South Sudan: IOM, UNHCR concerned about risks relocating refugees & returnees from border areas

“This tragic and senseless incident puts into question our entire strategy to relocate refugees arriving in South Sudan through Abyei to a safe location in Wedweil, where we opened a new settlement to receive refugees fleeing the Sudan crisis,” said Marie-Helene Verney, UNHCR Country Representative, who is also currently serving as the acting Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan. Read more.

From Radio Tamazuj
Dated Friday, 15 December 2023 - here is a copy in full:

IOM, UNHCR concerned about risks in relocating refugees and returnees from border areas

Returnees and refugees from Sudan in Renk, Upper Nile State. (File photo)

(JUBA CITY) - Two separate incidents have brought to the forefront the major challenges humanitarian agencies are facing in South Sudan, a joint IOM and UNHCR statement said earlier in the week.

In the first incident, two refugees were tragically killed in an attack against a convoy organized by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) transporting Sudanese refugees from Abyei to the Wedweil refugee settlement. On the same day, a boat facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) began taking on water due to high winds and rough water – all on board were moved to different boats and proceeded safely to Malakal.

According to the UN agencies, the two incidents highlight the considerable challenges that humanitarian partners are facing trying to help refugees and South Sudanese who are fleeing the fighting in Sudan to reach safety.

The boat began taking on water on Wednesday morning as it was attempting to leave the port of Kodok, in Upper Nile State. Local authorities and humanitarian partners immediately launched a rescue operation and all on board are now accounted for and safe, the joint statement said.

Since the start of the Sudan crisis in April, IOM has moved more than 105,000 people out of Renk by river and another 59,000 by plane to their final destinations across the country.

“Transport by river remains the only viable option to move returning South Sudanese arriving through the Joda Border Crossing Point to Malakal, and from there to their final destination,” said John McCue, IOM Chief of Mission in South Sudan. “The risks and challenges are huge but keeping people in Renk is not an option as reception sites are overcrowded and provision of basic services is stretched to breaking point.”

In the other incident, two refugees were abducted on Wednesday morning as they were crossing Twic County, Warrap State on their way from Abyei to the refugee settlement of Wedweil, near Aweil in Northern Bahr-e-Ghazal State onboard a UNHCR convoy. The vehicle carrying the two refugees was surrounded by armed youth who forced all onboard to alight and abducted two men, one 21-year-old, and the other - 62, both from Sudan’s Blue Nile State. Local authorities later reported that both of them had been found dead. The rest of the convoy made its way safely to Wedweil.

“This tragic and senseless incident puts into question our entire strategy to relocate refugees arriving in South Sudan through Abyei to a safe location in Wedweil, where we opened a new settlement to receive refugees fleeing the Sudan crisis,” said Marie-Helene Verney, UNHCR Country Representative, who is also currently serving as the acting Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan.

“Humanitarian partners have taken the lion's share of the immensely challenging job of moving people in distress who arrived at the South Sudan border fleeing for safety, however, the responsibility of ensuring that returnees, refugees, and humanitarian workers are safe lies firmly with the South Sudan’s Government” she added.

Both agencies called for renewed efforts from the Government to facilitate transportation of refugees and returnees to safe locations.

According to the UN, more than 438,000 people have arrived in South Sudan to escape the conflict in Sudan since April, of which 365,000 South Sudanese and 71,000 refugees. More than 24,000 refugees are stuck in Renk to the refugee camps in Maban County, Upper Nile State due to the current conditions. The road from Maban to Renk has been destroyed by the rains and while UNHCR is currently working on repairs, it has been requesting that the relevant ministries, as well as the private sector, take their share of the works.

 

View original:

https://www.radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/iom-unhcr-concerned-about-risks-in-relocating-refugees-and-returnees-from-border-areas

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South Sudan named in most dangerous countries to visit - “security” highest warning level of “extreme”

Report from The Independent - independent.co.uk/news/world
By Helen Coffey
Dated Friday, 15 December 2023 - here is a copy in full:

World’s most dangerous countries to visit in 2024 revealed

Lebanon, Palestinian Territories and Russia have all seen notable risk rating increases

The world’s most dangerous countries to visit in 2024 have been revealed in a new study.

South Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya and Somalia were named as the riskiest nations in the 2024 risk map compiled by medical and security consultancy International SOS.

The annual map assesses various factors to inform travellers and businesses about potential threats in countries across the globe.

It pulls together medical and security risk ratings, reflecting the impact of events such as the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas.

This year, for the first time, the map also includes ratings based on the dangers of climate change, after International SOS saw a rising trend in the number of climate-related alerts being issued to clients as rising global temperatures increased health risks around the world.

The data, compiled by Inform (a collaboration between the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change and Joint Research Centre of European Commission), estimates the future risk of humanitarian crises and disasters caused by climate change.

“Just one example, the extreme heat events this year, with the first ever named heatwave Cerberus hitting Europe, may become commonplace,” said Dr Irene Lai, global medical director at International SOS.

“In addition to the physical impacts of extreme heat, there can be significant negative effects on mental health. It is essential businesses plan for this, adapting our way of living and working to protect health, while also taking steps to slow and eventually reverse the trend in rising temperatures.”

Countries were graded for each category of risk – medical, security and climate change – on a five-level scale ranging from “low” to “very high” for medical and climate change, and “insignificant” to “extreme” for security.

For “security”, Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, South Sudan, Central African Republic and Somalia were all given the highest warning level of “extreme”.

Parts of Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Russia and across the Sahel all saw increases in security risk, alongside Ecuador and parts of Colombia following a rise in criminality and unrest.

View original: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/most-dangerous-countries-world-2024-b2464568.html

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Sudan & South Sudan: Nicholas Haysom (UNMISS) Briefing to UNSC on situation in Sudan & South Sudan

HERE is a video showing a Summary Briefing to the UN Security Council today (14 Dec) by Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), on the situation in the region. 

Note, the US is the penholder on South Sudan. The UK is the penholder on Sudan. Ecuador currently holds Security Council Presidency. The presidency of the Council is held by each of the members in turn for one month, following the English alphabetical order of the Member States names. Click here to see list for 2023 and 2024. France holds the presidency in Jan 2024.

 

View original: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k19/k19agdmbaa

Here is a full copy of Mr. Haysom's Briefing:

Statement by Mr. Nicholas Haysom
Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS
United Nations Security Council Briefing
14 December 2023

As delivered

Mr. President,

1. Thank you for the opportunity to brief this Council on the situation in South Sudan.

2. As we conclude the year, it is appropriate to take stock of the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, particularly as it relates to the milestone of elections, currently scheduled for December 2024, a process which would see South Sudan's transitional period brought to a close.

Update on implementation

3. With only 11 months remaining, the pace of overall implementation towards this objective has been uneven.

4. The Transitional Security Arrangements -- which are agreed to by the parties--remain significantly behind schedule. This is concerning because the Necessary Unified Forces are critical in providing a secure environment to protect civilians before, during and after elections. While recent actions have been taken, there are distinct challenges to the full deployment of the unified forces; chief among them, the distribution of salaries and equipment, and their operationalization under a single unified command especially the appointment of the middle ranks, agreement on which is yet to be achieved.

5. With regard to the permanent constitution making process, it is now 15 months behind the timeline set out in the roadmap and the Revitalised Agreement. The adoption of an amended constitution was agreed to by the parties as a prerequisite for the finalisation of the electoral legal framework and the subsequent holding of the elections. Unfortunately, work on the amendment of the constitution has not properly started although the National Constitutional Review Committee has at last been established.

6. I acknowledge the appointment of members of the National Election Commission, the Political Parties Council, and the National Constitution Review Commission. However, except in the case of the Political Parties Council, complaints have been raised by the opposition as to whether the composition of these bodies is in line with the Revitalised Agreement concerning the gender quota, and agreements on nominees as between the parties. This has led to controversy and the stalling of the swearing-in of the members of these two committees. It is now critical that these bodies are operationalised and resourced with the necessary funding to begin undertaking their considerable responsibilities.

7. In July, the Trilateral Mechanism that is the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and IGAD presented a list of 10 questions to be answered by the parties, to create clarity on the elections, including on such issues as the level at which elections will be held, the participation of refugees, and various mechanisms for administration of elections and handling of complaints. The questions also highlighted the importance of agreeing on a voter registration process, the census or any other acceptable source of population data. These questions have so far not been dealt with by the parties, nor an appropriate legal framework set up to resolve these issues.

8. To facilitate movement towards common ground amongst the parties on the proper preparations for the elections, UNMISS has convened Political Party Forums, engaged with Faith Based leaders, Civil Society organisation, IDPs, refugees, and other stakeholders. We have stressed that these decisions should be made in conformity with the peace agreement and in a manner that discourages unilateral decisions, encourages consensus and embodies constructive proposals on how to conduct credible elections by December 2024 in the face of missed timelines. And we have stressed that these decisions can only be made by the South Sudanese themselves.

Indispensable prerequisites

9. Comparative experience suggests that elections are a likely trigger for the relapse into violence in societies emerging from conflict unless adequate time, resources and confidence building measures are invested in their preparations: underscoring notably, the need for agreement amongst the contending parties. South Sudan faces a similar risk and requires the same investment to avoid conflict.

10. Member states have enquired of UNMISS as to whether the country can be considered capable of holding free, fair, credible, and especially peaceful elections. We have clearly stated that, as matters stand now, the country is not yet in a position to hold credible elections, a view shared by almost all key stakeholders across the political spectrum. The consequential question raised by this conclusion is what conditions and institutions must be in place for such an election to be possible and by when will those conditions have to be in place for the elections to meet the December 2024 deadline.

11. The necessary conditions which must be met for these elections are identified in the Secretary General's report before you and include: that a new 'permanent' constitutional framework be in place; that properly trained and equipped unified forces are deployed; that an operational election security plan has been formulated; a clear electoral framework be agreed upon; election institutions and mechanisms be in place; and voter registration modalities and electoral dispute resolution mechanisms are agreed through consensus. There must be an agreed code of conduct for political parties, establishing the parameters of acceptable political behaviour and which allows for a more open political and civic space than the one that currently exists in the country.

12. A "critical mass" of these pre-requisites is necessary for creating the conditions for the conduct of elections that are not only free and fair but also deemed credible and acceptable to South Sudanese citizens. The process of agreeing on these conditions must be one that builds trust in the electoral institutions and acceptance of the outcomes by all participants.

13. Based on consultations with electoral experts, it is our considered view that the critical mass of the pre-requisites outlined above must be in place by April 2024 if peaceful elections are to be conducted by December 2024.

UN Electoral Support

14. We believe that with the necessary political will, a sense of urgency and compromise, the South Sudanese could indeed establish the conditions for elections in December 2024. In support of South Sudan's electoral efforts and as part of a first Phase of preparations, UNMISS is itself actively engaged in promoting an enabling environment for elections through repurposing its staff within existing resources. This involves providing capacity-building support to establish trusted electoral management bodies and a political environment encompassing the necessary political and civic space for a real competitive process.

15. Scaling up UN electoral assistance under Phase 2 would involve concrete logistical and similar support for the conduct of the actual elections; and it remains contingent upon the progress achieved on the pre-requisites by April 2024. This scaling up will, therefore, be also subject to the support of Member States and the consequent availability of necessary resources. While this does not preclude South Sudan opting to proceed with elections without these conditions in place, however, it does serve as a yardstick for the international community's support for an election which would be a nation building event rather than a divisive exercise.

Partnerships and Engagements

16. UNMISS recognises, Mr. President, that creating conditions for peaceful elections requires the support of the international community. For our part, this requires UNMISS to act in partnership with the Member States, the AU, IGAD, EU and the Troika. And in this regard, I have recently engaged with the governments of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda as well as the IGAD Secretariat and AU Peace and Security Council who have all confirmed an appreciation of the importance of preventing a relapse into violence and for the conduct of peaceful elections in South Sudan. The African Union Peace and Security Council has requested the Trilateral (that is the IGAD, AU and UNMISS) mechanism to jointly brief them on the constitution making process and the status of election preparation in February 2024.

17. I have similarly engaged with national stakeholders and can confirm that there is broad support for elections, but there is also apprehension and concern about the lack of professional preparations and consultations for such elections.

Protection of civilians

Mr. President,

18. The dire economic situation of the country and the resulting competition over diminishing resources at the subnational level, the influx of returnees from Sudan, climate shocks and a fragile political environment, suggests that elections in South Sudan would take place in an environment of elevated tensions. If these risks are not mitigated, then the threat to civilians remains real. UNMISS remains committed to the protection of civilians and prioritizes it as a key mandated task. The Mission is implementing proactive measures aimed at mitigating the risks of pre-electoral, electoral, and post-electoral violence, with a focus on maintaining a robust presence in potential hotspots through existing and new temporary operating bases, team sites, fortifying rapidly deployable reserves of peacekeepers, extensive patrolling, and building on our political and civil engagement at the community and national levels.

19. The humanitarian situation in the country has reached alarming proportions, where two-thirds of the population is now food insecure. Competing global priorities have negatively impacted international humanitarian assistance. This requires that South Sudanese leaders invest more resources towards humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of their people. As of 12^th^ December, 434,000 people had crossed into South Sudan since the start of the Sudan conflict in mid-April, which means the humanitarian caseload in South Sudan is only growing.

20. South Sudan remains a dangerous place for our humanitarian partners to operate in and where many have made the ultimate sacrifice. I call on the Government of South Sudan to enable safe and unfettered humanitarian access throughout the country and hold to account perpetrators responsible for attacks against humanitarians and the looting of humanitarian aid destined for the most vulnerable.

21. It is now time for the government of South Sudan to take decisive actions to address these challenges and put in place conditions that not only lead to peaceful and credible elections but also deliver genuine peace dividends and stability after a vote.

22. Finally, 2024 is anticipated to be a difficult and challenging year for UNMISS, for South Sudan, its people and the region, UNMISS reiterates that it will discharge its mandate to the best of its ability.

I thank you.

View original: https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/statement-mr-nicholas-haysom-special-representative-secretary-general-and-head-unmiss-united-nations-security-council-briefing-14-december-2023

_____________

Related Reports

SC/15531 - Thursday, 14 December 2023

South Sudan Not Ready for Conducting Credible Elections, Special Representative Tells Security Council, Outlining Important Prerequisites to Be Met

https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15531.doc.htm

What’s In Blue - Wednesday, 13 December 2023

South Sudan: Briefing and Consultations

https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2023/12/south-sudan-briefing-and-consultations-23.php

SG/SM/22083 - Wednesday, 13 December 2023

Secretary-General Reiterates United Nations Commitment towards Supporting Mediation Efforts of Its African Partners to Restore Peace in Sudan

https://press.un.org/en/2023/sgsm22083.doc.htm

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S. Sudan: 1 killed, 4 wounded at Abyei-Twic border

From Radio Tamazuj
Dated Thursday, 14 December 2023 - here is a full copy:

One killed, four wounded at Abyei-Twic border

The authorities of Warrap State's Twic County and Abyei Special Administrative Area (ASAA) on Wednesday traded accusations over fresh fighting along their border in which one person died and four others were injured.

The fighting happened in Malual Aleu village in the Athony area.

Twic County Commissioner Simon Aguek accused armed Ngok Dinka youth from Abyei of attacking the youth in his county.

“Armed youth from Abyei clashed with armed youth from Twic in Malual Aleu village which is claimed by Twic County and Abyei and one person from my side was killed and four people were wounded on Tuesday and the injured are admitted in Mayen Abun Hospital,” he said.

Aguek also said that two Twic youths who were traveling in a vehicle belonging to the UNHCR were kidnapped by the Abyei youth.

“I am now in the meeting with UNHCR officials who want to know the whereabouts of two youths who were taken out of their car by youth suspected to be from Abyei,” he added.

Meanwhile, Abyei Information Minister Bulis Koch accused armed youth from Twic County of erecting an illegal checkpoint in Abyei which angered the local youth.

“On Tuesday there were clashes between our armed youth and those of Twic because they (Twic youth) erected another illegal checkpoint in Athony area near Malual Aleu village and Abyei area youth clashed with them (Twic armed youth) and four youth from Twic County were shot and Abyei youth never experienced any injuries or losses, he said. “What Twic did was bad because they beheaded two youths from Abyei during the past incident in Ayuok village and money was put in their mouths.  It is something inhuman and this was known when Twic armed youth posted it on Social media. I will share these pictures with you today.”

Minister Koch also accused the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and SSPDF of not protecting the civilians of Abyei.

"That was why the civil society organizations in Abyei protested and called for the removal of the UNISFA commander because they respond only after an incident or when fighting has stopped,” he stated. “The same thing is also done by the SSPDF. They are near where two groups of youth clashed and they did not come out to stop the fighting.”

View original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/one-killed-four-wounded-at-abyei-twic-border

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S. Sudan: UNSC condemns violence in Warrap State, Abyei underscoring the importance of UNISFA role

From Radio Tamazuj
Dated Tuesday, 12 December 2023 - here is a copy in full:

UN Security Council condemns violence in Warrap State, Abyei

The members of the UN Security Council on Monday [11 Dec] strongly condemned the violence in Warrap State in South Sudan and the southern parts of the Abyei Administrative Area that claimed approximately 75 lives in November 2023, and 10 lives in Abyei in early December 2023 respectively.

In a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj, the members of the Security Council noted with grave concern the continued presence of some forces as well as armed elements of the local communities in Abyei, and reiterated that the Abyei Area be fully demilitarized without delay, recalling in this regard the 2011 Agreement and relevant Security Council resolutions.

“The members of the Security Council echo the calls of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, stressing the need for the transitional government of South Sudan to investigate the killings and attacks on civilians in Warrap and the Abyei Area,” the statement read in part. “They call on the transitional government of South Sudan to contain the violence and defuse tension between the affected communities.”

“The members of the Security Council underscore the important role the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) should play in the protection of civilians, including refugees, and in supporting community dialogue and facilitating reconciliation, and with the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) in support of achieving peace, security, and stability in Abyei and the broader region,” it concluded.

View original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/un-security-council-condemns-violence-in-warrap-state-abyei

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S. Sudan, Warrap: Prison break, 35 inmates on the run

From Radio Tamazuj 
Dated 8 December 2023 - full copy:

Prison break in Warrap: 35 inmates on the run

Warrap State authorities reported that 57 inmates escaped from Ayen Abiel prison in Twic County of Warrap State over the weekend. Official statements indicate that armed youth suspected to have come from Majook Noon payam attacked the prison at night, breaking the prison gates and facilitating the escape of the prisoners.

Of the fifty-seven escaped inmates, twenty-two have been recaptured along the border of Abyei and Kuajok town and are currently in police custody.

Major General John Machar Aweer, the Director of Prisons for Warrap State, told Radio Tamazu that efforts are underway to locate the remaining escaped prisoners in villages and towns.

“This incident occurred on Sunday last week in Twic County at the Ayen Abiel prison. Members of the Tit-Weng (Cattle Defense Force) attacked the prison, apprehended the prison warden, tied him up, and took his gun. They then fired shots where the police slept, but fortunately, no one was injured during the incident, and a total of 57 inmates escaped,” he said.

He added, “The Tit-Weng force used an axe to break the padlock, allowing 57 inmates to escape alongside armed youth suspected to belong to Majook Noon payam. This is the sequence of events, and ongoing searches and investigations are currently in progress.”

“We have successfully apprehended 22 inmates, but 35 are still missing. Our search efforts are ongoing, and the commissioner has established a committee comprising security and administrative personnel to track down the remaining escaped inmates.”

Machar mentioned that the county commissioner has instructed the chief of Majook Noon to recover the gun taken during the armed youth’s attack on the prison and holds him responsible for the incident.

Meanwhile, Simon Aguek, the Twic County commissioner, confirmed the situation, stating, “A group of criminals broke into the prison on the night of December 3, allowing 57 inmates to escape. I formed a committee to investigate and identify the criminals, and it appears that the attackers are still within Twic County.”

View original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/prison-break-in-warrap-35-inmates-on-the-run

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