South Sudan – 31 Oct 2014
President to Visit Khartoum On Saturday
South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, will arrive in Khartoum on Saturday to discuss outstanding issues between the two countries and the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.
Sudan’s foreign minister, Ali Karti, said in press statements on Wednesday that Kiir will arrive in Khartoum on Saturday, adding “the visit was previously delayed due to health conditions of the Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir not for any political reasons”.
On 11 August, Bashir underwent a knee replacement surgery. He resumed his official duties after a period of convalescence that extended for more than a month.
AllAfrica.com
UN Officials Welcome Launch in South Sudan of Campaign to End Use of Child Soldiers
The United Nations stands ready to support the Government of South Sudan in its renewed commitment to end the recruitment and use of children in the army, top UN officials declared today as the Organization launched a new initiative in the country.
“It’s encouraging to see that the Government is taking steps to protect the country’s children and the United Nations will continue to support them,” said Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, in a message read during the launch of the Children, Not Soldiers campaign in South Sudan.
UN News
Rival Forces Clash Over Control of Oil-Rich Town
Fresh clashes occurred on Monday between South Sudan’s rival factions in Unity state, as peace TALKS mediated by the East African regional bloc (IGAD) was to start in Ethiopia.
The incident, in violation of the cessation of hostile deal agreed on in January and re-committed to in May, comes days after the two rival leaders met for talks in Arusha, Tanzania.
“There is a fighting going on now in Bentiu as we are here. The rebels of Riek Machar have launched an attack on the positions of the SPLA forces in the area and we are expecting them to do the same in other areas, especially in Upper Nile state,” president Salva Kiir told the opening session of the governors’ forum in Juba on Monday.
Sudan Tribute