This Week in South Sudan – Week 28 – Monitoring South Sudan

The United States’ position on, and continued support for South Sudan remains unclear amid proposed budget cuts and major restructuring of USAID operations.
International Crisis Group: “China’s Foreign Policy Experiment in South Sudan”

More than 20 people were killed in a cattle raid carried out by suspected armed youth from Western Lakes State.
Reuters: “South Sudan’s women deminers brave danger to change their children’s future”

The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) announced plans to remove a fuel subsidy; sparking fear such a move could increase prices of basic commodities further.
Financial Times: “China backs economic power with political muscle in Africa”

Heavy fighting between SPLA (IO) and government forces continued around Mathiang in Upper Nile State, just north of Pagak -the opposition’s headquarters. The offensive has forced about 5000 civilians to seek shelter in Ethiopia. GoSS claim the declared unilateral ceasefire does not include the Pagak area.
President Kiir dismissed a group of 12-14 judges on strike in a bid to force reform in the judicial system. Other South Sudanese said they will continue their strike despite the dismissals.

The UN is considering opening a peacekeeping base in Yei, Central Equatoria State. It would be the UN’s first such expansion in South Sudan since the civil war began in 2013.
SPLM (IO) leader, Riek Machar appointed four governors in the newly created states of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Lol, Warrap and Gbudue State.
Reuters photo story on Ana Taban “South Sudanese youth turn to art to push for peace”

South Sudan’s National Security Service arrested the Director of state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), Adil Faris Mayat, for allegedly failing to live broadcast President Kiir’s independence day speech.
The Chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), Festus Mogae has rejected calls to resign and declare the failure of the IGAD-brokered peace agreement.

More than 19 people were killed in a cattle raid carried out by suspected Murle youth on Kolmarek village, Jonglei State.

This Week in South Sudan – Week 28