A least five people were killed and several houses burned in Wau County, Western Bahr al Ghazal State, during clashes between government forces and armed men at Bisselia area.
The SPLA allegedly closed the supply route between the Malakal Protection of Civilian (PoC) site and Wau Shilluk on the opposite bank of the river, amid rising prices of consumer goods inside the site.
According to the former Greater Pibor Area Administrator, David Yau Yau, Lou Nuer raiders carried out attacks in the greater Pibor area from 8-13 February, explaining that it may be retaliation for an earlier attack in the Akobo area.
Tuesday 16 February
More than 300 employees of Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) across South Sudan have been on strike this week, demanding a six-fold pay increase to cover the soaring cost of living.
Thursday 18 February
Government forces and SPLA (IO) troops clashed in the Atali and Tadu area, south of Busari in Wau County, Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
18 people were killed; including two MSF staff, in the Malakal UNMISS PoC camp after clashes broke out between Shilluk and Dinka youth sheltered within the camp. The AFP also reported that that government troops had been involved in the attack.
The UN Security Council announced that any attack against a UN base may constitute a war crime, referring to “credible reports” that SPLA soldiers entered the UNMISS base in Malakal.
According to the UN, South Sudan is on the verge of fragmenting as the warring government and opposition continue to kill, abduct and displace civilians and destroying property despite conciliatory rhetoric by both sides.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon will visit South Sudan on February 25 to meet with President Salva Kiir and visit a UN PoC site.
UNMISS plans to dispatch peace keeping troops to the west bank of the Nile in Upper Nile State to maintain a “regular troop presence” for the first time since the civil war started in December 2013.
Sunday 21 February
The government has proposed to hold a referendum in order to determine the number of states through which the country should be governed. The SPLM (IO) said in response that the proposal was not necessary and had no legal backing.
Former vice president, James Wani Igga was sworn in by President Salva Kiir to his new position as second vice president.
The military leadership in South Sudan has been ordered by President Salva Kiir to withdraw forces from the national capital, Juba, as agreed in the August 2015 peace accord.
President Salva Kiir called on Riek Machar to report to Juba “immediately” and within seven days from Friday, 12 February 2016. Machar responded that he will return to Juba when a large contingent of his “bodyguards” is in place to provide security.
The Enough Project: ‘Addressing South Sudan’s Economic and Fiscal Crisis’
Saturday 13 February
After recent attacks on bases of opposition fighters, the SPLA (IO) accused the Government of South Sudan of violating the August 2015 peace agreements.
Sunday 14 February
In Greater Mundri counties of Western Equatoria State, government forces have continued its military offensives to dislodge the SPLA (IO) from their bases in the area.
The situation in South Sudan is worsening according to a new African Union The report blames both the SPLA and the SPLA (IO) for the declining humanitarian situation.
Sudan and South Sudan agreed to peg the crude oil pipeline fee to the prevailing crude oil prices, a move away from a the previous fixed fee. In a second accord South Sudan promise to sell 28,000 barrel of crude oil per day to Sudan.
SPLM (IO) leader Riek Machar visited Egypt at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El Sissi to discuss the further implementation of the August peace deal.
South Sudanese army soldiers from Abyei, who defected to join the Sudan People’s Liberation-North (SPLM-N) rebels last week, have allegedly returned and joined the SPLA
The government accused the SPLA (IO) of besieging Bentiu in Unity State.
Voice of America, 30 minute video broadcast: “South Sudan in Focus”
Thursday 4 February
The parliament passed the Non-Governmental Organizations bill restricting the number of foreign aid workers operating in South Sudan. It must still be signed by President Salva Kiir to pass into law.
Sudan’s President Omer Hassan al-Bashir announced the resumption of river transport with South Sudan ending a four-year halt imposed by Khartoum over security concerns and accusations of support to rebel groups.
The rebel group, the South Sudan National Liberation Movement (SSNLM), accused government forces of burning civilian homes in the Gangura area south of Yambio, Western Equatoria.
The UN says 40,000 people in South Sudan are on the brink of a food shortage catastrophe. The number of food insecure people expected to peak between April and June when food availability is at its lowest.
Observers and stakeholders have called on South Sudan’s government and the SPLM (IO) to resolve the deadlock over forming a transitional government.
Tuesday 26 January
SPLM (IO) leader Riek Machar claims that the government of President Salva Kiir continues to violate the August peace agreement and he wants the United Nations and African Union to enforce it.
In a confidential report, a U.N. Security Council panel recommends placing an arms embargo on South Sudan, and concludes that both President Salva Kiir and SPLM (IO) leader, Riek Machar, qualify to be sanctioned over massive human rights abuses. Russia has already voiced its opposition against such measures.
The South Sudanese cabinet held an emergency cabinet meeting over the worsening economic situation, rapidly growing crimes rate and killing of senior officials.
Wednesday 27 January
13 people have been killed in Wau County, Western Bahr el Ghazal State over the last two weeks. There has been a general rise in crime reportedly due to deteriorating living conditions and the presence of armed pastoralists from other states.
The South Sudanese government announced it might take three more months before a transitional government of national unity (TGoNU) can be formed.
Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir ordered the opening of the border with South Sudan for the first time since the South’s secession in 2011. This signals a normalization of the two countries’ political and economic relations.
Six people died and several others were wounded in a cattle raid in Aweil East County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. The raiders reportedly attacked the Mayen Thou area and stole 150 cattle.
Friday 29 January
President Salva Kiir dispatched a delegation to the proposed Boma State. Its mission was to ease tensions between SPLA generals allied to the appointed governor Baba Medan and the former Cobra Faction leader David Yau Yau.
A force of approximately 1,500 soldiers from Abyei area have allegedly defected from the SPLA and joined the SPLA-North.
Saturday 30 January
The SPLA and SPLA (IO) have both withdrawn fighters from ’hot-spot’ areas in which they occasionally clashed.
Sunday 31 January
In an extraordinary meeting the IGAD-countries foreign ministers urged President Salva Kiir and his government to “suspend” the implementation of the 28 states-plan. IGAD considers the plan to be “inconsistent” with the August peace agreement.
According to the SPLM (IO) spokesperson, Riek Machar will not return to Juba unless President Salva Kiir revokes the reform dividing South Sudan into 28 states.
Tuesday 19 January
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, humanitarian organizations operating in South Sudan need US$1.3 billion to respond to the needs of the South Sudanese in 2016.
Justice minister, Paulino Wanawilla, presented the NGOs and Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) bills to the national parliament..
Wednesday 20 January
In Duk County, Jonglei State, a civilian and an unknown number of attackers were killed during an armed cattle raid. Duk County commissioner Michael Wuor Reath stated that 1200 cattle were stolen but cattle keepers from Duk managed to recover 786. He suspects the raiders came from the Murle people.
Thursday 21 January
A UN OHCHR report indicate that government forces are displacing civilians in northern Unity State, arguably in order to empty the oil-rich area of its population and weaken support to rebel.
Friday 22 January
Sudan has allegedly agreed to renegotiate the US$24.50 per barrel fee South Sudanese pays for oil exported via Sudanese pipelines to the Red Sea.
In Western Equatoria State’s capitol, Yambio, seven people were killed following clashes between government forces and a local militia, the South Sudan National Liberation Movement. More shooting was reported in Yambio on the following Saturday, 23 January.
After consultations in Pagak, senior leaders and members of the SPLM (IO) advance team returned to Juba, where they reiterated their rejection of the unilateral creation of 28 states.
Foreign Policy: “South Sudan’s next civil war is starting.”
Saturday 23 January
To tackle the current inflation crisis, South Sudan’s finance minister says the government have taken concrete steps, including reducing customs tax and increasing food production.
Sunday 24 January
Riek Machar meet with President Yoweri Museveni asking for Ugandan assistance with current deadlocked implementation the August peace agreement.
According to UNICEF, 51 per cent of South Sudanese children between 6 to 15 years of age, 1.8 million, are not in school, the highest proportion in the world.
A fire broke out Sunday 10 December in Sector 1 of the UN Malakal camp, killing a baby and burning down 75 per cent of the homes in the area, leaving 1000 people homeless. Another six people were killed in an accidental grenade blast outside the camp on 9 December.
Negotiations were reportedly opened between the SPLM factions over whether to revoke the division of South Sudan into 28 states . This claim was later denied by the SPLM (IO). President Salva Kiir subsequently announced a ’red line’ over revocation of the 28 new states.
Thursday 14 January
An 84 per cent devaluation of the South Sudanese pound against the dollar in December is set to fuel hyperinflation in South Sudan, where food costs and a foreign-exchange shortage already increased consumer prices by 9 per cent in December.
SABMiller Plc will close its brewing operations in South Sudan by mid-February as a foreign-currency shortage curtails its ability to import raw materials. SABMiller is the largest the nation’s main non-oil foreign investor, and the close down will leave SABMiller’s 237 employees without a job and businesses depening on its products will also face difficulties.
A coalition of 18 local women’s organizations demand that South Sudanese women should hold seven ministerial positions in the country’s new transitional government as well as the speaker role in parliament.
Friday 15 January
At least three women were reportedly stabbed to death and robbed of their food purchases in an attack by unknown assailants along the Torit-Loronyo area in Eastern Equatoria State.
The Shilluk ethnic group overthrew their king, Kwongo Dak Padiet, accusing him of supporting the creation of 28 states and over staying in Juba, neglecting the concerns of the Shilluk kingdom at home in Upper Nile State.
The South Sudan Armed Forces/South Sudan Federal Democratic Party (SSAF/SSFDP) dismissed allegations that they are connected to Gabriel Changson or General Peter Gatdet Yak group.
The newly appointed governor of Wau State, Elias Waya Nyipuoc, criticized his predecessor’s administration for failing to prosecute police officers suspected of killing eight protesters in Wau town in 2012.
Thursday 7 January
President Salva Kiir apologized to the people of South Sudan for their suffering during the civil war.
Salva Kiir agrees with SPLM (IO) and SPLM- Former Detainees on cabinet reshuffle President Salva Kiir appointed 50 members from the SPLM (IO) to the transitional parliament.
SPLA forces attacked several villages outside Wau town , killing at least one civilian and burning down homes and schools.
UNMISS reported heavy shooting at the Pibor airstrip, but it was unclear who was involved in the fighting. Around 260 civilians sought protection at the UNMISS compund until the fighting died down a few hours later.
Unknown gunmen killed at least six people, including women and children, and two others wounded in an attack by at Garwal area in Twic East County, Jonglei State.
Operations resumed at Juba International Airport following a one-day strike. Some 700 airport staff have reportedly not received their salaries for over four months.
Friday 8 January
International reporting on agreement on cabinet reshuffle:
Bloomberg: ”South Sudanese Government, Rebels Agree on Cabinet Post Sharing”
VOA: “South Sudan Rebels Hail New Power-Sharing Deal”
Deutsche Welle interview “South Sudan: Peace Deal Is a ‘Result of External Pressure’”
A family member the ousted Western Equatoria governor Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro said that the National Security Services agents have yet to take any statement from Bakosoro despite arresting him more than two weeks ago.
Saturday 9 January
South Sudan People’s Patriotic Front (SSPPF) allegedly attacked Soura village, seven miles from Yambio. Authorities say hundreds have fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo and to Uganda.
President Salva Kiir dismissed several top police generals, including the inspector general of police, in accordance to the new power sharing arrangement, which left the SPLM (IO) in charge of the ministry of interior.
SPLM (IO) did not participate in the convention or the ratifying of any decisions during the 7-9 January SPLM Extraordinary National Convention organised by the SPLM faction in government. But chief negotiator Taban Deng Gai attended the opening and closing sessions.
Monday 11 January
During the Extraordinary National Convention Kiir announced reunification of the SPLM, but the two other SPLM factions remain hesitant.
Members of the SPLM (IO) advance team and the SPLM held a joint meeting in Juba.
Wednesday 30 December
The leader of the Federal Democratic Party (FDP), a splinter group of the SPLM (IO), clarified that it has not yet signed a final peace deal with the Juba government.
Thursday 31 December
The situation in Pibor town between the SPLA and the SSDM Cobra Faction, led by former Greater Pibor chief administrator, David Yau Yau, were reportedly very tense in response to the creation of Boma State and the appointment of a new governor. Yau Yau later denied that tensions had increased.
The second group of the SPLM (IO) advance team arrived in Juba.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) and the SPLM (IO) advance team held a joint meeting to discussed the implementation of the peace agreement.
Friday 1 January
Vice President James Wani Igga said the government is willing to give the governorships of six of the 28 new states to the SPLM (IO).
The SPLA admitted to have recently acquired shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles. The source of supply is unclear.
Sunday 3 January
The former Greater Pibor Area Administrator, David Yau Yau, meet with President Salva Kiir in Juba, and is expected to be appointed to a position at the national level.
At least one child was killed and three others injured in aerial bombardments in Khor Tumbak. Officials in Maban County, Upper Nile state, blamed the attack on the Sudanese Air Force.
Tuesday 22 December
South Sudan’s central bank sold US$20 million to 13 commercial banks at a rate of 16.76 South Sudanese Pounds to the dollar, forcing a drop in the SSP street rate.
Wednesday 23 December
President Salva Kiir ordered the army’s chief of general staff, Paul Malong Awan, to return to Juba after he boycotted the reception of the SPLM (IO) advance team.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) said it is committed to full implementation of the peace agreement’s security arrangement. The statement comes amidst a rumoured divide within the military.
The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) held a second meeting in Juba, with SPLM, SPLM (IO) and SPLM-Former Detainees representatives to discuss the process of forming a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).
An armed group in Eastern Equatoria State claimed more than 125 government soldiers under the command of 1st Lieutenant Ruot Bhar and two other officers had defected and joined their forces.
Friday 25 December
The SPLA (IO) accused government forces of launching attacks on its defensive positions in Makal chollo in the north part of Malakal town, Upper Nile State.
Saturday 26 December
The Federal Democratic Party (FDP), a faction that broke away from SPLM (IO) in July, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government, pledging to send a delegation to Juba next week.
Sunday 27 December
An unknown armed group attacked a police post in Makpandu, a village in Yambio County, Western Equatoria State.
The South Sudanese government has ordered SPLA to pursue a new rebel group in Eastern Equatoria state. This is connected to recent clashes between government forces and the rebels in Oguruny village.
The so-called ‘Arrow Boys’ claimed their forces occupies several locations in Western Equatoria state, warning the government not to provoke them into further clashes.
Tuesday 15 December
South Sudan devalued its currency by 84 per cent as the government allowed the pound to trade freely, surrendering to prices charged in the black market.
The UN Security Council extended for another five months the Ethiopian manned Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) mission.
The Guardian: “South Sudan: world’s newest nation ‘needs international management’
Reflections on the second anniversary of civil war by South Sudanese citizens, leaders, civil society and non-governmental organizations.
Wednesday 16 December
The South Sudan Council of States ratified the controversial constitutional amendments on the establishment of 28 states instead of the current ten.
The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) released a detailed timetable, which calls for formation of the transitional government of national unity on 22 January 2016.
Letter by Ellen Margrethe Løj, special representative of the secretary-general and head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan: “In defence of the UN’s role in South Sudan”
President Salva Kiir lifts the cap on the number of SPLM (IO) delegates who can return to Juba as part of the advance team, which is scheduled to arrive on Monday 21 December.