Good Afternoon. It S 1 Pm. I Am Susan Dokolo with the Radio Miraya News
Good afternoon. It’s 1 pm. I am Susan Dokolo with the Radio Miraya News.
The Headlines
- Child injured after shelling hits the UNMISS Protection of Civilian site in Bentiu
- Information Ministry speaks out on closure of Bakhita radio
- World Humanitarian Day today, as UN chief condemns attacks on aid workers
One child was injured after shelling hit the United Nations mission Protection of Civilian site in Bentiu, Unity State.
UNMISS Acting Spokesperson Patrick Morrison says sustained gunfire was heard around the UNMISS compound on Monday night.
Morrison says several accommodation facilities were hit by fire and have sustained damage.
He says the firing appears to have come from areas south of the base.
Morrison: “The emanation point of the firing appears to be the nearby Rubkona airstrip, where SPLA soldiers are stationed. To date, UNMISS has discovered nine bullets from within the camp. Initially, the mission had been advised by state authorities that the firing was carried out by SPLA troops commemorating the Veterans Day. UNMISS is continuing with its investigation and is in communication with the government. In all cases, it is unacceptable for people and property to be harmed. The bullet cases that we have found are common to all parties to the current crisis and are very commonly used by all sides to the conflict.”
The injured child has been identified as a five-year-old boy who was seeking safety at the UNMISS site.
Unity State Deputy Governor Mabek Lang told Radio Miraya the soldiers were celebrating Veterans Day.
Mabek: “There was no random shooting. If there was any bullet that reached the UNMISS site, maybe it was a stray bullet, but it was not intended to hit UNMISS. Most of the morning, there was shooting in celebration of the War Veterans Day, on which our SPLA soldiers were shooting bullets. This is what happened actually ……”
Meanwhile, traditional leaders in Upper Nile State have made a plea to the warring parties to end the conflict.
The leaders under the Chiefs Council say the fighting has brought devastation and suffering to the people of Upper Nile, who have borne the brunt of much of the fighting.
The chairperson of the Council, Agool Ayweil Adwai, says the negotiators in Addis Ababa should put the interest of the people of South Sudan first.
Agool: “We appeal to the two sides as a council of chiefs in Upper Nile State, the government andthe opposition, toreach a solution and peace because absence of peace and a solution to the conflict means that the nation is suffering in the conflict- affected states.”
The Upper Nile Chiefs Council comprises 39 chiefs, including 13 women drawn from all the counties.
The government delegation at the IGAD peace talks has submitted a letter to the mediatorsdemanding a timetable for the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
According to a report on South Sudan television, the delegation told the mediators that agreeing on a timetable should be the top priority, adding that the credibility of the IGAD-led negotiations is at stake.
The fifth round of the faltering talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was adjourned last week.
The Ministry of Information says it is yet to receive information on the closure of Bakhita Radio.
The Catholic-run radio station in Juba was closed down on Saturday and the news editor, Ochan David Nicholas, arrested by officials.
The acting Director General in the Ministry of information, Paul Jacobs, says his office has not received official information on the closure.
Jacobs: “This particular case of Bakita, I am hearing what you have said. This is the second time I am hearing it from you. Bakita Radio has never reported anything to us regarding closure of the radio and detention of the journalist. When I got the telephone call, I contacted the security but they denied, they don’t know anything about Bakita Radio and they have never gone there.”
Albino Tokwaro Fabiano is the Director of the Radio Station.He explains that the editor and a journalist were picked up by men suspected to have been security agents.
Tokwaro: “On Saturday the 16 of August, 2014, at about 9:10 am, a number of security officers came to the radio. One of them said they are there because thereis news item that was read in the morning. So the director of security wants the person who read it or the director to go and answer questions. They said OK, close the radio and the offices and bring us the keys, and we want you to follow us. And Ocieng too was actually taken to the State security office and later when we went, he was transferred to the national security office.”
You are listening to Radio Miraya News
Today is World Humanitarian Day.
The message from humanitarian agencies on this day is a general call for an end to the conflict to allow people return to their normal lives.
With thousands displaced by the conflict coupled with the threat of famine, this year’s humanitarian day is particularly important to aid workers in South Sudan.
Doune Porter is the communication specialist for the UN children’s organization, UNICEF.
She explains the major challenges being faced by humanitarian workers.
Doune: “The main challenges remain access, especially in areas that are under tight security and also because of the rainy season. A really terrible example now is in the PoC site in Bentiu, which is flooded, and we are working with partners to try to dig a drainage canal so that the water can be drained out of the PoC area. So those are the frustrations really that we find -- i.e. access and especially in the rainy season and of course it goes without saying that the continued fighting is a main challenge.”
World Humanitarian Day was set aside by the United Nations in 2009 to recognize humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes.
In his message for the day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said attacks on aid workers around the world are an outrage.
Ban is calling for honouring the fallen by protecting those who carry on their work and supporting humanitarian relief operations worldwide.
Ban Ki-moon: "On World Humanitarian Day, we renew our commitment to life-saving relief efforts and we remember all those who died serving this noble cause. Last year, more humanitarian workers were kidnapped, seriously injured or killed than ever before. This is an outrage. In recent weeks, dozens of humanitarians — including members of the UN family — have lost their lives in South Sudan and Gaza."
The Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan, Daniel Deng Bul, is in Rumbek, Lakes State in an attempt to bring peace after days of revenge attacks following the killing of a Paramount Chief.
Archbishop Deng has urged the communities to embrace peace and said the church is ready to intervene to calm the tensions.
The Archbishop is also in Rumbek to officiate at the inauguration of a Diocese in Malek payam.
Bul: “The purpose of my visit today is to focus on two things and I wanted you to understand it. First I came purposely for peace issues and you see and we have heard that there are conflicts in Rumbek communities. People are killing themselves and these disturbances are painful to people who listen to them. We the church are interested to have peace and stability. There is no nation to progress with conflicts/war and lack of love or harmony among the people.”
In Central Equatoria, students of Yei National Health Training Institute have stormed the office of their principal, protesting non-payment of allowances and poor living conditions.
The students are also complaining of bad feeding and poor sanitation, among several grievances. We spoke to some of the students.
Radio Miraya tried to contact the Principal of the National Health Training institute but he was not reachable.
Yei National Health Training Institute was opened in 1995 and is run with support from the Norwegian People’s Aid.
The students who graduate are deployed as health workers across the country.
In foreign news
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has reportedly fired 16,000 doctors, causing concern as the country fights a number of Ebola cases.
The government also reportedly suspended the residency training programmes in federal hospitals, citing the need to better address challenges currently facing the health sector.
The move comes as thousands of doctors are on strike throughout the country, calling for better working conditions and increased pay.
The Nigeria Medical Association has demanded the immediate reversal of President Johnathan's decision, and encouraged those affected not to pick up their termination letters.
Nigeria has 11 confirmed Ebola cases so far.
And in sports
Samuel Pawon is here with a wrap up of Monday’s South Sudan cup football games.
Sawon’s report:
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“Gazala FC of Wau has qualified for the semifinals of the tournament in Western Bahr el Ghazal after defeating Salam FC of Kuajok 1-nil on Monday evening at Wau Stadium. Gazala FC will meet Islaha of Aweil tomorrow evening to determine the first and second position in the state. The teams will travel to Juba to meet Malekia and Tahrir of Rumbek. In other local sporting activities, Salam team of Aweil beat Hai El Tuch 2-nil on Monday, while Gonzaka FC and Gazala ended their match in a two all draw at Rumbek Freedom Square. Torit United beat Merikh FC 3-1at Torit Freedom Square.
In today’s matches, Holy family takes on Zalan FC at Rumbek Freedom Square, while in Aweil, Afada team takes on Ayat. In Torit, Equatoria FC is playing Red Stars. I am Samuel Pawon for Radio Miraya News.”
To end the news, the main stories once again.
- Child injured after shelling hits the UNMISS Protection of Civilian site in Bentiu
- Information Ministry speaks out on closure of Bakhita radio
- World Humanitarian Day today, as UN chief condemns attacks on aid workers
You have been listening to Radio Miraya news. To let us know about the latest news where you live, contact us at; . I am Susan Dokolo thanks for listening.
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