The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Justice Ruben Madol tabled the Agreement on Economic, Trade, and Technical Cooperation signed between South Sudan and China for deliberations and enactment.

Justice Madol said the Agreement came as a result of the visit of President Salva Kiir to China for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit and it paved the way for a new era and recognition of the One Belt and One Road initiative which cements the mutual benefit and boost the trade relations between China and other trade partner.

The agreement also indicates that South Sudan may benefit as small-scale producers of Sesame Seed, Honey, Gum Arabic, among others, once it is approved, and access to the Chinese Market.

“I respectfully hereby submit The Agreement on Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation Between the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and Government of the People’s Republic of China” to you after approval by the National Council of Ministers Resolution No. 01/2024, in its regular meeting No. 01/2024 held on Friday 12th January 2024, for deliberations and enactment.” Madol reiterated.

According to the Minister, the Council of Ministers in its Regular Meeting early this year, resolved to approve the Agreement on Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation, signed on 22nd November 2011 following the visit to Beijing, China, of President; Salva Kiir Mayardit, of South Sudan to attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.

He said, the Council, further, endorses the objectives of the Agreement which include enhancing friendship and developing trade, economic and technical cooperation between the two countries based on equality and mutual benefits, and directs the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to present the Agreement to the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA) for approval.

The TNLA Deputy Speaker for Administration and Finance; Right Honourable Permena Awerial Aluong, said the parliament shall resume its ordinary sitting after 14 days to address the matter officially.

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The National Ministry of Health in South Sudan declared the outbreak of conjunctivitis, commonly known as red eye disease on 22nd April 2024.

While addressing the media on Tuesday, the minister of Health Hon. Yolanda Awel Deng said, the first outbreak was confirmed in Nimule Payam, Magwi County.

According to the Ministry of Health, the outbreak was initially detected among travelers from Uganda where similar cases have been reported and an outbreak of conjunctivitis declared by the Ministry of Health in Uganda.

The health authorities in Nimule have heightened surveillance at the major point of entry (PoE) to identify suspected cases.

Hon. Awel emphasized that the experts are now at the border to continue collecting samples to confirm the causative agent and manage suspected cases at the nearest health facilities.

In the press statement seen by Catholic Radio Network says, a total of 382 suspected cases were screened and managed 297 at Nimule PoE and 85 at Nimule Hospital starting from 16 April 2024.

The report also stated that cases of red eye were reported in Juba, citing that the ministry will continue to monitor the situation in Juba and Nimule and across the Country.

The contagious period is within the first 10 to 12 days but infection can last up to three weeks, “says the Minister.”

Conjunctivitis characterized by inflammation of the conjunctiva (mucous membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball and lines of the eyelids) can be caused by various factors including viral and bacterial infections among others.

Viral conjunctivitis is the most common form and is highly contagious and can be spread from person 10 person through direct contact, and sharing of personal items such as towels, and pillowcases.

It can also spread through facial contact, and sharing of eye drops or eyeglasses, Symptoms may include redness in the white part of the eye or inner eyelid, increased tears, thick yellow discharge over the eyelashes, and itching. Blurred vision, and sensitivity to light

The Ministry of Health with the key stakeholders has initiated several measures including promoting personal hygiene, (WASH activities – Water, To control the spread of the disease.

Sanitation & Hygiene), strengthening surveillance, managing and treating affected individuals, sensitizing the public about the disease and prevention measures, and orienting healthcare workers on investigating and responding to cases of red eye disease.

The Ministry of Health urges the public to highly observe the following to contain this spread of the disease, Wash hands frequently with clean water and soap

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The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has appealed to the National Legislative Assembly to expedite the tabling and approval of bills on the budget for operationalization in critical matters.

It says the pending bills are urgent to be approved as the country prepares for the general elections in December this year.

Berhanu Kebede, the RJMEC Chief of Staff presented the report on Monday on behalf of his Chairperson to the August House, highlighting the status of implementation of the Revitalized Agreement.

This includes the critical pending tasks, challenges, and key milestones that need to be reached as South Sudan prepares for general elections, noting that overall, there has been slow progress in the implementation.

RJMEC quarterly report generated from Jan 1st to March 31st, 2024 indicated the progress made by leaders and people have collectively demonstrated that lasting peace, stability, and development are possible and within reach. 

Kebede says the current focus continues to be on the holding of elections promptly and attention should be given to expediting the completion of the pending critical tasks.

Which are prerequisites to the conduct of credible general elections within the framework of the Agreement. Foremost among those are the unification of forces and the making of a permanent constitution.

He also urges the August House to expedite the enactment of critical laws, including that of the National Security Service Bill which is long overdue.

RJMEC understands that the budget for the operationalization of these critical institutions and mechanisms awaits tabling and approval by this August House and therefore appeals for speedy approval at the national assembly.

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The Catholic Archdiocese of Juba has ordained two deacons into priesthoods at St. Theresa Cathedral in Juba over the weekend.  Priests include, James Kose Wani and Samuel Jada Juma are both ordained as Diocesan priests.

His Eminence Stephen Cardinal Ameyu Mulla, who consecrated the two priests underscored the challenges accompanying their new vocation.

Cardinal Ameyu calls on the newly ordained priests to be pastors of the souls and that they should feed the faithful with ‘spiritual food’

Cardinal Ameyu encourages Priests James and Samuel to fully assume the role of cultivating transformation in the communities and parishes where they will be placed.

The Head of the Catholic Church in South Sudan urged the two priests to understand priesthood vocation which implores pastors to be servants of the people.

The prelate beseeched Christians to support the newly ordained priest to allow them to continue with evangelization.

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The Chairperson of the Society, Mr. Odong Anthony Okenyi said they established the cooperative group after they returned home from the refugee camp in the year 2022.

Anthony explained that the Cooperative Society will arrange loans and provide funds to the members at reasonable interest and sell their offerings at reasonable prices, thereby avoiding exploitation by middlemen.

He reveals that they formed a cooperative society with some thirty people who were later trained by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

“I was a refugee in the camp, I stayed for a long camp in Uganda, so after we came back, we started to form a group, the group was called CAN CAYO MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE SOCIETY.”

“We start with a small group, we start with the number of thirty members, so from there we got training in farming as a business the training was conducted by GIZ, so after that again UNHCR came and did training to some members,” he said.

Odong stated that he went to the refugee camp twice back then in the 1983 SPLM/SPLA and the recent 2016 conflict

He mentioned that living in the camp was terrible as most of the people could not support themselves and their families forcing him to return home voluntarily.

“I went to the camp because of the war, two times the war of the SPLM/A movement in 1993 we went to Uganda, we stayed in the Acholpi refugee camp from there when there was a peace agreement we came back we formed a group.”

The Head of Can Cayo Multipurpose Cooperative Society further mentioned that the cooperative helps the entire community during the current inflation rate as the prices of the goods are cheap compared to the market prices.

He narrates that the cooperative is benefiting its members in terms of availing tuition fees for their children as most of them came from the camp.

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President Ramaphosa met with different leaders from political parties on the implementation of the R-ARCSS, inked on September 12, 2018.

The South Sudan Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. James Pitia Morgan expressed President Kiir’s deep appreciation to South Africa for its steadfast backing.

South Africa’s Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor reiterated the unwavering commitment of all parties to the peace pact, emphasizing the importance of remaining dedicated to the peace process.

Hon. Pandor said her country will closely monitor the lasting stability in South Sudan for the successful organization of transparent and credible elections scheduled for December 2024.

The election is in line with the roadmap of the extended transitional period established in August 2022.

South Africa’s President met with First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and all other stakeholders, on the status of the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement.

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The national Minister of Investment in South Sudan Dr. Dhieu Mathok has warned foreign companies to respect the Labor Act 2017 with the provision that provides 80% of jobs to South Sudanese and such acts shouldn’t be compromised.

This came during the one-day Symposium on Jobs Creation and Trade Development in South Sudan being organized by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC)

Dr. Mathok accused some unnamed companies of bringing workers from outside the country and keeping their operational accounts in the neighboring countries which contributed to the downfall of South Sudan’s economy.

“We’ve realized that the huge companies operating in South Sudan including the oil sector, are not keeping their money in our country.  You can get companies with 300-400 employees and once you analyze the bank statement you see only three thousand (3,000 USD) that for all year.

“Those companies are opening operational accounts in the neighboring countries, and they are getting money from South Sudan. We are going to stop these. It’s either you come fully to operate in South Sudan, or you leave. We analyze this and it’s shocking, this is also the reason the US dollar is rising,” he said.

Minister confessed that insecurity is affecting job creation in the states and local towns in the country.

He says this blocked the chances of young people accessing opportunities needed because several companies fear investing in a place that doesn’t guarantee the safety of their money.

Dr. Dhieu says the Unity government is working hard to ensure that the security threats affected by the job market will be handled.

“Juba is not South Sudan, if we talk of creating jobs let’s underline that South Sudan is not Juba. We need to take the job to young people who are in Eastern Equatoria, we need to take them to Jonglei.

“We need those companies to operate in such areas so that the employment opportunities are not risky only in Juba. The government of national Unity is working on this to stabilize the country.”

The Minister further expressed deep concern over the lack of access to finances among the local companies.

“There are issues with access to finance and this is one of the major issues. Many businesses are not getting money such that they can invest and create jobs for young people.”

“We have very poor financial institutions that we need to Develop such that our people with small business could access finances.”

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Reactions from stakeholders echoed the call for an improved understanding of OSBP procedures, gender-sensitive integration efforts, and the need to address environmental challenges affecting trade activities in the area, with particular reference to floods which frequently affect the Elegu-Nimule area.
 
Other key recommendations included the need for capacity building for traders to fully appreciate and experience the benefits of the EAC integration and infrastructure development to support cross-border trade.
 
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Member of Parliament, Honourable Doctor Anne Itto said that the community had put in place various initiatives to facilitate trade and regional integration, and OSBPS take center stage.
 
“If we do not have the free movement of goods and people, then we do not have integration,” she said. “There is therefore an urgent need to ensure there are facilities to effectively facilitate trade on both sides on the Elegu/Nimule border,” said Itto.
 
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, Annette Ssemuwemba commended all border agencies for their commitment to ensuring services were offered despite challenges in the execution of their respective mandates.
In responding to the matters raised.

The Deputy Secretary-General said that the EAC Secretariat would work jointly with Uganda and South Sudan in the development of strategies aimed at transforming operations at the Elegu/Nimule border.
 
“The Secretariat has taken note of all challenges raised and recommendations offered for improved trade facilitation. We shall develop an action plan that incorporates all issues raised, stakeholders charged with ironing out these issues, and the implementation timeframe – short, medium, and long term,” added Ms. Ssemuwemba.
 
Ms. Ssemuwemba further said that longer-term interventions such as infrastructure development, IT systems interconnectivity, and the provision of facilities for women cross-border traders were essential for sustainable progress and prosperity at the border.

Representing the South Sudan Minister of Trade and Industry, the advisor to the Minister of Trade and Industry in South Sudan; Simon Nyang, said that the OSBP review meeting was critical to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, adding that the Ministry will strive to implement the recommendations of the meeting.
 
Uganda’s 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga hailed the diligent efforts of all border agencies in facilitating the movement of goods.
 
Honourable Kadaga underscored the urgent need for South Sudan to expedite the implementation of the EAC Customs Union Protocol.
 
“This acceleration is imperative in ensuring citizens enjoy the full benefits of the EAC integration,” said the Minister.
 
The Minister reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to ensure enhanced collaboration of the border agencies from the two partner states.

“Collaborative efforts are indispensable to navigate the complexities of integration, with a collective focus on ensuring tangible benefits for the populace,” she said.
 
The Nimule-Elegu border mission served as a testament to the shared commitment by both Uganda and South Sudan towards strengthening cross-border trade and advancing regional cooperation.

The stakeholder engagement session was preceded by an inspection of the Elegu and Nimule OSBPs.

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The Police Spokesperson in Western Bahr el Ghazal State on Wednesday denied the allegation from women who accused police that they were sexually assaulted by police after they were arrested while returning home from their respective workplaces.

Captain Ring John Chol discloses that the police were doing their work based on national-level orders to arrest the gang groups in the state.

He points out that the police did not sexually abuse any girls, they only arrested the gang group and took them to court based on order, citing that for police to ask for sexual favor, is a violation of the police act and a criminal offense.

John Chol said that the girls who were imprisoned were based on the outcome of the court because if there was no crime against them they would not be in jail.

The Police Spokesperson however promises that they are going to investigate the police personnel that were on duty that night, the girls, and any person that will be found guilty or involved in the case will face the law.

On Tuesday more than 8 female inmates at the women’s prison in Western Bahr el Ghazal state Wau, expressed their disappointment citing that they were arrested by police.

While returning home from their respective workplaces and after that, the policemen ask them for sexual favors or else they will be arrested.

They also added that some of them who agreed to have an affair with the policemen were set free and the rest of them who refused were taken to court. The official made these remarks to Voice of Hope Radio at his office in Wau.

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At least 8 female inmates in Wau Central Prison, Western Bahr el Ghazal state have expressed anger against mistreatment, citing that they did receive clear procedures of law for the alleged offenses. Therefore they called on governments and courts to revisit their cases.

The women, who are working in different places, like tea places, and restaurants in Hai Daraja speak to Voice of Hope radio.

They say a police car drove and arrested them on their way from work including other women and then they were taken to the police station and on the next day brought before the court.

They added that the security personnel asked them for sexual intercourse or else they would be arrested.

They explain that some of them who accepted to have sex with the security forces men were set free and the rest of them who refused to have sex, were taken to court.

The women elaborate that at the court they were not given a chance to express themselves, however, they were punished by paying an amount of two hundred thousand South Sudanese Pounds and imprisonment for six months.

They said their judgment was unfair and asked the government to revisit their case. The inmates urge the security personnel and courts to stop mistreating citizens in such a way because they are the people who are supposed to protect the law and practice justice.

The deputy director for Women’s Prison, Lucia Angelo Kamin confirms that on Saturday they received a total of nine women at the women’s prison.

She adds that they are working on implementing the order from the court and if these women want justice, but their administration has no jurisdiction cases review.

It is reported that the women were arrested on Friday last week. We couldn’t reach the Ploice immediately comments.

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The Saint Joseph, the Worker Parish Lutaya of the Catholic Diocese of Yei celebrated one year anniversary this week on Monday after reopening. 

The Parish was closed when the 2016 war erupted which sent thousands of people to the refugee camp in the neighboring countries of Uganda and Congo 

The Director of Palica at the Catholic Diocese of Yei; Father Tom Poru Martin says the Parish was reopened on the feast of the annunciation in 2023 during the ordination to priesthood of Father Justin Salah Martin Juma,

Father Tom adds that the most important part of the day is the annunciation of the birth of Jesus Christ by Angel Gabriel 

The PALICA director urges the faithful to have faith and trust in the Lord so that whatever they ask of the Lord will be granted 

Father Tom was delivering his homily at Saint Joseph, the Worker Parish on Monday during the celebration of the feast of Annunciation 

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The new speaker in the Eastern Equatoria State transitional legislative Assembly; Charles Udwar Ukenyi takes oath of office on Monday April 8th 2024 in Torit.

The Eastern Equatoria State speaker of the Transitional Legislative Assembly is second speaker after Severino Maira Janus who was appointed after the 2018 Revitalize Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic South Sudan.

The new speaker; Charles Udwar Ukenyi in his inaugural speech pledges to uphold the principles of open dialogue and inclusivity.

He urges legislators to contribute respectively to the legislative process of the parliament.

“As your speaker I pledge to uphold the principles of open dialogue and inclusivity, this assembly is the platform for the diverse voices to be heard representing the rich tough history of our communities. My commitment is to ensure that every member has the opportunity to contribute respectively to the legislative process of the parliament

The Eastern Equatoria State governor Louis Lobong Lojore directs the parliament to collaborates with the executives in order to mobilize resources locally.

“For the new speaker I welcome you and congratulates your party for choosing you to lead this time the issue of the challenges which have been mentioned by the deputy speaker which also the many people may attributed to the former speaker is not the problem of Eastern Equatoria or of the speaker or the governor it is the general problem of the whole country, delay in salaries, the issue of emolument is not within our capacity, the emolument of the constitutional post holders lies on the responsibility of the national government and it is the president is to ascent into law, I would like the parliament to work in hand with the executives on how we can  mobilize resources locally,” he says.

The Deputy Speaker Betty Hope Awor advises the new speaker to prioritise transparency and accountability given meagre resources and the economic hardship that the country faces.

She added that the state legislative assembly has a lot of challenges like delay of salary delay, emolument act and lack of electric power.

“Given our meagre resources and the economic hardship that South Sudan is facing as a nation it is imperative for us leaders to be transparent to our own people, accountability and transparency is very vital because the reason we are suspicious of one another, then reason we are hearing a lot of rumours circulating on social media is because there is no transparency. We have got a lot of challenges in the parliament and one of them is the delay in the opening of the parliament, because of the renovation that is taking place, we have missed a lot of deliberations, we did not pass the budget of 2023-2024, we do not have the emolument act in place, we have a lot of challenges similar to the salary delay, the emolument act and lack of electric power in the assembly,” she said.

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At least 170 households of internal displaced persons camping at Episcopal Church of South Sudan compound received food aid from CARITAS Yei.

Caritas office in Yei, is the social wing of the Catholic Diocese of Yei. The Faith-based agency on Saturday morning, distributed food assistance to IDPS who were displaced in 2023 from Lata boma Otogo Payam Yei River County

The Emergency and Project Coordinator of the organisation Chapa Wilson Diodone explains that the beneficiaries where given maize flour, beans, sugar and salt and the Project Coordinator further said that the aid support comes from the national office; Caritas South Sudan.

He hopes that the services will be extended to the other sites of the IDPS in Yei.

A direct beneficiary of the project; Sarah Ageni expressed gratitude to CARITAS for the support and calls for continued support

Another IPD Joseph Lumori Kapinda was thrill for the food aid and regrets the increasing commodity prices in the market, leaving many of them without choices, he also claims that his home back in Ombachi was set ablaze.

The speakers made these statements to Radio Easter 94.0 FM during the distribution of the food items at ECSS compound in Yei 

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Trinity Energy on Friday launches a sensitization campaign for the Wau power in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.

Project Manager for Trinity Energy Company Philip Waden says that the launch of a sensitization campaign for the Wau power project underscores Trinity Energy’s dedication to empowering communities and fostering sustainable development in South Sudan.

Philip, assures the people of Western Bahr el Ghazal State that, the project will install power to all residential areas in Wau to address the issue of power in the State.

Area Manager for South Sudan Electricity Cooperation Ernesto Bol Achol urges people not to lose hope that power will not reach their location because many people complain to him that the power didn’t reach their location.

The official made these remarks to the media house on Friday during the Lunching of Trinity Energy sensitization campaign for the Wau power.

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The Bank of South Sudan has warned to punish those doing illegal trading of foreign exchange without a valid license acquired at the Bank of South Sudan.

The Bank Governor Dr. James Alic Garang briefing the media in Juba on Friday 5th April on the measures his institution is taking to control the economy.

He says the Bank of South Sudan has completed phase three of the 45-day grace period and the reorganization of phase four, starting next week from April 8th, 2024.

“By the Foreign Exchange Business Act 2012, and the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Act 2012, it is henceforth illegal to deal in FX trading without a valid license from the Bank of South Sudan.” Dr. A.S. James Alic echoed.

The Governor broadly reiterates that all informal Foreign exchange dealers are required to obtain licenses and comply with the policy directive with immediate effect and urged the law enforcement agencies to diligently enforce this policy to ensure compliance.

“Following the successful completion of Phase III and the elapse of the 45-day grace period, the reorganization of the FX market has reached its final Phase IV, starting on April 8, 2024. 

This phase requires a more collective and coordinated approach as the FX Taskforce cracks down on the illegal trading of foreign currency on the streets of Juba City and throughout the country.”

He discouraged the abnormal hiking selling rate of foreign currencies saying the authorized dealers should ensure a small variability between buying and selling rates relative to the Bank of South Sudan reference rate and encouraged them to display the rates in their areas of operation and should also maintain a right spread.

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