South Sudan

South Sudan's foreign ministry summoned Sudan's ambassador over the alleged killings earlier this week, and President Salva Kiir Mayardit called for calm.

As a result of the attack, MSF has been forced to suspend all movements for outreach activities in Nasir and Ulang Counties.

The peace process, which stalled due to political disagreements, will resume on January 7, 2025.

The peace talks, which began in May 2024, experienced a setback in mid-July over concerns about aligning the process with South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement.

President Kiir dismissed the country’s army chief, police inspector-general, and central bank governor in a significant reshuffle following recent security concerns in the capital, Juba.

The impasse, now in its twelfth day, stems from unresolved grievances over extortion, arbitrary arrests, and insecurity faced by drivers along the Juba-Nimule Highway.

The incident, described by the national army as a "misunderstanding" between layers of security forces stationed at the home, left two soldiers wounded.

Analysts said the sacking of Akol Koor reflected a power struggle at the highest levels of government.

Ruto also announced plans to engage the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for broader regional and international support.

Faki reaffirmed the AU's commitment to support South Sudan's government and people throughout the political transition process and beyond. 

Despite the hefty budget, Lomuro reassured that the High-Level Standing Committee would continue engaging institutions to bring the figure down to a more manageable level.

This extension shifts the end of the transitional period from February 2025 to February 2027 and moves the scheduled elections from December 2024 to December 2026.

South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, remains heavily dependent on its northern neighbour to export oil to international markets.

The Presidency highlighted that the remaining months of the current transitional period will focus on mobilising funds to ensure the effective implementation of the revitalised peace agreement.

UN missions there have said South Sudanese authorities are holding up United Nations fuel tankers over a tax dispute, jeopardising the delivery of millions of dollars of aid during a humanitarian crisis.

The proposed vote follows years of delays: An election was due to take place in 2015 but was postponed after the young country descended into civil war.

"The humanitarian crisis in South Sudan has left over 75 per cent of the population in desperate need, with many struggling to feed themselves and their families," Dodds added. 

The commission warned that without timely action on these fronts, the elections could face significant obstacles.

This development came days after the parties to the Kenya-led initiative signed eight protocols encompassing security, ceasefire, communal violence, arms proliferation, land disputes, trust-building, humanitarian access, and the role of guarantors.

The error occurred ahead of South Sudan's opening men's basketball game against Puerto Rico, which the East African nation won in a historic victory.

Organisers inadvertently played the anthem of neighbouring Sudan - but later apologised for the mistake.

The visit follows the recent Nairobi Tumaini Peace Initiative, which Kiir is keen to update Ramaphosa on, especially since the initiative has reset after First Vice President Riek Machar, who leads the main opposition party, pulled out of the talks.

The SPLM-IO's Political Bureau convened in Juba last Tuesday where it unanimously voted to exit the negotiations.

Machar accused the initiative of overstepping its mandate and undermining the East African Community's existing revitalised peace agreement and sovereignty, sending Kenyan mediators back to the drawing board.

Machar accused the initiative of overstepping its mandate and undermining the East African Community's existing revitalised peace agreement and sovereignty, sending Kenyan mediators back to the drawing board.

The framework lays down some basic principles for the protection, sharing, and management of the Nile Basin.

The minister received the first consignment of 645,000 vaccines with the help of the World Health Organization (WHO) alongside other stakeholders.

Recent weeks have seen graphic images of South Sudanese nationals being thrown onto pick-up trucks and placed in congested waiting areas before deportation to states in South Sudan at the Sudanese border.

Kong Wiyual Bill highlighted challenges including the need for a census before elections and the presence of the Ugandan military in Juba.

The decision, announced via state TV on Wednesday night, coincides with worsening inflation and a significant depreciation of the local currency against the US dollar.

"The war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is threatening regional peace and stability," warned Kiir in a statement posted on X by the South Sudan Government. 

The ACHPR says the bill passed on July 3 is punitive and gives the National Security Council more powers which might give room for violation of human rights.

SSOMA said on Monday that it does not want the elections extended or rescheduled and that the peace process - the Tumaini Initiative that is ongoing in Nairobi - should be prioritised.

The country has faced an economic meltdown that experts say could bring not only hardships but also political turmoil to a nation wracked with both.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said he had no faith in Ethiopia backing down from the MoU with Somaliland

South Sudan's Minister of Information Michael Makuei announced that the discussions are almost complete.

Peace monitors convened in Juba on Thursday to discuss the position of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity and various parties regarding the election process.

The new policy was designed to achieve socio-economic development and ensure sustainable funding for infrastructure projects.

The heavily armed raiders came from Rubkona County of neighbouring Unity State to reclaim cattle stolen by youth from Ruweng Administrative Area.

The Tumaini Initiative, according to Machar, lacks the authority to amend the R-ARCSS, a power held only by the parties signatory to the 2018 accord. 

The change in currency comes as South Sudan faces several economic challenges, including high inflation, a shortage of foreign currency, widespread corruption, and recovery from a deadly civil war.

The MPs urged this action on Tuesday while reacting to reports from the country's Ministry of Finance to the parliament on the looming hunger crisis in the country.

Since the conflict began, one in three South Sudanese has been displaced, with over 4 million forced from their homes.

Riverine flooding is expected in parts of Jonglei, Lake State, Unity, Upper Nile, and Central Equatoria, while dry spells are anticipated in parts of Northern Bahr El Ghazal.

The decision was approved by the Council of Ministers and aims to enhance office protocols and streamline visitor schedules, Minister for the Presidency Joseph Bakosoro said.

This empowers the Bank of South Sudan to set monetary policies aimed at domestic price stability, manage currency issuance, regulate the financial sector, and oversee the country's foreign exchange reserves.

The council argued that arms shipments risk fuelling conflict and contributing to further instability, and strongly urged all Member States to identify and prevent such shipments within their territory.

She extended appreciation to Kenyan President William Ruto for his role in the process and urged all involved parties to set aside political differences and prioritise reconciliation for the greater good of South Sudan.

RJMEC has warned that there is still no evidence of adequate preparation for conducting elections in South Sudan, barely seven months to the polls.

He explained that non-oil tax collections, currently at SSP25–30 billion per month, fell short of covering the monthly payroll of approximately SSP85 billion.

General Stephen Buoy Rolnyang, the chairman and commander-in-chief of the South Sudan People’s Movement/Army (SSPM/A), had threatened to withdraw from the mediation process.