This Week in South Sudan – Week 5

Tuesday 29 January

• The editor-in-chief of the newspaper Al-Watan, Michael Christopher, fled South Sudan after being warned not to cover the protests in Sudan. Read more about this situation in our previous posts from week 3 and week 4.

Wednesday 30 January

• The SPLM Former Detainees announced it will reunite with the ruling SPLM party under the leadership of President Kiir. However, after reports of military build-up in Yei River State, Central Equatoria, media argues that the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) is sending mixed signals.
  • The National Salvation Front said that they have been attacked repeatedly by the government army in Yei River State, and stated that the ceasefire is “technically dead”.
  • The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission urged all parties to restrain their military presence in Yei River State.

Thursday 31 January

• Close to 70 child soldiers were released from the former South Sudan National Liberation Movement in Yambio, Western Equatoria.
• The Ministry of Petroleum of South Sudan signed a technical assistance cooperation agreement with the African Energy Chamber.

Friday 1 February

• The SPLM-IO contested a drafted resolution from the IGAD peace implementation body on the country’s governance system and argued that it violates the revitalized peace agreement.

Sunday 3 February

• The GoSS has allocated 10 000 barrels of crude oil per day to Chinese firms, who in return have promised to develop the country’s infrastructure, and particularly roads. No date has been given as to when this agreement should end.
• Luka Biong Deng in Radio Tamazuj: “Opinion: What is the Utility of the SPLM Unification Now?”