The leader of the SPLM-IO, Dr. Riek Machar, says he will return to Juba to assume the role of the First Vice President, despite the appointment of Taban Deng as his replacement. Continue reading “Machar says to return to Juba to assume 1st VP role”

The World Food Programme says it will continue to provide food assistance to civilians in South Sudan despite the recent looting of its warehouse in Juba. Continue reading “WFP to keep providing assistance, despite warehouse looting”

The SPLA General Headquarters has dismissed as fake, documents circulating on social media that claims the army is conducting military offensive against Dr. Riek Machar’s positions in Equatoria region.

On Monday, three documents allegedly written from the office of the Chief of General Staff came up on social media, alleging that the SPLA has been instructed to attack Dr. Riek Machar’s hideouts.

One of the documents also seems to direct the SPLA troops to capture Dr. Riek Machar, dead or alive, and to deploy along the border with Democratic Republic of Congo, to prevent him from fleeing.

Another document also alleges that President Salva Kiir, as the Commander-in-Chief, directed the army to shoot down any un-cleared aircraft on South Sudan airspace.

The letters were printed on what appears to be SPLA letter heads and allegedly signed by the Chief of General Staff, Paul Malong Awan. [Click to read letters: Document-1 , Document-2 , Document-3]

However, the SPLA spokesperson, Brigadier Lul Ruai says the documents are fake and do not have any connection with how SPLA communicates military directives.

“The letter dated 8th July, 2016 is false. Because on the same date, the First Vice President, as well as, the Commander-in Chief, of the SPLA, His Excellency, President Slava Kiir Mayardiit were at J1until the same departure of the former First Vice President [Riek Machar] late at night on that day.

“Second point, the orders were inconsistent with the Republican Order, calling for immediate cessation of hostilities among the two forces, as of 11th July 201 16, starting from 6pm to 1800Hrs. Third, these fake letters do not have reference numbers, fourth, these fake letters do not have authenticated urgency seals….these fake letters are wrongly copied….

At least 120 rape cases by men in military uniform and in plain clothes, against civilians seeking protection around Juba following the recent clashes have been documented by the United Nations, says the agency’s Deputy Spokesperson.
Continue reading “UN documents 120 rape cases in Juba”

The army has arrested about 12 soldiers accused of committing crimes against civilians and fellow officers during the recent clashes in Juba, says the SPLA spokesperson. Continue reading “12 SPLA soldiers arrested, to be charged with war crimes”

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission say it is planning to resume weekly meeting of its members in Juba. Continue reading “JMEC to resume weekly meetings”