This Week in South Sudan – Week 5

Monday 1 February

• The situation in South Sudan is worsening according to a new African Union The report blames both the SPLA and the SPLA (IO) for the declining humanitarian situation.
• Government forces and the SPLA (IO) traded accusations over new clashes in Mundri, Western Equatoria State.
• The government welcomed IGAD’s call to form a transitional government of national unity with the SPLM (IO) without waiting for an agreement on constitutional issues. However, they denied that IGAD asked the government to revoke the 28-state plan, in contrast to how the SPLM (IO) interpreted the IGAD communiqué.
• The SPLA (IO) accused government troops of using chemical weapons on their forces in Lanyi and Mundri areas in Western Equatoria State.

Tuesday 2 February

• Huffington Post: “The Future of South Sudan”

Wednesday 3 February

• Sudan and South Sudan agreed to peg the crude oil pipeline fee to the prevailing crude oil prices, a move away from a the previous fixed fee. In a secondaccord South Sudan promise to sell 28,000 barrel of crude oil per day to Sudan.
• SPLM (IO) leader Riek Machar visited Egypt at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El Sissi to discuss the further implementation of the August peace deal.
• South Sudanese army soldiers from Abyei, who defected to join the Sudan People’s Liberation-North (SPLM-N) rebels last week, have allegedly returned and joined the SPLA
• The government accused the SPLA (IO) of besieging Bentiu in Unity State.
• Voice of America, 30 minute video broadcast: “South Sudan in Focus”****

Thursday 4 February

• The parliament passed the Non-Governmental Organizations bill restricting the number of foreign aid workers operating in South Sudan. It must still be signed by President Salva Kiir to pass into law.
• Sudan’s President Omer Hassan al-Bashir announced the resumption of river transport with South Sudan ending a four-year halt imposed by Khartoum over security concerns and accusations of support to rebel groups.

Friday 5 February

• The South Sudanese government continues to implement the 28-state plan despite IGAD’s call to suspend it.
• The rebel group, the South Sudan National Liberation Movement (SSNLM), accused government forces of burning civilian homes in the Gangura area south of Yambio, Western Equatoria.

Saturday 6 February

• The SPLA (IO) denied claims that Ethiopian authorities have detained a number of their senior officers in Gambella.

Monday 8 February

• The UN says 40,000 people in South Sudan are on the brink of a food shortage catastrophe. The number of food insecure people expected to peak between April and June when food availability is at its lowest.
• Deutsche Welle: “Pressure mounts on South Sudan rivals”