This Indicator Report provides a monthly snapshot of the regional response to the South Sudan Situation. The indicators included report on the Post 15 December 2013 South Sudan caseload only. The report is prepared through collaboration with the reporting country and the Regional Support Hub, Nairobi.

The notes below provide further contextual information on various sector indicators:

POPULATION

Due to limited access by UNHCR and partners in the most affected areas in Blue Nile, White Nile and South and West Khordofan states, estimates provided are collations of various Government of Sudan agencies (Humanitarian Aid Commission, HAC, and Commission of Voluntary and Humanitarian Work, CVHW), local partners (Sudanese Red Crescent Society, SRCS, AORD, and ASSIST) and IOM. HAC and SRCS provide new arrivals estimates from border points mainly at Joda, Al Kueik, Gedeid and El Leri.

CHILD PROTECTION

Child specific information and services are only available for the White Nile camps where over 60% of refugees have undergone standard UNHCR Level 1 registration and basic camp facilities have been developed. Preliminary data for separated/unaccompanied children is now available for Andalus and Shagara open areas following the Level 1 registration. More data will be available as the population settles. For the rest of the locations, information will be available once some forms of registration are conducted and enhanced UNHCR and partners’ presence is secured. BIAs and BIDs have not yet to be conducted in most locations partly because of limited access to the areas. UNHCR is working on partnerships with the Ministry of Social Welfare, MOSW, so as to ensure that BIAs and BIDs assessments are conducted and targeted assistance is provided.

EDUCATION

Education figures for pre-primary and secondary school enrollement are unavailable in all locations. The number of children enrolled in primary schools is available for the settlements in the White Nile (Jory, Alagaya, Al-Redes and Al-Kashafa). The figures are based on reports from SRCS. A noticeable reduction in the number of children going to primary school was noted in January. This coupled with the sharp increase in the total of number of children has led to a significant reduction of the Gross Enrollment Rate, GER. The GER is calculated by obtaining the percentage of the yield of the total number of children enrolled in primary school divided by the number of children in the age cohort of 5-11. The more accurate representation of the age of primary school going children in Sudan (6-13 years) is not available until individual registration is conducted.

SEXUAL AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

Information on SGBV in CoO, transit and CoA is yet to be systematically collected. This may be attributed to the sensitivity of the subject in these area.

This Indicator Report provides a monthly snapshot of the regional response to the South Sudan Situation. The indicators included report on the Post 15 December 2013 South Sudan caseload only. The report is prepared through collaboration with the reporting country and the Regional Support Hub, Nairobi.

The notes below provide further contextual information on various sector indicators:

EDUCATION

The school age population in Uganda is as follows:
Pre-primary: 3 - 5 years
Primary: 6 - 12 years
Secondary: 13 - 17 years
In Uganda primary education in public institutions is free of charge while fees are paid for secondary education.

SEXUAL AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

SGBV reporting among the South Sudanese population remains low with activities to increase sensitization and reporting ongoing across all hosting areas.

WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE

Figures are based on UNHCR’s Water Monitoring System. As Uganda moves out of the initial emergency phase water yield is being monitored at every individual hand pump rather than taking an average to increase accuracy.
Water availability is calculated based on population figures of registered refugees in the settlements.

Reduction in Hygiene Promoters in Arua and Kiryandongo during the reporting month mainly due to funding issue especially with the funds for 2015 not received by IP/OP from their donors. Indications are that in March is when most partners will be financially solid and engage more Hygiene Promoters on the ground.

ENERGY

The Uganda operation is not currently funded to distribute domestic fuel to households.

NUTRITION

Both MAM and SAM recovery rates are below Sphere standards during this reporting period. The main reason is high defaulter rate, as most of the parents go out for different livelihood activities. Therefore community health workers are now tracing defaulters in the settlements, and a communication campaign has been put in place to emphasize the importance of nutrition services

SHELTER AND SITE

Uganda does not report on average dwelling floor size per person as the refugees build their own dwelling of various sizes on their own plot. Uganda reports on plot area per person rather than camp area as the refugees live in settlements and not camps.

General Overview

• Completeness for weekly reporting in week 8 of 2015 was 83% compared to 70% for the corresponding week of 2014.

• ARI, malaria, AWD, ABD and suspect measles are the top causes of morbidity among IDPs.

• During week 8 of 2015, ARI was the top cause of morbidity among IDPs and registered a proportionate morbidity of 17% and incidence of 53 cases per 10,000 population.

• A new measles outbreak has been confirmed in Duk County after three measles samples tested positive during week 8. Three new suspect measles cases were reported from Melut (2) and Akoka (1).

• Three Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) cases were reported from Bentiu (2) and Mingkaman (1). The cumulative now stands at 31 HEV cases with no deaths in Bentiu and 136 cases with six deaths (CFR 4.4%) in Mingkaman.

• No new cholera cases have been reported in Nakoringole, Ikotos County, Eastern Equatoria State in week 8. The cumulative remains 43 cholera cases including three deaths (Case Fatality Rate 7%).

• The under-5 and crude mortality rates by IDP site were below the emergency threshold in week 8 of 2015.

3 March 2015 - To help settle social disputes among displaced communities, a three-day workshop on conflict management was recently conducted at the UNMISS protection site in the Unity State capital Bentiu.

The workshop, organized by UNMISS Civil Affairs section, aimed to equip different categories of internally displaced persons (IDPs) with skills to help resolve conflicts in the site.

IDP categories included traditional leaders, civil society representatives, women and members of the Informal Mediation and Dispute Resolution Mechanism (IMDRM).

The IMDRM is a group of selected community elders who hear civil cases and determine how to restore unity between affected parties. The group tackles cases related to social conflicts like petty theft, but does not handle more serious crimes like murder, rape or assault causing grievous bodily harm.

Ruon David Kuol, a civil society organization programme officer said the workshop had given participants insights into managing conflict by developing relationships with communities.

“The workshop gave us confidence to solve problems by ourselves,” he said.

Women’s representative Nyaduop Nyang Gatjleh underscored the need to build their skills. “It is the women who suffer most because of conflict and building such type of capacity for women will enable us to recognize the role women will have in conflict management.”

Participants also discussed how traditional means of conflict management in Unity State could be applied to disputes in the protection site. One method discussed was the traditional practice of ensuring justice through compensation.

Following the discussion, participants agreed to hold another forum to discuss South Sudanese traditional practices and beliefs in contrast to rules and regulations of the protection site.

For example, when a man gets a woman pregnant outside wedlock, he is traditionally detained by local courts until he pays dowry. When such situations occur in the protection site, community leaders sometimes ask UN Police (UNPOL) to detain offenders, but this type of case lies outside the UNPOL’s jurisdiction.

Speaking at the end of the workshop, UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer Abdulbaqi Ibishomi said it was necessary to help counter tensions arising between communities and manage conflicts using traditional means, but without violating the South Sudan Transitional Constitution.

He stressed the need to find common ground between customary law, the country’s Transitional Constitution and protection site ground rules.

Mr. Ibishomi used the example of protecting children, which both the constitution and protection site regulations promote. He noted that neglect of children is also punishable under customary law.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The humanitarian situation remains fluid and unpredictable with the health response concentrated in the Protection of Civilians (PoC) sites.

• A new cholera outbreak was reported in Ikotos Country, Eastern Equatoria State. A total of 43 cases and three deaths (CFR 7%) were reported between 11 and 19 February. Health partners responded swiftly to contain the outbreak.

• WHO and health partners conducted the first round of National Immunisation Days (NID) targeting 3.35 million children below 5 years throughout the country.

• Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), malaria and Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) are the top cause of morbidity among IDPs, a trend that has continued since the crisis began.

• The mortality threshold remains below the emerency level in all camps.

New York – The recruitment and use of child soldiers continues to be a major challenge in South Sudan, despite commitments by the Government and the opposition led by Riek Machar to protect children from the impact of conflict, stated Leila Zerrougui, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.

“No children have been released from the SPLA (Sudan People’s Liberation Army) or Riek Machar’s opposition,” said Leila Zerrougui. “Instead, we are receiving reports of hundreds of new recruitments of child soldiers by militias and groups aligned with the Government or the SPLA in Opposition.”

The UN has gathered evidence that a militia led by Johnson Oloni, a commander integrated into the SPLA, is responsible for the abduction of at least 89 and possibly hundreds of children in Wau Shilluk in mid-February. The SPLA stated they have no control over Oloni’s militia.

“The children abducted are reportedly receiving training and could be on their way to the frontlines,” said the Special Representative. “I am very concerned and I call on the Government of South Sudan to take action to prevent this from happening.”

As the leaders of the Government and opposition meet once again to negotiate peace, Ms. Zerrougui urges them to act on their commitments to protect children and include, as a priority, the release of all children recruited and used by the parties to the conflict.

“There will be no lasting peace if we exclude children, who are the majority of the population. They need to be released, and there needs to be accountability for child recruiters and those who commit grave violations against children,” concluded the Special Representative.

Note to editors:
South Sudan is one of seven countries involved in the campaign “Children not Soldiers”, which aims to end the recruitment and use of children in Government armed forces in conflict by 2016. Led by Leila Zerrougui, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and UNICEF, the campaign mobilizes global support and financial resources so the seven government armed forces listed in the Secretary General’s annual report on Children and Armed Conflict become and remain child-free.

For additional information, please contact:
Stephanie Tremblay
Communications officer
Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict
Office: +1 212 963 8285, Mobile: +1 917 288 5791
tremblay@un.org

A partnership between the Italian NGO, Doctors with Africa, and the Ministry of Health introduced the free 24/7 ambulance service to Yirol West, Ciubet and Rumbek North.

The country director for Doctors with Africa, Chiara Scanagatta, says the number of women delivering at the facility increased by 47 per cent in the first year it was introduced and in the last three years, safe deliveries at the hospital have risen a further 100 per cent.

Chiara Scanagatta:

“When we introduced the ambulance in 2011 in Yirol, the average number of women delivering in the hospital was 738, and today is 1431 so definitely the number of women accessing the hospital to deliver has dramatically increased. We have four drivers rotating. Definitely during the rainy season, there are some accessibility problems. That is why in Yirol and also Rumbek North we have provided a motorbike so they can support the ambulance reaching the patient.”

3 March 2015, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: This afternoon, in the presence of Ato Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly, President of the Republic of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit and Leader of the SPLM/A (In Opposition) Dr. Riek Machar resumed face-to-face talks on the outstanding issues of the mediation agenda as per the 1 February 2015 Working Document. Amongst the critical issues are the structure of the executive of the Transitional Government of National Unity, the power sharing ratios, the composition of the National Assembly and transitional security arrangements.

Cognizant of the commitment of the Parties to conclude a final agreement by 5 March 2015, the IGAD Special Envoys for South Sudan call on the Parties to accelerate their efforts to reach a final agreement. The IGAD Special Envoys also appeal to the IGAD Heads of State and Government, the United Nations, the African Union and the broader international community to join the call of the IGAD Special Envoys. ##

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Hailemichael Gebreslasie | Communications Officer | Office of the IGAD Special Envoys for South Sudan | E-mail: haile.michael@igad.int | Tel: +251.924.909.948

For updates, please visithttp://southsudan.igad.int

3.5 million people will require emergency humanitarian assistance by June

Key Messages

• Food security in January was better than expected given lower than anticipated levels of conflict and improved trade flows. However, the number of people facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and Emergency (IPC Phase 4) still increased by roughly 30 percent between December and January.

• The macroeconomic situation in South Sudan remains unstable. Local currency depreciated by 30 percent between November and December 2014, increasing the cost of regional food imports. Foreign currency shortages and high transport costs are increasing staple food prices, already above-average in many markets across the country.

• A significant deterioration in food security is likely in the coming months and the size of the food insecure population (IPC Phase 3 or higher) is likely to almost double by June. The South Sudan National IPC estimates that 2.5 million people will face Crisis and Emergency food insecurity between January and March. Needs will peak between May and June when FEWS NET estimates that more than 3.5 million people will face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and 2 million people will face Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food insecurity, nearly half the national population.

• Humanitarian assistance delivery to Greater Upper Nile (GUN) in 2015 is likely to be better than last year due to increased overland transport access, stronger logistics capacity, and improved prepositioning ahead of the rainy season. FEWS NET estimates that emergency assistance is likely to have a significant impact on food security outcomes among worst-off households in over a dozen counties from January to June mitigating deterioration in these areas. However, insecurity and humanitarian access restrictions will continue to constrain assistance delivery, particularly in frontline areas.

Overview

The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) continues to be active and a threat to vulnerable communities in CAR and DRC. Since January 2014, a total of 197 LRA attacks, causing 36 deaths and 556 abductions have been reported. Compared to 2013, this represents a one per cent increase in LRA attacks and a significant increase by 61 per cent in abductions, however, related deaths reduced by 51 per cent.

In Q4 of 2014, a total of 40 LRA attacks, four deaths and 124 abductions were reported, indicating a consistent pattern as reported in Q3, with a slight increase of five per cent of LRA attacks and a decrease of seven per cent and one per cent in deaths and abductions respectively.

South Sudan

South Sudan hosts 15,573 DRC and 2,044 CAR refugees.

Central African Republic

In CAR, 23 LRA attacks, eight deaths and 68 abductions were reported in Q4 of 2014. As compared to Q3, this indicates an increase in number of LRA attacks and deaths reported.
Overall, since January 2014, a total of 72 LRA attacks, 12 deaths and 269 abductions were reported, a significant increase of 157 and 65 per cent in LRA attacks and abductions respectively as reported in 2013. The majority of LRA incidents continue to be reported in Haut-Mbomou Prefecture. The number of displaced people in LRA-affected areas remains at 18,200.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

17 LRA attacks, 6 deaths and 56 abductions (including four children) were reported in Q4 2014. Compared to Q3, the attacks and deaths decreased by 37 per cent and 60 per cent respectively. The majority of the known attacks continue to be reported in Dungu and Ango territory, in Haut-Uélé and Bas-Uélé districts respectively. Ango Territory reported the most abductions (62 per cent). Since January 2014, a total of 198 LRA attacks, 36 deaths and 563 abductions have been reported. Reported abductions increased by 63 per cent as compared to 2013. Over 162,000 people remain displaced in Bas-Uélé and Haut-Uélé Districts of Province Orientale due to LRA, and an estimated 8,983 CAR refugees remain hosted in the area.

In March, the French presidency of the Security Council would focus on a broad range of issues, from peace and security on the African continent to efforts to bring about a political solution to the crisis in Syria, the Permanent Representative of the country said this afternoon.

The 15-member body was scheduled to undertake a five-day mission to Africa, making stops in the Central African Republic, Ethiopia and Burundi, Ambassador François Delattre told correspondents at the monthly briefing on the Council’s programme of work. The mission would be the 15-member body’s first visit to the Central African Republic since the beginning of the crisis there, and would demonstrate its support for both the country’s transitional authorities and the United Nations multidimensional peacekeeping operation, he said.

In Addis Ababa, the Council would meet with the African Union, one of its key partners for the maintenance of peace and security throughout the continent, he went on. Among priorities to be discussed there were the atrocities brought about by the Boko Haram group, based in Nigeria. Finally, in Burundi, the Council would reiterate its support for the good conduct of elections, which are scheduled to take place later this year.

Another priority for the Council would be the renewal of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the Organization’s largest peacekeeping operation. The Mission’s mandate included the protection of civilians in a conflict that had already claimed some 5 million lives, he said. The Council had made several proposals to strengthen MONUSCO, including the drawdown of troops and increasing mobility. Those important technical considerations would be addressed during a briefing by Special Representative Martin Kobler on 19 March, he said.

On 25 March, an open debate on children in armed conflict, with the participation of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, would focus on dialogue and on ways to put pressure on non-State actors. “What we seek to accomplish is to gather out-of-the box proposals from all United Nations Members States”, and to bring those perspectives together in a non-paper, he said.

The Council would also host the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, for the first time during her tenure. The 9 March meeting was an important opportunity to reiterate Council support for cooperation with the Union and other regional organizations.

Mr. Delattre stressed that major crises — including in Yemen, Libya and Syria — would continue to garner attention throughout the month. On 4 March, the Council would hear from Bernardino León, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission there (UNSMIL). In that regard, he said, the Council would opt for a “technical rollover” of a few weeks, providing more time for the mediation currently under way and for a clearer picture to form before taking further decisions.

Responding to a question from a correspondent about that rollover, Mr. Delattre said that the Council’s first priority in Libya was to support a government of national unity, which would act as a lever for the international community in its fight against terrorism. The Council fully endorsed Mr. León’s efforts in that respect.

To a question about the crisis in Syria, he said that, on 26 March, the Council would hear a briefing by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos. On the political side, France remained sceptical as to the good will of the Syrian regime. “We are convinced that there can be no solution in Syria with Bashar al Assad,” he said. The top priority was to preserve Syria’s unity and respect all of the country’s diverse communities.

He said France hoped to bring together the moderate opposition parties in order to build a political future for Syria. While he supported all efforts of Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria — including the proposed “freeze” in Aleppo — he was concerned that not all parties to the conflict, namely the Syrian regime, would cooperate. “Only a political solution can provide an exit for the Syrian crisis,” he said, stressing the need to work on twin tracks in Syria: encouraging and strengthening the moderate opposition and bringing together Syria’s international and regional partners.

Replying to a question about ways to assist Nigeria in fighting Boko Haram, Mr. Delattre said that the Security Council’s African partners were in the process of planning a regional force operation, which the Council would fully support. It would be up to an African member of the Council to draft a text endorsing that operation, he said, adding that such an endorsement would give legal force, and provide resources to, the operation.

Asked about Council resolution 2206 (2015) on South Sudan, adopted this morning, and whether there was a timeline for “putting names” on the sanctions listed in that resolution, Mr. Delattre responded that the resolution “sends a strong message to the world and those involved in this tragic conflict”. The resolution could serve as a “lever” in the negotiations currently being led by the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), he added.

Regarding recent developments in Ukraine, he said that, in its resolution 2202 (2015) — adopted two weeks ago — the Council had strongly backed the recent agreements negotiated in Minsk. Another forward step had been taken last Friday, when the Council met with moderators from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). While the ceasefire was generally holding and there was now a “progressive de-escalation” in eastern Ukraine, he said the international community remained wary. The next stage, which was now beginning, would be the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the conflict zone, he said.

For information media. Not an official record.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The ‘short rains’ (‘Deyr’) season of late 2014 has performed poorly across East Africa. North-east Kenya and southern Somalia have been affected by persistently drier than average conditions since the early stages of the season.

• This poor seasonal performance compounds the effect of significant rainfall deficits during previous seasons, resulting in extended long-term dryness mostly affecting pastoralist resources.

• The very dry later stages of the season (December-January) have depleted soil moisture stores, with evident and extensive vegetation cover deficits across wide areas of the region. This suggests that pastoralists will have a very thin resource base to see them through the current dry season, which will last till March.

• The drier than average late season also harmed pastoral areas of Turkana, Karamoja and East Equatoria, which enjoyed fairly favourable rainfall and vegetation development until mid-December.

• Seasonal forecasts for the next season (‘long rains’ or ‘Gu’, from March 2015 onwards) predict moderate tendency for above-average rainfall for Somaliland, Uganda and SW Kenya. On the other hand, a moderate tendency for below average rainfall is forecast for Tanzania, Ethiopia, while for recently drought affected pastoral regions of northern Kenya, the forecasts are more mixed with ECMWF forecasting moderately above average rainfall. Overall, there are no strong signs for a continuation of markedly unfavourable conditions.

4 March 2015 – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged South Sudanese political rivals President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar to resolve their differences and move towards a lasting peace ahead of an impending mediation deadline.

In a statement issued late yesterday evening, the UN spokesperson's office said the Secretary-General strongly urged Mr. Kiir and Mr. Machar “to show leadership” and put the “well-being of South Sudanese ahead of all other interests.” Moreover, he added, the two leaders should work to make “the necessary compromises to conclude a power sharing agreement that paves the way for a comprehensive settlement of the conflict in South Sudan.”

Mr. Ban's appeal comes just days before a 5 March deadline set by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for the conclusion of negotiations between the two parties.

The UN spokesperson also reported that the Secretary-General took note of the unanimous Security Council resolution adopted yesterday morning establishing a sanctions regime on South Sudanese officials blocking peace efforts in the country.

The move is the UN body's latest step towards ending a conflict that has killed thousands in the world's newest country.

In particular, the resolution voiced deep concern at the “failures” of both parties to engage in a palpable peace process which would lead to political resolve and bring an end to the violence. The text underscored the Council's “willingness to impose targeted sanctions in order to support the search for peace.”

While no listings were made, the resolution sets out a series of listing criteria. The sanctions are expected to apply to those responsible for, complicit in, or engaged directly or indirectly in actions or policies threatening the peace, security or stability of South Sudan.

In the statement, which commended and supported the regional efforts facilitating the negotiation process, the UN spokesperson also said the Secretary-General reminded both parties that “the best way” to avoid the enactment of actual sanctions by the Security Council, would be to “strictly adhere” to the Cessation of Hostilities agreement of 23 January 2014, fully comply with International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, extend their full cooperation to UN and humanitarian personnel in the discharge of their mandates and duties, and conclude a Comprehensive Peace Agreement that places South Sudan “back on the path to stability and prosperity.”

3 March 2015 - Some 30 youth graduated today from a three-month intensive training course in carpentry, tailoring and building in Yambio, Western Equatoria State.

“I am happy to tell you that 30 young men and women … are ready now to create their businesses … instead of committing crimes and remaining idle,” Tii-ndoka Vocational Training Center Principal Justin Omere said at the ceremony,

“We cannot expect peace among the communities and in the country if youth are not engaged in developmental activities,” he added.

The 16 men and 14 women were drawn from a pool of young people in various counties to form the eighth batch of youth to complete the course at the vocational centre since 2007.

Many youth attending the centre are sponsored by UNICEF, the non-governmental organization World Vision International and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. They take three or nine-month courses for Certificates of Attendance and Completion, respectively.

State Minister of Education, Science and Technology Pia Phillip noted that conflict in the country had crippled an education plan to increase vocational institutions.

“Because of the conflict in our country, we as a government could not implement our plan to make sure all children and youth go to school, acquire skills and engage in developmental activities.”

Graduate Martin Gbiaundore expressed his pleasure at completing the training. “I am so grateful to World Vision for sponsoring me to acquire skills in various fields, which I will (use to) deliver to the community after I go back home.”

Margret Michael, who dropped out of school at age 16, said she had now acquired tailoring skills which would help her earn a living and take care of her 11-month-old baby.

Many youth in Western Equatoria State drop out of school due to early pregnancies and lack of school requirements. They often migrate from rural to urban areas for survival, resorting to crimes like theft, drug peddling and rape.

4 March 2015 - Cases of rape as well as sexual exploitation and abuse are showing up on a daily basis at the police station in Yambio, Western Equatoria State, officers said today.

According to Marcelina Moses, head of Child Protection in Yambio County Police Station, rape, abuse and sexual assault on minors have taken the lead in crimes reported to her section.

She said three girls of only three years old had been raped in 2014. Last week, Radio Miraya reported about another three-year-old child who had been raped.

Justin Ebere, Director General of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, said sexual exploitation and child abuse were on the rise in the state. “It is affecting children generally, not only the girl child, and the abuses are … rape, incest, prostitution and child marriage.”

The Director General stressed that offenders, including parents, must be severely punished.

“The abuses constitute an offense under the laws of South Sudan and anybody who commits such an offense is liable for imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years,” he said.

“Under another section, anybody has a responsibility to report such an abuse but … many people are witnesses to these crimes and they are not reporting and the sentence for not reporting is seven years imprisonment,” he added.

Mr. Ebere called on citizens and authorities to take steps in fighting sexual exploitation and abuse.

“I think now it is about the other levels within the criminal procedures that need to pull up their socks and to take their responsibilities to ensure that the crimes are being reduced,” Mr. Ebere said. Otherwise … it is going to create a spiral of violence and counter violence.”

Derelict oilfield caught in a war zone contaminating drinking water and threatening tens of thousands of civilian lives.

Leer, South Sudan - The Thar Jath oilfield - just like civilians here - is caught in a deadly civil war and unable to thrive amid fierce fighting.

The oil site, located in northern South Sudan's Unity State, is only accessible from the main dirt road connecting rebel opposition-controlled Leer, to the current government-held area around the state capital, Bentiu.

read the full story here

by John A. Akec

News of a possible end to South Sudan’s 11-month-old conflict was received with guarded optimism at the start of February, and there were good reasons for this. On January 21, Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, brokered talks between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement’s (SPLM) three estranged groups (in government, in opposition, and former detainees jailed after a failed coup attempt), who had been able to agree to narrow their previous disagreement on a number of contentious issues. This represented progress toward a genuine and much prayed-for reconciliation within the ruling party. Many believed that the implementation of the resulting Arusha SPLM Reunification Agreement could pave the way for return to a stable government.

However, the recent split within the ranks of the SPLM in opposition could now delay that process. The former spokesperson for the opposition group, Lul Ruai Kong, arrived in the capital Juba on February 19 in “search of peace” and in charge of a new breakaway group known as the South Sudan Resistance Movement. This means the government must now face the difficult task of negotiating with three armed groups instead of two. It also implies a weakened armed opposition overall.

This aside, many in South Sudan were already concerned about a number of controversial items contained in the Arusha agreement. Prominent among them was the introduction of a limit of two five-year terms for the SPLM chairperson, abolishing the clause in the party’s constitution by which 5 percent of the membership of the National Liberation Council (NLC) are picked by the chairperson, and discarding voting by show of hands, in favor of a secret ballot, on controversial matters. These were precisely the amendments proposed by the leader of the original opposition faction, Riek Machar, and their previous rejection by the NLC was the reason for his earlier mutiny. It was therefore small wonder that Dr. Machar was all smiles when he signed the Arusha agreement with President Salva Mayardit. The signatories to the deal also agreed to issue a public apology for taking the country back to war in December 2013.

Attempting to build on this progress, East Africa’s Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) mediated further talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 2, with President Mayardit and Dr. Machar signing off on new power-sharing arrangements. This would see the creation of two equal positions of vice presidents, one of which would be held by Dr. Machar and the other by the incumbent James Wani Igga. These appointments would mirror regional representation and ethnic balances within the country. A proposal by the mediators to reinstall Dr. Machar as the first vice president was flatly rejected by the SPLM in government.

This appeared all well and good, but many SPLM members remained somewhat cynical about the sudden turn of events. Those supporting the government expressed great disappointment with the architects of the Arusha agreement about what they described as the “watering down of democratic principles and values” and the rewarding of militaristic behavior. They were concerned that a handful of individuals were able to reverse the decisions of the more than 130 NLC members just to win back colleagues in the armed opposition. I agree that the decisions did not promote democratic practice and culture. Namely, the principle of settling differences through peaceful and cooperative dialogue should remain in place no matter how contentious the issues are, or how long it takes to build a consensus. It is a principle worth fighting for.

Moreover, the proposal to share power through a quota arrangement between the SPLM in government, the opposition wings, and other political parties, contradicts the letter and spirit of the Arusha agreement on reunification of the party. First, it means the SPLM will remain contested and highly fragmented in the post-conflict era, with the possibility of continuing intra-party fighting and an eventual return to violence. Second, it puts the emphasis on who gets what political position, as opposed to what the party needs to do in order to realize its vision of effective service delivery; building economic infrastructure; and effecting institutional, political, and security sector reforms to allow the peaceful transfer of power and creation of a society of opportunity for all.

Third, a quota arrangement of cabinet positions would mean recycling many former party politicians, who had the opportunity to serve in the past, but left with nothing positive to show for it. It will drive many a citizen to frustration and kill any hope for change. In fact, it was the failure of the party to make headway in building effective institutions and investing in adequate social services such as education, health, and infrastructure that caused SPLM leaders to take on one another in the first place, exchanging accusations and counter-accusations until the party imploded and the whole country was pushed to the brink.

Another factor to weigh in assessing the chances of a successful peace deal is the existing disconnection between leaders of the armed opposition and their field commanders. This has made it hard for the former to honor cease-fires because rebel commanders often simply do as they please. Even if commanders were now to abide by orders for peace, integrating forces with long records of rebelling into the national army would be met with stiff opposition in the government and among citizens.

Despite the complexity of the situation, the government of South Sudan and its erstwhile colleagues in the opposition are under understandable pressure from the United States and the European Union to sign a peace deal sooner rather than later, at any cost, or risk the imposition of sanctions. This includes the threat of an arms embargo, which would weaken the government more than the rebels, rendering it incapable of exercising its monopoly on violence, which it would otherwise maintain to keep the country together until such time as things fell back into place naturally. Given this, US Secretary of State John Kerry’s policy of seeking to penalize the government of South Sudan for striving to maintain security, law, and order in the face of economic challenges does not contribute to building a strong sovereign state, nor will it help to build stronger long-term US-South Sudan relations.

All in all, the efforts to bring about peace in South Sudan seem a case of attempting to force square pegs into round holes. It also appears to be a self-serving approach tailored toward appeasing disputing elites within the SPLM, while neglecting the people of South Sudan and their real needs for long-term prosperity, stability, and political freedoms.

As things stand, and in the face of increasing fragmentation of the armed opposition, it is likely that the government of South Sudan will continue to talk peace and strengthen its ability to wage war and maintain security, while it waits for such time when the armed opposition is weak enough to sign peace on terms that are more acceptable to it. And that means South Sudan will have to wait for a few more years to experience true peace.

John A. Akec is Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, South Sudan.

Originally Published in the Global Observatory

CONF150303-CS

CONSEIL DE SÉCURITÉ
CONFÉRENCES DE PRESSE

Le Représentant permanent de la France auprès des Nations Unies, M. François Delattre, qui préside ce mois-ci le Conseil de sécurité, a présenté, cet après-midi à la presse, le programme de travail mensuel de cet organe, qui sera notamment marqué par une visite de ses membres en Afrique, la semaine prochaine, et un débat ouvert sur le sort des enfants en temps de conflit armé, le 25 mars.

La mission, qui conduira le Conseil de sécurité du 9 au 13 mars en République centrafricaine, en Éthiopie, puis au Burundi, « vise à réaffirmer l’attachement et l’attention soutenue que nous apportons aux transitions politiques et au maintien de la paix en Afrique », a déclaré M. Delattre, lors d’une conférence de presse au Siège des Nations Unies, à New York.

L’Ambassadeur français a souligné que le Conseil de sécurité, qui effectuera sa première visite en République centrafricaine depuis le début de la crise, manifestera son soutien aux autorités de transition et à la Mission multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation dans ce pays (MINUSCA). Elle se situe, a-t-elle dit, « à un moment clef pour la République centrafricaine », où la situation sécuritaire « s’améliore peu à peu » et où les élections constitueront une « étape cruciale pour la transition politique ».

À Addis-Abeba, en Éthiopie, la délégation rencontrera l’Union africaine, « partenaire central pour le maintien de la paix et de la sécurité en Afrique », et avec laquelle elle discutera en particulier de la situation provoquée par les exactions du groupe Boko Haram et du suivi des crises qui figurent à l’ordre du jour africain du Conseil de sécurité.

Enfin, au Burundi, le Conseil de sécurité « confirmera son appui aux élections » qui doivent avoir lieu cette année. La consolidation durable de la paix au Burundi passe par le « bon déroulement de ces élections auxquelles le Conseil apporte son plein soutien », a ainsi déclaré M. Delattre.

Au mois de mars, le Conseil de sécurité doit également renouveler le mandat de la Mission de l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO), « la plus importante mission de maintien de la paix des Nations Unies » dans un pays où le conflit « a fait plus de 5 millions de morts », a-t-il rappelé. L’objectif est de transformer la Mission en vue de « renforcer sa capacité à protéger les civils ». La France, a ajouté M. Delattre, travaille actuellement sur un texte dont la diffusion à tous les autres membres du Conseil de sécurité sera effectuée « rapidement ».

Le Président du Conseil a indiqué que le Représentant spécial du Secrétaire général et Chef de la MONUSCO, M. Martin Kobler, et l’Envoyé spécial pour la région des Grands Lacs, M. Said Djinnit, présenteraient chacun un exposé le 19 mars. Auparavant, le 17 mars, le Conseil de sécurité aura entendu, lors de consultations, les pays fournisseurs de contingents.

La troisième priorité du Conseil de sécurité sera, le 25 mars, un débat ouvert sur le sort des enfants en temps de conflit armé auquel doit participer le Secrétaire général de l’ONU, M. Ban Ki-moon. M. Delattre a mis l’accent sur la nécessité d’exercer des « leviers de pression » sur, notamment, les groupes armés non étatiques et les groupes extrémistes violents au Nigéria, en Syrie ou en Iraq. Les « propositions innovantes » des participants à ce débat seront collectées puis synthétisées dans un « non-papier » qui sera transmis à la Malaisie, laquelle préside le Groupe de travail sur le sort des enfants en temps de conflit armé.

Le 9 mars, le Conseil de sécurité traitera de la coopération entre l’ONU et les organisations régionales en recevant, pour la première fois en cette qualité, la Haute Représentante de l’Union européenne pour la politique étrangère et la politique de sécurité, Mme Frederica Mogherini.

Les grandes crises internationales en cours continueront de faire l’objet d’un suivi attentif, a par ailleurs affirmé le Président du Conseil de sécurité. M. Delattre a expliqué que cet après-midi même, le Conseil examinerait lors de consultations, la crise au Yémen; le Conseiller spécial du Secrétaire général, M. Jamal Benomar, devant faire le point sur sa mission de bons offices et le processus de dialogue inclusif mené en vue de faciliter la transition politique.

Le 4 mars, le Conseil entendra un exposé du Chef de la Mission d’appui des Nations Unies en Libye (MANUL), M. Bernardino León. Le Conseil, a-t-il souligné, « devrait opter pour une reconduction technique des sanctions et le renouvellement du mandat de la MANUL pour donner plus de temps à la médiation en cours et voir plus clair pour prendre des décisions ».

M. Delattre a estimé que la mise en place d’un gouvernement d’union nationale constituerait le « meilleur levier dans la lutte contre le terrorisme international »; le « vide politique » actuel en Libye contribuant à renforcer ce fléau. « Quel que soit l’angle par lequel on prend le dossier, la solution en Libye passe par un gouvernement d’union nationale », a-t-il insisté.

M. Delattre a également souligné que le Conseil serait probablement « amené à se réunir de nouveau » sur la situation en Ukraine, « où nous appuyons pleinement la pleine mise en œuvre des accords de Minsk ». Le représentant français a constaté « avec prudence » que, sur le terrain, le cessez-le-feu était observé et que l’on était « passé d’une situation d’escalade à une situation de désescalade ».

S’agissant de la Syrie, les consultations sur le désarmement chimique du pays se tiendront le 5 mars autour de la Haute Représentante pour les affaires de désarmement, Mme Angela Kane. En sa qualité nationale, M. Delattre a estimé qu’en Syrie, « il ne peut pas y avoir de solution avec Bashar Al-Assad ». « Le chef du régime syrien est le premier responsable des quelque 220 000 morts que le conflit a déjà faits », a-t-il dit, précisant que « Bashar Al-Assad et Daesh sont les deux faces d’une même médaille qui se nourrissent l’une l’autre ». « Croire que Bashar Al-Assad peut être l’alternative au terrorisme est un non-sens moral et politique. Plus il restera au pouvoir, plus la radicalisation de la situation perdurera. »

Enfin, M. Delattre s’est félicité de ce que le Conseil de sécurité eut exprimé ce matin, par la résolution 2206 (2015)), sa détermination « à imposer des sanctions ciblées afin d’appuyer la recherche d’une paix durable et sans exclusive au Soudan du Sud ». « C’est un message très fort que le Conseil de sécurité a envoyé au monde et aux partenaires de l’Autorité intergouvernementale pour le développement (IGAD) et de l’Union africaine qui pourront utiliser cette résolution comme un levier d’étape pour la paix. »

À l’intention des organes d’information • Document non officiel.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Thursday 3/5/2015 - 18:17 GMT

by Karim LEBHOUR

South Sudan's president and a rebel leader on Thursday failed to agree on ending their 15-month civil war, although mediators said talks would continue and a deadline for a deal would be extended.

President Salva Kiir and his former deputy and arch rival Riek Machar "will continue negotiations tomorrow morning," the east African regional bloc IGAD said in a brief statement.

The pair, whose armies have been at war since December 2013, were also urged "to use the limited time that remains to make progress on the outstanding issues of the mediation agenda."

IGAD, which is mediating the talks and growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of results, had set a midnight (2100 GMT) deadline for Kiir and Machar to strike a peace deal.

A failure to reach a deal could result in a wider push for targeted sanctions -- with diplomats' patience running out and the peace process having already cost well over 20 million euros ($22 million) with no nothing to show for it.

"The two sides are now under threat of sanctions and an arms embargo by the Security Council, so the pressure is increasing," a diplomat close to talks told AFP in the Ethiopian capital, where the negotiations are being held.

Hopes that the deadline would be met were dealt a blow on Thursday as Kiir and Machar pulled out of their discussions, promising to reconvene mid-afternoon but failing to keep the appointment.

"Some progress has been made on security issues, but gaps remain on the power-sharing agreement," the diplomat said.

• "Last chance" to end carnage -

IGAD chief mediator Seyoum Mesfin has called this -- the eighth round of talks -- the "last chance" for ending the conflict and diplomats had insisted there would be no extension of the deadline.

But the latest round of negotiations to solve the deadly conflict in the world's youngest nation has gone badly from the start.

Kiir and Machar shunned the opening of talks on February 23 and only met directly for the first time on Tuesday.

South Sudan's war began in December 2013 when Kiir accused Machar, his former deputy, of planning a coup.

Fighting quickly turned ethnic with Dinka soldiers loyal to Kiir accused of massacring members of Machar's Nuer tribe in the capital Juba.

The violence spread and has been characterised by tit-for-tat ethnic murder, rape, pillage and the widespread use of child soldiers.

Tens of thousands have been killed and two million uprooted by fighting.

Peace talks were convened by IGAD within weeks of the outbreak of civil war but have only achieved a string of failed ceasefires and broken promises.

In a bid to force a deal, the United Nations this week passed a resolution that will allow the imposing of sanctions on individuals deemed to be undermining peace efforts -- including leaders or officials who obstruct peace talks, impede humanitarian aid deliveries, recruit child soldiers or attack UN peacekeepers.

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, told the council that the resolution -- which also raises the possibility of an arms embargo -- would give African mediators leverage in their push for agreement by making clear that "those who frustrate peace must begin to pay the price".

kal-sas/mjs

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