This Week in South Sudan – April 20-28

Monday 20 April

• The SPLM (IO) conference in Pagak was kicked off, the agenda is to discuss the status of the peace negotiations, and the proposed IGAD +.
• President Kiir’s address at the opening of the national assembly was met with mixed reactions from its members.

Tuesday 21 April

• President Kiir has once again asked South Sudan’s MPs consider a law that regulates NGO’s work and activities in South Sudan.
• According to Platts, a petroleum industry news outlet, South Sudan is expected to export 4.4 million barrels of Dar Blend crude oil next month, down more than 8% compared to April.

Thursday 23 April

• Heavy fighting in Malakal, Upper Nile continued for the third day between the governor’s bodyguards and forces under the command of Maj. Gen. Johnson Olony. Deployment of more government troops did not stem the violence.
• Radio Tamazuj: “10 facts on the Malakal fighting”
• Aid groups operating in Pagak, where the SPLM conference is held, have been forced to pull out due to harassments and threats.

Sunday 26 April

• Uganda’ defense minister, Crispus Kiyonga, declined to disclose expenditure details regarding the cost of UPDF’s deployment in South Sudan.
• According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) South Sudan’s military spending has increased from $982million in 2013 to $1.08bn in 2014. Its defense budget is then the largest in the region.
• In a recently policy brief, the Sudd Institute concludes that none of the environmental transparency provisions of the Petroleum Act 2012 are being implemented in South Sudan.

Monday 27 April

• SPLA and SPLA (IO) forces clashed in and around Bentiu in Unity State.

Tuesday 28 April

• The resolution passed during SPLM (IO) Pagak conference proclaims that President Salva Kiir’s leadership will be illegitimate after his elected term expires on May 21.
• IGAD summary of three reported ceasefire violations in South Sudan between mid to late March.
• The state government of Upper Nile fled Malakal during the recent clashes according to SPLA Major-General Johnson Olony.