This Week in South Sudan – Week 15 – Monitoring South Sudan

Sudan, in collaboration with the World Food Program and the Government of South Sudan (GoSS), has opened a second humanitarian corridor between El Obeid in Sudan and Bentiu in South Sudan.
Aly Verjee in African Arguments: “Why calling for a ceasefire in South Sudan can be a bad idea”

The U.K. secretary of state for international development, Priti Patel, claimed the violence in South Sudan amounts to genocide along ‘tribal lines.’ GoSS criticized the statement as ‘unfortunate and misleading.’ Meanwhile, a joint press release by The Political Opposition Forces – the six main oppositions groups, called on world leaders to recognize and condemn ‘the genocidal actions by Kiir’s regime.’
First Vice President Taban Deng met with Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni to discuss bilateral relations and the situation in South Sudan.

Earlier in the week, on Monday 10 April, three World Food Program workers were killed during the fighting between government forces and the SPLA (IO) near Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal.

At least 15 people were killed in clashes between government forces and the SPLA (IO) in Raga, Western Bahr el Ghazal. Skirmishes have also been reported in other areas in the Greater Upper Nile region (Yuai, Waat and Wunkur and Tonga).
Deutsche Welle present stories from refugees in Kenya: “Manuela – fleeing South Sudan”

According to Radio Tamazuj, at least 40 church leaders have been killed across South Sudan between December 2013 and March 2017.
The Guardian: “How factions in South Sudan’s war took shape on British campuses”

During his visit to Ganyiel, Unity State, US Senator Christopher Coons promised to push for continued assistance to South Sudan, despite proposals to severely cut American foreign aid.
Japan started to withdraw its’ UNMISS contingent as the first group of soldiers left the country.

This Week in South Sudan – Week 15