Day: November 26, 2021

Authorities of South Sudan’s Unity State say that unknown gunmen shot and killed a Ugandan trader in a road ambush in Mayom County on Tuesday.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, Unity State minister of information and communication, Hon Gabriel Makuei Bol, said the Ugandan trader, identified as James Paluka, was killed by suspected robbers.

“One of the traders from Uganda was killed a day before yesterday (Tuesday) evening. The killer is not apprehended and the killing is suspected to be a robbery by armed robbers who rob people along the highway. When they see a foreigner they think they have found money. That was the cause of the killing,” he said.

Minister Gabriel said it was not clear if the body will be transported to Uganda for burial, saying he was yet to get clear information from Mayom authorities.

“I think it will be very difficult for the body to be taken to Uganda because I don’t know whether there will be a possibility for the body to be taken to Uganda and this is what I didn’t confirm from the county authorities in Mayom county,” he said.

He assured that investigations into the incident are ongoing and the culprits once apprehended will be brought to book.

Mayom County Commissioner Chuol Gatluak Manime said the Ugandan trader was a businessman at the Mayom Market.

“Investigations over the killing incident are going on and those suspects will be found,” he assured.

Source: Radio Tamazuj

Recent developments and engagements suggest that some actions are being taken regarding Chapter Four of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). The Chapter, which is majorly about reforms in the economy, is titled: “RESOURCE, ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT”.

This part one of this article, starts with some relevant most recent developments, then goes on to mention, for the benefit of the reader, the General Principles provided for under the Chapter Four, while partly touching on the stipulations on Institutional Reforms, with specific focus on the Bank of South Sudan (the Central Bank) and what those provisions may mean.

Some of the recent developments:

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) wants President Salva Kiir’s government to “account for past loans, prosecute the corrupt and improve financial discipline and transparency in the use of public resources, especially earnings from oil,” the East African reported last week. “In the coming weeks and months, we hope to support the government in its endeavors to make sure that important areas of accountability and reforms are addressed,” it quoted IMF Director of African Department Abebe Selassie as saying.

This week also a joint Troika statement by the US, UK, and Norway on economic reform in South Sudan welcomed the IMF engagement with the government.

“We are pleased that in their discussions with the IMF, the government agreed that it needs to be transparent and accountable for how it uses public resources so that they benefit the people of South Sudan….The government has shown itself capable of reforms and we welcome the reforms to date,” the statement says.

The General Principles under Chapter Four:

The General Principles provided for under Chapter Four of the R-ARCSS on RESOURCE, ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT are as follows:

– Political leaders and stakeholders shall ensure that the RTGoNU is transparent and accountable, with legal, institutional, policies and procedures fully functional for sustainable development.

– Political leaders and stakeholders shall establish effective leadership and commitment in the fight against corruption. Any leader found to have condoned or engaged in corrupt practices shall be held accountable and barred from holding public office in accordance with this Agreement and the law.

-The RTGoNU shall develop a code of ethics and integrity for public officials emphasizing the values of honesty and integrity. In addition, it shall expand the curriculum in the educational system to inculcate the spirit of nationalism and promote the values of honesty, integrity and respect for public property.

-The RTGoNU shall establish a high-level, competent and effective oversight mechanism that shall control revenues collection, budgeting, revenue allocation, and expenditure. The oversight mechanism may solicit technical and advisory resources on economic governance from the regional and international community. The mechanism shall be guided by principles of mutual consent in accountability.

-The wealth of South Sudan shall be shared equitably so as to enable each level of government to discharge its reconstruction, development, legal and constitutional obligations, duties, and responsibilities.

-Revenue sharing shall reflect a commitment to the devolution of powers and resources, and the decentralization of decision-making in regard to development, service delivery, and governance.

-The RTGoNU shall undertake immediate and medium-term Economic and Financial Management reform programme. (See Articles 4.1.1. to 4.1.7.).

R-ARCSS on Institutional Reforms, a focus on The Bank of South Sudan (Central Bank)

Despite South Sudan gaining Independence since 2011, there continues to be concerns that the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS/BSS) lacks the capacity (legal and institutional) that could enable it to function as a Central Bank of a Sovereign nation in a conventional manner.

The last month’s statement from BSS’s director-general for banking supervision, Moses Makur Deng directing commercial banks to freeze and block bank accounts of Abraham Awolich, Rajab Mohandis, Wani Michael, James David Kolok and Kuel Aguer Kuel and organizations accused of being connected to the People’s Coalition for Civil Action PCCA is a recent example. For the directive made no citation on how the decision was reached and which law (laws) was (were) relied on.

Here also, the author would like to point out, for the benefit of the reader, the reform agenda the R-ARCSS has provided for, in relation to the Bank of South Sudan.

That:

– The RTGoNU shall, within three (3) months of the beginning of the Transition, review legislation governing the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) with a view to restructure and enable it to render efficient and effective service. This restructuring shall include, but not limited to, the leadership, composition, powers, functions and operations.

– The nomenclature of the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) shall be decided upon the promulgation of the new Constitution (“Permanent” Constitution).

-The Bank of South Sudan shall:

-be independent in its statutory and supervisory functions;

– be responsible for formulating monetary policy, promoting price stability, issuing currency, regulating the financial sector, and performing other functions conferred upon it by the law;

– be headed by a competent and appropriately qualified Governor;

-adopt comprehensive reforms to improve its supervisory and regulatory functions and prudential regulatory roles;

-have a board of nine (9) members, at least 3 shall be women, appointed by the President in consultation and agreement with the First Vice President and the Vice Presidents.

-Within four (4) months upon the commencement of the Transitional Period, the President shall appoint the Governor of the Bank of South Sudan in consultation and agreement with the First Vice President and the Vice Presidents.

Source: Radio Tamazuj

The police have arrested a man who accidentally shot and killed his brother in Imurok Payam of Torit County in Eastern Equatoria state on Wednesday morning.

28-year-old John Lokulang was said to be cleaning his gun when it went off accidentally killing his brother James Lokwang, 27.

The newly-appointed Eastern Equatoria state police spokesperson, Colonel Mathew Ochan Jacob, confirmed the incident and said the suspect, Lokulang, is currently being held at the Torit central police station for further investigation.

“We received the information that the incident took place in Imurok around 7 am that one person by name of John Lokulang was cleaning his gun and accidentally fired it killing one of his brothers by name James Lokwang,” Col. Ochan said. “The police went to the crime scene and the suspect was brought for further investigations.”

He added: “Until now, he cannot talk. It has come to him as a shock, maybe we can get information from him when he relaxes. He is in our custody for protection and we will find out the details from him.”

The police spokesperson described the incident as unfortunate and said civilians are holding and misusing illegal weapons which the government must remove.

The Imurok Payam chief, Anthony Oriaja, confirmed the incident and believes it was an accident because the deceased and the suspect had been together at a birthday party the night before. He cautioned the youth against misusing guns.

“It’s true he did not intend it. They were together dancing at a birthday party and did not have any quarrel or fight. They are staying together, even sleeping in one room,” Chief Oriaja explained. “I told the Monyiemji to stop playing with guns.”

The Torit County commissioner, Jacob Attari Albano, said the suspect and the murder weapon were brought to police.

Source: Radio Tamazuj

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission RJMEC has said that the pace of implementation of the Revitalised Agreement of the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) is slow and time is running out with critical tasks lagging behind the agreed timelines.

Speaking during the 5th Governors’ Forum held in Juba on Tuesday, the RJMEC Interim Chairperson Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said despite progress in some thematic areas, challenges persist.

Gen. Gituai recommended that the government fast-track the ratification of all the approved bills, including the Permanent Constitution-Making Process Bill 2021; finalize the nominations and establishment of the ad-hoc Judicial Reform Committee, and make financial resources available for the completion of the Transitional Security Arrangements, including graduation and redeployment of unified forces, as well as for DDR programmes.

He also urged the government to expedite the establishment of the Board of the Special Reconstruction Fund, expedite all the reforms required in Chapter 4, including the National Audit Chamber and the Anti-Corruption Commission; and fast-track implementation of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 of the Peace Agreement.

The five-day 5th Governors’ Forum was aimed at deliberating on the “Role of States and Administrative Areas in the Implementation of the Peace Agreement for a peaceful, prosperous South Sudan.”

Source: Radio Tamazuj