This Week in South Sudan – Week 3

Monday 16 January

• The UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) vowed to find a solution to the issue of armed SPLA (IO) soldiers in eastern DRC.
• Salva Kiir has formed a committee to visit Maban area and investigate the recent clashes between the host community and Sudanese refugees that killed 30 people.

Tuesday 17 January

• UNMISS warned the SPLA (IO) against inciting the public against the peacekeeping body and accusing the peacekeepers of providing support to the government army.
• SPLM (IO) condemned the establishment of four new states, bringing the total number of states to 32. Salva Kiir says the new states were in response to popular demand.
• At least 11 people were killed and 13 others wounded in clashes between local youth and suspected Murle cattle raiders in Northeast Duk County, Jonglei State.
• The National Democratic Movement (NDM) faction, led by Lam Akol, denied reports that about 800 fighters from its group has defected and joined the SPLA (IO).
• According to a new report by UNMISS and OHCHR, there remains widespread impunity as serious human rights violations has continued unabated since the July clashes in Juba. The SPLA rejected the report’s findings, claiming it lacks evidence.

Wednesday 18 January

• About a dozen SPLM (IO) officials have reportedly defected to the Government of South Sudan (GOSS).
• GOSS banned international NGOs from operating in the rebel-held Panyijiar County, Unity State.
• The New York Times: “In South Sudan, Mass Killings, Rapes and the Limits of U.S. Diplomacy”
• The New Yorker: “The Lost Hopes for South Sudan”

Friday 20 January

• The UNHCR increased its funding request for aid operations in South Sudan by more than 60 percent, to a total of USD $781.8 million, due to surge in violence and food shortages.
• Salva Kiir has refused to place Juba International Airport under the Regional Protection Force’s mandate and control.
• The New York Times: “South Sudan Cannot Be Allowed to Collapse”

Saturday 21 January

• The new head of UNMISS and Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in South Sudan, David Shearer, has arrived in Juba.