This Week in South Sudan – Week 34

The US offered South Sudan $180 million in food aid.
The UN Security Council reported that the warring parties in South Sudan are arming themselves in preparation for further fighting.
The UN Security Council warned that sanctions may be imposed on ‘spoilers’ of the peace negotiations.

Wednesday 13 August

Warrap State health ministry announced that 69 people have been killed by a malaria-typhoid outbreak in Warrap.
The SPLM/A-in-Opposition accused the government of planting landmines.
The South Sudan parliament approved the annual budget.

Thursday 14 August

Exxon Mobile ended its oil search in South Sudan.
South Sudan’s foreign minister spoke against UN sanctions.
IGAD called for tough actions against the South Sudanese leaders.
Machar demanded a role in the upcoming IGAD summit on South Sudan.
Salva Kiir removed the Pibor Commissioner.
Machar declared that Kiir has no place in a transitional government.

Friday 15 August

Fighting between the SPLA and the SPLA-in-Opposition broke out in Unity State
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemned the fighting in Bentiu,Unity State.
IGAD extended the ongoing South Sudan peace talks to 28 August.
Former political detainees released a programme for political reform.

Saturday 16 August

A Catholic radio station was shut down by a South Sudanese official.
Western Bahr el Ghazal state open for a federalism debate.
Khartoum reaffirmed that Sudan does not provide support for the SPLA-in-Opposition.

Sunday 17 August

Riek Machar rejected Salva Kiirs offer to be entitled second vice president in a transitional government.
The South Sudanese government called on Sudan to sever its ties with the SPLA-in-Opposition.
The IGAD leaders’ summit on South Sudan was postponed.

State Briefing: Warrap State

Posted August 7, 2014 by Helene Molteberg Glomnes and Øystein Rolandsen & filed under State Briefing

Capital: Kuajok
Approximate Population: 972,928.
Internally Diplaced People (IDP) sheltering in the state: 8,800

Warrap State is located in the north of South Sudan, in the Greater Bahr el-Ghazal region. Warrap borders Abyei, a contested area between Sudan and South Sudan. The majority of Warrap’s inhabitants are Dinka, but Luo, Bongo and other smaller ethnic groups also live there.

The political elite of Warrap overwhelmingly support President Salva Kiir and his government, and there have been few, if any, defections from the SPLA within this state. In January, state politicians and civil society leaders issued a letter of support for Salva Kiir’s government and condemned the actions of Riek Machar’s faction. More recently Warrap political leaders spoke in favour of the government position in the debate over federalism in South Sudan. The only disorder in the ranks was caused by the information minister who was accused of having links to the opposition. She resigned in February.

Warrap has not been spared from violence, however. Since the signing of peace in 2005, cattle raiding and local revenge feuds have claimed hundreds of lives, especially along the Unity-Warrap state border. During the current conflict, the brutality of these raids seems to have increased. In January more than forty people were killed in two raids in the Tonj area. In one incident in March, seven people were killed and 300 cattle stolen. In April, fighting on the Unity-Warrap border left more than ten people dead, and in Tuic County sixteen people were reportedly killed, including fourteen women. The state capital, Kuajok, has not been a target of raids, but the city has experienced protests and heavy gunfire over salary disputes.

The number of registered Internally Displaced People (IDP) in Warrap is 8,800, many of which are hailing from Unity State. About 4,000 of the IDPs are located in Tuic County, one of the areas suffering from frequent raids. This is a smaller number than in the states hardest hit by the civil war violence, but the IDPs still put pressure on scarce resources. Already when the first IDPs arrived, state officials warned about increasing malnutrition and the overall condition in the Turalei camp continues to be difficult. In June hospitals lacked medicines and there is a severe food shortage among IDPs as well as the host population.

This Week in South Sudan – Week 32

Posted August 7, 2014 by Helene Molteberg Glomnes & filed under This Week in South Sudan

Monday 4 August

An aid worker employed by Norwegian People’s Aid was killed in Maban County.
The IGAD peace talks resumed.
The Tonj South (Warrap) Commissioner survived an assassination attempt.
South Sudanese officials in Canada announced their support for the SPLM/A-in-Opposition.
South Sudanese internally displaced people expressed doubt in the peace talks’ ability to solve the conflict.

Tuesday 5 August

The SPLM-in-Opposition did not attend the IGAD peace talks.
IGAD urged the SPLM/A-in-Opposition to rejoin the current peace talks.
The SPLM-in-Opposition announced that it is ready to participate in direct negotiations with Juba.
Five more aid workers was killed in Maban County.
500 SPLA deserters have crossed the border to East Darfur.
Political parties in South Sudan condemned the murder of the civil society chairperson last Friday.
500 refugees from the Blue Nile (Sudan) arrived in Jendrasa refugee camp, Upper Nile.
Clans in Twic East (Jonglei) signed an inter-clan peace accord.
Salva Kiir gave Riek Machar the blame for the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.
The parliamentary committee on economy and finance announced that South Sudan has lost billions in tax exemptions.
The South Sudanese government asked aid agencies not to issue reports on the food security situation without ‘political endorsement’ from the presidency.

Wednesday 6 August

The UN evacuated staff from the Northeast of South Sudan.
US Secretary of State John Kerry blamed Riek Machar for the ongoing war in South Sudan.
Ban Ki-Moon demanded full investigation of the recent killing of aid workers in South Sudan.
The UN warned that South Sudan is nearing ‘catastrophe’.
The South Sudanese government accused the SPLA-in-Opposition of attacking a village in the Yirol area (Lakes State).
The SPLA acknowledged that late salary payment caused desertions in June.
International oil companies rejected Salva Kiir’s request for an advance on oil earnings.
Heavy floods displaced more than 200 households in Western Bahr el Ghazal.

Thursday 7 August

The SPLM/A-in-Opposition refuted the IGAD statement on the opposition’s non-participation in the peace talks.
The SPLM/A-in-Opposition accused the IGAD of stalling the peace negotiations.
The SPLM/A-in-Opposition resumed its participation in the IGAD peace talks.
South Sudanese youths demanded involvement in the peace talks.
Protesters in the US demanded that Salva Kiir resigns.
The SPLA placed several officers under arrest.

Friday 8 August

Human Rights Watch warned that the South Sudan atrocities amount to war crimes
African Union experts said children are targets in the South Sudan conflict.
The UN Security Council urged the South Sudan rivals to resolve the conflict.
The Rumbek East county paramount chief was killed.

Saturday 9 August

SPLA/M-in-Opposition said that a unity government will not solve the conflict
IGAD warned that the SPLM/A-in-Opposition may face sanctions for the refusal to participate in the peace talks.
The UN Protection of Civilians Site in Bentiu hosting 40,000 people was badly affected by floods.
Jonglei’s deputy governor vowed to attack the SPLA-in-Opposition if the peace talks fail.

Sunday 10 August

The South Sudanese government said that the IGAD accepted the SPLA/M-in-Opposition’s demand of bilateral talks between the warring parties
Riek Machar met with Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir.
Salva Kiir offered to appoint Riek Machar as second vice president.
An increase in cases of looting was reported in Lakes State.

This Week in South Sudan – Week 31

Posted July 31, 2014 by Helene Molteberg Glomnes & filed under This Week in South Sudan

Monday 28 July

The South Sudanese government rejected demands for suspension of new oil contracts.
Critical food shortage was reported in Jonglei.
The South Sudanese government announced that it is ready to resume peace talks with the opposition.
The SPLM/A-in-Opposition launched a new membership form to organise its members.

Tuesday 29 July

The SPLA declared 10 politicians ‘illegal’ and said that these politicians’ attendance at the IGAD peace talks will not be accepted.
Political parties in South Sudan proposed the creation of a prime minister position.
South Sudanese Civil Society Organisations in exile selected their representatives to the IGAD peace talks.
A South Sudanese human rights body condemned the arrest of South Sudanese youths in Bahr el Ghazal.
The African Union announced that an investigation of children in South Sudan’s situation will take place next week.

Wednesday 30 July

SPLA-in-Opposition officials requested that the base for the Monitoring and Verification Team (MVT) is hosted on neutral ground outside South Sudan.
The new round of peace talks was delayed and is expected to resume Monday 4 August.

Thursday 31 July

The UK Africa minister called for immediate ceasefire in South Sudan.
19 Cholera deaths in Upper Nile over the last three weeks were reported.
Desmond Tutu urged the world not to forget South Sudan.
David Yau Yau was appointed as chief administrator of Greater Pibor.
The South Sudanese government announced that the planned gold mining will be delayed by a year due to the conflict.
Salva Kiir left for the US-Africa summit.
Salva Kiir renewed his call for peace with the opposition.

Friday 1 August

Human Rights Watch urged South Sudan’s security service to stop restricting the media.
Riek Machar appointed representatives to the UN and the US.
South Sudanese youth organisations declared their support to the SPLM/A-in-Opposition.
A South Sudanese civil society organisation leader was shot in Juba.

Saturday 2 August

Leaders of the SPLM’s branch in the US announced that they are changing allegiance to the SPLM/A-in-Opposition.
A senior SPLM official joined the opposition.
The UN announced that more than 200,000 displaced people in Jonglei and Western Equatoria have returned to their homes.
The South Sudanese government denied that it is harassing the media.
Dinka and Nuer women met for peace in Bor.

Sunday 3 August

Flooding in Unity State displaced more than 40,000 people.
Salva Kiir urged the government delegation to the IGAD peace talks to prioritise peace.
Former SPLA general claimed that 5,000 new recruits have joined the SPLA-in-Opposition.
The Upper Nile Governor appointed new ministers and commissioners.
Fighting erupted in Maban County, Upper Nile State.

State Briefing: Unity State

Posted July 29, 2014 by Øystein Rolandsen and Helene Molteberg Glomnes & filed under State Briefing

Capital: Bentiu
Approximate Population: 585,801
Internally Displaced People (IDP) sheltering in the state: 265,500

While parts of South Sudan have been relatively calm in July, Unity State is still severely insecure. In the last two weeks the agreement on cessation of hostilities has been violated by clashes between the SPLA and the SPLA-in-Opposition (SPLAiO) in Kuergueyni, Guit, Nhialdiu and Wichok.

Unity State is situated on the west side of the White Nile and borders the Sudanese state of South Kordofan to the North. The current civil war reached Unity State on 19 December 2013 when Major General James Koang Chuol defected to the opposition, and two days later he declared himself Governor. The subsequent fighting in different military barracks also affected civilians as the military quarters hosted soldiers’ families and other civilians.

Because of its oil reserves and production facilities, Unity is strategically important to the warring parties and the compound of the Greater Pioneer Operation Company (GPOC) was attacked during the first day of the conflict. Oil revenues are essential for keeping the South Sudanese government afloat and any long-term shut-down of production would have grave consequences for the future of the country. In the extension of the UNMISS mandate 27 May, oil installations were identified to be in need of special protection. As a result, UNMISS has been criticised for prioritising international companies’ oil assets over South Sudanese civilians. However, UNMISS maintains that their purpose is to protect the workers and their families in the oilfields.

SPLAiO seized the state capital, Bentiu 20-21 December, but SPLA recaptured the city in January. With the capital under their control, the SPLA moved south and fought the rebels in Koch, Leer and Panyijar counties. The battle over Leer, Riek Machar’s home county, was particularly devastating; Leer’s hospital was destroyed and 40,000 civilians who were seeking refuge in the city were again forced to flee. In the west, the warring parties laid waste to Mayom county. The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, signed in late January, did little to stop the civil war. In April Bentiu was destroyed after it again was seized by SPLAiO. Hate speech was broadcasted on the radio and many civilians were killed, including more than 200 Darfurian civilians, sheltered in a mosque. The UN called this massacre a “game-changer”. In May, SPLA again took control over Bentiu and the state capital has been in government hands since then.

Unity State’s proximity to Sudan and the various armed groups on both sides of the border further complicate the situation. Parts of the Sudanese opposition group Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) sided with the SPLA in December 2013, but has denied any participation in violence in 2014. Moreover, JEM blamed the Government of Sudan (GoS) for the killing of Darfurians in Bentiu. Meanwhile the Government of South Sudan has accused Sudan government forces of assisting the SPLAiO. Tensions between the two countries increased further when Sudan in April dropped bombs outside Neem village close to Yida refugee camp in Pariang county.

There are more than 80,000 Sudanese refugees in Unity State who has fled from the civil war in South Kordofan and the UNMISS Protection of Civilian site (PoC) in Bentiu, the largest in South Sudan, shelters 40,574 people. UNMISS is concerned over the squalid conditions in the camp. Despite the fact that about 150 people move to Sudan every day, the camp still lacks capacity to accommodate the daily intake of displaced people. UNMISS is planning a new Bentiu site, but as the rainy season makes transport and supply provision difficult, it is uncertain when it will be finished.

This Week in South Sudan – Week 30

Posted July 28, 2014 by Helene Molteberg Glomnes & filed under This Week in South Sudan

Monday 21 July

The South Sudan government accused neighbouring countries of supplying the SPLA-in-Opposition with weapons.
The South Sudan government claimed it has regained control over Nasir after the SPLA-in-Opposition attack Sunday.
The UN and world leaders condemned the opposition attack on Nasir.

Tuesday 22 July

Two people were killed by armed men in Nyangkot, Lakes State.
South Sudan’s Army Chief announced that the SPLA is still committed to ceasefire.
The South Sudan government accused the opposition of attacking Ayod town, Jonglei.
Riek Machar left Kampala without meeting Museveni.

Wednesday 23 July

Wau residents showed support for the suggestion to move the capital from Juba to Wau.
A presidential guard was accused of being involved in robberies in Juba.
An SPLA commander warned against counter-offensive against SPLA-in-Opposition.
The UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon appointed Ellen Margrethe Løj as the new head of UNMISS.
The UN warned that Ethiopia will face a new wave of refugees from South Sudan.
South Sudan’s Foreign Minister accused the SPLA-in-Opposition of stalling peace talks by being intransigent.

Thursday 24 July

Students in Jonglei announced their support for federalism.
The SPLA-in-Opposition abandoned Nasir.
South Sudanese judicial officers visited Kenya.
Salva Kiir promised that occupied mosque properties will be returned to Muslims.
Small Arms Survey published a report suggesting that weapons used by the SPLA-in-Opposition in the current conflict have been provided by an external source.

Friday 25 July

Sudan’s Foreign Minister announced that Sudan will take a leading role in the peace making process in South Sudan.
The SPLA sent military reinforcements to the most conflicted areas in South Sudan.
The SPLA announced that at least 140 opposition fighters were killed in Upper Nile and Jonglei last week.
Pibor County (Jonglei) was granted a special administrative status allowing increased self-rule.
The conditions in the UN protection cite in Bentiu were reported as ‘very bad’ after heavy flooding.

Saturday 26 July

UN Security Council members said South Sudan has the world’s worst food security situation.
South Sudanese women in Juba marched for peace.
Internally Displaced People (IDP) demonstrated in Unity State.
The South Sudan government announced that the UN Security Council will visit in September.

Sunday 27 July

The Ethiopian government dismissed allegations that it has provided support to the SPLA-in-Opposition.
Salva Kiir warned against importing radical Islam.

Helping or Hindering? The Impact of Civil Society Groups in the Peace Negotiations

Posted July 24, 2014 by Sebabatso Manoeli & filed under Analysis

South Sudan’s unresolved civil war dampened celebrations on its third Independence Day on 9 July 2014. Despite the urgent need for peace, the negotiation process has yet to yield a resolution. Since the signing of the recommitment to the cessation of hostilities in May 2014, progress has occurred, though with ambiguous outcomes. For example, although necessary, the attempt to include Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has complicated the peace negotiations further.

From March to May 2014, IGAD consulted with South Sudanese CSOs to help develop a modality for their participation in the peace negotiations. This was done in preparation for the Multi-Stakeholder Symposium hosted in Addis Ababa on 4-9 June 2014. The consultation resulted in a strict selection process through which a broadly composed delegation of nineteen independent representatives received a mandate to attend the Symposium. However, the two warring parties respectively brought representatives of other CSOs to the Symposium in June. None of these new CSOs had participated in the rigorous IGAD selection process and their impartiality was in question since the method used for selecting them was not revealed. Thus, tensions unsurprisingly ensued.

Furthermore, the majority of these new CSOs operate in government-controlled territories and the SPLM-in-Opposition (SPLMiO) suspected them to be in alignment with the Government of South Sudan (GOSS). By contrast, CSOs sympathising with the rebels claimed to be purposely delayed from attending by authorities in Juba, but even upon arrival these delegates protested that they were outnumbered by the representatives of CSOs that arrived with GOSS.

Despite these controversies, the Symposium concluded with an additional ad hoc selection process. IGAD representatives requested that the various CSO delegates, now numbering 40 (comprising of the independent nineteen and the delegates that accompanied the two factions), choose seven representatives in total to participate in the peace process. From the original group of nineteen, which had been elected in an open process, only one was elected as a representative in this new group of seven. The CSOs involved in the first strict selection round expressed concern about their effective exclusion form the peace process. South Sudanese MPs have since also questioned the composition of the stakeholders at the peace talks.

After the Symposium, the peace negotiations continued, culminating in Salva Kiir and Riek Machar agreeing on 10 June 2014 to set a 60-day deadline for the establishment of a transitional government of national unity, to allow humanitarian workers immediate access to people in need, and to a permanent ceasefire.

While the 9 August deadline looms, minor distractions draw attention away from the core issues of the conflict: i.e. the struggle over political leadership in the SPLM and the SPLA’s lack of cohesion. For instance the talks in June were postponed as both warring parties were affronted by Mahboub Maalim, the executive secretary of IGAD, who said that both leaders were “stupid” if they think they can win on the battlefield. This incident represents an unfortunate diplomatic faux pas for IGAD, but it also reveals how the two parties use various pretexts to avoid committing fully to the talks.

After a delay, on 20 June 2014, IGAD launched another round of negotiations bringing together, for the first time, the SPLM Leaders (former political detainees, SPLM-FD), other political parties, CSO representatives and religious leaders to meet alongside GOSS and SPLMiO. But, the talks were halted indefinitely on 23 June 2014 due to the SPLMiO’s refusal to participate.

The SPLMiO objected to the new framework which they believed would undermine the current mediation process. Moreover, the SPLMiO complains that it was not consulted about these changes or about the selection of the participating CSOs, and also perceived IGAD to be unresponsive to its misgivings. It stated that it would prefer to negotiate exclusively with the GOSS and only consult with other stakeholders. Meanwhile, GOSS denied that it influenced the selection of the civil society groups in question.

It remains unclear whether GOSS and IGAD will agree to reframe the fourth round of negotiations into bilateral talks. IGAD stated that it would use the period of adjournment to consult with a variety of South Sudanese stakeholders as well as international organizations such as the African Union and the United Nations.

While inclusivity is necessary for sustainable peace, the complicated process hitherto has illustrated the challenges of defining genuine stakeholders and of designing a representative system. Moving forward, the addition of participants in sensitive aspects of the process may increase the likelihood of distractions and inadvertently delay a permanent ceasefire. Developments over past months suggest that the calculus of peace in South Sudan requires a simple design and a narrowly focused set of issues for negotiation.

Sebabatso Manoeli, PhD student, St. Antony’s College, Oxford University and Øystein H. Rolandsen, senior researcher PRIO.

This Week in South Sudan – Week 29

Posted July 18, 2014 by Helene Molteberg Glomnes & filed under This Week in South Sudan

Monday 14 July

Salva Kiir accused Riek Machar of using ‘spiritual powers’ to mobilise.
SPLM/A-in-Opposition claimed they killed 15 government troops who attempted to raid cattle in Unity State.
SPLM/A-in-Opposition claimed SPLA launched new attacks in Unity State last weekend.
The IGAD official who has been reported calling Machar and Kiir “stupid” claimed he was misquoted.
Youths in the UN camp in Bentiu demanded that the humanitarian agencies provide jobs.
South Sudan’s Defence Minister claimed that the EU has insufficient evidence against the military generals who are being sanctioned.

Tuesday 15 July

The SPLM/A and the SPLM/A-in-Opposition accused each other of violating the ceasefire.
The SPLM/A-in-Opposition accused Kiir of calling for an ethnic war.
It was announced that Salva Kiir will attend the US-Africa summit next month.
The US urged the warring parties to continue the peace talks.
Fighting between SPLA and SPLA-in-Opposition broke out in Unity State.
Increasing number of Hepatitis E reported in Lakes State.
SPLA attacked during food distribution in Nhialdiu, Unity State.

Wednesday 16 July

Community leaders in Jonglei State asked UNMISS to relocate displaced people from Bor.
Riek Machar presented his plan for federalism, including making new states.
MSF reported “shocking” levels of malnutrition among children in South Sudan.
The UN reported that nearly 7 million people are in need of aid in South Sudan.

Thursday 17 July

Salva Kiir requested a swift reconciliation process.
At least 300 youths from Bahr el Ghazal announced that they will join Riek Machar.
UN threatened to sanction South Sudan as a response to the SPLA’s arms deal with China.
The SPLA defended its recent arms purchase.
Five more deaths in recent fighting in Northern Bahr el Gazhal were reported.
Amnesty International requested that the UN imposes arms embargo on South Sudan.
18 people were reported dead in an attack by unknown gunmen in Pigi county, Jonglei.
Western Bahr el Ghazal state governor Rizik Zackaraia Hassan, requested that South Sudan’s capital to be transferred from Juba to Wau.
IGAD mediator met with Riek Machar.

Friday 18 July

SPLM/A- in-Opposition criticised China for its contradictory involvement in South Sudan.
Fighting broke out within a SPLA unit in Upper Nile.
A reconciliation process between Twic East clans began.

Saturday 19 July

Preliminary findings of the African Union Commission of Inquiry in South Sudan reveal grave human rights violations and mass graves.
The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State called for unity.
South Sudan Community in Norway announced that it will boycott Independence Day celebrations.
Salva Kiir said Riek Machar should be tried in court for corruption.

Sunday 20 July

Clashes broke out between SPLA and SPLA-in-Opposition in Nasir.
The UN condemned the attack on Nasir by opposition forces in South Sudan.
SPLM/A-in-Opposition announced that they will send a delegation to meet president Museveni.

This Week in South Sudan – Week 28

Posted July 14, 2014 by Helene Molteberg Glomnes & filed under This Week in South Sudan

Monday 7 July

Shoot-to-kill orders against curfew violators were issued.
South Sudan security confiscated newspapers covering the federalism debate.
Two people were killed when a grenade exploded in Yida camp, Unity State.

Tuesday 8 July

12 people were killed in an attack on the UN camp in Bor.
International Crisis Group urged the UN Security Council to take action to prevent escalation of the crisis in South Sudan.
Rumbek University was attacked by a gunman.

Wednesday 9 July

Salva Kiir announced that Ugandan forces will remain in South Sudan until a permanent peace agreement is in place
Juba and Khartoum signed an agreement on transfer of humanitarian aid.
Salva Kiir extended the amnesty to the former political detainees.
Kiir asked the SPLA/M-in-Opposition to resume peace talks.
South Sudan celebrated three years since independence.
Ban Ki-Moon urged South Sudan’s leaders to resume peace talks.
It was revealed that the SPLA is expecting a large shipment of weapons bought from China.

Thursday 10 July

The European Union imposed sanctions towards two South Sudanese military generals.
The mandate of the African Union Inquiry Commission on South Sudan was extended.

Friday 11 July

South Sudan activists critisised the parliament of avoiding the federalism debate
Riek Machar appointed senior assistants.
Cholera outbreak reported in Upper Nile.
Fighting reported in Upper Nile and Unity State.
UN estimated a large increase in South Sudanese refugees.
Parts of Juba were flooded due to heavy rain.

Saturday 12 July

SPLM/A-in-Oppositions denied having demanded ransom for a Kenyan pilot.

Sunday 13 July

South Sudan responded to the European Union sanctions arguing that they are “unfair and unjustifiable”.
Riek Machar met with the President of Djibouti
More than 650 cholera cases reported in Upper Nile State.

This Week in South Sudan – Week 34

This Week in South Sudan – Week 33

State Briefing: Warrap State

This Week in South Sudan – Week 32

This Week in South Sudan – Week 31

State Briefing: Unity State

This Week in South Sudan – Week 30

Helping or Hindering? The Impact of Civil Society Groups in the Peace Negotiations

This Week in South Sudan – Week 29

This Week in South Sudan – Week 28

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