Monday 27 June
- A blackout at Juba International Airport resulted in cancelled flights.
Tuesday 28 June
- At least 43 people were killed and more than 120,000 people are reportedly displaced following last week’s clashes in Wau town. A newly formed Islamist militant group led by politician Ali Tamim Fartak is allegedly behind the attacks. The group is said to include former government troops and fighters from the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) and the Sudanese Janjawiid militia.
- An SPLA (IO) commander admitted that fighters under his command had clashed with government forces south of Wau town last Saturday.
- Sudan announced it had completed the redeployment of its forces outside the safe demilitarized zone along the border between Sudan and South Sudan. This is in accordance with the joint security political committee’s resolutions.
Wednesday 29 June
- According to the UN, almost half of South Sudan’s population face severe food shortages, resulting in the country’s worst hunger since the civil war began in late 2013.
- The SPLA (IO) and government forces traded accusations over clashes in Unity State on last Sunday.
Friday 1 July
- The international Crisis Group warns that the formerly warring parties are flouting the August peace agreement while increasingly preparing for widespread conflict.
- Tensions remain high in Kajokeji, Central Equatoria State, following fighting between “armed actors” in June according to the UN.
- An inquiry committee formed by president Salva Kiir arrived in Wau town to investigate last week’s violence.
- The SPLA accused the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) of poor performance in identifying which of the parties have violated the peace agreement.
- Uganda announced it plans to withdraw its 2,500 troops from the AU Regional Task Force (AU-RTF) in Central African Republic. This will deprive the task force of its largest and most effective contingent in the fight against the LRA.
Saturday 2 July
- Academic staff at five South Sudanes universities ended their strike after receiving assurances from the government that their demands over unpaid salaries would be met in due course.
Monday 20 June
Tuesday 21 June
- More than 140 South Sudanese judges went on strike, demanding better working conditions and the reimbursement of four years of expenses.
Wednesday 22 June
- The Troika countries denied sending a letter to President Salva Kiir demanding the removal of the Minister of Finance and the Central Bank Governor as a condition for further donations. The story was published by Eye Radio, who later removed the article.
Thursday 23 June
- The UN will repatriate certain peacekeeping troops and officers over their confused response to the attack on the Malakal refugee camp in February. The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations has accepted the responsibility.
- South Sudan’s foreign currency reserves likely to last for only a month according to a Central Bank official.
- Hungry soldiers stole food from traders in the Konyo Konyo marked in Juba, causing many traders to close their shops to avoid theft.
Friday 24 June
- The Government of South Sudan will not organise an official independence day celebration this year due to the economic crisis.
- In an unexpected move, President Salva Kiir refused to sign resolutions to establish cantonment sites for the SPLA (IO). This is in violation of the consensus reached in the presidency three weeks ago.
Saturday 25 June
- Clashes broke out between the SPLA and unknown armed groups around Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, forcing thousands of civilians to flee the area. The SPLA later declared a state of emergency due to the continued insecurity in Wau town. Meanwhile President Salva Kiir abruptly dismissed Governor Elias Waya and replaced him with Andrea Mayar Achok.
Monday 13 June
- BBC: “What New York Times article says about South Sudan”
Tuesday 14 June
- A unit of the SPLA allegedly ransacked and looted a market in the Kajo Keji area, Central Equatoria State, sparking armed confrontation in which more than 20 lives were lost.
- 16 former officials were sentenced to life in prison by the South Sudan’s high court for misappropriating USD 14 million and 30 000 SSP from the Office of the President.
- The New York Times: “Dispute Over Area’s Status Heightens Suffering in South Sudan”
Wednesday 15 June
- Al Jazeera: “Fleeing famine in northern South Sudan”
Thursday 16 June
- Dozens are feared dead, and more than 400 civilians reportedly fled the area following clashes between government forces and an unknown armed group in Raga town, Western Bahr el Ghazal State. The governor of the newly created Lol State later accused the SPLA (IO) of carrying out the attack; accusations the SPLA (IO) later dismissed as “unhealthy” claims.
Friday 17 June
- At Juba International Airport, South Sudanese authorities seized 1.286 metric tons of smuggled ivory, on its way to Malaysia.
Saturday 18 June
- The South Sudanese economy continues to deteriorate and the rate of inflation is increasing. According to Radio Tamazuj, the black market rate is 50 SSP to US$ 1 compared to the official Central Bank rate of 35 SSP to $1 this week.
- The SPLM/A (IO) denies that it agreed to participate in joint operations with the SPLA in the Raga area.
Sunday 19 June
- South Sudan’s Minister of Information, Michael Makuei¸ says that a section of the international community is undermining the government in Juba in an attempt to encourage a regime change in the country.
Tuesday 7 June
- Authorship of New York Times Op-ed debated: “South Sudan Needs Truth, Not Trials”
- The Guardian: “South Sudan leaders did not sign off New York Times article, aides say”
- Foreign Policy: “The New York Times South Sudan Op-Ed That Wasn’t”
- The Washington Post: “Who wrote that op-ed? The New York Times isn’t sure.”
- Sudan Tribune: “President Kiir’s office admits responsibility for controversial anti-justice article”
- Sudan Tribune: “New York Times regrets publishing controversial Op-ed on South Sudan”
- President Salva Kiir’s office issued a statement justifying the appointment of 19 presidential advisors, asserting that the decision falls within the prerogative of the president.
- Foreign Policy, Letters from Juba “China’s Business and Politics in South Sudan”
Wednesday 8 June
- Teacher strike continue:
- Radio Tamazuj: “Teachers strike shuts down schools in Aweil”
- Radio Tamazuj: “University of Bahr el Ghazal academics vow to continue strike”
- Sudan Tribune: “South Sudan lecturers defy education minister, vow to continue strike”
Thursday 9 June
- The controversial NYT op-ed sparked debate over the alleged establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission instead of a hybrid court to try suspects of war crimes:
- Reuters: “S. and Britain back South Sudan war crimes court”
- Reuters: “Call by South Sudan leaders to nix international tribunal met with dismay
- Bloomberg: “Call to Scrap War Court by South Sudan Leaders Spurs Criticism”
- The Guardian: “Why can’t South Sudan have truth and trials?”
- Voice of America: “HRW Urges the AU to Establish a Hybrid Court for South Sudan”
- Radio Tamazuj: “Machar says not opposed to hybrid court
- Sudan Tribune: “South Sudan rival leaders in difference over avoiding trials”
Friday 10 June
- An outbreak of an Ebola-like disease in South Sudan has killed at least 10 people since December in Aweil North and Aweil West counties, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
- Sudan and South Sudan agreed to the complete redeployment of forces in the disputed area of Abyei during a Joint Political and Security Mechanism meeting.
Saturday 11 June
- South Sudan’s Transitional Government of National Unity has, in a bid to enhance security, set up a joint integrated police command and operation centre.
Sunday 12 June
- Alleged clashes between SPLA and SPLA (IO) forces in Central Equatoria State left at least 21 soldiers dead and dozen others wounded on both sides.
- Al Jazeera: “South Sudanese wrestlers keep cattle safe”
Wednesday 1 June
- The UN Security Council unanimously renewed until 31 May 2017 sanctions against South Sudanese leaders perceived to be blocking peace, security and stability in the country.
Thursday 2 June
- There are conflicting interpretations within the presidency of the mandate for the announced committee to review the 28-state plan.
Friday 3 June
- Renewed clashes between the Toposa and Didinga ethnic groups in Budi, Eastern Equatoria State.
Saturday 4 June
Sunday 5 June
- First Vice President, Riek Machar, will take charge follow up implementation of the September 2012 cooperation agreements between South Sudan and Sudan, according to the Presidency.
Monday 6 June
- A British, five-person advance team arrived in Juba; the first to arrive of the prospected 300 troops British contribution to UNMISS.
- Sudan and South Sudan Sunday signed a series of security agreements, including immediate re-deployment of joint military forces along the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ), an approved plan to stop supporting and harbouring rebels, as well as open crossing points.
- Voice of America: “Can Fragile Peace Hold in South Sudan?”
Monday 23 May
- National Security officers, deployed to control queues at fuel stations, accused of extorting money from customers.
- The SPLA (IO) refuted allegations that their forces had attacked SPLA locations near Bentiu, Unity State.
Tuesday 24 May
- Tens of thousands of people in the western regions of South Sudan have been forced to flee killings, gang rape, torture and other abuses by government soldiers, according to Human Rights Watch.
- The Enough Project, new policy brief: ““The Paper Tiger in South Sudan”
Wednesday 25 May
- According to the SPLM (IO) current sittings of the former national legislative assembly of South Sudan are illegal, following the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU), which should have reconstituted a new parliament.
- South Sudanese women’s rights activists demand greater inclusion of women in the TGoNU.
- Professors and lecturers in South Sudan’s five public universities are on strike over unpaid salaries for the past three months.
- International Crisis Group report: “South Sudan’s South: Conflict in the Equatorias”
- Foreign Policy interview with Riek Machar: “Talking Trump and War Crimes With South Sudan’s Rebel Leader”
Thursday 26 May
Friday 27 May
- The Guardian: “’It’s like Florence Nightingale’s time’: South Sudan’s public services collapse”
Saturday 28 May
- At least 26 people including women and children were killed in inter-communal clashes between the Toposa and Didinga ethnic groups in Nauru area on 20 May.
- The decreasing value of South Sudanese Pound against the US Dollar has negatively affected trade between Sudan and South Sudan.
- Seven more of the kidnapped children from Gambella, has been returned to the government of Ethiopia.
Sunday 29 May
- The SPLA (IO) accused UPDF troops of allegedly crossing back into South Sudan and redeploying inside the country in violation of the August 2015 peace agreement.
- Radio Tamazuj: “Healthcare in Crisis: Understanding South Sudan’s collapsing health system”
Monday 30 May
- Luka Biong Deng called on the United States to put pressure on Sudan and South Sudan to recognise the result of the unilateral Abyei referendum.
- South Sudan’s Council of Ministers passed a resolution, approving establishment of cantonment areas for SPLA (IO) forces in Greater Equatoria and Greater Bahr el Ghazal.
- The New York Times: “Power Struggles Stall South Sudan’s Recovery From War”
Tuesday 31 May
- For the first time since formation of the TGoNU, President Salva Kiir, his first deputy, Riek Machar and second deputy, James Wani Igga, met to review the implementation of the August 2015 peace deal.
Wednesday 18 May
- About 3000 Ethiopian troops left South Sudanese territory on 15 May. They entered South Sudan following the Murle attacks on Gambella in April.
Thursday 19 May
- The SPLM (IO) claimed it will register as an independent party if the Arusha Reunification Agreement of May 2015 is not respected.
- The two directors of the National Security Service, External Affairs Director Thomas Duoth and Internal Affairs Director Akol Koor, failed to appear in high court. The two men have been summoned to court to testify as witnesses in the case against presidential staff accused of embezzlement.
- The Minister of Information in the proposed Lol State, Francis Bok denied reports of clashes between the SPLA (IO) and the Sudanese rebel group, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM); as well as their presence in Western Bahr el Ghazal. JEM also dismissed these reports.
- The Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) has again suspended the discussion over finding a resolution on cantonment of rival forces. Meanwhile, the SPLA (IO) dismissed speculations that they would abandon demands on cantonment areas for their forces in the Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal regions.
Friday 20 May
- Up to 56 of the kidnapped children from Gambella, has been returned to the government of Ethiopia.
Sunday 22 May
Monday 9 May
- According to UN World Food Program, South Sudan is heading for the worst lean season since its independence in 2011, with almost half its population facing severe hunger.
- Radio Tamazuj: “Malakal attack: What UN knew vs what it said. Insights from a leaked report.”
Tuesday 10 May
- Tensions remain high in Moangala County, Central Equatoria State, after an armed group attacked a celebration of the new county government, leaving three soldiers and a woman dead.
- Authorities in Mundri county, Western Equatoria State allegedly arrested 19 youths accused of supporting the SPLM (IO).
- Around 100 soldiers led by Col. James Deng Mayar announced they had split from the SPLM (IO) and joined General Agany Ayie instead. Deng Mayar and his men had already rejected the Transitional Government of National Unity and the 2015 August peace agreement.
Wednesday 11 May
- Over the last month more than 100 Arrow Boys have reportedly returned from the bush in Western Equatoria State. They are going to be integrated into the SPLA Division Four.
Thursday 12 May
- The Ceasefire Transitional and Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) said the SPLA are uncooperative in implementing security arrangements outlined in the August 2015 peace agreement.
- The state minister in the newly created Gbudue State of Western Equatoria issued a ministerial order, barring UNMISS from patrolling in the state.
Friday 13 May
- The road between Juba and Bor was re-opened on 11 May, after clashes between the Mundari and Bari groups closed the road on 7 May. However tension remains high.
- The Relief and Rehabilitation Commission reports that the implementation of the controversial law regulating NGO’s in South Sudan has, due to technical reasons, been postponed.
- United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, appointed Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani from Kenya as the new Force Commander of UNMISS.
Saturday 14 May
- The government of Boma State, former Greater Pibor Administrative Area, announced that it has returned to the government of Ethiopia, 44 children kidnapped last month in Gambella.
Sunday 15 May
- SPLA (IO) accused SPLA forces of attacking their cantonment sites at Matjang and Tuarkiel, Rubkona County, in Unity State and violating the ceasefire agreement.
Monday 16 May
- The SPLM/A refuses to recognise the presence of SPLA (IO) forces in Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
Tuesday 17 May
- Members of the Sudanese rebel group Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), backed by government forces in Western Bahr el Ghazal region, have clashed with armed men allegedly allied to SPLM (IO). JEM captured a military site in the Deim Zubeir area previously held by opposition forces.
- The Shilluk militia in Upper Nile State known as Agwelek, has complained of “alarming” SPLA troop movements.
Monday 2 May
- Rebel general Peter Gadet said he would continue to fight because the August 2015 peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar does not address the root cause of the conflict.
- At least three SPLA soldiers were killed and a general wounded after a group of soldiers opened fire in in Raja county, Western Bahr el Ghazal over an apparent pay dispute.
- Authorities in South Sudan said they have recovered 32 of the over 100 Ethiopian children who were kidnapped in a cross-border raid in April by armed men from the Murle group.
Tuesday 3 May
- South Sudanese journalists continue to face severe challenges and dangers while attempting to carry out their job. South Sudan is ranked 140 out of 180 on the 2016 World Press Freedom Index.
- According to a leaked cable from the Kenyan Embassy in South Sudan, Juba is “more dangerous than any time since the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.”
Wednesday 4 May
- South Sudanese refugees refuse to leave the unofficial Yida camp in Sudan, despite demands to close the camp by the Government of South Sudan.
- The Government of South Sudan reportedly refuses to recognize the presence of SPLA (IO) forces in the Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal region.
- JMEC and UNMISS said that the 28 states created by President Salva Kiir are not in line with the August 2015 peace agreement and are not recognized by them as legitimate.
Thursday 5 May
- President Salva Kiir issued a decree appointing a ten member presidential advisory team.
Friday 6 May
- The newly formed Transitional Government of National Unity held its first cabinet meeting. Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Mabior Garang de Mabior, was forced by President Salva Kiir to leave the meeting for being inappropriately dressed.
- According to the Minister of Petroleum and Mining, Dak Duop Bischok, damage to South Sudan’s oil fields after more than two years of civil war will hinder plans to boost output.
- First Vice-President Riek Machar was reportedly forced to work from home due to tension between the bodyguards of the two top leaders. The SPLM (IO) later downplayed the security tension.
- Dozens of people have fled to Aweil Centre in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State after armed clashes erupted recently in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
- Gunmen have reportedly killed over a dozen people in Yei and Kajo Keji counties in Central Equatoria State over the last week.
- National security officials in Yei River County stormed Radio Easter after the station aired a report accusing government soldiers of torturing and killing eight people recently.
Tuesday 26 April
- Media reports on Riek Machar’s return to Juba and inauguration as First Vice-President:
- The New York Times: “Riek Machar, South Sudan Opposition Leader, Returns as Part of Peace Deal”
- The Wall Street Journal: “South Sudan’s Rebel Leader Returns to Join Government”
- Voice of America “South Sudan Rebel Chief Sworn In as Vice President”
- Bloomberg: “South Sudan Rebel Leader Returns as President Apologizes for War”
- The Guardian: “South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar returns to Juba”
- BBC: “South Sudan rebel chief Riek Machar sworn in as vice-president”
- Time: “Rebel Leader Riek Machar Returns to South Sudan—and Brings Hopes for Peace With Him”
- Sudan Tribune: “Machar sworn-in as South Sudan’s First Vice-President”
- Radio Tamazuj: “Back where it all started: Riek Machar returns to Juba”
- Radio Tamazuj: Full speech of Salva Kiir after swearing-in of Machar as South Sudan’s Vice-President.
- Deutsche Welle: “60 years of war and peace in South Sudan: A photo timeline”
- Voice of America: “With Machar Back, Can South Sudan Now Heal?”
- The Guardian: “UN bases in South Sudan are ‘a blessing and a curse’”
Wednesday 27 April
- SPLA soldiers clashed with armed men in Rumaker area, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, raising fear of insecurity in a territory which has been experiencing relative peace and stability.
- The UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous said the Government of South Sudan lacks the necessary funds to establish and run the new 28-state system.
- According to the Enough Project Founding Director, John Prendergast’s testimony before the US, House Foreign Affairs Committee, South Sudan has been “kidnapped” by its “greedy and selfish” leaders in the ruling party.
- Bloomberg: The continued financial crisis and low oil prices can derail the transitional government.
- BBC: “South Sudanese wants peace – and ice cream”
- BBC Audio Report: “The cost of living in South Sudan”
- BBC Audio Report: “Can South Sudan feed its people?”
Thursday 28 April
- Voice of America: “International Funding Needed to Rescue South Sudan’s Economy”
Friday 29 April
- Media reports on the formation of South Sudan’s Transitional Government of National Unity:
- Deutsche Welle: “South Sudan unveils unity government amid concerns”
- Voice of America: “New South Sudan Government Sworn In”
- News 24: “South Sudan forges unity government”
- Sudan Tribune “South Sudan swears in national unity government”
- Radio Tamazuj: “Photos: South Sudan forms Transitional Government of National Unity”
- BBC Audio Report: “Don’t be called ‘brother’ in South Sudan”
Saturday 30 April
Sunday 1 May
- The SPLM (IO) dismissed the allegation that their party’s chief negotiator, Taban Deng Gai, had resigned as a baseless “rumour.”