NEWSLINE

Livestock Prices Increase in South Sudan The current insecurity in parts of Jonglei State has led to an increase of livestock prices at the local market. 29 December 2012 Livestock at a local market in Juba. [] BOR, 28 December 2012 [Gurtong] – During the year, cattle traders moved freely from Ayod, Fangak, and Bentiu using river transport and Duk and Uror by use of road during the dry season. In Pibor County, the traders are freeing because of insecurity on the road and this has affected business in the area. James Panchol, a trader in the town says prices have gone up to 5,000 South Sudanese pounds (SSP) for a cow and it’s expected to get even higher. Last year there was booming business between Jonglei and Central Equatoria states where Murle from Pibor escorted their cattle to Juba and some Dinka men also transported their bulls using vehicles to sell in Juba. Cattle business is one of the most international businesses in South Sudan which

Residents Flee Bangui As Rebels Pause For Talks Residents of Central African Republic's riverside capital Bangui fled in overloaded cars and boats on Friday or stockpiled food and water as rebel forces paused at the city gates for ceasefire talks. 29 December 2012 Smoke is seen after residents of Central African Republic participated in a protest in front of the French Embassy in the capital Bangui, December 26, 2012.[Credit: Reuters/Stringer] By Paul-Marin Ngoupana BANGUI 29 December 2012 [REUTERS] - An insurgency has swept across much of the poverty-stricken but resource-rich former French colony since December 10, posing the biggest threat yet to President Francois Bozize's nearly 10 years in power and threatening a humanitarian crisis. The government on Thursday urged Western powers France and the United States to h

Governor Delivers Promises To Yirol East The Lakes State Governor, Chol Tong Mayay has opened seven developmental facilities including a Fishery, Judiciary Center, a Freedom Square, Water system, Zain Network and Prison Services in Adior eastern part of Yirol East County. 24 December 2012 Governor Chol Tong said the next mission will be to strengthen security and protect lives and property across all areas suspected to have threats. [gurtong] By Gabriel Mayom RUMBEK, 24 December 2012 [RUMBEK] - Yirol East County is located in Eastern part of Rumbek, the capital of Lakes state. Governor Chol Tong urged the public to stay in peaceful to allow more development projects to be implemented. “Those are part of my campaign in 2010 election – I came here today to celebrate with you and have a joy with all of you – you are all in my heart,” he said. He said the next mission will be to strengthen security and protect lives and property by reinforcing sec

Khartoum's Preconditions Endless - Amum South Sudan should develop an alternative outlet to the sea to export its oil and develop its trade with the rest of its neighbours as Khartoum’s preconditions and obstruction are not about to end, says Mr Pagan Amum, South Sudan’s chief negotiator to the post independence talks with Sudan. 22 December 2012 Pagan Amum said as long as Sudan continues its preconditions, the two countries will find themselves in a state of no war, no peace, no flow of oil, and no trade. [Gurtong | File] JUBA, 21 December 2012 [GOSS] - Mr Amum who was speaking on 19 December at Juba International Airport soon after arrival from Addis Ababa where they have been engaging in the next round of talks with Khartoum government after the September 27 agreements inked by the two heads states, said Sudan was not interested in implementing the peace pack. Sudan and South Sudan have been experiencing an impasse in implementing

South Sudan Admits It Downed U.N. Helicopter, Killing Four South Sudan's army shot down a United Nations peacekeeping helicopter in the restive Jonglei state on Friday, killing the four Russian crew members onboard, U.N. and military officials said. 22 December 2012 Army spokesman Philip Aguer said an artillery unit had spotted a plane landing in an area where Yau Yau forces were operating. [Gurtong | File] JUBA, 22 December 2012 [REUTERS] - A U.N. source said the helicopter was on a reconnaissance mission in an area where the SPLA, South Sudan's army, has been fighting rebels led by David Yau Yau. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the attack on the "clearly marked" helicopter and in a statement called "on the government of South Sudan to immediately carry out an investigation and bring

The National Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning said today that no state can threaten its powers over the management of revenue collections, in a response to the announcement by Central Equatoria State to pull out from the centralized revenue collections. South Sudanese Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Dr Marial Awou at a past event. [Gurtong | File] JUBA, 30 October 2012 [Gurtong] - Dr. Marial Awou, the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning said in a statement that, “no anyone state can threaten the central government.” “We expect them to give us a written document containing their decision and we have to sit down and discuss,” he said. The Central Equatoria State Governor Clement Wani Konga last week announced his government decision to pull out from the National Government policy of centralized revenue collections. Konga said despite well written terms of agreement between the states and the national government, the cen

by Michael Angier   The tendency in most organizations--whether large companies, government departments or even family units--is not to rock the boat and refrain from telling telling our truth. For a variety of reasons, we hold back from saying what's true for us. We may fear being ostracized, held up for promotion, ridiculed or even fired. But that's not the way to greatness; that's the way to mediocrity or even failure. To grow, we have to tell the truth-- OUR truth.   I'm talking here about sharing what we believe, what we feel and what we think about things that matter. Sometimes we hold back because we're protecting the person or persons we need to confront. Maybe we're not sure they can handle the truth. But we do them and ourselves a great disservice when we withhold our point of view. Telling the truth truly is a loving act.  Can you overdo it? Sure. And you should never use this to dump your judgments, righteous opinions or hars