This Week in South Sudan – Week 21

Wednesday 20 May

• The SPLA (IO) tactically withdrew from Melut, Upper Nile state “in order to reorganize for next move.”
• According to a communique following the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGL), the regional leaders rejected the direct participation of the Troika (US, UK and Norway) in the IGAD process, and the UN’s call for targeted sanctions and arms embargo on South Sudan.
• The street price for USD dropped slightly in Juba and Nimule.

Thursday 21 May

• Dozens civilians were wounded in clashes between the government and SPLA (IO) in the Pajut area between Duk and Uror Counties in Jonglei state, an SPLM official said.
• South Sudan’s military and National Security Services (NSS) have detained without charge up to dozens of civilians in the Equatoria region, according to a new Human Rights report.

Friday 22 May

• Eight IDPs killed in UNMISS’ compound and PoC site in Melut as 22 shells hit the base during the course of the fighting between SPLA and SPLA (IO) earlier this week. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemns the escalation of hostilities in this area, and demanded an immediate national investigation of the attack.
• The SPLA (IO) claim they inflicted heavy losses on government’s forces in terms of human casualties and materials in Nyal as heavy fighting continues in Unity State.
• The Chinese government announced it has conducted mass evacuation of its oil workers from Paloch oilfields in Upper Nile State due to the increased fighting and insecurity around the oilfields.
• The SPLA (IO) claim they have captured Mundri town in Western Equatoria state, government officials deny the claims.
• According to a MSF press release, New Fangak in Jonglei state has “effectively been wiped off the map” as a result of being on the front line of the escalated fighting over recent months.

Saturday 23 May

• The SPLA is accused by Amnesty International of carrying out gross human rights abuses including gruesome killings of civilians, abduction of children and sexual violence in Unity state.
• The African Union supported calls for an arms embargo on South Sudan as heavy fighting continues in violation of the cessations of hostilities agreement.

Sunday 24 May

• IGAD requested Sudan’s president Omer al-Bashir to facilitate the ongoing peace efforts to end the South Sudanese conflict.