This Week in South Sudan – Week 25

Tuesday 20 June

• David Shearer, UN Special Representative for South Sudan and Head of UNMISS says fragmentation of the conflict makes sustainable peace more elusive. Meanwhile the UN calls on South Sudan’s leaders to take greater responsibility for their people.
• The former SPLA chief of general staff, General Paul Malong Awan said he would not respond to provocations as people loyal to him are reportedly being detained and “mistreated”
• Fuel shortage worsens amid reports of massive corruption in Nile Petroleum (NilePet) as price hits 110 SSP per litre of petrol, the highest ever recorded in South Sudan.

Wednesday 21 June

• According Amnesty International, a government SPLA offensive in Upper Nile State between January and May caused a mass displacement of the Shilluk ethnic group, entirely depopulating some towns and villages.
• According to the new IPC report, areas of South Sudan are no longer famine-classified, yet half the population face extreme food shortages, as the disease toll escalates correspondently.
• Al Jazeera on the refugee crisis: “The world has abandoned South Sudanese refugees”

Thursday 22 June

• At least 35 people were killed during inter-communal clashes between Rup and Pakam communities of Rumbek Central county in Lakes State.
• SPLA (IO) General Okot David Awai has reportedly defected to SPLA (IO) led by Taban Deng Gai along with 9 other officers. The SPLA (IO) led by Riek Machar confirms the General’s defection but denies reports of further defection from Magwi county, Eastern Equatoria State.
• France 24 ‘Focus Programme’ reporting from both sides of the conflict and interviewing Jonathan Pedneault “South Sudan: A rare look at both sides of the civil war”

Friday 23 June

• At least 30 people have been killed in inter-communal clashes between armed youth from the Atuot and Aliap communities in Lakes State.
• Government forces claim to have regained control of Kaya town, Central Equatoria State following clashes with the SPLA (IO).
• The SPLA denies that Mathiang Anyoor, the armed group loyal to Paul Malong Awan, withdrew from the frontlines after the former SPLA chief of general staff was dismissed.
• The Guardian: “’I buried my smallest child under a bush’: starvation and sorrow in South Sudan”

Saturday 24 June

• A former South Sudanese lawmaker, Abraham Majak Maliab has formed a new opposition movement, the Popular Front for Democratic Reform and Pan-African National Guard.
• The Government of South Sudan announced it has cancelled this year’s independence celebration due to the economic crisis.