Sudan peace talks: Machar’ group want Ugandan Forces to withdraw

KAMPALA: Dr Riek Machar’ negotiating team in the Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa, have described external military intervention in South Sudan an obstacle to the peace deal and urged Uganda to pull out its forces.

In an interview with Daily Monitor on Sunday ahead of the ongoing concord deliberations, Peace and Conflict resolution scholar, Dr Dhieu Mathok Ding Wol, who also doubles as a member of rebel forces negotiating team, said, “it seems the conflict interest is completely misunderstood by the government in Kampala.”

 “Uganda supported the people of South Sudan in their quest for independence. I believe Museveni’s government and the people of Uganda were not supporting an individual, otherwise their support would have died with Dr John Garang.”

He, further, noted they equally had hopes in the peace deal but urged President Salva Kiir’ government not to handle the talks lightly and that any attempt to use force to regain control of the areas under the rebel forces is detrimental to peace to peace and security in the country.

Ugandan government officials yesterday however rubbished the claims saying the rebels either stick to the peace deal or an iron hand “under the context of IGAD” will be used.

The head of government’ information clearing house-Media Center, Ofwono Opondo, maintained: “Uganda is in Sudan to help evacuate its citizens and protect its boarders from any likely infiltration (by another rebel group) during such a time.”

 “It’s not that Uganda urged those people to start fighting. Our country has a lot of interests in a peaceful South Sudan (like addressing the current refugee crisis) so those statements by Machar’ group are outrageous and a scapegoat from the negotiations.”

The Spokesman of the national army, UPDF, Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda could not comment on the rebel’ demands saying he was in a meeting, but Mr Opondo emphasised, “Uganda cannot and will not withdraw until peace is realised.”

But Dr Mathok, further noted “the position of President Museveni on the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan is affecting even the peace process mediated by IGAD in Addis Ababa. He is an elder brother whose word is heard by all if only he can take a neutral position.”

Uganda maintains a “sizeable” force in Sudan to protect and evacuate its citizens trapped.

President Museveni on December 30 travelled to Juba where he warned that either Dr Machar embraces the ceasefire suggested by President Kiir or face the wrath of the regional forces.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) executive secretary, Ambassador Mahboub Maalim, brokering peace, said “negotiations will focus on two agendas; cessation of hostilities and the question of detainees” arrested in the aftermath of the alleged Coup’ on December 15 which kick started the fighting.

No progress was however reported yesterday (Monday).

The fighting which has descended into ethnic clashes between Kiir’ DInka ethnic group and Machar’ ethnic Nuer, has according to the United Nations humanitarian office, killed at least 1,000 people and displaced 200,000 others.

Dr Mathok also explained that ‘what fighting forces are doing is calling for democracy. “If Museveni is agitated by calls for democracy in South Sudan, then he may be right to interfere.”

Side bar

The head of Sudanese’ government negotiation team, Nhial Deng Nhial, said they would “leave no stone unturned in the search for peaceful resolution” but warned it "must be abundantly clear" government has "an obligation to restore peace and security of the country through all means available."

PAY TV firm declines to pay Shs9 billion for fake Decoders

KAMPALA: Digital Pay Television provider, StarTimes has stood ground against compensating customers more than 130,000 customers duped with outdated Digital Video Broadcasting -Terrestrial decoders (DVB-T)

The company sold each DVB-T decoder at Shs70, 000 to customers but were later discovered and announced to be outmoded by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and later prompted a civil suit.

But the company, Daily Monitor, understands objected the out of Court settlement options-of paying customers at least Shs9.1 billion for the fake equipment or providing the required DVB-T2 set top boxes warranted by the regulator, UCC and other International Standards

Star Times publicist, Christine Nagujja, when contacted defended the company’ decision saying, other Pay TV providers (like DSTV) also provided relatively similar obsolete technology (while they were starting) but have never compensated customers or even dragged Court.

“And it’s not that DVB-T decoders do not function. They still do---but it was also simply advancement in the technology,” Ms Nagujja remarked, “Telecom companies are now using 3/4G technology for internet but are people using 1G blocked from doing so?”

She also maintained the Court Case is “simply political”, and aimed at mudslinging the company’ reputation. “Let’ just wait for what Court will decide.”

Two pay television customers subscribing to StarTimes, a Chinese-owned Pay TV operator, Mr Muzamir Kasamba and Mr Mulwani Taminwa, jointly with the Uganda Consumer Protection Awareness Association (UCPAA), sued the company for distribution of out-of-date decoders, rather incompatible to digital technology.

Star Times officials also said, the company stopped importation of the said decoders and noted: “Any one claiming to have bought a DVB-T decoder from our outlets is lying.”

Over 130,000 Star Times pay TV subscribers allege that the firm has continued selling them DVB-T set top boxes— an outdated technology which is yet to be switched off instead of Digital Video Broadcasting – Second Generation Terrestrial (DVB-T2), a modern decoder with a bigger frequency spectrum capable of carrying higher TV content and compatible with digital broadcasting compared to DVB-T.

Mr Richard Omongole, legal representatives of the applicants confirmed Star Times objection to the “settlement options” but said the case is still in Court.

Uganda is among several African countries preparing for digital migration in 2015, but awareness in the country is still lukewarm.

While UCC acquiesced to DVBT2 as the ideal for digital migration, StarTimes had ostensibly been given a licence by the former to sell DVBT1 set top boxes, in cognisance of full implications, which critics said is justification of “UCC’ corruption and Incompetence.”

Side bar

Attempts to get comment from UCC were futile by press time as several officials authorised to comment on the matter could not be reached by phone. 

South Sudan backs UPDF intervention

KAMPALA: Talks to cessation of hostilities in South Sudan yesterday flopped again as President Salva Kiir’ government defended UPDF’ involvemnet saying Uganda [as a big brother] has an obligation to maintain peace in the region.

The South Sudanese ambassador, Samuel Lominsuk, said Uganda’ national army was not officially invited but like US, Britain and Kenya which reined in forces to evacuate and protect its citizens, did so on humanitarian grounds.

“Why is everyone focusing their attention on UPDF? Did the world want the situation to turn into complete genocide (as we saw in Rwanda while everyone was looking on) for any intervention?” he noted, “In Africa what happens in one man’ house must be a concern for all the neighbouring homes.”

His defence came on the heels of mounting heckling from several Members of Parliament and Civil Society Organisations questioning UPDF’ role in the three week’ conflict which according to UN. agencies has claimed over 1,000 lives and displaced over 200,000 people.

Amb. Lominsuk, added “We have a military agreement signed by my government, DRC and Uganda to flash out rebel activities-of Joseph Kony, which prompted UPDF to intervene and defend its country’ boarders.”

“Even though not fully operationalised, Uganda’ intervention was also justified under the Inter Government Authority of Development (IGAD). So I think the condemnations are just nonsense.”

The Parliamentary Defence Committee summoned Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga expected to appear today to explain Uganda’s military presence in South Sudan without approval.

Internal Affairs minister, Gen Aronda Nyakayirima is also expected to appear separately to give status report about the increasing number of refeugges, which the UNHCR has put at more than 23,546.

Ms Rosemary Namayanja, the Information minister said “UPDF’ deployment is only at the airport and key government strategic installations and they are not involved in war.”

Peace talks fail

The ongoing peace talks in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, stiffened further, with Dr. Riek Machar’ rebel group demanding for an immediate release of all former cabinet ministers [and other detainees] arrested in the aftermath of the December 15 Coup’-which kick started the bloodletting.

But Amb. Lominsuk, addressing journalists, described Dr. Machar as “man with a history of violence” who has murdered several of his countrymen (for his failed political ambitions) but at this rate cannot be tolerated.

 “There will be no preconditions at all agreed for a ceasefire,” he remarked, “President Kiir’ government has the mandate of the people to protect them and ensure peace and order—at all costs.

He said, three of the 12 ministers were released but, “the remaining 9 were already wanted and have corruption cases to answer. They will go through due legal processes as done in any democratic institution and if found innocent will be released.”

The rebel’ negotiating team had also appealed to Uganda to withdraw its army saying there meddling will worsen the situation.

In summary

The ambassador said the States of Unity and Jonglei, are still under control of rebel forces, which comprise of over 45,000 Child Soldiers which SPLA forces fear to harm if it launched an offensive to reclaim them.

UPDF will not take sides in South Sudan-gov’t

KAMPALA: The government yesterday assured the international community that Uganda’ involvement in South Sudan under the framework of IGAD is to purposely protect its citizens and will not meddle into the politics of the country.

The Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi, at a meeting with the British High Commissioner, Alison Blackburne and Netherlands ambassador, Alphons Hennekens, said UPDF’ presence in the three week’ conflict averted loss of lives.

"From the humanitarian view we quickly went there on our own but on the second aspect we cannot take unilateral action,” Mbabazi notified the envoys.

He, reminded them that Africa’ youngest nation as ever been bedrock of Islamists [rebels] in previous years leading to independence and there was obligation to forestall such terrorism predicament-like in Somalia.

The fighting-started December 15 after a purpoted Coup’-has since descended into an ethnic conflict between President Salva Kiir’ Dinka group against former Vice President’ Dr. Riek Machar’ Nuer, amist ongoing peace talks in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

According to UN. agencies over 1,000 people died so far and more than 200,000 displaced.

On December 30, President Museveni travelled to Juba where he warned that either the rebels embrace the ceasefire suggested by Kiir’ government or face the wrath of the [IGAD] regional forces-and Uganda has since deployed and maintained a sizeable force.

Mr Mbabazi said, Uganda could not unilateral military action because the consequences would be disastrous.

The envoys had called the meeting to discuss Uganda’s representation on the Board of the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF), a multi-donor funding mechanism for democratic institutions and processes in African countries funded by the European Union, UK, and Netherlands.

They assured the Prime Minister of their commitment to fostering active dialogue on the DGF’s objectives.

The South Sudanese government on Wednesday defended the deployment of UPDF in Juba, saying Uganda [as a big brother] had an obligation to maintain peace in the region-and stop the conflict from degenerating into genocide.

The country’ ambassador, to Uganda, Samuel Lominsuk, said: “In Africa, what happens in one man’ house must be a concern for all the neighbouring homes.”

The UN agency for refugees, UNHCR says has received more than 23,546, currently hosted in the West Nile districts of Adjumani, Arua, AND Yumbe.

Side bar

Mr Mbabazi also assured the envoys that the recently passed Anti-Homosexuality Bill would be first discussed by the NRM caucus before being receiving Presidential assent.

Sudanese Dinka, Nuer refugee groups clash in camps

Tension between the South Sudanese refugee ethnic Dinkas and Nuer is brewing up in camps in Northern Uganda and has prompted authorities to split and relocate the two groups accordingly.

West Nile region Police spokesperson, Josephine Angucia, said that, ethnic clashes between the two groups have become rampant and worrying-since some refugees fleeing the ranging conflict in South Sudan carry firearms, caches of bullets and army uniforms which can easily turn into bloodletting.

“They have shifted their internal conflicts to the camps, but we are trying all our best to diffuse such incidences,” she said, but, “Aware of the situation, we are now cautioning them straightway at the point of receipt.”

Another official not authorised to comment about the matter because they are coordinating the refugees, said such tension was building and worse in camps like Eregu in Adjumani, the first gathering point and several assault cases have been reported.

Ms Angucia, however pegged the tribal build-ups to trauma and anxiety the refugees have been through both at home and in camps, but maintained Police and the humanitarian agencies are averting any possibility of “escalation” by splitting them.

Similarly, authorities in Adjumani Saturday said refugees totaling to 29,515 rioted over the delay by agencies to relocate them to more spacious settlements but the situation was contained.

Fighting in South Sudan which pitted President Salva Kiir’ ethnic Dinka against former Vice President’ Nuer group started on December 15 after a purported Coup’ and has according to UN. agencies claimed over 1,000 lives and displaced more than 200,000 people.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund [CERF] has released a $15 million (Shs37 billion) funding package to expedite relief efforts for the Sudanese refugee operations.

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, announced last week in New York that ‘aid agencies need to quickly provide assistance to the thousands of people caught up in violence, and funding is crucial.’

However, an official at the CERF secretariat at UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Tomas de Mul, in a telephone interview from Washington, said the money released first was to purposely take care of operations for agencies on ground in South Sudan and not necessarily agencies in Uganda.

Side bar

The Uganda Red Cross head of communications, Catherine Makumbi, said current refugees numbers are believed to be 46,371.

UN cautions against external intervention in South Sudan

The UN Security Council Friday expressed strong support for dialogue on the South Sudan conflict and strongly discouraged any external military intervention as a solution.

The Council President Zeid Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein, also the Jordanian, Permanent representative to the United Nations in a statement said, they strongly supported the mediation efforts led by the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), seeking a peaceful settlement to the crisis.

However, “The members of the Security Council also strongly discouraged external intervention that could exacerbate the military and political tensions,” Mr Zeid noted.

He, added that, Council members had renewed their calls to all parties for:  cessation of violence and hostilities, provision of humanitarian access, and security of economic infrastructure, including oil installations and the safety of the employees.

The caution against military intervention in the [near] month’ conflict which, according to UN. agencies has claimed lives of estimated 10,000 people, however did not highlight the way forward for external armies already involved.

Uganda at the onset of the fighting on December 15 which pitted President Salva Kiir’ against former Vice President, Dr Riek Machar, deployed units of soldiers to evacuate stranded Ugandans-and maintains them around strategic installations in the Capital, Juba.

But the army-UPDF- has now widened the scope of operations to peacekeeping and enforcement, which involves offensive operations against the rebel forces loyal to Dr. Machar.

Army spokesman, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, told Daily Monitor, Sunday that they have to work with “a legitimate government”, not the rebels.

He added that, Uganda is about to sign the Status of Force Agreement (SFA), which will see UPDF operations officially, defined.

“They have written to us officially and SFA will be signed soon with the government of South Sudan and if the Window is open, we might be involved in peace enforcement,” he said.

Several critics, including the Dr. Machar’ team negotiating a peace deal in the Ethiopian Capital, Addis Ababa, have all questioned Uganda’ unilateral position in the conflict, and urged President Museveni to withdraw his troops.

President Museveni has written to the Speaker of Parliament to retrospectively approve the deployment of Ugandan troops in S. Sudan saying, Uganda cannot and should not “stand aloof” and watch the situation deteriorate.

The Security Council also requested President Kiir’ government to release all political prisoners currently detained in order to create an environment conducive to a successful dialogue.

Side bar

They also welcomed the African Union Peace decision to establish a commission of investigation to ensure accountability, reconciliation and healing among all South Sudanese communities.

ERA reduces power tariffs by 0.8%

KAMPALA: Electricity consumers both domestic and commercial can exhale a sigh of relief for some time now on end-user tariffs but the status quo will remain as long as the shilling continues to appreciate and global fuel prices low.

The regulator, Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) yesterday announced a ‘slight” reduction in tariffs by Shs4 (o.8 per cent) from Shs524.5 to Shs520.4 for domestic consumers and Shs487.6 for commercial consumers to Shs474.4.

Announcing the uncharacteristic development, the ERA chairman Richard Santo Apire, said the approved tariffs which take effect on tomorrow (Thursday) shall be subject to a quarterly adjustment determined in accordance with an approved methodology.

“These new tariffs are subject to change owing to changes in global fuel prices which affect UETCL’ costs of purchasing power from IPPs with fossil-fired electricity generation, and foreign exchange regime which affects all companies involved in supplying power,” he added.

Mr Apire, remarked that the 2014 end-user tariffs are a culimination of a tariff review process that started with the submission of applications by Umeme, Eskom, UETCL, and UEDCL.

 Monopoly power distributor, Umeme, had proposed that the end-user tariffs for domestic consumers be increased by 9.95 per cent in 2014, citing the need to invest in expanding its network and also meet the power purchase costs.

The ERA officials maintained, the applications were advertised calling upon the public for comments and objects, but not representations were received.

In another related twist the price of the first 15 units increased from Shs100 to Shs150, which officials has not been revised for a number of years but with the absence of a subsidy an increase was inevitable.

Average electricity consumption in kilowatts per hour varies from consumer to another.

The government also expects to spend Shs59.5 billion on thermal plants throughout the year to supplement the 516MW hydro-electric generated capacity.

The junior minister for energy, Peter Lokeris, further noted that, tariffs will gradually drop when Karuma and Isimba hydro-projects come on board.