This Week in South Sudan – Week 20 – Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)

Tuesday 12 May

Members of Parliament passed the 2015 NGO bill that will regulate, monitor and require a new registration for NGOs within 3 months. A NGO umbrella group says the bill can lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.
SPLA and SPLA (IO) fought over the control of Mayiandit county headquarters in Unity state.

Wednesday 13 May

According to a high ranking officer in the SPLA, the chief of general staff, Paul Malong Awan, has not been in regular contact with General Olony and stopped receiving military briefings from him.
The South Sudanese government released the detained Sudanese embassy employee accused of military espionage.
United States’ government said it had “credible” reports that the SPLA was responsible for the recent renewed clashes with rebels in Unity state.
Market prices are increasing rapidly in Northern Bahr al Ghazal state as the South Sudanese Pound (SSP) drops against the dollar, and the border trade from Sudan has slowed. The high cost of living has led to protests in Wau, and increased military and police patrols have been initiated.

Thursday 14 May

The SPLA (IO) accused pro-government forces of allegedly placing UN logos on military ferries used to launch attacks at the main port of Taiyar in Unity state.

Friday 15 May

In a press release, IGAD accused the SPLA of conducting a “full-scale military offensive” against the SPLM (IO) in Rubkona, Mayom, Guit, Koch and Mayendit counties in Unity State since late April, and stated that the offensive is expanding into Jonglei and Upper Nile State.

Saturday 16 May

Following mixed messaged, the SPLA (IO) announced that Major General Johnson Olony had defected and that SPLA (IO) forces under his overall command had recaptured Malakal, along with a number of previously government-held towns.

Sunday 17 May

The SPLA (IO) claimed they shot down an UPDF helicopter gunship, which allegedly bombed their forces controlling The UPDF and SPLA have dismissed these claims as propaganda.
Johnson Olony’s rebel group, now called ‘Agwelek Forces’, said they want to run their affairs independently from others in Upper Nile state, but that they can collaborate with other opposition forces against the “tribal government of Salva Kiir.“
Following the days of intensive fighting in Upper Nile State, an eyewitness reports that the SPLA has suffered casualties and evacuated dozens of wounded soldiers by air to Juba.

Monday 18 May

The UN Security Council condemned the renewed and ongoing large-scale violence in Unity state and in Upper Nile state in a press statement and reiterated their willingness to impose sanctions.
The SPLA has allegedly suspended a previous plan to launch full scale offensive on positions in the greater upper Nile region held by the SPLA (IO), including. Leer, Akobo, Old Fangak and the SPLA (IO) headquarter in Pagak.
According to UNICEF, dozens of children have been killed, at least 12 raped and others abducted and recruited in the series of attacks in Unity State over a two-week period.
SPLA (IO) spokesperson Manawa Gatkuoth said his side is planning to attack the Paloich oil fields in Upper Nile state.
The SPLA Chief of Staff Paul Malong faces criticism within army ranks over the manner in which he handled the case of Johnson Olony.
Armed SPLA soldiers have repeatedly forced their way into the UN ‘Protection of Civilians’ site or an adjoining extension area in Bentiu, Unity State, over the last month and a half according to UNMISS and NGO incident reports.
Kodok town in Upper Nile has been shelled and deserted according to the Red Cross.
The street rate for US dollars in Juba has varied widely in recent days, with traders reporting the SSP being traded between 12 and 15 pounds to the dollar.
The SPLA (IO) have captured Akako town in Upper Nile state, close to the South Sudan only functional oil fields, the second major loss for the SPLA of strategic territory within days.