Africa

March 28, 2018 (JUBA) - The Government of Japan has contributed $1 million for the mine action project dubbed “Enhancing the Humanitarian Mine Action Programme in South Sudan”.

Sign warning drivers in South Sudan to stay on the road or they might encounter land mines (Photo minefields.com)

Over the past six years, Japan has contributed over US $14 million to mine action operations in South Sudan, enabling the clearance of 3,034,713 sqm of land, the removal of 20,180 explosive hazards and the delivery of Mine Risk Education to 140,800 people, including 91,144 children.

Decades of civil war and continued conflict has littered vast areas of South Sudan with explosive hazards. Despite the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities signed by the Government of South Sudan and opposition parties in December 2017, armed violence and clashes have continued throughout the country.

The continued use of explosive weapons, such as rockets, grenades and mortars, has hindered the safe movement of the civilian population as well as the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance.

An estimated 6.3 million people in South Sudan – half the population – now live in counties where their safety is threatened by the presence of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).

While approximately 150 new hazardous areas are discovered every month, the full extent of contamination is unknown with large areas of the country requiring survey.

Continued funding from Japan will reportedly support four Field Assessment Teams (FATs) to mitigate the impact of explosive hazards, through survey and clearance as well as the provision of Mine Risk Education for conflict-affected populations.

The teams will provide national coverage from their bases in Bentiu, Bor, Malakal, and Wau to facilitate response in areas prioritized by humanitarian and development partners.

In South Sudan, mine action is a critical enabler of humanitarian aid, a key driver of socioeconomic development, and a strong promoter of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The Government of Japan is committed to providing humanitarian, capacity building and development assistance to South Sudanese people. The US $1,000,000 assistance announced recently is part of the US $34 million assistance package to South Sudan,” the Japanese envoy to South Sudan, Seiji Okada said in a statement.

He added, “We trust UNMAS, together with its partners, will continue its important work of clearing land for people to go back to that land, so that they can engage in livelihood activities such as agriculture.”

The UNMAS South Sudan programme director, Tim Lardner, UNMAS lauded the Japanese government for its financial support.

“We admire Japan's strong initiative and vital support for global mine action activities and for UNMAS. The Japanese people's US $9.3 million donations to UNMAS for this year will benefit mine action programmes in six countries, including Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Sudan, Syria as well as South Sudan,” he said.

Japan has continued to be a supportive partner in mine action to South Sudan.

Last year, Japan supported risk mitigation of explosive hazards through survey and clearance, as well as risk education, but also maintained an important role in allowing UNMAS to work with government, through Mine Action Authority.

“It is great to have such a steady and reliable partner," stressed Lardner.

(ST)

March 27, 2018 (JUBA) - A rebel faction allied South Sudan's former first vice president, Riek Machar have accused the Juba army of carrying out attacks the country, particularly in Payai payam, an area located in Pieri county of Bieh state on Tuesday morning.

Rebel fighters aligned with former vice-president Riek Machar gather in a village in South Sudan's Upper Nile state on 8 February 2014 (Photo: Goran Tomasevic/Reuters)

Similar clashes reportedly occurred last week between the armed opposition fighters and pro-government forces in Upper Nile and Yei River states.

Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel, the deputy rebel spokesperson told Sudan Tribune that their forces managed to repulse all attacks on Tuesday.

He claimed pro-government forces stormed out of their trenches on Tuesday and attacked their defensive position in Bieh state areas.

The rebels also alleged that government forces attacked their positions in Nyirol and Guer payam in Western Nyirol county in total violation of the ceasefire to avoid peaceful resolution of the conflict.

He accused government forces of carrying out other similar attacks on their defensive positions in Eastern Equatoria's Magwi county.

“At about midday, the regime's militias under the command of the so-called Brig. Gen. Francis Odera Otto attacked our defensive position in and around Magwi killing two of our soldiers. Brig. Francis, who are currently undergoing a process of integration in Gorum training ground, came to Magwi for more mobilization and recruitment of civilians into the regime's army to support his rank,” he said.

The rebel official tasked the ceasefire monitoring body (CTSAMM) and other peace partners to investigate these attacks and hold violators accountable.

“The leadership of the SPLA-IO directs all forces to be alert and vigilant as the regime steps up its anti-peace campaign to derail the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) process,” further stressed Lam.

(ST)

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