This Week in South Sudan – 15-22 Dec.

Monday 15 December

• Foreign Policy article by Ban Ki-Moon calling on the South Sudanese leaders to show statesmanship and commitment to the peace negotiations.
• South Sudan marks first anniversary of civil war.
• Opinion piece by John Kerry and Susan Rice: South Sudan’s leaders need to set aside their dispute.
• One year into the South Sudanese conflict, Naming the Ones We Lost, a project carried out by civil society volunteers, works to memorialize the victims and ‘promote human dignity.’
• Radio Tamazuj’s timeline of South Sudan’s year at war.
• Reflections by international and national leaders and civilians on a year of war in South Sudan.

Tuesday 16 December          

• At least 19 people were confirmed dead and 25 people wounded during inter-clan revenge clashes in Lakes state, Cueibet County.
• According to a new IGAD report, the SPLA Juba violated the cessation of hostilities agreement twice over the past month.

Wednesday 17 December

• Sudan warns South Sudan against ‘hostile moves’ by rebels in its territory.

Thursday 18 December

• A spokesperson for the SPLM-IO refuted earlier statements by SPLM-IO military spokesman, Lul Ruai’s claiming responsibility for attacking a trade convoy on Nimule-Juba road.
• IGAD led peace talks resume in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
• Tensions flare between the Dinka Bor in Jonglei state and the Murle of the newly created Greater Pibor Administration Area (GPAA).

Friday 19 December

• Recent report by the Human Rights division of UNMISS says civilians were targeted and serious human rights abuses were committed by the SPLM-IO during an attack on Bentiu, Unity state, in October.

Saturday 20 December

• South Sudan President Salva Kiir, sent the disputed National Security Bill back to Parliament for further deliberation after legal experts found irregularities in it.

Sunday 21 December

• South Sudan economy under threat from plummeting oil prices.

Monday 22 December

• Calm amid fear as residents of Bentiu, Unity state, tries to regain some sense of normalcy.
• China National Petroleum Co (CNPC) has entered into an agreement with South Sudan to boost production of existing oilfields.
• IGAD peace negotiations in Addis Ababa, restarted just last week, have been adjourned until 2015 so participants do not “spoil their Christmas season and the New Year season.”