January 20-26, 2014
Contents
Compiled by Lauren Osselton, MIGS Media Monitor for South Sudan
Terminology used in this report:
IDP- Internally Displaced Persons
UNICEF- United Nations Children’s Fund
UNHCR- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
The Warring Sides Sign Ceasefire
State-Owned Media
Radio Miraya, Online Article, January 24th 2014
- Both sides pledge to stop fighting within 24 hours of the signing. Both sides will return to Addis Ababa after two weeks for further peace negotiations.
International Media
International Business Times, Online, January 23rd 2014
- After 5 weeks of conflict, rebel and government forces signed a ceasefire.
The Intentional Business Times outlines the main points of the deal:
- All fighting is to stop within 24 hours
- The government agrees to release 11 of Machar’s officials who were detained in December, but no date of release is specified
- Serious national political dialogue
- Ugandan troops are to be withdrawn
- There must be monitoring to ensure that the ceasefire is maintained.
Daily Times (Pakistan), Online, January 26th 2014
- The South Sudanese government has accused the rebels of breaking the ceasefire, just 24 hours after it had begun. The minister of information reports: “This morning I am informed that the rebel forces are still continuing attacking our forces,”
- “Our forces... will have to defend themselves,”
- “This is not strange, these are rebels and... rebels are indisciplined people, they have no regular forces, no central command.”
Fighting Erupts Near UN Base in Malakal
International Media
RTT News, Online, January 21st 2014
- On January 20th, there was heavy fighting between Government and rebel forces that erupted close to the UN base in Malakal. At least 32 civilians and 2 UN workers were injured. The hospital at the UN base was also damaged.
Independent Media
Sudan Tribune, Online, January 20th 2014
- The SPLA retakes Malakal after intense fighting with rebels
Sudan Tribune, Online, January 20th 2014
- The rebels deny claims made by the SPLA that they have seized Malakal. The press secretary for Machar instead told the Sudan Tribune: “Malakal town is under the firm control of the pro-democracy [rebel] forces according to Gen. Gathoth Gatkuoth, who is in charge of the town”.
- The UN has confirmed clashes in the area around their Malakal base.
Food Shortages Persist Throughout South Sudan
Independent Media
Sudan Tribune, Online, January 22nd 2014
- The article reports than close to 40,000 refugees have arrived in Leer county, Unity state as IDPs.
- Unity State has been back in government control since January 10th.
- Medecins Sans Frontieres/ Doctors Without Borders have relocated to Leer following security threats in Bentiu. They are trying to improve the situation for patients in Leer.
- Unfortunately, areas of Unity State cannot be accessed by road because of heavy floods that hit South Sudan in 2013, which makes it difficult for aid to be delivered to the IDPs.
State Media
Radio Miraya, Online Article, January 21st 2014
- Over 75,000 IDPS in Upper Nile State are in need of humanitarian assistance.
- The Coordinator of South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation in Makal County says: “There is nothing here for human beings to eat because the number of people here is huge, even finding a place to rest is difficult and people are in the open spaces and under trees. Many children are dying. What can we say is an appeal to organizations like WFP to drop food at least in the in the next forty-eight hours.”
Children recruited?
International Media
Trust Org (and Plan International), Online, January 22nd 2014
- Soldiers have reported seeing children aged 12 carrying guns. The UN has reported that they fear that children are being recruited to fight in the South Sudan conflict. The article stresses that even if children aren’t being forced to fight, there are many young men who feel they need to protect their families and property.
Tahrier Muon, January 21st 2014
We, the Children of War in South Sudan, Reject This War
- “Both sides in this new conflict claim to want a democratic process and claim the other wants to thwart the democratic process. They tell us rally our bases and raise arms because freedom is being threatened. We do feel that freedom is being threatened - it is being threatened by these established party leaders who only know war. But we know democracy exists by the ballot, not the bullet. We reject both sides.”
Bor Elders Killed
Independent Media
Sudan Tribune, Online, January 21st 2014
- At least 2,500 people have died in Bor (capital of Jonglei state), after the rebels occupied the town for three weeks. This town is a strategic site and has changed hands four times within the conflict.
- Nearly all elderly people who refused to leave their homes or were not able to flee were killed in their homes.
UNICEF needs $32m for the Conflict
Independent Media
Sudan Tribune, Online, January 26th 2014
- UNICEF says it needs $32 million dollars urgently to meet the needs of those affected by South Sudan’s crisis. Children have died in camps due to measles, etc.
- UNICEF is attempting to bring in immunizations and other medical care to children.
Sudan Tribune, Online, January 24th 2014
- UNHCR begins its mass measles immunization of South Sudan refugees in Uganda. They are trying to prevent the spread of disease
Additional Links and Further Reading
http://www.washingtonpost.com/posttv/world/africa/south-sudan-conflict-spawns-fearinsecurity/2014/01/21/89961cf1-e8fa-4d53-91fc-fa89bb57c066_video.html
http://www.voanews.com/content/hrw-says-crisis-in-south-sudan-car-provokeabuses/1834876.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201401210956.html
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/jan/22/south-sudan-failed-international-community