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Elisabeth Janaina
May 19, 2013, 8:16:59 AM5/19/13
to
RSS hails good relations with Kenya
JUBA, 19 May 2013 - The acting national Minister for Labour, Public
Service and Human Resource Development, Mr Kwong Danhier Gatluak, has
hailed the good relations between the Republic of Kenya and the
Republic of South Sudan.
Hon Kwong said Kenya had not only played a crucial role in the signing
of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement which resulted in independence
for South Sudan but had continued to support human capacity
development in the country through various forms of technical
assistance.
The Deputy Minister said South Sudan had benefited from the Kenya
Technical Assistance Programme and the RSS/Inter-Governmental
Authority on Development (IGAD) Capacity Enhancement Initiative in
which Kenya was a critical contributor of skilled manpower alongside
Uganda and Ethiopia.
Hon Kwong was speaking yesterday morning at the Juba International
Airport when he led a high-powered government delegation to bid
farewell to 42 Civil Service Support Officers (CSSOs) who have
completed their two-year tour of duty in South Sudan under the
RSS/IGAD Project.
He said a good number of the CSSOs were medical doctors and nurses who
were attached to various government hospitals in the states, adding
that they had done a good job there.
Among those who accompanied the Minister to see off the CSSOs were the
UNDP Country Director, Mr Balazs Hovarth, the Kenyan Ambassador in
South Sudan, Mr Cleland Leshore, the Coordinator of the Kenya South
Sudan Liaison Office, Mr Maurice Nyamunga and the Public Service
Undersecretary, Mrs Angeth Acol de Dut.
Reported by Alnour Ango and Simon Peter Owaka
JUBA, 19 May 2013 - The acting national Minister for Labour, Public
Service and Human Resource Development, Mr Kwong Danhier Gatluak, has
hailed the good relations between the Republic of Kenya and the
Republic of South Sudan.
Hon Kwong said Kenya had not only played a crucial role in the signing
of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement which resulted in independence
for South Sudan but had continued to support human capacity
development in the country through various forms of technical
assistance.
The Deputy Minister said South Sudan had benefited from the Kenya
Technical Assistance Programme and the RSS/Inter-Governmental
Authority on Development (IGAD) Capacity Enhancement Initiative in
which Kenya was a critical contributor of skilled manpower alongside
Uganda and Ethiopia.
Hon Kwong was speaking yesterday morning at the Juba International
Airport when he led a high-powered government delegation to bid
farewell to 42 Civil Service Support Officers (CSSOs) who have
completed their two-year tour of duty in South Sudan under the
RSS/IGAD Project.
He said a good number of the CSSOs were medical doctors and nurses who
were attached to various government hospitals in the states, adding
that they had done a good job there.
Among those who accompanied the Minister to see off the CSSOs were the
UNDP Country Director, Mr Balazs Hovarth, the Kenyan Ambassador in
South Sudan, Mr Cleland Leshore, the Coordinator of the Kenya South
Sudan Liaison Office, Mr Maurice Nyamunga and the Public Service
Undersecretary, Mrs Angeth Acol de Dut.
Reported by Alnour Ango and Simon Peter Owaka
Elisabeth Janaina
May 20, 2013, 10:53:16 AM5/20/13
to
“Zambia Revenue Authority is a real model for South Sudan”, MP
JUBA, 20 May 2013 - A three-member delegation that represented South
Sudan in the recently concluded Network of Reformers Conference in
Lusaka Zambia, has urged the government to emulate the Zambian Revenue
Authority system for its “efficiency and transparency” in order to
support private sector development in the country.
Hon. Bul Andrew Cosmas, MP and member of the Committee of Commerce,
Energy and Mining at the National Legislative Assembly said a
landlocked country like South Sudan needs an efficient and transparent
revenue collection mechanism that cuts away costs associated with time
wastage at clearance points.
Since its inception in 2011, Hon. Bul said the well computerized and
networked Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) system has worked for Zambia
which he said according to ZRA officials has resulted in increased
revenue collections over the years.
“South Sudan is challenged that we must learn from the example of
Zambia Revenue Authority”, Hon. Bul commented. To avoid congestion and
time wastage at entry points for instance, Hon. Bul said importers can
fill pre-clearance forms which allow them to proceed with the goods
into the country as clearance process is going on. He explained that
upon arrival, they [importers] can then clear their goods at any
revenue office in the country’s capital.
Hon. Bul Andrew Cosmas( R) and Malok Program Coordinator of South
Sudan Business Forum talking to the IFC team in Juba.
[Photo: Matata Safi]
An initiative of the International Finance Corporation’s Investment
Climate Department, the Network of Reformers seeks to bring together
experts from the East and Southern African countries with
participation of international experts to share success stories as
well as challenges in a way that can address the pitfalls of the
private sector development in the region.
Speaking to a team from the IFC office Juba at the National Assembly
on May 13, the group urged IFC to organize more of such conferences to
expose South Sudanese technocrats from different field to benefit the
young country.
The delegation included Hon. Bul, Hon. Biong Pieng - Deputy Registrar,
Business Registry, and Mr. Malok Malok, Program Coordinator, South
Sudan Business Forum. Next year’s conference will be held in Kigali
Rwanda with the delegation asking that South Sudan bids for Juba to
host the 2015 conference.
Reported by Matata Safi
DRC bank unveils plans to invest in South South
JUBA, 20 May 2013 - Rawbank, a leading financial institution in the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has unveiled plans to extend its
financial services to the new market in the Republic of South Sudan.
Mr. Mustafa Rawji, the bank’s Director and head of marketing described
the investment opportunities in South Sudan as being enormous. He said
joining South Sudan’s banking market is high on their agenda as they
step up efforts to regionalize the bank. According to Mr. Rawji, Congo
Brazzaville, Uganda and South Africa are countries that the bank hopes
to cover.
“What made as a leading post-conflict bank in the DRC is, we were able
to adopt our financial products to the needs of the realities of the
local market”, explained Mr. Rawji after an exploratory visit to South
Sudan’s capital Juba.
Since it opened its first doors in 2002, Rawbank, has reportedly grown
to become the biggest bank in DRC in terms of total assets and total
deposits. The bank currently comprises of 40 branches all over DRC,
with about 50 Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs).
Mr Rawji said as a post-conflict country, South Sudan’s challenges are
not different from what DRC experienced ten years ago. “We have
developed a favorable opinion on investing here considering the
realities on the ground. Though the final decision will have to be
reached by the Bank’s board of Directors”, he said.
He said the bank has tailored products such as “Ladies First” which he
said was able to produce the greatest number of women entrepreneurs in
the DRC.
The delegation led by the Bank’s CEO Thierry Taeymans who described
the visit as “successful ” held meetings among government
representatives with the standing Committee on Economic and Financial
Affairs, the Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs as well as the
Deputy Governor of South Sudan Central Bank.
They also held meetings with the World Bank as well as the
International Finical Corporation (IFC), a member of World Bank that
offers investment, advisory, and asset management services to
encourage private sector development in developing countries.
Mr. Rawji commended the level of cooperation his group received from
the IFC in coordinating and introducing them to the “right people with
the right information”. “If it was not because of the World Bank and
IFC, these three days would have not been so successful”, said Rwaji.
Reported by Matata Safi
JUBA, 20 May 2013 - A three-member delegation that represented South
Sudan in the recently concluded Network of Reformers Conference in
Lusaka Zambia, has urged the government to emulate the Zambian Revenue
Authority system for its “efficiency and transparency” in order to
support private sector development in the country.
Hon. Bul Andrew Cosmas, MP and member of the Committee of Commerce,
Energy and Mining at the National Legislative Assembly said a
landlocked country like South Sudan needs an efficient and transparent
revenue collection mechanism that cuts away costs associated with time
wastage at clearance points.
Since its inception in 2011, Hon. Bul said the well computerized and
networked Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) system has worked for Zambia
which he said according to ZRA officials has resulted in increased
revenue collections over the years.
“South Sudan is challenged that we must learn from the example of
Zambia Revenue Authority”, Hon. Bul commented. To avoid congestion and
time wastage at entry points for instance, Hon. Bul said importers can
fill pre-clearance forms which allow them to proceed with the goods
into the country as clearance process is going on. He explained that
upon arrival, they [importers] can then clear their goods at any
revenue office in the country’s capital.
Hon. Bul Andrew Cosmas( R) and Malok Program Coordinator of South
Sudan Business Forum talking to the IFC team in Juba.
[Photo: Matata Safi]
An initiative of the International Finance Corporation’s Investment
Climate Department, the Network of Reformers seeks to bring together
experts from the East and Southern African countries with
participation of international experts to share success stories as
well as challenges in a way that can address the pitfalls of the
private sector development in the region.
Speaking to a team from the IFC office Juba at the National Assembly
on May 13, the group urged IFC to organize more of such conferences to
expose South Sudanese technocrats from different field to benefit the
young country.
The delegation included Hon. Bul, Hon. Biong Pieng - Deputy Registrar,
Business Registry, and Mr. Malok Malok, Program Coordinator, South
Sudan Business Forum. Next year’s conference will be held in Kigali
Rwanda with the delegation asking that South Sudan bids for Juba to
host the 2015 conference.
Reported by Matata Safi
DRC bank unveils plans to invest in South South
JUBA, 20 May 2013 - Rawbank, a leading financial institution in the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has unveiled plans to extend its
financial services to the new market in the Republic of South Sudan.
Mr. Mustafa Rawji, the bank’s Director and head of marketing described
the investment opportunities in South Sudan as being enormous. He said
joining South Sudan’s banking market is high on their agenda as they
step up efforts to regionalize the bank. According to Mr. Rawji, Congo
Brazzaville, Uganda and South Africa are countries that the bank hopes
to cover.
“What made as a leading post-conflict bank in the DRC is, we were able
to adopt our financial products to the needs of the realities of the
local market”, explained Mr. Rawji after an exploratory visit to South
Sudan’s capital Juba.
Since it opened its first doors in 2002, Rawbank, has reportedly grown
to become the biggest bank in DRC in terms of total assets and total
deposits. The bank currently comprises of 40 branches all over DRC,
with about 50 Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs).
Mr Rawji said as a post-conflict country, South Sudan’s challenges are
not different from what DRC experienced ten years ago. “We have
developed a favorable opinion on investing here considering the
realities on the ground. Though the final decision will have to be
reached by the Bank’s board of Directors”, he said.
He said the bank has tailored products such as “Ladies First” which he
said was able to produce the greatest number of women entrepreneurs in
the DRC.
The delegation led by the Bank’s CEO Thierry Taeymans who described
the visit as “successful ” held meetings among government
representatives with the standing Committee on Economic and Financial
Affairs, the Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs as well as the
Deputy Governor of South Sudan Central Bank.
They also held meetings with the World Bank as well as the
International Finical Corporation (IFC), a member of World Bank that
offers investment, advisory, and asset management services to
encourage private sector development in developing countries.
Mr. Rawji commended the level of cooperation his group received from
the IFC in coordinating and introducing them to the “right people with
the right information”. “If it was not because of the World Bank and
IFC, these three days would have not been so successful”, said Rwaji.
Reported by Matata Safi
Elisabeth Janaina
May 22, 2013, 5:02:18 AM5/22/13
to
“Report fairly on Africa”, Ssali urges foreign journalists
JUBA, May 21, 2013 (NASS) - Dr. Shaka Ssali, a famous host of Voice of
America’s “Straight Talk Africa” has urged foreign journalists to
report fairly on Africa.
In a meeting with the minister of Information Dr. Barnaba Marial
Benjamin in Juba today, Dr. Ssali said all news emanating from Africa
is skewed to continue what he said is “furthering neo-colonization
mentality”.
The USA based Ugandan-born journalist said most foreign journalists
reporting about Africa do not have adequate background information of
the continent therefore manipulating their stories to show the “Africa
boiling in conflict”.
Dr. Ssali meeting Dr. Benjamin
[Photo: Ajang Monychol]
He urged both the local and foreign journalists to research on every
piece they intend to do before writing to avoid risking others.
Dr. Ssali who arrived in the country over the weekend, also called on
the government to support local journalists to enable them participate
in nation building process of African’s newest country.
Reported by Martin Jada (News Agency of South Sudan).
JUBA, May 21, 2013 (NASS) - Dr. Shaka Ssali, a famous host of Voice of
America’s “Straight Talk Africa” has urged foreign journalists to
report fairly on Africa.
In a meeting with the minister of Information Dr. Barnaba Marial
Benjamin in Juba today, Dr. Ssali said all news emanating from Africa
is skewed to continue what he said is “furthering neo-colonization
mentality”.
The USA based Ugandan-born journalist said most foreign journalists
reporting about Africa do not have adequate background information of
the continent therefore manipulating their stories to show the “Africa
boiling in conflict”.
Dr. Ssali meeting Dr. Benjamin
[Photo: Ajang Monychol]
He urged both the local and foreign journalists to research on every
piece they intend to do before writing to avoid risking others.
Dr. Ssali who arrived in the country over the weekend, also called on
the government to support local journalists to enable them participate
in nation building process of African’s newest country.
Reported by Martin Jada (News Agency of South Sudan).
Elisabeth Janaina
May 25, 2013, 7:31:43 AM5/25/13
to
Kenya to jointly undertake three major projects with South Sudan
JUBA, May 24, 2013 – The President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta has said
his government will jointly with South Sudan undertake three major
projects of Lamu oil pipeline, construction of road linking the two
countries as well as construction of a railway line to improve trade
between the two countries.
President Kenyatta made the revelations on his first official visit to
Juba yesterday since he assumed office last month.
Currently, exports from Kenya as well as goods coming through the port
of Mombasa to South Sudan have to take the longest route via Uganda to
access the market in the Republic of South Sudan thereby increasing
the cost of doing business. Considering the amount involved, President
Kenyatta said he and his South Sudan counterpart agreed to tackle each
project at a time.
However he emphasized the importance and urgency of prioritizing the
construction of the road linking the two countries. Though no timeline
has been set to start the construction of the road from Juba via
Torit, Kapoeta, Narus, on the South Sudan side as well as Lokichogio,
Kitale, Eldoret on the Kenya side, President Kenyatta underscored the
need to fast track the process.
President Kenyatta pledged to continue strengthening the long standing
bilateral relations with South Sudan for the mutual and economic good
of the people of the two countries. “The purpose of our visit is to
underscore the relation between our countries. It is the intension of
my administration to deepen that relationship to ensure that we
together prosper”, said President Kenyatta.
President Kenyatta, son of Kenya’s first President after independence
Jomo Kenyatta, underscored the importance of African leaders working
together to create solution to African problems to ensure peace and
stability in the region. He urged African leaders to work together to
end the conflict in Kenya’s neighboring Somalia.
“In our discussions, we reiterated our belief that a stable Somalia
is indeed in the best interest of our region”, President Kenyatta told
reporters in a joint press statement.
H.E President Salva Kiir Mayardit assured the commitment of his
government to closely work with the newly elected Kenyan president.
The three projects, he said are very crucial for the mutual benefit
for the people of the two countries.
Reported by Matata Safi
JUBA, May 24, 2013 – The President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta has said
his government will jointly with South Sudan undertake three major
projects of Lamu oil pipeline, construction of road linking the two
countries as well as construction of a railway line to improve trade
between the two countries.
President Kenyatta made the revelations on his first official visit to
Juba yesterday since he assumed office last month.
Currently, exports from Kenya as well as goods coming through the port
of Mombasa to South Sudan have to take the longest route via Uganda to
access the market in the Republic of South Sudan thereby increasing
the cost of doing business. Considering the amount involved, President
Kenyatta said he and his South Sudan counterpart agreed to tackle each
project at a time.
However he emphasized the importance and urgency of prioritizing the
construction of the road linking the two countries. Though no timeline
has been set to start the construction of the road from Juba via
Torit, Kapoeta, Narus, on the South Sudan side as well as Lokichogio,
Kitale, Eldoret on the Kenya side, President Kenyatta underscored the
need to fast track the process.
President Kenyatta pledged to continue strengthening the long standing
bilateral relations with South Sudan for the mutual and economic good
of the people of the two countries. “The purpose of our visit is to
underscore the relation between our countries. It is the intension of
my administration to deepen that relationship to ensure that we
together prosper”, said President Kenyatta.
President Kenyatta, son of Kenya’s first President after independence
Jomo Kenyatta, underscored the importance of African leaders working
together to create solution to African problems to ensure peace and
stability in the region. He urged African leaders to work together to
end the conflict in Kenya’s neighboring Somalia.
“In our discussions, we reiterated our belief that a stable Somalia
is indeed in the best interest of our region”, President Kenyatta told
reporters in a joint press statement.
H.E President Salva Kiir Mayardit assured the commitment of his
government to closely work with the newly elected Kenyan president.
The three projects, he said are very crucial for the mutual benefit
for the people of the two countries.
Reported by Matata Safi
Elisabeth Janaina
May 26, 2013, 10:10:02 AM5/26/13
to
H.E Kiir and El-Bashir agree to establish 8 border crossing points
ADDIS ABABA, 25 May 2013 – Presidents Salva Kiir Mayardit of the
Republic of South Sudan and Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan have agreed to
immediately establish eight border crossing points for easy movement
of people and flow of goods to facilitate trade. This followed a
meeting between the two leaders in the margins of the African Union
summit yesterday evening at the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa. This
was announced by the minister of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial.
Presidents Kiir and Bashir shake hands before the summit.
[Photo: Thomas Kenneth]
Earlier, President Kiir met the Prime Minister of Ethiopia H.E Haile
Mariam Desalegn and discussed with him the current situation in the
relations between Sudan and South Sudan in terms of the issue of the
murder of late Paramount Chief of Abyei Kuol Deng Kuol.
The two leaders in the meeting agreed to launch a credible impartial
investigation and get the root cause and the circumstances surrounding
the death of the paramount chief. The two leaders also assessed the
current situation relating to the agreements signed between the two
countries. The Ethiopian leader pledged to continue supporting the
process of the implementation of the agreement and normalization of
the relations between South Sudan and Sudan.
H.E Kiir, Ethiopian PM Desalegn, Hon. Alor and Hon Nhial in a meeting.
[Photo: Thomas Kenneth]
H.E Kiir and El-Bashir after this held a summit and discussed a number
of issues relating to the implementation of the cooperation agreement
among which are fixing of the border crossing point between the two
countries that had been agreed to be fixed in Hegleg and Joda areas.
As stated by the, the two border crossing points have been currently
experiencing some difficulties impacting negatively on the oil
production operations.
The summit between the two Presidents according to the Hon Nhial
agreed that the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) on both
sides will be sent on the ground in the area of Tashwin and Joda to
finally plot on the ground on the basis of the coordinate on the map
the precise location of Tashwin and Joda as border crossing points.
H.E Kiir and H.E El-Bashi in the summit.
[Photo: Thomas Kenneth]
Reported by Thomas Kenneth from Addis Ababa
H.E Kiir attends 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU
ADDIS ABABA, 25 May 2013 - The capital city of the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa has witnessed on 25th May, 2013
celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the
Organization of the African unity (OAU)/ African Union (AU), under the
theme: “Pan- Africanism and the African Renaissance”.
The participants included African Heads of State and Government, UN
Secretary Gen. Mr. Pan Ki Moon, US Secretary of State Mr. John Kerry,
European, Asian and Arab world Representatives. The celebration
started at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa with the African union
21st ordinary session of the assembly of heads of state and
government, opened by its Chairman H.E Haile Mariam Desalegn who is
also the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.
In his opening remarks PM Desalegn said the celebration marks
Pan-African quest for freedom, Peace and Development in order to
maintain the dignity of African People.
AU celebrations in Addis Ababa.
[Photo: Thomas Kenneth]
The anniversary celebrated African narratives of past, present and
future that will enthuse and energize the African population and use
their constructive energy to accelerate a forward looking agenda of
Pan-Africanism and renaissance in the 21st century. It provides a
unique opportunity, and comes at a moment when Africa is on the rise,
and must therefore build its confidence in its future. The day was
dominated by colorful celebrations.
This is a time for the African people to reflect on how they fared on,
in the last fifty years. To improve on where they succeeded and double
efforts to redress issues in areas where they drew back. It also time
to focus into the coming fifty years in order to get prepared for the
challenges that they faced in the past.
Reported by from Addis Ababa
ADDIS ABABA, 25 May 2013 – Presidents Salva Kiir Mayardit of the
Republic of South Sudan and Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan have agreed to
immediately establish eight border crossing points for easy movement
of people and flow of goods to facilitate trade. This followed a
meeting between the two leaders in the margins of the African Union
summit yesterday evening at the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa. This
was announced by the minister of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial.
Presidents Kiir and Bashir shake hands before the summit.
[Photo: Thomas Kenneth]
Earlier, President Kiir met the Prime Minister of Ethiopia H.E Haile
Mariam Desalegn and discussed with him the current situation in the
relations between Sudan and South Sudan in terms of the issue of the
murder of late Paramount Chief of Abyei Kuol Deng Kuol.
The two leaders in the meeting agreed to launch a credible impartial
investigation and get the root cause and the circumstances surrounding
the death of the paramount chief. The two leaders also assessed the
current situation relating to the agreements signed between the two
countries. The Ethiopian leader pledged to continue supporting the
process of the implementation of the agreement and normalization of
the relations between South Sudan and Sudan.
H.E Kiir, Ethiopian PM Desalegn, Hon. Alor and Hon Nhial in a meeting.
[Photo: Thomas Kenneth]
H.E Kiir and El-Bashir after this held a summit and discussed a number
of issues relating to the implementation of the cooperation agreement
among which are fixing of the border crossing point between the two
countries that had been agreed to be fixed in Hegleg and Joda areas.
As stated by the, the two border crossing points have been currently
experiencing some difficulties impacting negatively on the oil
production operations.
The summit between the two Presidents according to the Hon Nhial
agreed that the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) on both
sides will be sent on the ground in the area of Tashwin and Joda to
finally plot on the ground on the basis of the coordinate on the map
the precise location of Tashwin and Joda as border crossing points.
H.E Kiir and H.E El-Bashi in the summit.
[Photo: Thomas Kenneth]
Reported by Thomas Kenneth from Addis Ababa
H.E Kiir attends 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU
ADDIS ABABA, 25 May 2013 - The capital city of the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa has witnessed on 25th May, 2013
celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the
Organization of the African unity (OAU)/ African Union (AU), under the
theme: “Pan- Africanism and the African Renaissance”.
The participants included African Heads of State and Government, UN
Secretary Gen. Mr. Pan Ki Moon, US Secretary of State Mr. John Kerry,
European, Asian and Arab world Representatives. The celebration
started at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa with the African union
21st ordinary session of the assembly of heads of state and
government, opened by its Chairman H.E Haile Mariam Desalegn who is
also the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.
In his opening remarks PM Desalegn said the celebration marks
Pan-African quest for freedom, Peace and Development in order to
maintain the dignity of African People.
AU celebrations in Addis Ababa.
[Photo: Thomas Kenneth]
The anniversary celebrated African narratives of past, present and
future that will enthuse and energize the African population and use
their constructive energy to accelerate a forward looking agenda of
Pan-Africanism and renaissance in the 21st century. It provides a
unique opportunity, and comes at a moment when Africa is on the rise,
and must therefore build its confidence in its future. The day was
dominated by colorful celebrations.
This is a time for the African people to reflect on how they fared on,
in the last fifty years. To improve on where they succeeded and double
efforts to redress issues in areas where they drew back. It also time
to focus into the coming fifty years in order to get prepared for the
challenges that they faced in the past.
Reported by from Addis Ababa
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