This Week in South Sudan - Week 3

Tuesday 13 January

• Al Jazeera: Inside Story ‘China’s motive in South Sudan’ (video).
• President Salva Kiir reshuffled the Finance Ministry, replacing Finance Minister Aggrey Tisa Sabuni with David Deng Athorbei.
• 8 killed, 2 injured in Lakes state revenge attack in Cueibet county.
• President Salva Kiir warned against attempts to delay the elections and democratic process of restoring legitimacy, saying democracy should not be held hostage.
• A top SPLA-IO commander, James Koang Chuol wants the SPLA-IO to command a separate army for two and a half years after a peace deal, stressing that Salva Kiir is too divisive to command their forces.

Wednesday 14 January

• A report by Frontier Economics estimated the cost of a prolonged war in South Sudan, covering various scenarios depending on the intensity of conflict and level of oil production.
• The 29th extraordinary summit of IGAD heads of state and government aimed at discussing the ongoing conflict in South Sudan has been postponed till the end of January.
• South Sudan’s foreign affairs minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said he had provided assurances for safety of Chinese oil staff and facilities workers to his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

Thursday 15 January

• Timeline: African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan.

Friday 16 January

• According to a UN official, an advanced party of Chinese peacekeepers is in South Sudan and the rest of the 700-strong contingent is due to arrive by early April.
• The South Sudanese army said it remains in full control of oil fields in both Unity and Upper Nile states, downplaying threats from rebel forces.

Saturday 17 January

• South Sudan’s electoral commission announced the formation of high committees at state levels.

Sunday 18 January

• SPLA (IO) leader, Riek Machar attended the ongoing intraparty dialogue with President Salva Kiir’s faction in Tanzania.
• The SPLA-IO accused government forces of shelling their positions in Upper Nile State.

Monday 19 January

• SPLA said that rebel forces have brought the conflict to Lakes state by trying to attack Maper; the SPLA-IO denies the allegations.
• According to officials, at least seven people were killed following a revenge attack in Lakes state Rumbek North county.
• President Salva Kiir said he has no intention of stepping down for the sake of unity between the governing faction SPLM/A, and the SPLM/A (IO).