Monitoring South Sudan Week 12

Tuesday 20. March

• The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) protested against last week’s decision by the UN Security Council to renew UNMISS’ mandate, saying they were not consulted on the matter.
• GoSS has suspended Vivacell’s licence, one of the largest telecommunication companies in the country, for failing to comply with government regulations.
• Former SPLA chief of staff, Paul Malong Awan met with high-ranking Sudanese officials in Khartoum. No official statement was made as to the purpose of the meetings.
• 600 former SPLA (IO) soldiers are undergoing intensive military training in Morobo County in Central Equatoria. The forces will be integrated into the SPLA after completion.
• Al Jazeera: “South Sudan: Drought and War Devastating Economy”

Wednesday 21. March

• The US imposed sanctions on 15 South Sudanese oil firms in an attempt to promote peace and reduce GoSS’ capacity to wage war. The Ministry of Petroleum says the sanctions are counterproductive.

Thursday 22. March

• South Sudanese security operatives arrested Mark Mabil, an official at the state-owned oil company Nile Petroleum Corporation (NilPet). Mabil is accused of leaking confidential documents. The arrest follows a recent investigative report by Global Witness “Capture on the Nile” that accused GoSS of using NilePet revenue to fuel the on-going conflict.
• The SPLA and SPLA (IO) traded accusations over reported clashes in several areas in Upper Nile and in Central Equatoria.

Saturday 24. March

• The UN Commission of Human Rights in South Sudan’s mandate was renewed for another year.

Monday 26. March

• Local South Sudanese authorities hindered the AU Technical Committee for Border Demarcation in identifying the “Zero Line” of the Sudan-South Sudan border in Upper Nile.