Monday 22 August South Sudan’s new First Vice President (FVP), Taban Deng Gai, met with Sudanese senior officials and President Omar al-Bashir to discuss outstanding issues following the 2011 independence during his first official trip to Khartoum. The parties later reached an agreement over security, border issues, and transitional financial arrangements. US Secretary of State,… Read more »
Month: August 2016
In War, Not All Violence is Equal
The use of military force may reduce killings, but not necessarily sexual violence. On 19 June this year, the UN marked the very first International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. Meanwhile, women and men continue to be subjected to sexual violence on a daily basis in several of the wars taking… Read more »
This Week in South Sudan – Week 33
Top stories of the week: SPLM (IO) leader Riek Machar has fled to neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo. Recruitment of child soldiers is rising in South Sudan, with more than 650 children having been recruited by armed groups so far this year. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has ordered an independent investigation into the July raid… Read more »
India’s Membership of the Missile Technology Control Regime
India became the 35th member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) on 27 June 2016. The MTCR is an informal and voluntary association of suppliers of ballistic and cruise missiles capable of delivering Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), and other unmanned aerial vehicles. It was established in 1987 with merely seven countries. Though the… Read more »
This Week in South Sudan – Week 32
Tuesday 9 August The government of South Sudan (GOSS) is seeking a US$1.9 billion loan from China to develop its oilfields and roads, as the inflation rate, which exceeded 660 per cent last month, continues to increase. SPLA and SPLA (IO) forces clashed around Yei, Central Equatoria State. Clashes have also been reported by the… Read more »
This Week in South Sudan – Week 31
Monday 1 August The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) warned that further deterioration of the security situation in South Sudan could lead to the cessation of oil production, practically the only source of government revenue. Tuesday 2 August Lam Akol, agriculture minister and the leader of SPLM-Democratic Change resigned, stating the August 2015 peace… Read more »
Several Securities at Stake in Rio?
This Friday the iconic Maracanã stadium in Rio is set to host the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games. For the first time in South America, the world yet again comes together to celebrate sports, unity and diversity. Against the backdrop of turbulent times marked by all sorts of global economic, geopolitical and humanitarian… Read more »
This Week in South Sudan – Week 30
Monday 25 July The recent upsurge in fighting in South Sudan, and subsequent refugee influx is overwhelming Ugandan reception centres. Tuesday 26 July President Salva Kiir appointed and swore in Taban Deng Gai as his new first vice president, replacing SPLM (IO) leader Riek Machar. While the UN warned Salva Kiir that new appointments must… Read more »