Ugandan President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni believes that South Sudanese are not actually black but blue |Photo: File
South Sudanese on social media are calling on the 76-year-old Ugandan leader, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, to explicitly clarify the meaning of “blue people” and apologize to the nation for the derogatory remarks.
Responding to the insulting remarks made by the Ugandan head of state, the Press Secretary in the Office of the President, Ateny Wek Ateny, called on Museveni to shed light on his statement.
“President Yoweri Museveni himself knows that there are only the white, the Asian and the black people. We never heard of blue people. President Museveni has to explain to the world,” said Ateny Wek, presidential spokesperson.
This is not the first time the Ugandan leader, Museveni has openly insulted the people of South Sudan.
In the last few weeks, Museveni termed the world’s youngest nation, South Sudan, as a laboratory for bad leadership, however, such a remark went unnoticed by the South Sudanese government.
Delivering a speech on New Year’s Eve, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, has urged the people of South Sudan to remain optimistic as the Parties are close to finalizing the pending issues and make announcements in the next few days.
“Fellow citizens, as we are approaching the year 2021, I would like to convey my new year wishes from Juba to all of you across the country.”
“As I mentioned in my Christmas message, 2020 has been a difficult year. We were affected by COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to take human lives and exacted economic toll both in our country and across the globe. Our situation has also been worsened by floods, which have deströyed livelihood of thousands of people in our country,” said Kiir a statement seen by Thessherald.
“We announced deputy governors yesterday and more announcements are imminent,” said President Kiir in his New Year’s message to the people of South Sudan.
On a positive note, Kiir stressed that the current peace agreement is the only viable way to restore peace to the country.
“For this milestone, I would like to congratulate the parties and urge them to use this momentum to quicken the pace of the implementation of the remaining chapters of the agreement. This is because the revitalized peace agreement is the framework for returning our country to permanent stability, and we have no choice other than to implement it faithfully.”
The first refugee receives Covid-19 jab in South Sudan | Photo: UNHCR Thessherald—Refugees in South Sudan are receiving COVID-19 jabs during the rollout of the […]
Hon. Bang Kawich Deng, Deputy Governor of Upper Nile State, James Tor Monybuny and former Minister of Higher Education Dr. John Gai Yoah accorded warm […]
Thessherald—Major General James Ochan Puot, commander of the special forces and his accompanying delegation were warmly welcomed this morning upon their arrival in Maiwut, a […]
As we are approaching the year 2021, I would like to convey my new year wishes from Juba to all of you across the country.As I mentioned in my Christmas message, 2020 has been a difficult year.
We were affected by COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to take human lives and exacted economic toll both in our country and across the globe. Our situation has also been worsened by floods, which have destroyed livelihood of thousands of people in our country.
My heart goes out to those who have lost their loved ones to COVID-19 as well as those who are living in hardships as a result of the flood. While overcome by sadness, we should all be encouraged by how you, ordinary people, have maintained social harmony during this crisis.
Fellow citizens,
We did not travel the rough road of the year 2020 alone. We received support from our regional and international partners, and I would like on your behalf, to sincerely thank them for standing with us at our difficult moment.
The Transitional Government of National Unity recognizes the value of partnership with international organizations and donors, and this is why we have unconditionally offered our cooperation for all these years. On the basis of this believe, I am appealing to all our partners to open a new page of mutual recognition in the year 2021.
For the last seven years of conflict, we have heard statements from our international partners that have wilfully ignored South Sudanese leaders, while pledging to work with our people.
We, as the leadership have only been asked us to fulfil our obligations in approving humanitarian access, but these obligations demanded from us seem to have no corresponding rights. The South Sudanese, leadership in this conception has obligations to approve things, but has no rights to be treated as a genuine partner.
Today, I would like to underscore that there are some aspects of our responsibility that require genuine cooperation, especially now the Transitional Government of National Unity is in place. To our partners, there is more to be achieved in our collaborative work by mutual recognition than in a language that undermines.
Fellow Citizens,
I am aware that the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement is moving slowly. This slow progress is not due to lack of political will from the parties, it comes from the fact that the agreement itself did cater for everything.
“This requires the parties to work out these areas through dialogue. While it has taken long, I am pleased to announce that the parties have reached a substantive agreement on responsibility sharing, except for the position of the governor of Upper Nile state.”
This agreement has paved the way for the parties to submit the proposed names of candidates for legislatures and states government officials. Although the announcement of state government officials and the reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, will come in phases, I can assure you that it has already started.
We announced deputy governors yesterday and more announcements are imminent. For this milestone, I would like to congratulate the parties and urge them to use this momentum to quicken the pace of the implementation of the remaining chapters of the agreement. This is because the revitalized peace agreement is the framework for returning our country to permanent stability, and we have no choice other than to implement it faithfully.
Fellow citizens,
While work continues on the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement, we are also engaging Holdout Groups through the Rome Process to make the quest for peace in our country inclusive.
These talks are now progressing under the guidance of Sant’Egidio Community, and I would like to appeal to my brothers and sisters in South Sudan Opposition Alliance to see this as an opportunity to silence the guns in our country.
The Transitional Government of National Unity is committed to Sant’Egidio mediation, and we are hopeful that tangible progress will be achieved in the next round. Fellow citizens, Let us all work to silence the guns in 2021.
This will allow us to focus on directing our resources to national development priorities such as service provision to our people. May this year be the year of peace and hope for us here in South Sudan and for humanity. Stay united and I wish you happy and prosperous new year, and may God bless our country, South Sudan.
Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan
David Shearer is the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for South Sudan and head of the UN Mission in South Sudan | Photo: UNMISS.
Press Release | Head of UNMISS David Shearer
December 2020 (Thessherald)–This year has been one of the most challenging we may face in our lifetime given the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all our lives, right across the world. Whether we are UNMISS peacekeepers or citizens of South Sudan, we have all suffered. Some of us have lost family, friends and colleagues to the virus.
“But COVID has also had a serious impact on our ability to carry out important activities, supporting communities across the country.”
Despite this, UNMISS has remained committed to our lifesaving and lifechanging work in South Sudan. We stand strong beside you because we know that if our work stops, many more people will die from hunger, disease and conflict. They will be lost because of COVID-19.
It’s been really pleasing to see some of the progress on the peace process this year. The Revitalized Government has been formed. States and counties have been allocated. And nine governors have been appointed. That’s all positive, although it’s taken much longer than we would have wished.
Meanwhile, many people continue to suffer because of the persistent problems plaguing the country, brought about by intercommunal conflict, flooding this year, and extreme poverty. There’s still much we need to do to protect vulnerable civilians and build peace.
I’d like to thank all of you – the people of South Sudan – for being our partner in peace, for working alongside UNMISS to build a brighter future, one that is peaceful and, ultimately, prosperous for all citizens.
I’d like to wish you a very Merry Christmas for all of you who celebrate this occasion and a peaceful new year for those who don’t. Please take care of yourselves and your families over the holiday season. I look forward to continuing our work with you in 2021.
David Shearer is the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for South Sudan and head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The first refugee receives Covid-19 jab in South Sudan | Photo: UNHCR Thessherald—Refugees in South Sudan are receiving COVID-19 jabs during the rollout of the […]
Hon. Bang Kawich Deng, Deputy Governor of Upper Nile State, James Tor Monybuny and former Minister of Higher Education Dr. John Gai Yoah accorded warm […]
Thessherald—Major General James Ochan Puot, commander of the special forces and his accompanying delegation were warmly welcomed this morning upon their arrival in Maiwut, a […]
The Upper Nile State Conference is expected to be held in the capital, Juba, from December 16 to 19, and will attract about 500 participants across the country as well as neighboring countries.
Dec 14, 2020 (Thessherald)–On December 9, 2020, the Presidency held its forth meeting in which it decided to declare the formation of the nine (9) states and local governments except the government of Upper Nile State and its counties.
The Presidency also decided to convene a peace and reconciliation conference for all the communities of Upper Nile State in Juba. The conference shall run for three (3) days under the theme:
“Peace, Reconciliation, Healing and Unity among the people of Upper Nile State”.
2: Background
Upper NileStateis home to five (5) ethnic groups namely the Chollo, the Dinka, the Koma, the Maban and the Nuer. These diverse communities have been living together in harmony since time immemorial. Their social, cultural and linguistic co-existence has been cemented by long history of intermarriages and neighborliness. This social cohesion reflects the unique relationship between them.
For centuries, there has been no history of devastating conflict and enmity among the people of Upper Nile. However, twe isolated incidents, to be recalled, occured in 1973 (The Hippopotamus Incident) between the Chollo and the Nuer, and on the day of the CPA Celebration in January 2009 at the Malakal stadium between Chollo and Dinka, were amicably contained.
The major violence in history breakout on December 23, 2013, following the Juba December 15, 2013 crisis, resulted in the loss of many innocent lives and property among the five communities.
The violence has awfully devastated the state infrastructure, forced many people to seek refuge in the United Nations Protection of Civilian Sites (PoCs), displaced others internally and created an exodus of refugees neighboring countries, and destroyed the social fabric of the communities.
However, the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS of 2018) provides an opportunity for the people of Upper Nile to reconcile, heal, unitr, and restore the social fabric of their society as well as rebuild their State.
3: Objectives:
The objectives of the conference are to:–
• Provide a platform for the people of Upper Nile State to dialogue among themselves and address their grievances;
• Enhance the process of peace. reconciliation, liealing and unity among the affected communities;
• Restore the destroyed social fabric and peacefal co-existence; and
• Encourage the return and resettlement of the internally displaced persons, refugees and POCS residents in Malakal and elsewhere into their homes.
4: Participants
The conference under the sponsorship of the RTGNOU is estimated to bring together around four hundred and ninety-six (496) participants from all political and social spectrum of the communities of Upper Nile State.
The breakdown of invited delegates from different locations inside and outside South Sudan is as follows:
Cognizant of the report of the Tribal Boundaries Commission (TBC) on the tribal boundaries in dispute in South Sudan; and the reverting of the country to ten states recognizing Upper Nile State as the geographical, administrative and political entity as it stood in January 1956, the sons and daughters of Upper Nile State shall engage in an all-inclusive dialogue amongst themselves to address, among other things, the following:
a) Reconciliation and Healing
• b) Cohesion among the communities living in the State;
• c) Civil Administration of the State, especially the redress of the status of the civil servants that were laid off without due procedures of the civil service;
• d) Cooperation among the political leaders in order to develop the State; and
In the light of the above, the Upper Nile Conference shall be held in Juba at Freedom Hall from 16 to 19 December, 2020 under the patronage of HE. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan and under chairmanship of the First Vice President, H.E. Dr Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon.
Dec 7, 2020 (Thessherald)–Hon. Paul Mayom Akec is on roller-coaster campaign to replace his boss General Salva Kiir Mayardit comes geneal elections or before. He employed confusional theory to penetrate and dislocate high command in his sucession political strategy. His conviction in ascending to power/presidency is that one MUST have both soft and hard powers.
When he was appointed as Minister for Trade and Industry, Ministry’s monthly remittances of 40,000,000 ssp to treasury became issue of the pass instead money ended up in his personal account until he was fired and reassigned to Interior docket. As Minister of Interior, he felt this is never-come back opportunity in realisation of his dream of attaining both soft and hard powers. He is brutally siphoning out money using fake business companies of his sons where multi-million dollar contracts are being ghostly delivered and payment ordered to treasury. He managed to corruptly disbursed 470,000,000 ssp meant for disarmament in Bhar El Ghazal for his presidential campaign. Strategic deployment of trusted officers is taking place for smooth implementation of his agenda.
On 19th October, 2020, Hon. Paul Mayom Akec dispatched team of young men led by Machar Mayuen to Rumbek purposely to meet with chiefs of Aliam-toc. This team was equipped and loaded with cash of 30,000,000 ssp plus 50 fairs of Kaunda suits to be distributed to chiefs. Highest escourt of about 6 armed bodyguards from NSS division left with them from Juba and additional force by Governor was given to them through instructions of Interior Minister Hon. Paul Mayom Akec for mission to village called Maleng-Agok.
In the first meeting in Maleng-Agok, declaration was made by team leader Mr. Machar Mayuen to chiefs that lets stand with your son Hon. Paul Mayom Akec in his quest for top leadership of this country in present of Gov. Makur Kulang Liei. Invited Chiefs didn’t go down well with it and commotion almost ensued and luckily Governor Makur Kuland intervened and calm down situation. Chiefs even threaten to return gifts that were given to them by Hon. Paul Mayom Akec to his prophet of doom Ambassador Mr. Machar Mayuen. On 2nd, Dec, 2020, Hon. Paul Mayom Akec sent 6,000,000 ssp to one of his presidential grassroot campaign managers name withheld through Ivory Bank in Rumbek. This amount meant for chiefs that didnt benefited in first trip headed by Machar Mayuen.
“Absolute power corrupt absolutely” Machaivaili. When Hon. Paul Mayom Akec appointed to Ministry of Interior, he corruptly ordered directors of custom and Immigration to mobalised 5 million dallors for him. He bought mansion near Panaroma Hotel next to Logali House at cost of 3 million dollar and bullet-proof V8 at cost of 200,000 dollars while rest to his account. As we speak, Hon. Paul Mayom Akec is in court over recently bought house worth 3 million dollars. Owner of house came up and helplessly Hon. Paul Mayom Akec is battling with case that will attract highest public interest in this country.
For diversion of public attention from his presidential ambition, Hon. Paul Mayom Akec recruited group of young men to publicly tarnish imagine of Hon. Nhail Deng Nhail using medium of social media and at tea places. Hon. Paul Mayom Akec sought Hon. Nhial Deng Nhail to account for the attacks in terms of a conspiracy theory. This group of young men includes but not limited to; Machar Mayuen, Deng Mayom Akec, his son and Marier Mading from GIB finance department.
They are on financial hiring to massacre great reputation of Hon. Nhail Deng Nhail. Marier Mading from GIB finance department is chief administrator of 64 tribes and source privy to this classified information leaked to our intelligent network that this young man is behind publications of dirty articles against leaders in 64tribes. For your information Mr. Marier Mading soonest, you will face wrath of justice and never shall your masters come for your rescue. Ongoing political bickering and brinkmanship which dominates social media eminates from this group. Sole purpose of Hon. Paul Mayom hiring these young men is to tricker revolt within Warrap with end goal of tearing their political, social and economic cohesion.This is pure ploy of shifting focus of public to wrong person in name of Hon. Nhail Deng Nhail.
These malicious activities are being co-funded by corrupt former police Maj. General who was retired from SSNPS because of corruption by President Salva Kiir Mayardit in person of Maj. Gen. Simon Majur Pabek. In 2018, Maj. Gen. Simon Majur Pabek ordered girl by name Adhieu Mading at gun point to have forceful marital affair with him unfortunately he ended up in jail because the love went sour. Now, given his thirty for corruption which earned him such youthful retirement from SSNPS active service, Maj. Gen. Simon Majur Pabek currently is a frustrated man mingling with sots in bars and hooking up with many prostitutes of no human worthiness. Hon. Paul Mayom Akec is on emotional roller-coaster and meeting him with salutation of him being future president of South Sudan earns any visitor 2,000,000 ssp. This presidential madness made him indiscriminately fighting with any diehard or mere supporter of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
In conclusion, Hon. Paul Mayom Akec in 2001 whispered to late Gen. Deng Aluk, ( R.I.P) that never develop anyone either politically or economically. This school of though is what Hon. Paul Mayom Akec is implementing and Agaar sons and daughters are victims of this bad school of thought. Lets not make mistake that this ruthless old man can developed neither support anybody apart from his sons and daughters.
The author is a concerned South Sudanese citizen and can be reached via email: dengatak@gmail.com
Note: The views expressed in the ‘Opinion’ section are sole responsibility of individual authors and will take full responsibility, liability and blame for any libel or litigation that results from something written in or as a direct result of something written in a comment. The South Sudan Herald is not liable for any comment submitted by individuals or authors and reserves the right to delete any opinion piece for any reason whatsoever.
Should you wish to submit your opinion piece or analysis, kindly contact us at: thessherald@gmail.com
The first refugee receives Covid-19 jab in South Sudan | Photo: UNHCR Thessherald—Refugees in South Sudan are receiving COVID-19 jabs during the rollout of the […]
Hon. Bang Kawich Deng, Deputy Governor of Upper Nile State, James Tor Monybuny and former Minister of Higher Education Dr. John Gai Yoah accorded warm […]
Thessherald—Major General James Ochan Puot, commander of the special forces and his accompanying delegation were warmly welcomed this morning upon their arrival in Maiwut, a […]
Nov 16, 2020 (Thessherald)–The South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir Mayardit has agreed to appoint the SPLM-in-opposition nominee, General Johnson Olony Thambo, as governor of Upper Nile state, a senior opposition official told Eye Radio.
The appointment of General Olony – a top military commander of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), has long overdue, pouring cold water on the two Parties’ efforts to work together in the unity government.
According to the Peace Agreement, three states, including Upper Nile state, were allocated to the main opposition group, SPLM-IO. However, President Kiir has been skeptical about appointing the opposition nominee, citing that Olony is not committed to being part of the agreement and might drag the country into another war.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) – a regional bloc brokering South Sudanese peace talks – has been blamed for taking a back seat as the parties struggle to break the impasse over pending issues.
Analysts have warned that if the parties do not speed up implementation of the peace agreement, there will be frustration and that the forces being trained may abandon their training centers.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit and main opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar signed a peace agreement in 2018, ending years of violence that has killed hundreds of people and displaced millions from their homes.
The first refugee receives Covid-19 jab in South Sudan | Photo: UNHCR Thessherald—Refugees in South Sudan are receiving COVID-19 jabs during the rollout of the […]
Hon. Bang Kawich Deng, Deputy Governor of Upper Nile State, James Tor Monybuny and former Minister of Higher Education Dr. John Gai Yoah accorded warm […]
Thessherald—Major General James Ochan Puot, commander of the special forces and his accompanying delegation were warmly welcomed this morning upon their arrival in Maiwut, a […]
President Kiir wants the country reverted 10 states |Photo: File
Nov 9, 2020 (Thessherald)– The South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir Mayardit is planning to return the country to controversial 32 states, according to senior government officials interviewed by Sudans Post on Monday.
This comes as the president reportedly met with the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE)- an informal group of elders – to discuss the stalled implementation of the peace agreement.
“There was a meeting of the Jieng Council of Elders on Saturday and President Salva [had] made it very clear to the people who attended the meeting that he wants to return the country to thirty-two states,” the official revealed on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisal.
“As you have seen the reaction of the citizens of some counties of Upper Nile states against that decision [to return to ten states], this is affecting the implementation of the agreement and any way forward must base on the 32 states for a successful implementation of the revitalized peace agreement,” the official added.
President Kiir, who appears to have been emboldened by the recent change of administration in the United States, is expected to visit Washington two weeks before the inauguration of the newly elected US President, Joe Biden, in January 2020.
Today, President Kiir congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their election victory.
“On behalf of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity and People of South Sudan, I congratulate President-elect Joseph R. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Devi Harris for winning the trust of the American people,” the Office of the President said on Monday.
“We look forward to working constructively with your administration to build on our historic relations with the goal of consolidating peace in South Sudan, the region and globally. Once again, congratulations for winning the trust of American people.”
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit wipes his face with a pink handkerchief | Photo : File/Thessherald)
November 8, 2020 (Thessherald)–After I have read many statements released by President Kiir on the graduation of the [Necessary Unified Forces], I came to learn that President Kiir gives excuses for the graduation of the reunified national army because he needs to frustrate those recruits so that they can desert the training centers.
He makes sure that they starve so that they can point their fingers at the leadership of the SPLM/A-IO. President Kiir said that there are no guns to graduate those forces because the UN had imposed an arms embargo on South Sudan, that is not true since President Kiir and his cohorts purchased weapons in the last two years without a hindrance.
If one tries to analyze the reasons why President Kiir is not interested in passing out those forces, one would find that he does not want his militias to be transformed into a professional national army that he will not be able to control.
He needs to make sure that he creates a rift between Dr. Riek Machar and his commanders, in which he needs to portray Dr. Machar as someone who has abandoned his forces for his gain. In all whatever he does, he tries his best to create a misunderstanding between Dr. Riek Machar and those in charge of his forces.
Based on my perspective, he needs to see that all forces of the SPLM/A-IO that are in the training centers to desert so that he can abrogate that peace easily, and his main target is to see that some SPLA-IO commanders defect to his party, SPLM-IG or they can start the war to arrest Dr. Machar and his colleagues who went to Juba without forces. Now, President Salva Kiir and his cohorts are very happy because they have guaranteed Dr. Machar; he is protected by his forces, so he thinks he has no power.
If war erupts today, he will detain Dr. Machar and his colleagues. Dr. Machar and his colleagues will either pay their allegiance to President Kiir and denounce their commanders as warmongers or maybe he will arrest them if they fail to denounce whatever decision those commanders on the ground will take.
There is another reason behind the delay in the graduation of forces, President Kiir fears that his government may be hit by a massive protest against the deplorable economic conditions that our people are going through in the entire country. The fear that President Kiir will kill people when they go to the streets will disappear when people see a new unified national army, police, and national security patrolling the streets of Juba.
If the forces are unified, there is a likelihood that the reforms may be implemented as stipulated in the peace agreement. Once the unified forces and the Revitalized Transitional National Legislature (R-TNL) are in place, there is a likelihood that the Hybrid Court will be set up to try those who committed heinous crimes against our people, and this does not favor him.
As I am writing, President Kiir prays days and nights to hear a declaration of war on the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGNU) by Lt. Gen. Gatwec Dual aka Gen. Chuäny.
He is eager to hear any news that will come from the SPLA-IO General Headquarters that may state that those commanders won’t be part of peace in Juba. He needs Gen. Gatwec Dual and his colleagues to run out of patience to declare war on the R-TGNU. All the delays everyone sees are meant to frustrate the SPLM/A-IO cadres to declare war on the unity government or they may switch their allegiance to him.
The writer is a concerned South Sudanese citizen and political commentator.
Note: The views expressed in the ‘Opinion’ section are sole responsibility of individual authors and will take full responsibility, liability and blame for any libel or litigation that results from something written in or as a direct result of something written in a comment. The South Sudan Herald is not liable for any comment submitted by individuals or authors and reserves the right to delete any opinion piece for any reason whatsoever.
Should you wish to submit your opinion piece or analysis, kindly contact us at: thessherald@gmail.com
November 4, 2020 (Thessherald)–UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the inclusion of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and spontaneous refugee returnees in the National Dialogue Conference, which began today in Juba, South Sudan, and will last until November 14.
With nearly 2.2 million South Sudanese refugees hosted in neighbouring countries and another 1.6 million persons displaced within the country, ensuring that their voices and views continue to be part of this dialogue is essential for the inclusiveness of the process.
“Refugees and IDPs can and do contribute to the resolution of the conflicts that uprooted them. Involving them in this National Dialogue with their compatriots helps to build long-lasting peace, including through durable solutions to displacement and improving conditions in the areas of return,” explains newly arrived UNHCR Representative Arafat Jamal. ‘On this, my first day in South Sudan, I am heartened to see South Sudanese from all walks of life working together to forge greater harmony through honest and focused interchange.’
On the event’s agenda are thematic discussions on the economy, governance, security and social cohesion. Participation of forcibly displaced to this Conference provides them with a platform where to address issues affecting all South Sudanese, ensuring they play a central role in the revitalized peace efforts along with fellow citizens.
While in person attendance would have been preferred, the various travel requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic did not allow for this possibility at this time. To facilitate inclusion of refugee and IDPs’ voices and views in the National Dialogue, UNHCR has organised internet access for a dozen participants to participate virtually from six asylum countries, namely the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda, and 28 IDP and IDP returnees across South Sudan, in close coordination with the National Dialogue Conference’s organizers.
This comes after UNHCR partnership with the National Dialogue Sub-Committee for Refugees and International Outreach, formed in 2017 to facilitate the participation of South Sudanese residing outside the country. With this aim, the sub-committee travelled to four countries of asylum, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia in 2019, providing South Sudanese refugees with the opportunity to contribute towards this important part of the peace process. IDPs were also included in several grass-rooted consultations held in different South Sudan locations ahead of this Conference.
