This Week in South Sudan - Week 33

Monday 11 August

• The US criticised the warring parties for their failure to meet the deadline for the formation of a transitional government.
• The SPLA-in-Opposition claimed to have killed five government soldiers in Unity State.
• The South Sudanese government accused the SPLA-in-Opposition of attacking Nasser (Upper Nile State).
• Machar concluded the talks with the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

Tuesday 12 August

• The US offered South Sudan $180 million in food aid.
• The UN Security Council reported that the warring parties in South Sudan are arming themselves in preparation for further fighting.
• The UN Security Council warned that sanctions may be imposed on ‘spoilers’ of the peace negotiations.

Wednesday 13 August

• Warrap State health ministry announced that 69 people have been killed by a malaria-typhoid outbreak in Warrap.
• The SPLM/A-in-Opposition accused the government of planting landmines.
• The South Sudan parliament approved the annual budget.

Thursday 14 August

• Exxon Mobile ended its oil search in South Sudan.
• South Sudan’s foreign minister spoke against UN sanctions.
• IGAD called for tough actions against the South Sudanese leaders.
• Machar demanded a role in the upcoming IGAD summit on South Sudan.
• Salva Kiir removed the Pibor Commissioner.
• Machar declared that Kiir has no place in a transitional government.

Friday 15 August

• Fighting between the SPLA and the SPLA-in-Opposition broke out in Unity State
• The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemned the fighting in Bentiu,Unity State.
• IGAD extended the ongoing South Sudan peace talks to 28 August.
• Former political detainees released a programme for political reform.

Saturday 16 August

• A Catholic radio station was shut down by a South Sudanese official.
• Western Bahr el Ghazal state open for a federalism debate.
• Khartoum reaffirmed that Sudan does not provide support for the SPLA-in-Opposition.

Sunday 17 August

• Riek Machar rejected Salva Kiirs offer to be entitled second vice president in a transitional government.
• The South Sudanese government called on Sudan to sever its ties with the SPLA-in-Opposition.
• The IGAD leaders’ summit on South Sudan was postponed.