This Week in South Sudan – Week 23

Tuesday 7 June

• Authorship of New York Times Op-eddebated: “South Sudan Needs Truth, Not Trials”
  • The Guardian: “South Sudan leaders did not sign off New York Times article, aides say”
  • Foreign Policy: “The New York Times South Sudan Op-Ed That Wasn’t”
  • The Washington Post: “Who wrote that op-ed? The New York Times isn’t sure.”
  • Sudan Tribune: “President Kiir’s office admits responsibility for controversial anti-justice article”
  • Sudan Tribune: “New York Times regrets publishing controversial Op-ed on South Sudan”
• President Salva Kiir’s office issued a statement justifying the appointment of 19 presidential advisors, asserting that the decision falls within the prerogative of the president.
• Foreign Policy, Letters from Juba “China’s Business and Politics in South Sudan”

Wednesday 8 June

• Teacher strike continue:
  • Radio Tamazuj: “Teachers strike shuts down schools in Aweil”
  • Radio Tamazuj: “University of Bahr el Ghazal academics vow to continue strike”
  • Sudan Tribune: “South Sudan lecturers defy education minister, vow to continue strike”

Thursday 9 June

• The controversial NYT op-ed sparked debate over the alleged establishment of a truth and reconciliationcommission instead of a hybrid court to try suspects of war crimes:
  • Reuters: “S. and Britain back South Sudan war crimes court”
  • Reuters: “Call by South Sudan leaders to nix international tribunal met with dismay
  • Bloomberg: “Call to Scrap War Court by South Sudan Leaders Spurs Criticism”
  • The Guardian: “Why can’t South Sudan have truth and trials?”
  • Voice of America: “HRW Urges the AU to Establish a Hybrid Court for South Sudan”
  • Radio Tamazuj: “Machar says not opposed to hybrid court
  • Sudan Tribune: “South Sudan rival leaders in difference over avoiding trials”

Friday 10 June

• An outbreak of an Ebola-like disease in South Sudan has killed at least 10 people since December in Aweil North and Aweil West counties, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
• Sudan and South Sudan agreed to the complete redeployment of forces in the disputed area of Abyei during a Joint Political and Security Mechanism meeting.

Saturday 11 June

• South Sudan’s Transitional Government of National Unity has, in a bid to enhance security, set up a joint integrated police command and operation centre.

Sunday 12 June

• Alleged clashes between SPLA and SPLA (IO) forces in Central Equatoria State left at least 21 soldiers dead and dozen others wounded on both sides.
• Al Jazeera: “South Sudanese wrestlers keep cattle safe”