This Week in South Sudan –Week 14

Due to changes in the personnel here at PRIO, This Week in South Sudan is put on hold after this week. We regret this temporary break in what has been a five-year continuous provision of updates, and plan to start again shortly.

Monday 1 April

• Amidst political chaos in Khartoum, Sudan’s president Omar Al Bashir called for the opening of all crossings between Sudan and South Sudan, starting with the river transport from Kosti to Juba.

Tuesday 2 April

• Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mawien Makol Ariik expressed dissatisfaction by the United State’s decision to extend its “national emergency” on South Sudan for another year, arguing it contradicts the positive momentum of the peace implementation.
• A previous minister in the Khartoum government, Joseph Malual Dong, joined the SPLM-IO led by Riek Machar. Dong accused President Kiir of dismantling political parties that oppose the ruling SPLM party.
• The Sun Daily: “South Sudan Holds Breath as Fragile Peace Faces Crucial Test”

Thursday 4 April

• President Kiir and Riek Machar accepted an invitation from the Vatican for a “spiritual retreat”, which is expected to be held 9-10 April.
• The UN Central Emergency Response Fund announced an allocation of US $11 million to help displaced South Sudanese to return to their homes.
• SPLM-IO officials called on IGAD to end Machar’s confinement in Sudan.

Friday 5 April

• South Sudan promised China one sixth of their oil production outputs as China funds the nation’s biggest infrastructure-development program.

Saturday 6 April

• Al Jazeera: “Is Oil Money Fuelling War in South Sudan?”