South Sudan Government disputes Odinga’s remarks on Dr. Machar’s status

JUBA, South Sudan 

The Government of South Sudan on Monday rejected claims made by Kenyan Special Envoy Raila Odinga regarding the status of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and his wife, Interior Minister Angelina Teny.

President Salva Kiir’s Press Secretary David Majur refuted Odinga’s assertion that Dr. Machar and his wife were under house arrest.

“The claim is unfounded and does not accurately depict the reality of the situation,” he said during a press briefing in Juba.

ALSO READ: "Envoy was denied permission to meet detained South Sudan Vice President"

Odinga, who visited Juba as part of his diplomatic efforts to mediate regional peace, had told Kenyan media that he was denied access to Machar, who is reportedly under house arrest, and was instead directed by President Salva Kiir to consult with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

However, South Sudanese officials dismissed this version of events, insisting that Odinga’s mission to Uganda had been pre-arranged and was not at Kiir’s instruction.

“President Kiir is not an envoy; he is a head of state. His Excellency did not send Raila Odinga to President Museveni,” Majur emphasized.

Meanwhile, the security situation in South Sudan remains tense as government forces continue operations in areas affected by ongoing clashes between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army -in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).

Officials declined to provide a timeline for the investigation into the conflict or the status of Machar.

The diplomatic row was sparked by Odinga’s claim that First Vice President Riek Machar and his wife, Interior Minister Angelina Teny, were under house arrest.

South Sudanese officials swiftly denied the claim, insisting that Teny was carrying out her duties as usual.

The government also took issue with a Kenyan television  station, Citizen TV, for displaying the Sudanese flag instead of South Sudan’s during its coverage of Odinga’s visit, calling it a “misrepresentation” that warrants an apology.

“We demand an apology. Why would you talk about South Sudan while showing someone else’s flag? This is unacceptable,” Majur charged. “We urge all stakeholders to respect South Sudan’s sovereignty and internal dynamics as we work toward regional peace.”

Despite the diplomatic dispute, South Sudan emphasized its commitment to maintaining strong ties with Kenya and other IGAD member states.

UN condemns burial of Gaza aid workers in shallow graves

GAZA CITY,  Palestine 

The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, has condemned the discovery of humanitarian workers’ bodies buried in shallow graves in Gaza, calling it ''a profound violation of human dignity.''

Posting on X, Lazzarini confirmed that the body of a UN colleague killed in Rafah had been recovered alongside aid workers from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS). 

Lazzarini emphasized that the individuals killed were humanitarian workers and stressed that civilians, whether working on the front lines or at home with their families, must be protected at all times. 

He stated that putting emergency responders, journalists, or humanitarian staff at risk reflects a blatant and serious violation of international law. He warned that such actions must not be allowed to become a new standard.

Jonathan Whittall, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Gaza, also described the site as a ''mass grave'' in his post on X. 

He said the burial site had been marked by the flashing emergency light from a destroyed ambulance, and shared images of Red Crescent teams digging through sand near a crushed firetruck and a UN vehicle.

"Seven days ago, civil defence and PRCS ambulances arrived at the scene. One by one, they were hit, they were struck. Their bodies were gathered and buried in this mass grave,'' Whittall added in a post on X.

The Israeli military did not comment directly on the deaths of the PRCS workers. In a statement to Reuters, it said it had helped facilitate the evacuation of the bodies from what it called an ''active combat zone.'' It did not respond to questions regarding why the bodies were buried beneath sand or why the aid vehicles were crushed.

According to Lazzarini, the incident brings the number of humanitarian workers killed in Gaza since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war to 408.

US deports more alleged gang members to El Salvador

By Willy Grant, WASHINGTON United States 

The Trump administration has deported 17 more alleged gang members to El Salvador, the US state department has said, despite legal battles over removing people to the Central American country's supermax prison.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the group included members of the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs.

Salvadoran government officials told the our reporter they included a mix of Venezuelans and Salvadorans.

Earlier this month a court ordered a halt to deportations carried out under the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 law previously used only in wartime. However, US media, citing administration sources, reported that the recent deportations were made under general immigration laws.

In a statement, Rubio said the group included "murderers and rapists", but did not provide names or details of the alleged crimes or of any convictions.

In a post on X, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele shared a dramatically edited video showing shackled men being loaded off a plane and their heads being shaved before they were put into prison cells.

"All individuals are confirmed murderers and high-profile offenders, including six child rapists," he wrote. "This operation is another step in the fight against terrorism and organized crime."

President Trump reposted the message, blamed the administration of his predecessor Joe Biden for allowing the deportees into the US and thanked Bukele for "giving them such a wonderful place to live".

El Salvador has agreed to take in deportees in exchange for $6m (£4.6m).

Family members of some of those who were previously sent to the maximum security prison have denied they have any gang ties.

After Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to remove more than 100 Venezuelans from the US earlier this month, groups including the American Civil Liberties Union filed a legal challenge alleging the administration had illegally denied the immigrants due process.

In a hearing on 15 March, James Boasberg, the top federal judge in Washington DC, imposed a temporary restraining order on the use of the law and ordered deportation flights that were in the air to be turned around.

But the deportations proceeded. The next hearing in the case will be held on Thursday.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 01/04/2025

Zimbabwe shuts down amid calls for protests

HARARE,  Zimbabwe 

A national protest meant to pressure Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign turned into a shutdown as citizens opted to stay away rather than take to the streets amid a heavy security presence.

Only a handful of protesters took part in the planned march, spearheaded by a group of disgruntled war veterans who have accused Mnangagwa of corruption and wanting to cling on to power, and they were dispersed by the police.

Following the reports of a low turnout, protest leader Blessed Geza urged Zimbabweans "not to be cowards" in a post on X.

Mnangagwa became president in 2017 following a coup against long-time leader Robert Mugabe and is currently serving his second and final term.

Geza, who wants Vice-President Constantine Chiwenga to replace Mnangagwa , had previously called for Zimbabweans to "fill the streets" in a final push to force the president to step down.

Numerous videos were shared on social media throughout the day and in one, police can be seen using teargas to disperse a crowd gathered at the President Robert Mugabe Square in Harare.

In another, a woman details the police's efforts to clamp down on what was regarded as a "peaceful protest" as she vowed "we're not going anywhere, we're going to stay here".

"I am 63 and life is tough…I am taking care of my grandchildren because my children cannot afford to," a protester on crutches also told local media house Citizens Voice Network.

"We want General [Constantine] Chiwenga to take over," she added.

The vice-president hasn't commented publicly about the calls for him to replace Mnangagwa and government officials deny there is a rift between the two men.

Reacting to Monday's low turnout, Farai Murapira from the governing Zanu-PF party, said social media was not a reflection of reality.

But political scientist Ibbo Mandaza said those disparaging the turnout were wrong.

"The shutdown was a massive political statement," he said.

Across various cities and towns, the majority of businesses were shuttered and streets were left emptied of the usual bustle of street vendors and choking traffic. Schools closed and public transport was scarce as fearful residents opted to steer clear of the chaos.

The police tightened security, mounting roadblocks into Harare and carrying out patrols on foot and trucks in the city centre throughout the day. They were also seen removing the stones, and cement blocks thrown by protesters.

The country's clergy has since called for cool heads, as it warned that unrest could destabilise an already fragile country.

A petrol station attendant told our reporter in a hushed voice that ordinary people didn't want the country to slide into civil war.

At the heart of the recent protest is a reported plan by the president to extend his final term by two years to 2030. Mnangagwa's second term expires in 2028.

The slogan "2030 he will still be the leader" has been shared by his supporters even though Zimbabwe's constitution limits presidential terms to two five-year terms.

Despite a recent assurance from the president that he did intend to step down in three years, many remain unconvinced.

This has angered Geza, a veteran of the 1970s war of liberation and former senior Zanu-PF member, who has led a verbal attack on Mnangagwa.

In a series of often expletive-laden press conferences, gritty-voiced and with a furrowed forehead, he repeatedly called on the 82-year-old president to go or face being removed.

Rapid Support Forces vows to continue fighting with Sudanese army

NAIROBI, Kenya

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) says its war with the army is not over despite its withdrawal from the capital, Khartoum.

In a message on social media on Sunday, the paramilitary group’s commander, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo described it as a tactical repositioning.

The RSF leader, who is also known as Hemedti, said his forces would return to the city “stronger, more powerful, and victorious”.

It was his first comments since the group was pushed back from most part of Khartoum by the Sudanese Armed Forces last week.

Meanwhile, the army has continued its consolidation its recent gains, taking control of the capital’s twin city, Omduraman, which is home to two large military bases.

On Saturday, Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ruled out any reconciliation with the RSF, vowing to crush it.

The devastating two-year-long war began over tensions linked to the country’s planned political transition.

Fighting has ruined much of the capital and uprooted more than 12 million civilians from their homes, both internally and into neighbouring countries.

Tens of thousands of people have died and about half the population of 50 million is now suffering from acute hunger.

The United Nations has described the situation as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

"Envoy was denied permission to meet detained South Sudan Vice President"

NAIROBI, Kenya

Kenya’s special envoy to South Sudan, Raila Odinga, has revealed he was unable to meet First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar during his visit to Juba, where he sought to mediate in renewed hostilities between government and opposition forces.

Mr Odinga travelled to Juba on Friday at the request of President William Ruto, following reports of Dr Machar’s house arrest. 

Tensions have escalated in the world’s youngest nation, with clashes threatening fragile peace efforts.

In a statement last week in Nairobi, the Kenyan opposition leader said South Sudanese authorities had denied him permission to meet Dr Machar, who remains under house arrest.

“I asked to be allowed to talk to Dr Machar, but they were not able to let me see him. They recommended that I meet with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, which I did. From Juba I then proceeded to Entebbe,” he said.

Mr Odinga said he held lengthy discussions with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, who told him a general and several others had been killed in Nasir town, Upper Nile State.

President Kiir said an investigation was ongoing and cited the incident as the reason for Dr Machar’s detention, Mr Odinga said.

“They are saying it is some militia linked to him, but they have not made a direct connection between him and the killing of the general. We hope they will finalise this matter soon,” he said.

After leaving Juba, Mr Odinga travelled to Entebbe, Uganda, where he briefed President Museveni on the crisis. Mr Museveni pledged to engage with President Kiir.

Mr Odinga stressed that the situation remains unresolved and requires international attention.

“The situation requires international attention. I’m happy that the United Nations is engaged in what’s happening in South Sudan. I believe it is a situation that warrants international security intervention,” he said.

Despite the challenges, he expressed cautious optimism, saying he would brief regional leaders and President Ruto on a possible roadmap to peace.

“I will be briefing other regional leaders and President William Ruto on my mission and a possible roadmap to sustainable peace and stability,” he stated.

President Ruto had announced Mr Odinga’s deployment on Thursday after speaking with President Kiir. He said he also consulted Uganda’s President Museveni and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed before taking the step.

In a post on X, President Ruto wrote: “Had a phone call with President Salva Kiir on the situation leading to the arrest and detention of 1st Vice President Riek Machar in South Sudan. After consultations with President Museveni and PM Abiy, I’m sending a special envoy to South Sudan to engage, try deescalate and brief us back.”

Trump says 'very angry' with Putin over Ukraine truce talks

WASHINGTON, United States 

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday expressed anger with Russian President Vladimir Putin and threatened secondary tariffs on Russian oil should the two not reach a deal to stop fighting in Ukraine.

The reported comments come amid the Trump administration's push to end to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

NBC journalist Kristen Welker said Trump had called her in an exclusive interview and expressed his frustration at the Russian leader.

"If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia's fault — which it might not be — but if I think it was Russia's fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on all oil coming out of Russia."

The threat of 25% tariffs on Russian oil could happen at "any moment," Welker quoted Trump as saying, and added that the president planned on speaking to Putin this week.

"I was very angry, pissed off when Putin started getting into Zelenskyy credibility and started talking about new leadership in Ukraine," Trump told Welker. 

During his presidential campaign, Trump had promised to bring an end to the war at the beginning of his second term in office.

Trump and Putin have had two publicly announced telephone calls, the last known communication taking place on March 19.

Separately, Trump later warned Zelenskyy not to back out of the minerals deal with the US.

"I see he's trying to back out of the rare earth deal," Trump said, speaking to reporters aboard the Air Force One.

If Zelenskyy does that, "he's got some problems, big, big, problems," the US president added.

Trump also said Ukraine is "never going to be part of NATO," and that Zelenskyy understands that.

Guinea's ex-military ruler pardoned over stadium massacre

CONAKRY,  Guinea 

Guinea's ruling junta has pardoned former military leader Moussa Dadis Camara, less than a year into a 20-year sentence for crimes against humanity linked to one of the country's worst massacres.

A decree read on state TV said the pardon had been granted for health reasons.

In 2009, troops under his command opened fire during a rally calling for a return to civilian rule, killing more than 150 people. Scores of women were also raped.

Camara seized power when long-time President Lansana Conté died in 2008. He fled following an assassination attempt not long after the massacre, but returned in 2022 to face justice, insisting he was innocent.

Camara, 61, was a virtually unknown army captain when he led the coup. He was convicted along with seven of his military commanders in July 2024 after a 22-month trial.

His pardon comes in the wake of an announcement earlier in the week that the current military government intends to pay compensation to the victims of the massacre - which Camara and the others convicted had been ordered by the court to cover.

According to Justice Info, a website reporting on international justice, the estimated breakdown of the payouts is:

* $173,000 (£134,000) - per rape victim

* $115,500 - per death or disappearance

* $57,000 - per case of looting

* $23,000 - per case of torture.

The massacre took place in September 2009, when tens of thousands gathered at a stadium in the capital, Conakry, to press Camara not to stand in a presidential election.

Many were shot, stabbed, beaten or crushed in a stampede as security forces fired teargas and charged into the stadium. At least 109 girls and women were raped.

It is not clear what health problems Camara faces. His younger brother Jean Dadis Camara told AFP: "Everyone is happy. We thank the president."

When Camara fled Guinea after being shot in the head, he was treated for six weeks in Morocco before taking up residence in Burkina Faso for 12 years.

His deputy went on to organise an election in 2010 that ushered in a decade of civilian rule, which brought Alpha Condé to power as president.

He was overthrown in a coup in September 2021 in the wake of protests over his controversial third term.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 31/03/2025