No more US arms export to South Sudan
The Unites States of America showed its support for a proposed UN arms embargo on South Sudan by banning the sale of arms and defense services to South Sudan saying that they are not happy about the violence that is sweeping the country. The US Department of State spokeswoman Heather Nauert in a statement announcing the ban urged neighboring countries to prevent the movement of weapons to South Sudan to promote peace. However, the government of South Sudan said they have not bought guns from the US since 2005 and downplayed the embargo saying that an embargo is not the solution to ending the war. The South Sudan government has declared that the US is “no longer a partner,” in response to the ban.[1]
Youths demonstrate
A group of youth organized a demonstration to protest against the US ban on sale of weapons to South Sudan. The youth group wanted to deliver a petition to the UN mission in the country. The group assembled outside the UN camp at Thonpyiny and soon got rowdy with some individuals throwing stones outside the gate destroying cars and beat up a foreign journalist who was covering the events. The group was however successful in delivering the petition and soon dispersed of their own accord.[2]
Delegation ends boycott
A South Sudanese delegation in Addis Ababa ended their boycott of the second session of the revitalization forum. The session is based on the revitalization process of the 2015 peace agreement. The group from South Sudan had boycotted the session because they were not allowed to enter the meeting with the over 40 delegates that had come to attend as the IGAD policy puts the limit at just twelve.[3]
Gen Malong accuses the military of killings
General Paul Malong, the former military chief of staff, has accused the military of being the “unknown” gunmen that have beeßn attacking and killing people in the country. Gen Malong released a statement in which he accused Vice President James Wani of being responsible for the attack on the convoy of a US diplomat in 2014. In the statement, Malong says that he investigated the matter and found that the people who attacked the convoy reported to the vice president. He added that the Military Intelligence and National Security Services are killing people they consider enemies and using the guise of unknown gunmen to hide their actions.[4]
Killings
- One civilian was killed and three others were injured on Tuesday 6 February when a bus they were travelling was attacked by armed men on the Yei-Kaya road. Tei River State Information Minister Alfred Duku said the armed men shot at the bus after they tried to stop it but the driver refused to stop.
- At least six people were killed while five others were injured after a group of youth from South Bol County clashed over grazing land on Tuesday 6.
- Clashes between the Yar and Tonj communities resulted in the deaths of six people while 17 others were injured. The clash was over which group would take ownership of the Tonj area on Tuesday 6.
- At least 15 people were killed in inter-clan clashes in Bor County in Jonglei State in South Sudan that happened on Wednesday 7th.[5]
[1] “US bans sales of weapons and military services,” Radio Tamazuj, February 2,2018, available at https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/united-states-bans-export-of-arms-defense-services-to-south-sudan
[2] “S. Sudan youths attack journalists during anti-US protests,” Sudan Tribune, February 7, 2018, available at http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article64671.
[3] “South Sudan ends boycott to revitalization process,” Sudan Tribune, February 6, 2018, available at http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article64670
[4] “Malong: National security, military intelligence are the ‘unknown gunmen,’” Radio Tamazuj, February 5, 2018, available at https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/malong-national-security-military-intelligence-are-the-unknown-gunmen
[5] “15 killed in fresh inter-clan fighting over village renaming in Jonglei,” https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/15-killed-in-fresh-fighting-over-village-renaming-in-jonglei
