This week in South Sudan – Week 22

Monday 26 May

• South Sudan army denied involvement in assaults on UN staff.
• The Russian President, Putin, was invited to visit South Sudan.

Tuesday 27 May

• UNHCR announced that more than 70,000 people have fled their homes since the peace agreement was signed 9 May.
• UNMISS’ mandate was extended and the focus shifted from nation building to protection of civilians.
• Clashes in Rumbek East County left three dead.
• South Sudanese diaspora requested US intervention in South Sudan.

Wednesday 28 May

• Riek Machar met with the Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, in Nairobi.
• The breakaway faction of South Sudan Democratic Forum (SSDF-mainstream) agreed to merge with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC).
• Sudanese participant in the IGAD mediation said that IGAD forces will be deployed in June.

Thursday 29 May

• Riek Machar rejected the use of UN troops to protect oil installations.

Friday 30 May

• USAID demanded access to conflict areas in South Sudan.
• It was announced that China will send 850 troops to UN’s peace keeping mission in South Sudan.
• Head of UNMISS, Hilde Frafjord Johnson resigned.

Saturday 31 May

• The leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC), Lam Akol, requested that the South Sudanese army should be separated from the ruling party, SPLM.
• UNHCR reported that the number of South Sudanese refugees has increased despite progress in the peace negotiations.

Sunday 1 June

• Vice-president James Wani Igga was proposed by Telar Riing Deng as government’s lead negotiator in the ongoing peace talks.
• Machar returned to Addis after a six day visit to Kenya.