This Week in South Sudan - Week 32

Monday 6 August

• The National Salvation front (NAS) distanced itself from the agreement on outstanding issues of governance. The leader of NAS, Thomas Cirillo Swaka, fired six leading members of the party, accusing them of plotting to overthrow him.

Tuesday 7 August

• The Troika (US, UK, Norway) and the European Union called on the government of South Sudan (GoSS) to release Peter Biar Ajak.
• President Salva Kiir said the GoSS will not review the 32 states situation.
• In Yambio, Western Equatoria, more than 100 children were released by two armed groups.

Thursday 9 August

• President Kiir officially pardoned SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar after nearly five years of fighting. The SPLM-IO said it considers the pardon an insult and argued the president should focus his attention on controlling his military according to the ceasefire.

Saturday 11 August

• IGAD decided that the Khartoum talks will continue until the 19 August.

Sunday 12 August

• The EU government decided to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan and added two persons to the restrictive measures list.
• According to a UN report, the SPLA killed 232 civilians in southern Unity region from 16 April to 24 May 2018. The report also mentions violations by the SPLA-IO.