This Week in South Sudan – Week 19

Monday 9 May

  • According to UN World Food Program, South Sudan is heading for the worst lean season since its independence in 2011, with almost half its population facing severe hunger.
  • Radio Tamazuj: “Malakal attack: What UN knew vs what it said. Insights from a leaked report.”

Tuesday 10 May

  • Tensions remain high in Moangala County, Central Equatoria State, after an armed group attacked a celebration of the new county government, leaving three soldiers and a woman dead.
  • Authorities in Mundri county, Western Equatoria State allegedly arrested 19 youths accused of supporting the SPLM (IO).
  • Around 100 soldiers led by Col. James Deng Mayar announced they had split from the SPLM (IO) and joined General Agany Ayie instead. Deng Mayar and his men had already rejected the Transitional Government of National Unity and the 2015 August peace agreement.

Wednesday 11 May

  • Over the last month more than 100 Arrow Boys have reportedly returned from the bush in Western Equatoria State. They are going to be integrated into the SPLA Division Four.

Thursday 12 May

  • The Ceasefire Transitional and Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) said the SPLA are uncooperative in implementing security arrangements outlined in the August 2015 peace agreement.
  • The state minister in the newly created Gbudue State of Western Equatoria issued a ministerial order, barring UNMISS from patrolling in the state.

Friday 13 May

  • The road between Juba and Bor was re-opened on 11 May, after clashes between the Mundari and Bari groups closed the road on 7 May. However tension remains high.
  • The Relief and Rehabilitation Commission reports that the implementation of the controversial law regulating NGO’s in South Sudan has, due to technical reasons, been postponed. 
  • United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, appointed Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani from Kenya as the new Force Commander of UNMISS.

Saturday 14 May

  • The government of Boma State, former Greater Pibor Administrative Area, announced that it has returned to the government of Ethiopia, 44 children kidnapped last month in Gambella.

Sunday 15 May

  • SPLA (IO) accused SPLA forces of attacking their cantonment sites at Matjang and Tuarkiel, Rubkona County, in Unity State and violating the ceasefire agreement.

Monday 16 May

  • The SPLM/A refuses to recognise the presence of SPLA (IO) forces in Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal State.

Tuesday 17 May

  • Members of the Sudanese rebel group Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), backed by government forces in Western Bahr el Ghazal region, have clashed with armed men allegedly allied to SPLM (IO). JEM captured a military site in the Deim Zubeir area previously held by opposition forces.
  • The Shilluk militia in Upper Nile State known as Agwelek, has complained of “alarming” SPLA troop movements.

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