This Week in South Sudan – Week 51

Monday 19 December

• Meeting with representatives of the Transitional Government of National Unity and other peace partners, The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) decried the missed opportunities in 2016 to end the war.
• At least six people are confirmed dead after a fuel tanker exploded at Sherikaat, a suburb of Juba.

Tuesday 20 December

• President Salva Kiir appointed more than 30 persons to the National Dialogue Committee.
• Authorities in Jonglei state say 21 people have been killed and five children abducted since a peace deal on prevention of cattle raiding and child abduction was signed earlier this month with neighbouring Boma State.
• Clashes reported between government troops and opposition fighters in Renk county, Upper Nile; Mundri county, Western Equatoria; and, on the outskirts of Wau town, Westen Bahr el Ghazal.

Wednesday 21 December

• Sudan and South Sudan oil ministers have agreed to extend the 2012 Cooperation Agreement on payments from oil revenues for three years.

Thursday 22 December

• President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, held a closed door meeting with Salva Kiir, during which he called for inclusive dialogue and advised to ensure early elections.

Friday 23 December

• The UN Security Council rejected a US-drafted resolution on imposing an arms embargo and additional sanctions on South Sudan. The Government of South Sudan welcomed the rejection, while the SPLM (IO) said they were outraged by the results. International media reports on the issue:
  • The Guardian: “Action needed now to prevent South Sudan genocide, says UN chief”
  • Reuters: “Japan resisting frustrated U.S. lobbying for South Sudan arms embargo”
  • Voice of America: “UN Security Council Rejects Arms Embargo on South Sudan”
• The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deng Alor Kuol has suspended the ministry’s undersecretary Joseph Ayok Anei for “ignorance” and “failure to obey orders”.
• Riek Machar made a major reshuffle through a series of decrees, removing several officials from their posts and appointing new ones.

Monday 26 December

• Voice of America: “Fleeing War, South Sudanese Create Booming Camps in Uganda”

Tuesday 27 December

• Reported clashes between rival forces near Doro camp in Maban county, Upper Nile and in Yei, Central Equatoria.
• SPLA chief of staff, Gen. Paul Malong Awan, returned to Juba after receiving medical treatment in Nairobi, Kenya for a week.