Vice president accused of stalking peace
The first Vice President of South Sudan Taban Deng Gai,has been accused by Dickson Gatluak Jock Nyuot, an army officer of planning to kill the peace process in the country. Dickson Gatluak was previously loyal to Taban deng until he defected recently. He said that The First vice president is working to sabotage the implementation of the peace deal so as to provoke a new war. According to Gatluak, Taban Deng was responsible for the attack on the SPLA-IO barracks in Biel in November 2018. This attack led to the death of a government commander. [1]
General killed in Maridi
An attack by government troops and SPLA-IO led to the death of a senior rebel commander belonging to the National Salvation Front (NAS). Brig. Gen. Dominic Michael Santino was killed during a military mission by both the SPLA-IO allied to Dr. Riek Machar and The South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) in Maridi state. The attack was on the base of NAS and lasted less than an hour. Besides the General, the battle claimed the lives of 36 soldiers. [2]
Troika states agree to support peace
The Troika countries that include the United States of America, UK and Norway agreed to provide support for the implementation of the Peace Process in South Sudan. Michael Makuei, South Sudan minister of Information says that the Troika nations were only waiting for South Sudan to avail them with a budget. He added that the commitment of the partners of the peace process have shown to the deal is what convinced the Troika states to offer support to the nation. [3]
NAS is a threat to peace
The leaders of The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the SPLA-IO say that the National Salvation Front is a threat to the peace agreement and warned Thomas Cirilo its leader, of serious consequences if it refuses to accept peace. SSPDF General Chief of Staff Gabriel Jok Riak and SPLA-IO Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. James Koang Chuol said that NAS is a threat to the peace agreement because he refused to sign the peace deal. They also accused Thomas Cirilo of looting property and sexually abusing women.[4]
[1] “FVP TABAN DENG GAI ACCUSED OF WORKING TO JEOPARDIZE PEACE PROCESS,” 12 January 2019, Nyamilepedia available at https://www.nyamile.com/2019/01/12/fvp-taban-deng-gai-accused-of-working-to-jeopardize-peace-process/
[2] “REBEL COMMANDER KILLED DURING THURSDAY CLASHES IN MARIDI – SOURCES,” 13 January 2019 Nyamilepedia, available at https://www.nyamile.com/2019/01/13/rebel-commander-killed-during-thursday-clashes-in-maridi-sources/
[3] “International community is willing to support South Sudan peace implementation: minister,” 15 January 2019, Sudan Tribune available at http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article66917
[4] “South Sudan main peace partners declare National Salvation Front “threat” to peace, warn of military action,” 16 January 2019, South Sudan News Agency , available at http://southsudannewsagency.org/index.php/2019/01/16/south-sudan-main-peace-partners-declare-national-salvation-front-threat-to-peace-warn-of-military-action/
