This Week in South Sudan – Week 42

Monday 13 October

• South Sudan’s former justice minister, John Luk Jok, warned of “disregard of the constitution.”
• Interparty dialogue in Tanzania between South Sudan’s political factions.
• UN envoy reported horrific levels of sexual violence in South Sudan, a Joint Communique with the SPLM has been sign to tackle the situation.
• The SPLM-in-Opposition claimed Ugandan military has sent reinforcement to South Sudan.

Tuesday 14 October

• The SPLM delegation to visit Chinaon Oct. 15.
• Rwandan official encouraged South Sudan to apply the principles of the Gacaca court system to foster reconciliation.
• The SPLA increased security measures in Warrap state after tribal clashes.

Wednesday 15 October

• The Security Councilextended UN peacekeeping force’s mandate in Abyei through February 2015.
• Two dividing analyses of the much-discussed National Security Bill from Human Rights Watch and The Sudd Institute.
• Around 5000 people are displaced due to flooding in northern Unity State.
• South Sudanese refugees in Sudan has exceeded 100.000 according to the UNHCR.
• The US called on South Sudan’s rival leaders to prioritize the peace negotiations.
• The Red Cross reported that over 900 homes are flooded in Bor due to heavy rain.

Thursday 16 October

• 6 months after Bor and Bentiu massacres, no arrests.
• A UN worker “kidnapped” by men in uniform in South Sudan, UNIMISS official say.
• Frustration increases, as South Sudan peace negotiations are delayed again.
• The Ugandan government and the SPLM signed a military cooperation agreement.

Friday 17 October

• The SPLM earmarked $1 billion for road construction, linking Juba to Bor and Rumbek.
• South Sudanese opposition parties petitioned President Salva Kiir against signing into law the National Security Bill.
• Free Voice staff, Mr. DeWet Spies, was released after being detained by the South Sudanese National Security Service for a week.
• The Ugandan State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oryem Okello, discussed possible sanctions against Riek Machar with Troika diplomats.
• UN demanded the safe release of abducted UNIMSS and WFP personnel in South Sudan.

Saturday 18 October

• Riek Machar, the leader of the SPLM-in-Opposition, discussed the progress of the South Sudanese peace process with the Kenyan president in Nairobi.
• Timeline of various Radio Tamazuj news reports on the National Security Bill.
• President Salva Kiir dismissed his top legal advisor, Telar Deng, and reassigned him as ambassador to Russia.

Sunday 19 October

• The SPLM-in-Opposition announced that they will not reunify with the ruling SPLM party unless president Salva Kiir steps down.
• According to the head of the West Kordofan electoral commission, Abyei will not be part of West Darfur’s electoral districts for Sudan’s next year elections.