This Week in South Sudan – Week 6 & 7

Tuesday 6 February

• Hundreds of pro-government supporters protested against the newly announced US arms embargo outside the U.S. embassy and U.N. headquarters in Juba. Two journalists were beaten during the protest.

Wednesday 7 February

• According to South Sudan’s Human Rights Commission’s latest report, national security officials continue to sexually assault and arbitrarily arrest civilians across the country.
• At least six people were killed and 17 others wounded in inter-communal clashes in Warrap State between the Yar and Tonj communities.

Thursday 8 February

• According to the UN, 311 child soldiers, including 87 girls, were formally disarmed and released by the SPLA and SPLA (IO) in Yambio, Western Equatoria State. The move sparks hope, even though recruitment of child soldiers is still rising in South Sudan.
  • The Guardian: “South Sudan’s child soldiers – in pictures”
  • The Telegraph: “Freed South Sudan child soldiers recall capture by rebels: ‘I didn’t want to join … it was hopeless’
• At least 15 people were killed and several others wounded in inter-communal clashes in the Kolynyang area, Jonglei State.
• The Washington Post op-ed: “An arms embargo against South Sudan comes better late than never”

Monday 12 February

• SPLM (IO) spokesperson, James Gatdet Dak, was sentenced to death in Juba on charges of treason and incitement against the government.
• Reported clashes between SPLA and SPLA (IO) in and around Nasir, Upper Nile State, and Koch county, Unity State.

Tuesday 13 February

• The Government of Sudan opened a border point for trade with South Sudan for the first time since the latter gained its independence in 2011.
• Local authorities in Bor, Jonglei State, demolished numerous houses to make way for new roads, forcefully displacing hundreds of residents.
• Former SPLA chief of staff, Paul Malong, has asked IGAD to be included in the ongoing peace talks in Addis Ababa.
• Reuters: “In South Sudan, civil war drives more children onto the streets, into work”

Thursday 15 February

• The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, resigned as the chairman of the IGAD amid the on-going IGAD-led peace talks in Addis Ababa.

Friday 16 February

• IGAD adjourned the High Level Revitalization Forum for three weeks. The second phase of the peace talks has been interrupted by several boycotts and objections by the participating factions. Meanwhile, peace activist are criticizing the talks for focusing too much on the division of government power and positions, and not addressing the root causes of the conflict.
• Reported clashes between two different opposition groups, one loyal to National Salvation Front (NAS) and the other to SPLA (IO).
• At least 10 people were killed and 32 wounded in inter-communal clashes in Lakes State between the Manuer and Gak communities.
• The Economist explains “How the international community has failed South Sudan”

Monday 19 February

• The SPLA (IO) released two Kenyan pilots after receiving a compensation payment. The pilots have been held captive since early January when their plane crashed and killed a civilian in Akobo, Upper Nile State.
• The Nyara and Biong communities in Jonglei State have signed an agreement to end the conflict over grazing land that has claimed 37 lives in the past two months.