 when the land had remained dry during the rainy season.

While in Ezo, Western Equatoria; the Lord’s Resistance Army LRA were killing people in the area but according to her, the LRA relocated to Congo just after they performed the prayer for cleansing of the land.

Jan says, they came to South Sudan and in particular to Eastern Equatoria to offer the teaching that the lord Jesus Christ has shown them that would bring healing to the land.

And the special message to learn in this teaching is that, God calls all of us God’s people, to walk in purity, but God also has made us to be gate keepers, who are mandated to open the gates to led the King of Glory Jesus Christ into our own lives, into our families and into our churches and also into every area. 

According to Flame International, the gate keepers of God are people like; the church leaders, the politicians, the teachers, the medical people, the journalists, the educationists, the judges and the legal people and the business and fine art people, if they come together in unity, God will use that unity and brings blessing to the land.

This story was first published (broadcast) on the Voice of Eastern Equatoria State 97.5 FM Radio in Torit. The author can be reached on: hlokuri@yahoo.com

FLAME INTERNATIONAL DONATES HOLY BIBLE TO TORIT PRISON

By: Lokuri Henry

A team of Flame International, a Christian Organization from the United Kingdom UK, is in the State Capital Torit to share the word of God and is conducting a number of activities including; visits, prayer healing and cleansing of the land of Eastern Equatoria and South Sudan.

The leader of the team, Retired Leutenant Col Jan Ransom, from the British Army who is also the Director of Flame International today visited Torit Prisons and conducted prayers which shared about the love of Jesus Christ and the fact that he died on the cross for the forgiveness of sin.

Jan said most of the prisoners after listening attentively, chose to forgive the people that had hurt them.

“We taught about the love of Jesus Christ and the fact that he died on the cross so that they may be forgiven for their sins, and they repented of their sins and many of them received the Lord Jesus Christ as their saviour. And then we moved on to talk about, we have received forgiveness but the bible tells us that we must forgive other people as we have received forgiveness, and so when people have hurt us we have to choose to forgive the other people that had hurt us in the same way that we have been forgiven by the Lord Jesus Christ, and many Christians chose to forgive the people that had hurt them” said Jan.

Flame International Donates Holy Bible
and New Testament to Torit State Prisons

 

The prayer team accompanied on Saturday 21st February 2915 by the host, Bishop Bernard Oringa of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and South Sudan handed non food items to the prisons. The items included; 24 pieces of Holy Bible, 11 New Testament, ten bars of soap and five kilograms of sugar.

The Director of Torit State Prison Col Adelio Oyaha Ariyo appreciated the prayer service emphasizing that it will help in minimizing crimes and will lessen the burden on administration.

He encouraged the churches to continue with prayer services in the prisons so that when the prisoners get released they would be of great help in the community.

EASTERN EQUATORIA STATE CONSTRUCTS NEW AIRSTRIP

By: Lokuri Henry

The Government of Eastern Equatoria State has launched the construction of a new Airstrip at Opulari located about 5 kilometres East of Torit town.

State Minister of Physical Infrastructure Hassan Urbano Alex officially launched the construction on Monday 16^th February 2015.

Minister Urbano told the Voice of Eastern Equatoria State FM Radio (State owned Radio) that the new Airstrip can serve as a place for international landing.

He said, his ministry designed the plan for the airstrip because the current one (now within the town centre) is always being used by people crossing and domestic animals grazing on.

South Sudan for investment company Limited is constructing the new airstrip according to Urbano.


 
State Minister Hassan Urbano (Centre),
Torit County Commissioner Right,
Director General of Transport
and Roads Left.

 

Mayor of Torit Municipal Council Martin Odehi Ohuro said launching of Torit new Airstrip will be a great development to the state and would create job opportunities for the people of Labalwa who would benefit from basic needs including clean drinking water.

 

The Director General for the State ministry of physical infrastructure Engineer Norman Charles described the launching of Torit new airstrip as a big development for the government of Eastern Equatoria State as it will serve as an Internal Airstrip and in the future the national Ministry of roads and bridges will upgrade it to International Airport.

The manager of South Sudan for investment company limited, Mr. Bol Marol thanked the government of Eastern Equatoria State for co-operating with his company.

TORIT MAYOR SAYS BURNING OF MARKET IS A LESSON

By: Lokuri Henry

Fire has burnt shops that remained at the former Omoliha Market in Eastern Equatoria State's Capital Torit in South Sudan, and many business owners lost most of their goods in the incidence.

According to eye witnesses, the fire started from a generator that burst into flames resulting to burning of all shops around and including Nyang, Labaluwa bar and lodges. It is unclear what caused the generator to catch the fire. 

Mayor of Torit Municipal Council Martin Odehi Ohuro told reporters at the scene on Monday 16^th February 2015 that he called the people of fire brigade, but their car was out of service. Odehi however commended the United Nation Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), for quick response by sending the UNMISS’ fire fighting truck.

“What I did was I connected with UNMISS, with Hiroko who was able to respond and she sent us UNMISS truck, so it is great help from them we really give them very big very big thanks, although it is not their mandate but they had to come in to assist the citizens of Torit” said the Mayor.

UNMISS fire fighting truck stationed at the scene, helped in putting off of the fire, while Business Water Tankers moved in line to fill up the UNMISS truck with water, some eye witnesses held the hosepipe while the fire fighters helped in directing the water canon towards putting off the fire.





Business Water Tankers lining up to fill
UNMISS Truck with water while eye witnesses held the hosepipe
 (Picture taken on 16/2/2015) 









 Hiroko Hirahara, Eastern Equatoria State’s Coordinator for United Nation Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said that she had to act because the fire outbreak was a life saving matter. “I wanted to make sure that people know that this is a life saving assistant just like if you find somebody drowning, you would help and you would not mention about the mandate because at the end of the day, this is a life saving matter. When we learnt that there was a serious fire outbreak, first of all we wanted to know whether there was a human casualty” said Hiroko.  

Hiroko said the fire truck she dispatched was strictly for the aviation safety purpose, “you know very well that we have flights coming in, we have to have this truck to be ready in case of fire or aircraft accident, so this fire truck is not for anything else but for that purpose only, and then I have the responsibility to also make sure that the security and safety of my staff are intact” she added.

The UNMISS official said that the incidence had given experience of what people and the leadership of the Mayor, should do; citing building the capacity of the fire brigade and also thinking about creating fire warden and having an area to keep the water for firefighting purposes.

Mayor Odehi said the fire has caused a great loss to the Municipality because most of the goods were burnt. “We feel that it is a great loss to the Municipality because most of the goods are all burnt, and it is a very big loss although we have not assessed the loss, but it is really very big” said Mayor Odehi.



Burnt store of crates and canned
Tusker Lager



Burnt part of former Omoliha Market

When asked on the role of the municipality in enforcing the preparedness in terms of purchase of fire extinguishers, the mayor said the business community was undermining the directive. “You see our business community does not understand, when you tell them that you buy fire extinguishers, they take this thing as something that is not going to happen, and a few of them actually bought but many did not respond. So part of the blame goes to them because they think their goods are safe; they are not safe, so now as fire has come out, very few of them came with fire extinguishers. I think this is also a lesson for them to learn because the director of fire brigade had been going around for them to buy the fire extinguishers but they undermined it, I think it is a lesson for them, for all of us” Mayor Odehi emphasized.     
  Christine Ariemo, who was running a small restaurant, told reporters that she managed to rescue some of her properties but unfortunately they were looted as she tried to help her colleagues rescue theirs.

“By the time I show the fire from my neighbour’s place, I ran to assist him to collect his things. I collected mine after I see the fire is coming through my place I collected mine, I brought them outside, the remaining one inside was not actually many now, the one I brought outside was many, from outside then, another thief collected the DVD, the Whooper, 4 big tables plus 12 chairs plus other things” lamented Christine. 

Acting Commissioner of Police Col. Abdalaziz Deng Ngor said police were carrying out investigation to find the actual cause of the fire outbreak; he however said no injury was reported as a result of the fire.

The part of the market that got burnt was supposed to be relocated to Torit Model Market by last year but according to Mayor, the businesses could not be moved because the owners had lodges and were left to operate for a period of one year, to help accommodate visitors as the business owners would prepare to construct lodges in the New Market (Torit Model Market).

Part of Torit Model Market

This is not the first time shops have got burnt in the market, and whenever fire caught a shop, it  spread easily to the neighbours because the walls and roofs of the shops were constructed out of iron sheets, on temporary basis and coupled with the lack of spaces between shops.

Mayor Odehi however said the new plan of the market has provided enough spaces and he said those who have bought plots within the market would have to put up permanent buildings to avoid cases of fire outbreak and theft in future.

FIVE JOURNALISTS KILLED IN RAJA WBGS, SOUTH SUDAN

 At least five journalists including Raja 95 FM Director were killed during the attack in Raja County of Western Bahr El Ghazal State over the weekend.

For details click on Read more.

"WE HAVE A FUTURE", says George Mel South Sudan's Plane Builder

George Mel has dreamed of flying since he was a boy, but when his father died he had to give up his studies, and any chance of training to be a pilot. Instead he built a plane in his back yard - which so impressed his country's air force that it gave him a job, according to the BBC's website.

"I've had the passion to become an aeronautic engineer since I was young," says George Mel, a 23-year-old, who lives in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
"I love to make aircraft.

"When I was still young I tried to fly. I got curtains and put metal in to form wings, and got on top of the roof. I wanted to see if I would fly like a bird, but I fell. I almost broke my leg."

To continue reading on this story, Click this link.

 

TROIKA URGES SOUTH SUDAN’S WARRING PARTIES TO REFRAIN FROM FURTHER MILITARY ACTION

The members of the Troika (the United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway) have issued a joint statement expressing grave concerns with the continued lack of progress in the South Sudan peace negotiations.

The joint statement released on 23rd January 2015, commended the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the IGAD Special Envoys for their steadfast commitment to the peace process, and welcome the strong message from People’s Republic of China Foreign Minister Wang Yi calling on the parties to make peace.  “We recall IGAD’s determination, as articulated in its summit communiqué of January 31, 2014, to inclusive negotiations toward an agreement that addresses necessary reforms to the security sector and economic governance creates institutions for justice and accountability, catalyzes a revived permanent constitutional process, and forms a transitional government leading to credible elections” the statement read. 

It said IGAD has made every effort to realize these goals despite obstruction from both the government of South Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – In Opposition (SPLM-IO).  “We are deeply disappointed in the continued unwillingness of either party to make the compromises needed to achieve a viable peace agreement” the statement added. 

Over the past two months, statements by both parties have suggested they have distanced themselves from previous commitments, and violations of the cessation of hostilities agreement have continued.  “We call on both parties to recommit to negotiate with a spirit of urgency and compromise, refrain from all further military action immediately and form a Transitional Government of National Unity” the statement continued.

The Troika looks forward to guidance from the African Union Peace and Security Council, convened on the margins of the African Union Summit in January, on how the report of the AU Commission of Inquiry will be used to support the peace process and inform the development of mechanisms for accountability and reconciliation in South Sudan. 

The members of Troika also reiterated determination to address the grave humanitarian situation in South Sudan.  “Today, over a year after the beginning of the conflict, nearly 2 million South Sudanese have been displaced, over 100,000 are under the direct protection of the UN Mission in South Sudan, and the country remains at risk of a food security crisis” the statement said.  The Troika along with other international donors, pledged to continue to stand with the people of South Sudan who are needlessly suffering as a result of the conflict.

“We recognize the recent agreement in Arusha, Tanzania to reconcile the SPLM and encourage the parties to use the upcoming IGAD summit of 29 January to secure peace for the people of South Sudan.  In the face of this deplorable humanitarian crisis, there can be no excuse for further delay in negotiations or for continued violence” the statement ended.

 

 

SPLM RE-UNITES IN ARUSHA TANZANIA

SPLM-In Government (SPLM -IG), SPLM-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) and SPLM-Former Detainees (SPLM-FD) have signed an Agreement on the Re-unification of the SPLM.

The parties agreed on most of the crucial points on political, organizational and leadership issues. Click this link to download the agreement

SOUTH SUDAN AND KENYA SIGNS MoU ON FIBREOPTICS CABLES

South Sudan’s Minister of Telecommunications Rebecca Josua Okwachi has signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kenyan Ministry of Information Communications and Technology in laying of fibre optic cables.

The MoU was signed by the ICT Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i and the South Sudan Communication Minister Rebecca Okwachi. The agreement is intended to provide effective communication and smooth economic engagements across the two countries. Read more

 

EASTERN EQUATORIA STATE LAUNCHES YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SPORTS

By Lokuri Henry

Youth in Eastern Equatoria State on Sunday 18^th January marched to mark the launch of the Youth Empowerment through sports, an occasion that started with a football competition between Torit and Budi Counties at Torit Freedom Square. 

Football players march for the launch of Inter-County Sports Competition in Torit, 18th January 2015

 

In the starting match, Torit County beat Budi 2 goals to 1, in the Inter-County Sports Competition that was launched on Sunday. The Sports Competition that kicked off, under the theme; “Empower the youth to build the Nation” is an initiative of the State Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports with support from UNICEF and Forest Whitaker.

 

Mawa Emmanuel, who played for Torit County, scored the first goal against Budi within the 28^th minute of the first half. While the second goal was scored by Michal Sebit within the 3^rd minute of the second half. However Tonny Iko, a player for Budi County was able to counter one the goals when he scored one goal against Torit County within the 26^th minute of the second half. The two teams ended the match at 7:00 PM yesterday with a score of 2 goals against 1.

Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore said during the launch of the Inter-County Tournament that the winning team will be given a gift.

The Acting Director General of the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Edvige Grato Lahtoum told press that the Sports Competition is a yearly plan of the ministry to bring youth from all the Counties plus the corridors. According to Edvige, the objective of bringing the youth together is to build peace among youth, bring unity confidence, cooperation and nationalism among youth.

She said female footballers’ teams have been received from Budi, Torit, Ikwoto and other Counties and that a program would be announced later for the female football competition.

The sports competition will involve football, volleyball and athletics which will end on the 31^st of January 2015.

According to Edvige, the State Government through the Youth and Sports Ministry has injected 69,000 South Sudanese Pounds for the Sports Program, UNICEF which is supporting youth activities in the State has given 30, 000 South Sudanese Pounds and Forest Whitaker which supports youth on peace programs has given 20,000 South Sudanese.

The matches for today morning, Kapoeta South will play with Kapoeta North at Lobong Football field, which is Located at Torit West; meanwhile Magwi verses Ikwoto at the Torit Freedom Square. While the evening matches; Pageri will play with Kapoeta East at Lobong Football field while Lopa Verses Torit County at Freedom Square.

RULES AND REGULATIONS KEEPS GROUPS’ OPERATIONS ALIVE

 

Members of Unity Group attending a weekly meeting on 1/11/2014

A group of Women and Men in Torit town, the State Capital of Eastern Equatoria, in South Sudan; have found a new way of saving a small part of their own income which is later awarded to the members in form of loan.

Two groups, one known as Unity Group at Fodo-fodo Boma and the other known as Alfa group at Ilangi Boma have been formed under the initiative of Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA), with the intention of empowering women so that they become self-reliant.

Most of the beneficiaries of the empowerment program are already having income generating activities in Torit market.

Helen Francis, one of the members of Unity Group said the village saving group will help them in paying school fees for their children.

 “We started the registration in the market, and then we came to the office of SARRA. We were trained by an organization called CORDAID, some people thought the organization was going to give money, but after three weeks of training, we sat down to start our contributions. Our contributions accumulated until now we have started taking loan from it. We in the market, are raising our children through difficulties, the loan is going to help us in paying school fees, buying of exercise books, pens and papers for our children. After nine months, we will be able to train some people” said Helen.

Members of the Unity group, on Saturday 1^st November 2014 sat for a meeting to continue with their contributions and also to receive their first loan amounting to 200 South Sudanese Pounds for each of the fifteen members out of 30 in the group.

Hassan Abdallah Hamis Abdallah, one of members for Unity group said the group agreed to contribute a minimum of 10 South Sudanese Pounds which accumulated to three thousand South Sudanese Pounds (3,155 SSP) in seven weeks from September 2014.

“We agreed that our minimum contribution will be 10 SSP, those who can pay 20, 30 SSP, and above depending on once income would have their amounts recorded against their names on the savings book” Abdallah said.

Hassan said the loan will be paid back after 45 days with an interest of 10% of the amount taken.

The group has set a number of rules and regulations to guide its operations. Rispa Hiyalla, Chairperson of the group cited payment of one South Sudanese Pound as a fine for each member who comes late in a meeting as one of the rules. She said the fine together with a social fund of 2 SSP paid by each member, is used to facilitate activities of the group including buying water and hiring chairs for use during meetings.

A self-selected group is the criteria used for the formation of groups which ranges from 15 to 30 members. The registration of group members was facilitated by Solidarity Association for Relief and Recovery Affairs (SARRA) with support from CORDAID.

Rispa Hiyalla encourages women and men to form more other groups to be able to benefit from the trainings and the loans for the progress of group members.