Monday 14 August

• The SPLA (IO) has allegedly reclaimed their stronghold of Pagak in Upper Nile State, a week after being pushed out of the town by government forces. 

Thursday 17 August

• South Sudanese refugees in Uganda reach the one million mark, as Ugandan authorities and humanitarian organisations struggle to provide basic services in the refugee camps.
• National security operatives have arrested Lieutenant Colonel Dut Yai Anyar. Dut previously served as a top aide to the former SPLA Chief of General Staff, Paul Malong, who is reportedly under house arrest in Juba.

Friday 18 August

• The IGAD South Sudan office convened a two-day High Level Independent Experts meeting on the revitalisation of the 2015 peace agreement. Riek Machar’s forced confinement in South Africa was discussed, and the group also scheduled a consultative meeting in Addis Ababa in September between all the warring parties.

Saturday 19 August

• According to the UN, attacks against aid workers are increasing in South Sudan; 15 have been killed so far in 2017.

Monday 21 August

• The International Red Cross warned that the Government of South Sudan’s (GoSS) continued inability to pay civil servants, especially in critical sectors such as health and water services, risks worsening the humanitarian crisis.
• The UN called on GoSS to “cease obstructions” to its peacekeeping mission’s operations in the country after GoSS temporarily suspended UNMISS’ flight clearances in Juba. The incident occurred due to a dispute over the control of the Juba airport with the regional protection force. 

Tuesday 22 August

• GoSS declined to dispatch a team to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for an African Union-brokered meeting on the disputed area of Abyei, citing the lack of clear agenda.

Wednesday 23 August

• Armed robberies have reportedly claimed at least 53 lives in Juba in August. Armed soldiers are allegedly the main perpetrators behind the recent crime wave in the capital. 

Thursday 24 August

• The Special Envoy for South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, warned that the conflict will worsen if serious issues are left unaddressed before the planned 2018 elections, saying GoSS has only “created an appearance of reconciliation efforts.”
• Reuters, in-depth coverage on internally displaced people in Wau “Church offers age-old sanctuary to South Sudan’s dispossessed”
• Deutsche Welle, interview with President Salva Kiir: “South Sudan President Salva Kiir downplays refugee crisis”

Friday 25 August

• Deutsche Welle: “Little progress two years after South Sudan peace deal”
• The Washington Post: “In South Sudan, mock trials are more legitimate than real ones”

Sunday 27 August

• At least 19 people were killed, including an American freelance journalist, following clashes between government troops and the SPLA (IO) near Kaya, Central Equatoria State. Human Rights Watch says the killing of a foreign journalist violates international humanitarian law and should be investigated. SPLA (IO) later claimed they have gained control over Kaya, Bindu, Kimba and Bazi.
• Reuters, in-depth coverage of UNMISS role and mandate in South Sudan: “UN moves to protect South Sudan civilians after years of criticism”

Dear Readers, please note that there will be no news update next week. We will be back on Monday August 28 with a two-week TWISS update for week 33 and 34.

Monday 7 August

• The United States has nominated Thomas J. Hushek to be its Ambassador to South Sudan. He will replace Mary Molly Phee once confirmed.

Tuesday 8 August

• About 120 Rwandan peacekeepers arrived in South Sudan, the first detachment of the 4,000-strong regional protection force.
• Around 150 former SPLA (IO) soldiers loyal to Riek Machar have reportedly returned to Wau town to participate in a peace process organized by Taban Deng Gai.

Wednesday 9 August

• Reuters: “Long road to recovery for South Sudan’s youngest”

Thursday 10 August

• The German Foreign Minister, Sigmar Gabriel urged the South Sudanese leaders to use peaceful means to resolve the ongoing conflict following his one-day visit to Juba.

Friday 11 August

• Clashes erupted around Pagak again between government forces and the SPLA (IO) as the latter tries to regain control of their headquarter. There are conflicting reports of how the situation in the area has continued to develop.
• South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) has reportedly released at least 30 political prisoners within the framework of an amnesty declared by President Salva Kiir in May.
• Former Army Chief of General Staff, Gen. Paul Malong Awan, says he has stopped asking for permission from President Kiir to go to his home state of Aweil.

 Monday 31 July

• Reported clashes in two areas in Kajo-keji County, Central Equatoria State and at Lanyi garrison, Western Equatoria State.

 Tuesday 1 August

• A new Human Rights Watch report accuses nine leaders from both warring factions, including President Salva Kiir and SPLA (IO) leader Riek Machar, of committing serious human rights violations and possibly war crimes during 2016 and 2017.

Wednesday 2 August

• Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s visited South Sudanese refugees in northern Uganda as the number of displaced people in the neighbouring country nears the million mark
• Fall armyworms and seven outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease add to South Sudan’s already struggling agriculture and economy.
• Five people were killed and 13 others injured in a road ambush on the Nimule-Juba highway.

 Thursday 3 August

• SPLA (IO) warned soldiers who defected to the National Salvation Front (NSF) to return all arms and ammunitions taken after the recent clashes around Yei River state, or risk arrest.
• The Government of South Sudan has resolved to restructure the SPLA and change its name to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).
• Bloomberg: “War-Torn South Sudan’s Traders Weigh New Risk: Kenya’s Vote”

Friday 4 August

• During his visit to Juba, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix said both warring parties appear unwilling to end the conflict.

 Saturday 5 August

• President Salva Kiir deny arresting Paul Malong Awan, the former SPLA chief of general staff.
• Reported clashes between the SPLA (IO) and government forces in Rubkona, Unity State.

Sunday 6 August

• Sudan is planning to split the Al Waral camp refugee camp in White Nile State into three separate units after a recent wave of violence within the camp.
• UNMISS is investigating reports that 25 people were killed in inter-communal clashes between the Waat and Ayie communities in Cueibet county, Lakes State.
• The SPLA have reportedly captured the rebel stronghold town of Pagak on the Ethiopian border.

Wednesday 26 July

• The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) stated that the proposed revitalization forum by IGAD would not be a platform for renegotiation of the 2015 peace agreement.
• The Guardian on unaccompanied refugee children: “South Sudan: ‘When we came home for lunch our parents had been killed’

Thursday 27 July

• SPLA claimed control over Maiwut, Upper Nile State following clashes with the SPLA (IO). The latter denied that government forces have regained control of the town.
• Riek Machar relieved five military governors of Upper Nile State and in the Bahr el Ghazal region and re-appointed five new ones, including Johnson Ulony (Fashoda).
• Japan’s defense minister and its army chief resigned over allegations that they misled Parliament and the public over dangers faced by Japanese UNMISS soldiers in South Sudan.

Friday 28 July

• Three SPLM factions have signed the Entebbe Declaration to operationalize the Arusha Agreement on the Reunification of the SPLM. The SPLM (IO) quickly denounced the initiative.

Saturday 29 July

• Al Jazeera op-ed: “Is Uganda really a ‘refugee paradise’?

Sunday 30 July

• Reported fighting in Nyori, Central Equatoria State between two opposition groups, the SPLA (IO) loyal to Riek Machar and the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by Thomas Cirillo. Reportedly a number of SPLA (IO) troops have defected to NAS.
• According to a senior UN official, the long-awaited Regional Protection Forces in South Sudan is expected to be deployed ‘soon’.

 Tuesday 18 July

• The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) has reported an outbreak of fall armyworm pest in parts of the Equatoria, Northern Bahr el Gazal and Jonglei regions.
• President Salva Kiir declared a three-month state of emergency in parts of Gogrial, Tonj, Wau and Aweil East due to increased clashes between clan-based militias. GoSS announced some citizens’ rights will be suspended, while SPLA will be given powers to improve the situation.
• At least 18 people were killed and more than 30 wounded in inter-communal clashes between the Apuk and Aguok communities in the Gogrial area, Warrap State.

Thursday 20 July

• According to a senior U.N. peacekeeping official, clashes have escalated in the Equatoria and Upper Nile region despite the government-declared unilateral cease-fire.
• The Troika and the EU issued a joint statement, warning they will not commit further resources to support the implementation of South Sudan’s peace deal without a “prompt revitalization of an inclusive and credible peace process by IGAD”.
• After having completed the necessary verification process, GoSS announced it is endorsing the deployment of the regional protection force.
• Reported clashes in Kaka area, Upper Nile State.

Friday 21 July

• GoSS has blocked the website access for South Sudanese users to at least four independent media outlets, including Sudan Tribune, Radio Tamazuj and the news blogs Nyamilepedia and Paanluel Wel. GoSS claim the outlets “disseminate subversive material”
• Deutsche Welle, video report “South Sudan’s healers on wheels”

 Saturday 22 July

• President Salva Kiir ended his two-day visit to Uganda where he held SPLM- reunification consultations with President Yoweri Museveni and some members of the former political detainees. Rebecca Nyandeng later announced she has reconciled with Salva Kiir.
• SPLA (IO) accused Uganda of carrying out airstrikes on one of their outposts in Thochdeng, Upper Nile State.

Sunday 23 July

• The IGAD Council of Ministers held its 58th Extra-Ordinary Session on the situation in South Sudan. The Council strongly condemned the continued violence and called for a cessation of hostilities and an inclusive negotiation forum to take place in Juba in September.
• The SPLA claimed it foiled an alleged attack by opposition forces on an oil field located in Upper Nile State.

Monday 24 July

• Following an Amnesty International report, NGO campaigners urge donor governments to pressure GoSS to end the high level of sexual violence that goes unpunished.

Monday 10 July

• The United States’ position on, and continued support for South Sudan remains unclear amid proposed budget cuts and major restructuring of USAID operations.
• International Crisis Group: “China’s Foreign Policy Experiment in South Sudan”

 Tuesday 11 July

• More than 20 people were killed in a cattle raid carried out by suspected armed youth from Western Lakes State.
• Reuters: “South Sudan’s women deminers brave danger to change their children’s future”

Wednesday 12 July

• The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) announced plans to remove a fuel subsidy; sparking fear such a move could increase prices of basic commodities further.
• Financial Times: “China backs economic power with political muscle in Africa”

 Thursday 13 July

• Heavy fighting between SPLA (IO) and government forces continued around Mathiang in Upper Nile State, just north of Pagak -the opposition’s headquarters. The offensive has forced about 5000 civilians to seek shelter in Ethiopia. GoSS claim the declared unilateral ceasefire does not include the Pagak area.
• President Kiir dismissed a group of 12-14 judges on strike in a bid to force reform in the judicial system. Other South Sudanese said they will continue their strike despite the dismissals.

Friday 14 July

• The UN is considering opening a peacekeeping base in Yei, Central Equatoria State. It would be the UN’s first such expansion in South Sudan since the civil war began in 2013.
• SPLM (IO) leader, Riek Machar appointed four governors in the newly created states of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Lol, Warrap and Gbudue State.
• Reuters photo story on Ana Taban “South Sudanese youth turn to art to push for peace”

Saturday 15 July

• South Sudan’s National Security Service arrested the Director of state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), Adil Faris Mayat, for allegedly failing to live broadcast President Kiir’s independence day speech.
• The Chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), Festus Mogae has rejected calls to resign and declare the failure of the IGAD-brokered peace agreement.

Sunday 16 July

• More than 19 people were killed in a cattle raid carried out by suspected Murle youth on Kolmarek village, Jonglei State.

Monday 3 July

• Al Jazeera: “South Sudan’s Wau: Fear and displacement one year on”

Tuesday 4 July

• A new report by Amnesty International, focused on the escalating conflict in the Equatoria region, describes grave human rights violations, including using hunger as a weapon of war, against the civilian population.

Wednesday 5 July

• Unidentified gunmen abducted eight foreign and local aid workers outside a UN protection of civilian site in Juba. The victims were released two days later.

Thursday 6 July

• Several clashes reported in Western Bahr el Ghazal.

Friday 7 July

• Reported clashes between the opposition and government forces near SPLA (IO)’s main stronghold, Pagak in Upper Nile State. The fighting forced 25 aid workers to evacuate the area. The SPLA deny they are conducting a government offensive in the area.
• Government forces blocked a monitoring team from the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) from accessing Kajo Keji.
• The Government of South Sudan admits difficulty in paying civil servants’ salaries over the past three months. Some fear the delayed salary payments will spark unrest within the SPLA and the South Sudanese security apparatus.

Saturday 8 July

• At least five people were killed and six children abducted in separate attacks on Bor North and Twic South Counties, Jonglei State. 

Sunday 9 July

• The Washington Post: “On South Sudan’s sixth birthday, here are 6 things you should know”

Wednesday 28 June

• The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) denies closure of embassies abroad, saying it has routinely recalled the heads of diplomatic missions in seven countries as the period of their assignments have ended.

Thursday 29 June

• GoSS said it could deny humanitarian aid workers access to rebel-held areas due to security concerns. The comment follows UN complaints against blockage of aid deliveries to certain areas in the southern Equatoria region.

Friday 30 June

• The SPLA claim they have contained an internal rift among soldiers deployed on the front line in the northern parts of South Sudan.
• The SPLA (IO) claim government forces have started recruiting civilians and students living in refugee settlement camps in northern Uganda.

Saturday 1 July

• GoSS plans to immediately deploy more forces along the Juba-Bor road as a security measure against road ambush killings. The decision was made during an emergency security meeting following an attack where unknown gunmen killed nine people and wounded dozens.
• The Joint Political and Security Committee (JPSC) meeting between Sudan and South Sudan, scheduled to be held in Juba shortly after Eid Al Fitr, was postponed over ‘logistical reasons’.

Sunday 2 July

• Aid workers warn against the potential devastation of a cholera outbreak in South Sudan as the number of registered cases has increased over the previous months.
• Men in South Sudanese military uniforms have launched two raids over the Ugandan border in recent weeks, raising fears of the conflict’s spill over effects.
• Riek Machar declined meeting members of the national dialogue committee in South Africa, citing the need to stop the country’s on-going war as a priority.
• The Guardian: “South Sudan’s million-strong refugee crisis is a test for the World Bank”

Tuesday 20 June

• David Shearer, UN Special Representative for South Sudan and Head of UNMISS says fragmentation of the conflict makes sustainable peace more elusive. Meanwhile the UN calls on South Sudan’s leaders to take greater responsibility for their people.
• The former SPLA chief of general staff, General Paul Malong Awan said he would not respond to provocations as people loyal to him are reportedly being detained and “mistreated”
• Fuel shortage worsens amid reports of massive corruption in Nile Petroleum (NilePet) as price hits 110 SSP per litre of petrol, the highest ever recorded in South Sudan.

Wednesday 21 June

• According Amnesty International, a government SPLA offensive in Upper Nile State between January and May caused a mass displacement of the Shilluk ethnic group, entirely depopulating some towns and villages.
• According to the new IPC report, areas of South Sudan are no longer famine-classified, yet half the population face extreme food shortages, as the disease toll escalates correspondently.
• Al Jazeera on the refugee crisis: “The world has abandoned South Sudanese refugees”

Thursday 22 June

• At least 35 people were killed during inter-communal clashes between Rup and Pakam communities of Rumbek Central county in Lakes State.
• SPLA (IO) General Okot David Awai has reportedly defected to SPLA (IO) led by Taban Deng Gai along with 9 other officers. The SPLA (IO) led by Riek Machar confirms the General’s defection but denies reports of further defection from Magwi county, Eastern Equatoria State.
• France 24 ‘Focus Programme’ reporting from both sides of the conflict and interviewing Jonathan Pedneault “South Sudan: A rare look at both sides of the civil war”

Friday 23 June

• At least 30 people have been killed in inter-communal clashes between armed youth from the Atuot and Aliap communities in Lakes State.
• Government forces claim to have regained control of Kaya town, Central Equatoria State following clashes with the SPLA (IO).
• The SPLA denies that Mathiang Anyoor, the armed group loyal to Paul Malong Awan, withdrew from the frontlines after the former SPLA chief of general staff was dismissed.
• The Guardian: “’I buried my smallest child under a bush’: starvation and sorrow in South Sudan”

Saturday 24 June

• A former South Sudanese lawmaker, Abraham Majak Maliab has formed a new opposition movement, the Popular Front for Democratic Reform and Pan-African National Guard.
• The Government of South Sudan announced it has cancelled this year’s independence celebration due to the economic crisis.

Monday 12 June

• Following the extra-ordinary summit in Addis Ababa, IGAD reiterated that the full implementation of ARCASS is the only way forward, and announced it will convene a High-level Revitalization Forum. President Salva Kiir’s absence has been criticised by some commentators as problematic, while the Enough Project urged for a radical rethink of the stagnant peace process.
• There were demonstrations in the Juba Protection of Civilian sites in support of the IGAD peace process.

Tuesday 13 June

• Conflicting reports on clashes over strategic northern-border towns, including Kuek town in Upper Nile state, as well as Malek Gumel area and Warguet in Northern Bahr el Ghazal.
• BBC, in Pictures: “A woman’s world for South Sudanese refugees”

Wednesday 14 June

• Alleged clashes reported in the Imatong area, Eastern Equatoria State.
• Unconfirmed reports claim Uganda and South Sudanese authorities plan to allow the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) deploy additional forces in South Sudan to control specific locations.
• National Geographic in-depth report from the Sudd wetland “Massacre Survivors Cling to Life in Giant Swamp”

Thursday 15 June

• The Guardian, in-depth “No food, no money: conflict and chaos as South Sudan grapples with famine”

Saturday 17 June

• A second round of consultations between SPLM factions in Uganda ended. The meeting concluding with mandating President Museveni to consult further with other groups, including SPLM (IO) led by Riek Machar, Thomas Cirillo and former Western Equatoria Governor, Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro. The aim is to include these groups in the next consultation meeting scheduled for July.

Sunday 18 June

• President Salva Kiir has ordered the police to shoot to kill when facing robbers.