This Week in South Sudan – Week 38 – Monitoring South Sudan

SPLM (IO) criticized IGAD’s plan to revitalize the 2015 peace accord. (IO) claim the approach is biased in favour of President Kiir and calls for a new peace and mediation process.

South Sudan’s High Court acquitted six former presidential aides who were initially sentenced to life in prison in June 2016 for alleged forgery and corruption in President Kiir’s office.
The UN Human Rights Council held an enhanced interactive dialogue on the human rights situation in South Sudan.

Clashes between SPLA (IO) and government forces killed 18 to 25 people, including civilians, in Nhialdiu village, Unity State.
The United States has extended Temporary Protected Status (TSP) for South Sudanese nationals staying in the US for 18 months until May 2, 2019.
President Donald Trump will send his U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley to South Sudan to “discuss avenues of conflict and resolution and … prevention”
Taban Deng Gai appealed to the UN General Assembly in New York to support South Sudan through peace efforts and humanitarian aid.

More than 100 opposition officials under the command of General Johnson Olony have allegedly defected to the SPLM/A in the Fashoda area, Upper Nile State according to government sources.
Following bilateral talks in Khartoum, Sudan and South Sudan have agreed to increase the oil production and boost trade cooperation. The parties failed however, to discuss security issues and accusations relating to rebel support.

Juba residents collect cash to pay police unofficially to patrol their neighbourhoods, as the authorities’ struggle to pay civil servant salaries continues amid a crime wave.

The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) called for the “unconditional” release of 14 officials captured in Akobo county Jonglei State. GoSS claim the officials were part of a peace delegation, and are held captured by armed youth loyal to Riek Machar. Meanwhile, the SPLA (IO) claim to have captured 25 government soldiers and a county commissioner in the same area.

Former SPLA chief of staff, Paul Malong Awan downplays the media-portrayed rift with President Salva Kiir, saying there is no personal problem between them.

This Week in South Sudan – Week 38