This Week in South Sudan – Week 45

Monday 5 November

• The National Constitutional Amendment Committee held its first meeting in Juba.

Tuesday 6 November

• Despite the release of 900 child soldiers so far in 2018, the UN reported that thousands of child soldiers are unlikely to be freed any time soon due to lack of funds for aid agencies.
• Vice President James Wani Igga said opposition groups fighting the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) after the pre-transitional period will be treated and referred to as terrorists.
• Ryan Lenora Brown in CS Monitor: “Voice of a Nation: How Juba Arabic Helps Bridge a Factious South Sudan”.

Wednesday 7 November

• GoSS officials and a section of the SPLA-IO agreed to allow humanitarian access and facilitate free movement in the Juba area.
• The Ceasefire Monitoring body urged the peace partners to direct their forces to stop violent clashes in Yei and Wau.
• Paul Burkhardt in Bloomberg: “South Sudan Oil Outlook Hinges on Shaky Peace Deal, WoodMac Says”.

Saturday 10 November

• The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission organized a meeting for the Opposition Alliance of Gabriel Changson to discuss involvement in the Joint Defence Board.
• News 24: “Marchar’s Return Signals a Significant Stage in South Sudan’s Peace Process”

Sunday 11 November

• SPLA-IO commanders visited peace partners of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces in Bieh, Imotong, Raja and Yei River states. The purpose of the meetings was to build trust between the parties.