This Week in South Sudan – Week 16

Monday 16 April

• International Crisis Group: “Keeping the Hotline Open Between Sudan and South Sudan. ” (published 13 April)
• SPLM-IO claims to have seized Nhialdiu, Doau and Tharkan in Unity. The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) denies this.

Tuesday 17 April

• The GoSS has shut down the BBC relay station in Juba and Wau. Reportedly, this is due to unpaid debts.

Wednesday 18 April

• More than 200 child soldiers are freed in Yambio, Western Equatoria, at a “laying down of arms ceremony” organised by UNICEF.

Thursday 19 April

• IGAD has postponed this month’s South Sudan peace talks. The Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Martin Elia Lomuro, says that the Transitional Government of National Unity will have to renew its mandate if the next peace talks fail too.
• Reports tell of new clashes between SPLM and SPLM-IO in northern Jonglei, and in Liria outside Juba.

Friday 20 April

• SPLM’s military chief James Ajongo Mawut died in Egypt after a alleged “short illness”.
• The South Sudan United Front claim they have discovered a $5 million alleged plot to kill their leader, Paul Malong.
• ReliefWeb gives overview of South Sudanese refugees in Sudan: “UNHCR Sudan Population Dashboard: Refugees from South Sudan.”

Sunday 22 April

• The US embassy re-instates curfew after renewed clashes in Juba.
• SPLM-IO diplomat to Scandinavia, Daniel Wuor Joak, died on Friday, in Norway.