This Week in South Sudan - Week 13

Tuesday 27 March

• The President of the United States, Donald Trump, issued a “Notice Regarding the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to South Sudan”. This has been renewed on an annual basis since 2014 and opens for US sanctions against South Sudan.
• Unknown gunmen shot and killed a senior SPLA officer, Colonel John Malou in his home in Juba.

Wednesday 28 March

• Gabriel Tap, Member of Parliament loyal to Taban Deng has defected and joined the SPLM-IO led by Riek Machar.

Saturday 31 March

• The transitional period postulated in the August 2015 peace agreement between GoSS and SPLM-IOends in August. If the parties fails to reach a peace settlement, GoSS has stated it will hold national elections.
• Sudan and South Sudan recently completed the demarcation of two border crossing corridors. However, the Joda crossing point has reportedly been closed since 28 March.

Sunday 1 April

• SPLM-IO has requested the release of Riek Machar who has been in house arrest in South Africa since late 2016. IGAD stated that ifMachar renounces violence he should be allowed to move to any country that does not border South Sudan. This statement allegedly sparked clashes between the SPLA and SPLA-IO near the Ugandan border.

Monday 2 April

• Fighting was renewed between the SPLA and SPLA-IO in the Upper Nile and Jonglei region. The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism warned the warring parties that violators of the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities will be held accountable.
• The SPLM faction of Former Political Detainees has joined the opposition alliance, while some of its members remain in Juba.