This Week in South Sudan – Week 27

Monday 30 June

• UN envoy in South Sudan, Hilde Frafjord Johnson, said that the collective leadership in South Sudan must take responsibility for the conflict.
• Riek Machar defended the call for federalism.
• South Sudan government officially admitted that international help is needed to avoid collapse.
• Church leaders and women groups in Unity State announced support for federalism.
• The South Sudan government said that SPLM/A-in-Opposition has kidnapped a Kenyan pilot and demands $1.5 million for his release.

Tuesday 1 July

• The South Sudan government announced that they are willing to conclude the peace negotiations within two weeks if SPLA/M-in-Opposition agrees to participate.
• MSF reported that at least 58 people have been killed in hospitals during the South Sudan conflict.
• South Sudanese journalists were accused of erroneous reporting.
• Riek Machar travelled to South Africa to meet President Jacob Zuma.
• A mass prayer for reconciliation took place in Bor, Jonglei State.
• Increasing tensions were reported in Juba, as state governors in the Equatora states have been critical towards Salva Kiir.

Wednesday 2 July

• The hunger crisis in South Sudan was predicted to affect four million people.
• UN officials claimed UN staff was prevented from travelling by South Sudan security officials because of ethnicity.
• South Sudan implemented a ban on foreign taxi drivers.
• Yonglei youths rejected a federal system proposed by the SPLA/M-in-Oppostion.
• The South Sudan government denied banning debates about federalism.
• South Sudan’s finance minister tabled the annual budget 2014-2015 before parliament.
• New York Times reported that the South Sudan government has declined UN’s request to deploy unarmed drones to aid the peacekeeping mission.
• Juba and Khartoum signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on border control and immigration.

Thursday 3 July

• South Sudanese MP’s criticised stakeholders involved in the IGAD peace negotiations.
• The governor of Central Equatoria reiterated the federalism demand.
• The US considered more individual sanctions towards South Sudan as a response to the current crisis.

Friday 4 July

• SPLA/M-in-Opposition was accused of killing 8 people in Warrap State.
• Salva Kiir met with Ethiopia’s foreign minister.
• Jonglei State government announced that it severs ties with the UN agency OCHA.
• Machar concluded his Pretoria visit.

Saturday 5 July

• SPLA announced that the tensions in Western Equatoria have been subdued.
• Peter Adwok Nyaba, a former political detainee joined SPLA/M-in-Opposition.
• At least one person was killed in a truck ambush between Juba and Bor.
• Ongoing fighting reported in Unity State.
• South Sudan Human Rights Commission called for freedom of speech.
• Disarmament of SPLA deserters reported in Bahr el Ghazal.

Sunday 6 July

• SPLA/M-in-Opposition accused SPLA of killing civilians in Western Equatoria.
• Salva Kiir called on African leaders  to push for a solution to the South Sudan crisis.