Metro

US withdraws troops from peacekeeping monitoring groups in South Sudan

Published

2 years ago

July 16, 2022

The “lack of sustained progress” by the United Nations peacekeeping monitoring groups in South Sudan has forced the United States to pull out of the systems.

In a statement on Friday, the US Department of State said the systems that monitor the peace process in the war-torn country had failed to meet reform milestones set before it and therefore, the US would no longer be s part of the systems.

The US will be withdrawing from two key peacekeeping systems, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) and the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM).

The statement cited the failure of South Sudanese leaders’ failure to establish a “unified, professional military” as well as their lack of political will to protect members of the civil society members and journalists and to enact necessary financial reforms.

“South Sudan’s leaders have not fully availed themselves of the support these monitoring mechanisms provide and have demonstrated a lack of political will necessary to implement critical reforms,” the State Department said in the statement signed by its spokesman, Ned Price.

However, the US will continue to provide about $1 billion in humanitarian and development aid and offer support to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), among other financial backing, the statement added.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has been one of the most expensive in the world with billions of dollars pumped into it by the UN, the US and other donor agencies but so far, it has failed to sustain the peace due to the lack of cooperation by the warring factions in the country.

Despite a transition period set to end in February 2023, where President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar agreed to form a unity government more than two years ago, the country continues to face instability and sporadic violence that has left nearly one million people dead.

They have also been unable to agree on many key provisions of the peace deal including drafting a permanent constitution.

The UN has repeatedly criticized the leadership of the country over its role in the violence, violations of human rights, clamping down on political opponents, plundering public funds as well as committing war crimes.

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

29 minutes ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

5 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.