US wants hybrid court now
The United States embassy in Juba released a statement last week calling on the government to expedite the creation of a hybrid court. The statement called on the government to conclude a memorandum of understanding with the African Union on the establishment of the court to try those that are responsible for war crimes committed in the country. The formation of a hybrid court was one of the terms of the 2015 peace deal that was signed by Dr. Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir.[1]
More refugees get into Uganda
Officials in the Ugandan district of Lamwo reported an increase in the number of refugees crossing into Uganda over the past weeks. According to Julius Kauze, the commandant of the Palabek Settlement, many of the refugees come from the Torit State in South Sudan and are running away from renewed violence.
Kauze said that they had recently been receiving more than 100 refugees weekly. He also added that the influx of the refugees is putting a strain on medical supplies in the area.[2]
More fighting in Yei again
The rebel Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) accused government troops of attacking them in Kendiri village outside Yei state. The deputy spokesperson of the rebel group, Gabriel Lam Paul, confirmed the attack in a statement released as fighting was ongoing. He accused the government troops of retaking Kupera village from the rebels after a week of bombardment of the area despite the risk to civilians there. This fighting broke out less than a week after the final signing of the peace deal by South Sudan leaders in Addis Ababa.[3]
Finally peace deal signed
South Sudan finally signed the peace revitalization treaty in Addis Ababa on 12 September 2018. The deal was signed at the end of the IGAD summit by President Salva Kiir, Dr. Riek Machar of the SPLA-IO, Gabriel Chang Changson of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and the leading member of the SPLM-Former Detainees Deng Alor.
Before the signing IGAD officials met to discuss matters that had caused disagreement and came up with acceptable remedies on points of contention. One of the major issues raised by the opposition was the drafting of the constitution. The SSOA had said they would not accept a constitution that was drafted by a government-influenced Constitutional Review Commission. IGAD therefore decided that the permanent constitution would be drafted by the Constitutional Review Commission and then submitted to the National Constitutional Conference. The peace deal provides for a referendum to decide on whether the country should have 32 or 10 states. The opposition has been advocating for 10 states, while the government wants more states.
The peace deal also provided that the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement, Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) should monitor the ceasefire.[4]
[1] “US wants fast track hybrid court in South Sudan,” Radio Tamazuj, 7 September 2018, available at https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/us-wants-fast-track-hybrid-court-in-south-sudan
[2] “Lamwo registers more refugees,” The Daily Monitor, 11 September 2018, available at http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Lamwo-registers-more-refugees/688334-4753048-phwaku/index.html
[3] “FIGHTING BREAK OUT NEAR YEI AS WARRING PARTIES SET TO SIGN PEACE DEAL IN ADDIS ABABA,” Nyamilepedia, 11 September 2018, available at https://www.nyamile.com/2018/09/11/breaking-fighting-break-out-near-yei-as-warring-parties-set-to-sign-peace-deal-in-addis-ababa/
[4] “South Sudan rivals finally sign revitalized peace agreement,” Sudan Tribune, 13 September 2018, available at http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article66237
