This Week in South Sudan – Week 47 – Monitoring South Sudan

Conflicting reports over clashes in Ayod area, Jonglei State.
SPLM (IO) rejected the recent reunification deal between SPLM and SPLM Former Detainees (SPLM-FD) signed in Cairo, Egypt. Pagan Amum denies that the SPLM (IO) is excluded from the process, saying that this is part of the implementation of the Arusha agreement.

Quartz, in-depth article on China’s foreign policy in South Sudan: “’Mutually Beneficial’: There’s at least one place in Africa where China’s “win win” diplomacy is failing”

According to Save the Children, two-thirds of South Sudan risk famine in February or March 2018.
At least 28 people reported killed in clashes between opposition and government forces in Rubkuai county, Unity State.
Pope Francis led a special prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica for peace in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

South Sudan can no longer issue passports. Its German technology provider, Muhlbauer shut down the system because GoSS did not pay an annual fee of around USD $500,000.
Former SPLA chief of staff, Paul Malong has denied responsibility for the formation of the private militia known as ‘Mathiang Anyoor’ at the start of the civil war. The militia was later dispersed or absorbed into formal service branches.
The Troika denied reports by GoSS that they have agreed to exclude Riek Machar from the IGAD High Level Revitalization Forum.
President Salva Kiir has ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reduce its diplomatic staff due to the economic crisis.
Voice of America: “Enough Project Applauds Tough US Approach on South Sudan”

President Salva Kiir condemned the recent indiscriminate killings by unknown gunmen in Juba.

Former SPLA general Zachariah Monyjiek Baguot Kiir has reportedly formed a new opposition group near the Sudan border, calling itself the South Sudan United Liberation Movement/Army.

Reuters, Feature article: “Crocodiles, pythons and militias: South Sudan’s children risk death for school”

This Week in South Sudan – Week 47