President Kiir issued a decree approving a 90-day extension of the state of emergency in parts of Bahr al Ghazal region, including the so-called Gogrial, Tonj, Wau and Aweil East states.
South Sudan’s media regulator has suspended all press associations while they register for licenses to operate; a move that sparks fear of further media censorship.
CNN summarizes US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley’s recent visit to Africa and South Sudan “Haley draws on her African visit when briefing Trump”
Thursday 2 November
Several clashes reported during the week between government and SPLA (IO) forces in Fergsika and Bahr-Olo area, Western Equatoria State; near the UN PoC camp in Bentiu, Unity State; and in Kajo Keji, Central Equatoria State.
The Government of Canada has imposed individual sanctions on three South Sudanese officials accused of gross human rights violations; Paul Malong Awan, Malek Reuben Riak Rengu and Michael Makuei Lueth. The US has previously imposed similar sanctions on these three officials.
SPLA’s former secretary for external affairs, Suzanne Jambo, has vowed to challenge Salva Kiir in the next general elections.
Friday 27 October
More than 70 soldiers from the opposition group of South Sudan Patriotic Army/Movement has reportedly defected to the SPLA in Northern Bahr al Ghazal.
Saturday 28 October
Conflicting reports on clashes between SPLA (IO) and government forces in Kuergeng, Unity State, as both factions claims control of the area.
Sunday 29 October
Several SPLA units have defected following a failed attempt to forcefully free former army chief, General Paul Malong Awan. The number of defected troops and their new position or affiliation remains unclear, but the move has sparked tension and fears that the army could be divided and imbued with dissents.
GoSS has again announced they will increase the cost of foreign workers’ work permits, from USD$ 100 up to USD$ 4000, starting in November 2017. GoSS has previously had to suspend similar initiatives due to heavy criticism from the international aid and development sector.
The Washington Post: “Africa trip illustrates Haley’s trusted, unusually direct relationship with Trump”
Monday 30 October
The Guardian “Forced to live in a cemetery: the secret shantytown for Juba’s homeless”
The leaders of three opposition factions visited the US to mobilize support for peace in South Sudan; the mission included Lam Akol, leader of the National Democratic Movement (NDM); General Thomas Cirillo, chairperson of the National Salvation Front (NSF); and leader of the Federal Democratic Party (FDP), Gabriel Changson Chang.
A SPLA commander on trial for his role in an attack on aid workers at the Terrain Hotel in July 2016, was found dead in military custody, reportedly due to illness.
GoSS representatives will participate in a two-day summit of the Great Lakes region in Congo Brazzaville. The summit will focus on regional security, borders and arms control.
GoSS refuses to meet individual opposition groups, asking IGAD to talk to the armed and non-armed opposition groups so they organise and unite under one body.
While the organizers of South Sudan’s first international oil conference lauded it as a success, international media report that Kiir was a no show and that the conference failed to attract the biggest energy companies.
The Transitional Government of National Unity’s various coalition parties will enter into joint consultations at IGAD’s upcoming peace deal revitalization, despite some internal objections. Meanwhile, the opposition group, the National Resistance Front/Army, has protested against its exclusion from the IGAD consultations.
Thursday 12 October
The Economist: “As South Sudan implodes, America reconsiders its support for the regime”
The Guardian, in pictures: “Running with the rebels in South Sudan”
Saturday 14 October
Al Jazeera, in pictures: “Seeking shelter in war-torn South Sudan”
Sunday 15 October
The Washington Post’s in-depth interview with an unapologetic President Salva Kiir “South Sudan is a disaster. Its president says: Not my fault.”
PBS in-depth: “Why reporting from South Sudan is so difficult — and critically needed”
Monday 16 October
A World Food Program report sheds new light on the food crisis in South Sudan as it demonstrates how the same plate of food costs the average consumer US$1 in New York, but more than US$ 320 in South Sudan.
To boost bilateral trade and the South Sudanese economy, the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) is negotiating with the Government of Sudan to reopen river transportation on the White Nile.
Reuters: “Daughters of violence: South Sudanese refugee rape victims in Uganda”
GoSS and the Government of Uganda has signed an electricity agreement aiming to deliver cross-border power supply from Uganda to Nimule in Eastern Equatoria and to Kaya in Central Equatoria State.
Tensions increase in Uganda’s refugee camps as food rations are cut in half. This is due to the massive flood of refugees overwhelming aid agencies, combined with delayed deliveries and constraints on funding.
US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley called on South Sudan’s leaders to achieve peace while urging the UN Security Council and regional actors to do more to resolve the country’s suffering.
New report from the Enough Project: “Breaking Out of the Spiral in South Sudan: Anti-Money Laundering, Network Sanctions, and a New Peacemaking Architecture”
South Sudan’s High Court acquitted six former presidential aides who were initially sentenced to life in prison in June 2016 for alleged forgery and corruption in President Kiir’s office.
More than 100 opposition officials under the command of General Johnson Olony have allegedly defected to the SPLM/A in the Fashoda area, Upper Nile State according to government sources.
The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) called for the “unconditional” release of 14 officials captured in Akobo county Jonglei State. GoSS claim the officials were part of a peace delegation, and are held captured by armed youth loyal to Riek Machar. Meanwhile, the SPLA (IO) claim to have captured 25 government soldiers and a county commissioner in the same area.
Sunday 24 September
Former SPLA chief of staff, Paul Malong Awan downplays the media-portrayed rift with President Salva Kiir, saying there is no personal problem between them.
Monday 25 September
Bloomberg: “Risky Roads a Boon for Airlines in War-Ravaged South Sudan”
The Minister of Justice, Paulino Wanawilla, presented a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the AU on the establishment of a hybrid court for deliberation in Parliament.
Tuesday 12 September
GoSS is considering lifting state subsidies on fuel as a cost saving measure. In 2017, these subsidies are expected to consume USD 183 million from a total of USD 820 million, while USD 453 million is paid in export fees to Sudan.
Floods have reportedly displaced more than 100,000 people in South Sudan. In Bor town at least 1,200 households are affected as houses have been washed away and hundreds of families lack shelter and food.
According to a GoSS spokesperson, allowing former SPLA chief of staff Paul Malong Awan to travel out of the country can risk destabilizing the Bahr el Ghazal region.
The Minister of Defence, Kuol Manyang Juuk has given the opposition a 30-day ultimatum to declare a cease-fire and join the national dialogue, or face government offensives.
Voice of America: “Child Marriage Increasing in Civil War-Torn South Sudan”
Reported clashes in Aweil East between government troops and an opposition group calling itself the South Sudan Patriotic Army.
Thursday 31 August
Foreign Policy photo feature on South Sudan rebel life: “No Country for Civilians”
Friday 1 September
The only foreign victim to come forward and provide evidence against the twelve SPLA soldiers accused after the Terrain Hotel attack trial, testified in court. The Italian woman urged other survivors to speak up.
The US. Department of the Treasury placed economic sanctions on three South Sudanese officials for their alleged roles in destabilising the country and “enriching” themselves through corruption: Gen. Malek Reuben Riak Rengu, the army’s deputy chief of staff in charge of military procurement; Minister of Information and Broadcasting Michael Makuei Lueth; and former SPLA chief of general staff Paul Malong Awan. Three South Sudan-based companies owned or controlled by Malek Reuben Riak Rengu were also sanctioned. GoSS called on the US to rethink the “unfortunate” sanctions.
The new in-depth report by the International Crisis Group; “Double-edged Sword: Vigilantes in African Counter-insurgencies” includes a case study of the Zande Arrow Boys in South Sudan and how the group has impacted both the security and stability in the country.
Friday 8 September
According to a confidential UN Sanctions Monitoring Panel report seen by Reuters, competing efforts to end South Sudan’s civil war allow GoSS to exploit divisions among international brokers, and prolongs the conflict.
In Western Equatoria, an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) staff member was killed by unknown gunmen during an ambush on an ICRC aid convoy.
Associated Press: “South Sudan’s Civil War Without End Leaves All Sides Weary”
