This Week in South Sudan – Week 25

Saturday 13 June

• Riek Machar had several consultative meetings with UN and AU representatives and other African leaders on the sidelines of the African Union summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• The South Sudanese government rejected the new IGAD power sharing proposal with the SPLM (IO) claiming it undermined national unity and social cohesion.
• A UN investigation team is in South Sudan to investigate allegations against individuals and entities liable for sanctions for obstructing the peace process, first in Jonglei state, then in Western Bahr el Ghazal.

Sunday 14 June

• The SPLA (IO) claimed they repulsed an attack by government forces on their position in Kaka area and Wadakona of Manyo County in Upper Nile state’s capital, Malakal.
• The African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) has threatened to take measures against any warring party in South Sudan that will continue to defy continental and international peace efforts aimed to end the civil war.

Monday 15 June

• According to the SPLA (IO), Lieutenant Colonel Deng Deng Aliel defected and joined the SPLA (IO)’s ranks together with up to 200 other government officials and military officers.
• The South Sudanese army dismissed SPLA (IO) claims to have captured pro-government forces during the clashes in the Kaka area in Upper Nile state on Sunday.
• Local authorities accused the SPLA (IO) of receiving assistance from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of the Sudanese government. The SPLA (IO) later rejected this.

Tuesday 16 June

• South Sudan accused the Sudanese government of carrying out air attacks inside South Sudan in the Maban county border area, injuring at least four children and a woman.

Wednesday 17 June

• Aircrafts belonging to the Sudanese government have reportedly dropped bombs in various areas in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state, killing at least 6 civilians and wounding nine others.
• South Sudan’s incumbent vice president, James Wani Igga, has reportedly expressed willingness to offer both his government’s executive and party positions to Riek Machar on condition that the speaker of national parliament is an Equatorian. However, James Wani Igga later denied making such an offer.

Thursday 18 June

• The United Nations accused President Salva Kiir’s government in South Sudan of refusing to cooperate with the world body and continuing to harass UN personnel in the young war-ravaged country.
• The Revolutionary Movement for National Salvation (REMNASA) claimed their forces successfully raided Maridi town in Western Equatoria. Allegedly, both sides suffered heavy losses.
• According to UNICEF executive director Anthony Lake “The violence against children in South Sudan has reached a new level of brutality.”

Saturday 20 June

• South Sudan’s council of ministers approved the country’s bid to join the East African Community (EAC), but insisted its government needed five years to sensitize citizens on the benefits and risks of becoming a member.