Südsudan

In South Sudan, “systemic government corruption” and “brazen predation” on the part of political elites have created a human rights crisis that must be urgently addressed, the UN Commission on Human Rights in the country said in a new report issued on Tuesday. 

Fears that South Sudan - the world's youngest nation - could plunge into a new civil war have intensified after the party of suspended Vice-President Riek Machar called for "regime change". The call came after Machar - currently under house arrest - was charged with murder, treason and crimes against humanity.

The mandate renewal process raised important questions about the future of United States (US) policy on UNMISS and UN peace operations in general. The US’ role in all UN peace operations over the decades, particularly in South Sudan, has been significant.

Tensions are rising in South Sudan as the president manoeuvres to anoint an apparent successor and dissolves the bargain that ended the post-independence civil war. African leaders with the president’s ear should work together to ward off a devastating new upheaval in the world’s youngest country.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has raised concerns over the plight of refugees and returnees as it grapples with an influx amid funding shortfalls. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Radio Tamazuj in Juba, Marie-Helene Verney, UNHCR Country Representative in South Sudan, said the agency is struggling to provide basic needs, including health and education, to the over 550,000 refugees from Sudan due to a funding shortage that has resulted in food ration cuts.  

Escalating violence, political deadlock and a deepening humanitarian crisis puts South Sudan “at a turning point”, the Security Council heard today, as several UN and regional officials urged an end to hostilities, protection of civilians, and a renewed commitment to the Revitalized Peace Agreement. 

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed key allies of his longtime rival, First Vice President Riek Machar, from government positions, a move that raises fresh doubts about the viability of their power-sharing agreement under the 2018 peace deal. … The purge came just a day after the African Union Peace and Security Council reaffirmed its support for the 2018 agreement, urging progress toward elections and inclusive dialogue.

The Ugandan military said Tuesday it is on high alert along its border with South Sudan following deadly clashes over the past two weeks that have left four soldiers dead and displaced hundreds of civilians.

A high-level delegation from the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) is set to arrive in Juba over the weekend amid escalating political and security tensions that threaten to unravel South Sudan’s fragile 2018 peace agreement.

Western embassies called Wednesday for the release of detained South Sudanese First Vice President Riek Machar as they condemned surging violence that threatens the country’s fragile peace deal.