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Elisabeth Janaina
Total normalcy has been restored in Juba
JUBA, 19 December 2013 – South Sudan ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has issued an assurance to the foreign diplomatic corps, UN and international organizations accredited to the Republic of South Sudan that civil tranquility has been fully restored following the ‘aborted coup of former Vice President Riek Machar’.
As a sign of normalcy, the ministry in a media advisory said Juba International Airport has resumed domestic and International flights; Government ministries at the federal and state levels are discharging theirs duties and businesses across Juba town are open.
‘The ministry of Foreign Affairs can now assure the South Sudanese public and the world at large that Government security forces are in absolute control of the situation. There is therefore no need to panic or engage on haphazard evacuation”, the press advisory signed by the minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin read in part.
More so, the ministry refuted reports particularly in the international media that having been trying to define the ‘failed coup’ along lines of ethnicity.
“The ministry would like to assure the public and the international community that the attempted coup had nothing to do with ethnicity but rather with the power ambitions of Riek Machar and his co-potters. It suffices to mention that out of 11 politicians now detained, only two hail from Nuer Community. This message has been made clear to all communities in South Sudan, including civil society and church leaders”, Dr. Benjamin stressed.
He said any attempt to portray the coup, as an ethnic conflict must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. He said as spelt by the President and Chairman of the ruling party Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM), both the Government and the ruling party have made public commitment to peaceful transfer of power through legitimate and democratic means. Any attempt to use force to seize power, he said should not be condemned but firmly dealt with.
Reported by our staff writter
Juba Airport to re-open by Wednesday
JUBA, 17 December 2013 –The Government has ordered the reopening of Juba International Airport, two days after it was closed down following what the Government has described as ‘a failed coup attempt’. Flights, both domestic and international are expected to resume operations by Wednesday December 18, the Official Government Spokesperson has said.
Air and road transport has been crippled in the Capital Juba since Sunday. Hon. Micheal Makuei, also minister of Information and Broadcasting made the announcement earlier today after a security meeting convened at the Office of the President, chaired by the President H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit.
He called on the water suppliers, bakeries and other essential service providers to resume providing ‘these services’ to the people. Furthermore, he called on people who fled their homes, including those currently camping in the United Nation Compounds to return to their homes.
Ten people suspected to be behind the foil coup plot have reportedly been arrested, while five more including Dr. Riek Machar are still at large, Hon Makuei said.
Coup has nothing to do with Nuer as tribe
The Governor of Upper Nile State Simon Kun Pouch, said people must restrain from defining the foiled coup attempt on tribal lines of Nuer or Dinga, saying it has nothing to do with tribes.
“There are people out there saying, what has happened is between the Dinka and the Nuer tribesmen, we the leaders of this country would want state here that this is not true”, said Governor Kun. If you see the people going with Dr. Riek, some are Dinkas, some are Chol, Nuer and other tribes, he explained.
Governor Kun said those ‘yarning’ for power should not do so through violent means but rather wait for election. He said people who want to divide people along lines of tribes are enemies of peace.
Another senior Nuer leader Dr. Riek Gai Kok, who is the national minister of Health strongly condemned the mutiny and urged the group from misinforming the public. “What happened is not a Nuer or Dinka thing, let them not spoil the name of Nuer tribe” Dr. Gai remarked.
Don’t be allowed to be used- Youth leader
The chairman of the Youth SPLM Youth League, Akol Paul Kordit has urged the youth to refuse being used to fight wars that have meaning especial after many decades of civil war. He said President Kiir Mayardit who spent most of his time fighting for the freedom of South Sudan, would want to see the youth ‘fighting for Masters, Degrees or PHDs’ but not to be fighting physical wars.
“All the lives that we lost in this ‘uncalled-for incident’ is a lost to our country” Kordit who is Member of Parliament in the national Assembly noted. He called on the youth both in uniform and civilian clothes to preserve peace.
The injured require blood-Gender minister
Over 130 injured people are receiving treatment at the main referral hospital Juba though authorities say some are in desperate need of blood. Hon Awut Deng, the minister of Gender Social Welfare said many of the victims arrive at the hospital when they have insufficient blood due to over bleeding.
She called on the general public to move in to donate blood, provide food among others. He said doctors are waiting to receive donors.
Reported by Matata Safi