June 8-14, 2015

 1. Tensions and preparation ahead of peace negotiations

(Sudan Tribune, independent/privately-owned online media platform, article dated June 8, 2015, in English)

South Sudanese opposition leader unveils peace plan

• The leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC), Lam Akol, has unveiled a peace plan to address the current political and security unrest in the country.
• “We plan to pursue the search for a just and sustainable peace through an inclusive process that does not exclude any stake holder,” said Akol. “Peace is a priority and key towards all solutions to problems affecting our country," he added.
• The outspoken opposition alliance leader urged the two South Sudanese warring parties to end hostilities and bring a lasting peace to the country so that its people can embark on state and nation building as well as peace, reconciliation and healing process.

(Gurtong, independent/privately-owned online platform, article dated June 8, 2015, in English)

Government delegation off to Addis for peace talks consultation

• South Sudan’s Government Chief Mediator, Nhial Deng Nhial, together with his team are set to meet with the SPLM-IO negotiators today in Addis Ababa regarding the South Sudan peace talks consultation.
• The consultation is intended to bring mediators from both sides together ahead of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) Head of States Summit.
• Presidential spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny said that “We hope the people bear with us and the government. The government is endeavouring to bring back peace, which the people of South Sudan deserve, as we are actually negotiating in good faith”.

(Eye Radio, independent/privately-owned media, article dated June 9, 2015, in English)

UNSC team meets with officials in Juba

• A UN Security Council delegation is in Juba to hold discussions on the humanitarian situation in the country with the government.
•  “We have briefed them about the situation and we are very glad to really know about the so-called targeted sanction on individuals and that the sanctions, according to them, should be affecting people who are involved in the hindrances of peace,” said Ambassador Mawien Makol, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• UNSC experts on South Sudan include; Andrews Atta-Asamoah, natural resources/finance (Ghana), Payton Knopf, regional issues (United States of America), Anna Oosterlinck, humanitarian affairs (Belgium), Lucas van de Vondervoort, arms (Netherlands) and Vladimir Zhagora, armed groups (Belarus).

(Eye Radio, independent/privately-owned media, article dated June 11, 2015, in English)

Women group asks warring parties to end fighting, bring lasting peace

• The group Voice for Change has called on the government and the SPLM-IO to work towards lasting peace so that people can return home and start to cultivate again.
• “Every day their husbands are dying, their sons, their daughters, and every day they are being raped”, said Dorothy Drabuga, Gender-based Violence Project Coordinator. “As a woman, I appeal to the government and the people who are concerned in the peace process to make sure that this peace is real this time round.”
• Voice for Change was formed in 2013 to advocate for peace and reconciliation.

(Sudan Tribune, independent/privately-owned online media platform, article dated June 12, 2015, in English)

IGAD proposes key points of agreement between South Sudanese parties

• The East African regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has unveiled a proposed draft agreement between Salva Kiir’s government and armed opposition faction led by Riek Machar to end the 18-month long civil war in the country.
• The draft agreement proposed to maintain incumbent president Kiir as head of state while the opposition leader, Machar, would become the first vice president. The incumbent James Wani Igga would also continue as vice president. Executive powers or roles between the three top executives would be negotiated by the parties.
• On power-sharing at the national level, the government would take 53% of ministerial portfolios while SPLM-IO would be given 33% and 14% would be divided between former detainees and other political parties.
• Juba, according to the proposal, would be declared a demilitarized zone. Its security would be ensured by forces from the United Nations, African Union and IGAD member states.

(Sudan Tribune, independent/privately-owned online media platform, article dated June 13, 2015, in English)

South Sudan rejects new IGAD power sharing proposal with rebels

• The South Sudanese government has rejected the peace proposal submitted by the IGAD aimed at bridging gaps between rival warring parties and end the 18-month civil war in the young nation.
• The South Sudanese deputy minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Peter Bashir Gbandi, said the new proposal undermined national unity and social cohesion as it puts the oil-rich Upper Nile region under the control of the opposition faction.
• President Salva Kiir’s spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny, in a separate interview told reporters that the government was not ready to accept a peace agreement that would divide the country and its people by rewarding the armed opposition leadership.

2. Intransigence regarding expulsion of Toby Lanzer

(Sudan Tribune, independent/privately-owned online media platform, article dated June 8, 2015, in English)

S. Sudan will not reverse expulsion of top UN official

• The South Sudanese government vowed not to reverse its recent decision to expel Toby Lanzer, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator in the country.
• Cabinet affairs minister Martin Elia said that “We engaged him and work with him to bring to his attention that what you [Lanzer] are doing is not your mandate but it is political and it can cause differences and even escalation of the conflict more than you think you are doing.”
•  According to Ki-moon, the expelled UN humanitarian coordinator, who has been appointed on another mission in the Sahel region, played a vital role in raising awareness on the dire humanitarian situation South Sudanese have been exposed to.

3. Fighting between rebel and government forces in Unity and Western Equatoria states

(Sudan Tribune, independent/privately-owned online media platform, article dated June 9, 2015, in English)

South Sudan army claims seizing control of several rebel areas in Unity state

• The South Sudanese army (SPLA) claimed that it repulsed an attack allegedly carried out by armed opposition fighters allied to former vice president, Riek Machar, and took control of several areas previously held by rival forces in Unity state.
• “Our forces have taken control of Panakuac. They also took five other areas from them [rebel forces] and they are now still pursuing them towards the Sudanese border after the defeat,” said Lieutenant General Bapiny Monytuil.
• Monytuil claimed that the capture of several rebel-held areas has lessened fear of danger they posed to oil installations, which opposition forces had declared to be their targets in an attempt to deny the government any opportunity to reopen the affected facilities.

(Sudan Tribune, independent/privately-owned online media platform, article dated June 9, 2015, in English)

Rebel group claims destruction of SPLA unit

• A spokesperson for the Revolutionary Movement for National Salvation (REMNASA), a South Sudanese rebel group, claimed their forces destroyed a production unit belonging to government troops loyal to president Salva Kiir.
• Col. John Sunday Martin said the unit, known as Capt Makuei Chanroduction under the Directorate of Military Corporation, was allegedly destroyed in an ambush that occurred four kilometres from Maridi town in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria 
• “Our patriotic forces killed 5, wounded several others, as well as captured 6 rifles including a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RBG), with several rounds of ammunitions, and scattered them in the jungle”, REMNASA claimed.