This Week in South Sudan – Week 5

Monday 26 January

  • Foreign Policy article ‘Inside the White House Fight over the slaughter in South Sudan’ focuses on the threat of an arms embargo and the slow pace of American diplomacy on South Sudan.
  • South Sudan fighting grinds on, one year after the Cessation of Hostilities agreement was signed.

Tuesday 27 January

  • The UN has secured the release of 3,000 child soldiers in South Sudan, calling it one of the largest demobilizations of children ever. So far 280 children have been released, ages 11-17, while the rest of the children will disarm over the next several weeks.
  • According to South Sudan’s petroleum minister, Stephen Dhieu Dau, oil production has risen by about 9,000 barrels per day from 160,000 bpd, December last year, to 169,000 bpd.
  • At least 13 dead, including 4 journalists, as gunmen attacked a convoy in Raga town, Western Bahr el-Ghazal. The attack was allegedly carried out by the Ugandan rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
  • Lawmakers in Northern Bahr el Ghazal have voted to impeach the state’s caretaker governor, Kuel Aguer Kuel, accusing him of corruption, nepotism, sympathizing with rebels, defamation and violating the state constitution.

Wednesday 28 January

  • According to President Salva Kiir, parts of the Arusha agreement from last week, to reunify the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), were changed before it was signed.
  • A former director of research at South Sudan’s ministry of defense, Major Lasuba Lodoru Wongo, said there is a new rebel group in South Sudan, composed of more than 200 soldiers who left the army because they were disappointed with how the two faction leaders are handling the peace talks.
  • UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon appointed an Ethiopian general, Haile Tilahun Gebremariam, as the new Head of Mission of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
  • PRIO Global Fellow, Luka Biong Deng on the AU Commission of Inquiry report and the Arusha deal.

Thursday 29 January

  • In Pictures: Nuba refugees in South Sudan strive for independence.
  • In Pictures: Arab nomads in Upper Nile State.
  • According to a new Small Arms Survey report, the Chinese oil company, the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), is financing a South Sudanese government militia to protect the Unity oil field.

Friday 30 January

  • In order to advance the mediation process, the African Union has postponed releasing the report expected to reveal those responsible for atrocities committed in the violence in South Sudan. Human rights groups, like Amnesty International, criticized the AU this decision saying the report would have helped bring accountability.
  • UN warns surge in Sudanese refugees, as they flee aerial bombardments and ground attacks in Nuba Mountains in Sudan, pushes camp capacity to its limit in Yida and Ajuong Thok, Unity State.
  • The SPLM/A (IO) warned of imminent multi-front attacks by troops loyal to President Salva Kiir, calling on international and regional players to reign in the government.
  • Leaders from South Sudan’s Greater Equatoria region opposed a proposal by IGAD to have rebel leader Riek Machar appointed as the country’s first vice-president, making the current vice president, James Wani Igga the second vice-president.

Saturday 31 January

  • The African Union Peace and Security Council said sanctions will be imposed on all parties in South Sudan who continue to undermine the cessation of hostilities agreement.
  • According to a rebel official, fresh clashes occurred Friday between SPLA and  SPLM/A (IO) in Unity state’s Mayom county.

Sunday 1 February

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