South Sudan

UNITED NATIONS, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution extending individual sanctions and an arms embargo in South Sudan through May 2021, despite reluctance from Russia, China and South Africa.

Drafted by the United States, the resolution received 12 votes in favor, with the three above countries abstaining.

The Council additionally scheduled a midterm review to take place by Dec 15 and expressed its “readiness to consider adjusting measures… including through modifying, suspending, lifting or strengthening.”

JUBA, May 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The authorities in South Sudan say at least 300 people have been killed and many more injured in the latest wave of inter-communal fighting in Jonglei state, east of the country.

Three aid workers, including one from Médecins Sans Frontières, are among those killed.

Fighting broke out on Saturday between the Murle and Lou Nuer communities. A local elder said that Murle youths burned down many villages in Uror county before being repulsed.

JUBA, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Vice-President of South Sudan, Riek Machar, who was part of a task force to fight coronavirus, is in self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19.

Machar said as several other members of the task force were infected a new team was taking over their work.

His wife, who is Defence Minister Angelina Teny, some bodyguards and other staff also have the virus.

Experts worry that decades of conflict has left South Sudan incapable of dealing with a surge in new infections.

JUBA, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 200 people were killed and at least 300 others wounded in inter-communal clashes last weekend in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, according to local leaders.

Local officials say armed youth suspected of being from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area carried out attacks in four villages on Saturday and Sunday.

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — South Sudan opened a new chapter in its fragile emergence from civil war Saturday as rival leaders formed a coalition government that many observers prayed would last this time around.

A day after President Salva Kiir dissolved the previous government, opposition leader Riek Machar was sworn in as his deputy, an arrangement that twice collapsed in fighting during the conflict that killed nearly 400,000 people.

JUBA, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan President Salva Kiir said on Thursday he will reappoint opposition leader Riek Machar on Friday as First Vice President.

Machar, leader of Sudan People's Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), will assume his position of First Vice President as stipulated in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.

Kiir disclosed that he had agreed with Machar to form the unity government on Saturday and continue with the implementation of the outstanding issues.

JUBA, South Sudan (Reuters) - South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir said on Saturday he was cutting the number of states from 32 to 10, unlocking a stalled peace deal and paving the way for the formation of a long- awaited unity government.

“The compromise we have made today is a painful decision but a necessary one if that is what brings peace”, Kiir said in a statement. “I expect the opposition to be prepared to do the same.”

The regional group IGAD had given the government until Saturday to find a solution over the number of states the country should have.

KHARTOUM, Jan 25 (NNN-SUNA) — The Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector, on Friday, signed a framework peace agreement.

The deal was signed at the Presidential Palace in Juba, capital of South Sudan, which is mediating between the rival Sudanese parties, according to a statement by Sudan’s sovereign council.

The deal includes items on security arrangements and system of rule, the statement said.

JUBA, Jan 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The latest round of peace talks between South Sudan’s two rival leaders has failed to strike a deal on the vital issue of internal boundaries, mediators said.

Critics have accused President Salva Kiir of reorganising state boundaries to shore up his power and the issue has hobbled talks with rebel leader Riek Machar.

South Africa’s Deputy President David Mabuza, mediating the talks in South Sudan’s capital Juba, said the two men had agreed to a week-long arbitration process to help resolve the dispute.

JUBA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said on Tuesday that warring parties need to be given a benefit of patience to complete the outstanding issues within the signed revitalized peace agreement.

David Shearer, head of UNMISS, told journalists that both President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar need the 100 days to resolve the outstanding issues and that the international community and African Union should give them a benefit of patience.