This Week in South Sudan - Week 15

Monday 6 April

• A grenade explosion injured 10 civilians in the IDP camp inside the UN base in Bentiu.
• A recent Small Arms Survey report questions the neutrality of the South Sudan Democratic Forces (SSDF)-Cobra Faction.
• The leader of an Ethiopian rebel movement, known as the Ethiopia United Patriots Front (EUPF), dismissed reports alleging his support to the SPLA as “baseless.”

Tuesday 7 April

• A senior official of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC),Diing Garang Diing, declared his defection to the SPLM (IO).
• At least 24 civilians were killed and over 60 wounded in an attack in Lakes state’s Rumbek North county. The SPLM (IO) dismissed claims that their forces were involved in the attack.

Wednesday 8 April

• Three South Sudanese aid workers from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) have been missing in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State since last week.
• The South Sudanese government has changed its policy to give its Ministry of Interior control over issuance of visas for foreign diplomats.
• The SPLM (IO) dismisses recent social media rumors alleging an imminent split within the opposition camp.

Thursday 9 April:

• South Sudanese authorities blame Sudan for bombing Northern Bahr al Ghazal, killing four people and wounding nine in Aweil West County.
• The head of the People’s Liberal Party, Peter Mayen Majongdit, was released after more than a week in detention following his
• Leader of the opposition Conservative Party in Uganda, John Ken-Lukyamuzi,,describes UPDF mission in South Sudan as illegal and urged for its withdrawal.

Friday 10 April

• A senior SPLA officer, Brigadier General Gatwech Puoch Mar, announced his defection from president Salva Kiir’s government to the SPLM/A (IO).

Saturday 11 April

• South Sudan issued an official statement directly accusing neighbouring Sudan of hosting, training, arming and providing logistical support to the SPLM/A (IO).