This Week in South Sudan - Week 19

Monday 7 May

• The SPLM-IO faction led by Taban Deng Gai announced that it has officially joined the country’s ruling party SPLM, under the overall leadership of President Salva Kiir.
• President Salva Kiir accepted that Riek Machar could come to Juba under the protection of the Regional Protection Force. President Kiir did not accept however that any SPLA IO soldiers could accompany him. Riek Machar rejected the offer.
• Relief Web: “South Sudan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (April 2018)”

Wednesday 9 May

• The UN Security Council renews sanctions against South Sudan.
• SPLM-IO and the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) name their 5-member teams for consultations on peace in Addis Ababa.

Friday 11 May

• US President Donald Trump considers cutting US humanitarian aid to South Sudan. The GoSS says that this would encourage the opposition to resist regional efforts to end the civil war. Foreign observers believe that cutting aid will harm the country and the intended recipients.
• President Salva Kiir fired the Central Bank’s governor Othom Rago Ajak after he failed to rein in inflation. The President appointed Dier Tong Ngor to the position.
• The GoSS has decided to end subsidies on fuel and gas prices are expected to rise as a consequence.
• Petroleum minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkouth ensured the audience at Africa Oil and Power Investment in London that South Sudan’s oil facilities are secure and that investors should not be deterred.

Saturday 12 May

• President Kiir sacked the deputy defense minister Thoi Chany Reat. No replacement has been made yet.

Sunday 13 May

• Analysts suggest that Egypt’s improving ties with GoSS is part of a campaign to protect Nile water rights to pressure Khartoum and Addis Ababa over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
• Radio Tamazuj: “IGAD summary of government position during peace consultations”.