This Week in South Sudan – Week 42 – Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)

In his report to the UN Security Council, the UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix, offered a dire appraisal of the situation in South Sudan, calling on the leaders to “bring the country back from the impending abyss.”
Deutsche Welle, in-depth coverage of the hunger crisis “South Sudan: Starvation and violence”

The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) renewed its earlier commitment to restore a permanent ceasefire.
The leaders of three opposition factions visited the US to mobilize support for peace in South Sudan; the mission included Lam Akol, leader of the National Democratic Movement (NDM); General Thomas Cirillo, chairperson of the National Salvation Front (NSF); and leader of the Federal Democratic Party (FDP), Gabriel Changson Chang.
IGAD has concluded its initial consultation meetings with what it considers the significant parties to the conflict.
South Sudan-Kenya border reopens after closure due to insecurity

At least three people died following clashes in Kajo Keji, Central Equatoria State, between SPLA (IO) forces loyal to Riek Machar, and opposition forces loyal to Thomas Cirillo. The latter group allegedly gained control of former SPLA (IO) areas.
Local protests in Aweil demanded the release of General Paul Malong Awan.

A SPLA commander on trial for his role in an attack on aid workers at the Terrain Hotel in July 2016, was found dead in military custody, reportedly due to illness.
A group of South Sudanese petitioned Salva Kiir to remove the foreign minister, Deng Alor Kuol, from office as they claim Kuol is ‘advancing regime change views.’
The Washington Post op-ed: “It’s time for the U.S. to make a fresh start in South Sudan”

GoSS representatives will participate in a two-day summit of the Great Lakes region in Congo Brazzaville. The summit will focus on regional security, borders and arms control.
GoSS refuses to meet individual opposition groups, asking IGAD to talk to the armed and non-armed opposition groups so they organise and unite under one body.
The National Dialogue body said the process will be concluded by April 2018.

SPLM (IO) announced the “sudden” death of Lam Kuei Lam, Riek Machar’s spokesperson. Lam died in Khartoum and the cause remains unclear.
CNN op-ed by the US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley: “This is why the President is sending me to Africa”
Al Jazeera Witness episode on the preservation of Sudan and South Sudan’s visual history: “Sudan’s Forgotten Films”

Nikki Haley voiced concern over South Sudan during her visit in Addis Ababa. Her trip is expected to shed light on US’ continued engagement in Africa; a policy area that has received little attention so far by the Trump Administration. She is to visit South Sudan on 25 October.

This Week in South Sudan – Week 42