This Week in South Sudan – Week 12

Monday 17 March

• Japan announced that they will provide $1,5million to South Sudan in order to support the peace process.
• UNMISS prepares for the rainy season and relocated displaced in Juba.
• The pressure group Justice for Juba four (J4J4) demanded the release of the four detainees charged of treason.
• Clashes south-west of Rumbek, two SPLA soldiers were killed.

Tuesday 18 March

• UN predicted that the conflict in South Sudan will continue.
• East African reported that IGAD is moving away from an interim government solution.
• WFP intensified their programme delivering food by airdrops.
• The Office of the Prime Minister in Uganda stated that more than 77,000 South Sudan refugees are currently seeking asylum in Uganda.
• Salva Kiir signalled that he will expand his cabinet and reinstate six ministries.
• The South Sudanese defence minister, Kuol Manyang Juuk was in Khartoum to meet Omer al-Bashir.
• UN Security Council discussed the situation in South Sudan.

Wednesday 19 March

• UN expressed frustration over harassment of UNMISS staff in South Sudan.
• The joint statement from the United States, the European Union and Norway warned that the warring parties in South Sudan may face sanctions.
• The South Sudanese army, SPLA, recaptured Malakal the capital in Upper Nile.
• Eritrea dismissed accusations of Red Sea nation military support to the SPLA-in-Opposition.
• Kiir reshuffled heads of South Sudan’s public universities.
• Jonglei government signalled the intention to resume normal activities in Bor and ordered civil servants back to the city.

Thursday 20 March

• SPLA/M-in-Opposition offensive in Guelguk and Adar.
• The peace talks planned to resume 20 March were delayed.
• The South Sudan government announced that they will only continue the peace negotiations if the seven previously detained politicians are excluded from the talks.
• An SPLA/M delegation met with the Kenyan President in Nairobi.
• Rumours that SPLA-in-Opposition again has taken control over Malakal were denied by the South Sudanese government. ****

Friday 21 March

• The South Sudanese High Court decided to proceed with the trial against the four detained politicians.
• UN appealed to all South Sudanese to promote peace and stop fighting.
• Egypt joined the IGAD peace negotiation team.
• South Sudan’s government delivered an official protest letter to IGAD.

Saturday 22 March

• Duk County officials requested SPLA protection against attacks.

Sunday 23 March

• SPLA-in-Opposition youths protested against the deployment of IGAD forces.
• South Sudan signed an agreement ensuring bi-lateral military cooperation with Egypt.
• The leadership in Greater Equatoria declared their support to Riek Machar.
• Security officials searched houses in Juba for illegal weapons.