Continued sexual violence in South Sudan
While the world celebrated international women’s day on March 8th, the head of the UN mission in South Sudan David Shearer addressed a 15-person council at the UN on he situation in South Sudan. He told the council that sexual violence is sill prevalent in the country and must be stopped if refugees are to feel comfortable enough to return to their homes. He however said that there are positive political strides being made like the opposition moving freely in the capital city. [1]
Talks with Gen Cirillo fail
Rebel Leader Gen. Thomas Cirilo Swaka of SSNDA finally met with the regional body IGAD after rejecting many calls for such a meeting. This encounter with Gen. Cirilo was organised to try and get the non-partisan factions of the peace agreement to join the peace process. The negotiations failed because Gen Cirilo made several demands that the IGAD officials could not agree to. For instance, he insisted on the establishment of a federal system of governance based on the three regions of the country. The talks have been moved to the following week. [2]
140,000 refugees return home
The South Sudan Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster management declared that 6 months after the peace deal was signed in Addis Ababa, more than 140,000 refugees have returned home from the countries they had fled to. The countries the people had run to include Uganda, Ethiopia, Central African Republic and Sudan. [3]
Gen Malong wants direct talks
The rebel group led by Gen Paul Malong South Sudan United Front (SSUF) told IGAD that they want to have a face to face talk with the government. A senior official of the rebel group said that they support the revitalization process however they want to meet directly with the government officials. The official asked IGAD special envoy Ismail Wais to pass their request in to the government. [4]
At least 23 South Sudanese to face ICC
More than 23 individuals from South Sudan could face the international Criminal Court for crimes against humanity and war crimes according to the United Nations Human Rights experts. These individuals were identified by the commission on Human Rights in South Sudan. The chair of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, Yasmin Sooka told the Human rights council that is should be an obligation for all the countries that are signatories to the treaties regarding human rights to enforce the prosecution of criminals. The same commission expressed concerns abut the lack of progress in the implementation of the ceasefire and the revitalization peace agreement.[5]
Kiir pressured for peace funds
Members of the rebel group the SPLA-IO are demanding that South Sudan’s president Salava Kiir provides the money for the implementation of the peace agreement. The rebels further asked Uganda and Sudan to put pressure on Salva Kiir to find the funds. The deputy chairman of the SPLM-IO, Henry Odwar said that South Sudan produces 120,000 barrels of oil a day and that should be enough to provide the funds.[6]
[1] “Sexual Violence Persists in South Sudan Despite Recent Political Strides, Top United Nations Official Says while Briefing Security Council,” 8 March 2019, Relief web available at https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/sexual-violence-persists-south-sudan-despite-recent-political-strides-top-united
[2] “NO AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN IGAD AND CIRILO, TALKS TO CONTINUE ON THURSDAY,” 9 March 2019, Nyamilepedia available at https://www.nyamile.com/2019/03/09/no-agreement-reached-between-igad-and-cirilo-talks-to-continue-on-thursday/
[3] “140,000 South Sudanese refugees return home,” 9 March 2019 The East African available at https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/ea/South-Sudanese-refugees-return-home/4552908-5017096-bbmld3z/index.html
[4] “https://radiotamazuj.org/en/v1/news/article/malong-s-group-calls-for-direct-talks-with-government
[5] “TWENTY-THREE INDIVIDUALS IN SOUTH SUDAN COULD FACE ICC – UN,” 12 March 2019, Nyamilepedia available at https://www.nyamile.com/2019/03/12/twenty-three-individuals-in-south-sudan-could-face-icc-un/
[6] “S. Sudan Rebels Urge Pressure on Kiir to Fund Peace Implementation,” 15 March 2019, VOA available at https://www.voanews.com/a/s-sudan-rebels-urge-pressure-on-kiir-to-fund-peace-implementation/4831180.html
