“South Sudan’s Vice President Riek Machar, said Friday that he would not return to Juba until regional troops are deployed in the capital to ensure his safety, his representative in Ethiopia, Jooyul Goi Yol has told AFP” (AfricaNews, 2016)
Tag: South Sudan
South Sudan Crisis: Ongoing political uncertainty for the troubled nation (Youtube-Clip)
“Mining Minister Taban Deng Gai has replaced Riek Machar as the leader of the opposition. Gai is therefore also set to become the country’s acting First Vice President. Machar had until Saturday afternoon to return to the capital, Juba. He had earlier left following clashes that left hundreds of people dead. The opposition has stressed that Taban Deng Gai’s appointment is just temporary. But Machar’s failure to return has been called a defection by some. Machar says President Salva Kiir is not adhering to the terms of the peace deal signed between the two sides. It’s the latest in a string of crises to hit the country, and once again put into question the peace process. CCTV’s Patrick Oyet has more” (CCTV Africa, 2016).
Salva Kiir speaks for the first time about July 8 shootings (Youtube-Clip)
“Nearly two weeks after shooting broke out in the compound of South Sudan’s presidential palace, the country’s president Salva Kiir, has shed some light on the day’s events. Gunfire broke out in the afternoon of July 8 at the presidential palace at a time when Kiir and his two vice presidents were in a meeting at the presidential palace. It then spread to other parts of the capital Juba. The fighting happened just a day before the country was due to celebrate its fifth independence anniversar…” (Africa News, 2016).
Taban Deng Gai speaking to the press after replacing Riek Machar as FVP – English (Youtube-Clip)
“Taban Deng Gai speaking to the press in English after being nominated by the SPLM-IO Political Bureau to replace Riek Machar as the First Vice President” (The National Courier, 2016)
President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Thursday 21st July 2016 appealed to Dr. Riek Machar to return back to Juba so that they can continue with the implementation of the Peace Agreement

“I am appealing for your return while reiterating my 100% commitment to ensuring your protection as I did on that fateful night of Friday the 8th of July 2016. I wish to inform you that in the interest of time I will be expecting a response from your good self within forty eight (48) hours so that we establish contacts…..”
Press Release: Humanitarian Needs Spike for 83,000 Displaced in Wau, South Sudan (22.07.2016)

The number of people seeking shelter at the UNMISS site and the Cathedral increased rapidly in early July due to fighting in neighboring areas.
JUBA, South Sudan, July 22, 2016 – An estimated 83,100 people remain displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance in Wau, South Sudan, following clashes in late June.
While IOM continues lifesaving assistance for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Wau town, humanitarian agencies have been unable to access IDPs sheltering in areas south of town, where insecurity has severely hindered access in recent weeks. “Securing access to areas outside of Wau is critical to providing assistance to an estimated 38,000 people displaced and in urgent need of help,” explained Andrew Gethi, who leads IOM’s humanitarian operations in Wau.
IOM staffers have been unable to travel to areas south of town, including IOM’s temporary clinic in Ngisa. Insecurity is also stalling plans to rehabilitate boreholes south of Wau to ensure displaced populations have access to safe drinking water. The fighting in late June and subsequent skirmishes have exacerbated already existing high needs due to insecurity that has affected the area since late 2015.
IOM teams are providing safe drinking water for an estimated 25,000 people sheltering near the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base in town, as well as providing shelter support for IDPs living near the base and in collective centres.
As camp manager of a protected area located next to the UNMISS base, IOM has begun site improvement to respond to the increasing numbers of IDPs and resulting overcrowding. IOM health workers also manage two temporary clinics at the South Sudan Red Cross and the Cathedral in the town of Wau, providing general health care consultations, vaccinations, maternal care and psychosocial support.
The number of people seeking shelter at the UNMISS site and the Cathedral increased rapidly in early July due to fighting in neighboring areas. While the population influx has stabilized, many IDPs have told IOM staff that they believe their neighborhoods remain unsafe and that they would require more information on security conditions before making a decision to return home.
Humanitarians remain concerned about conditions in Raja, further northwest in Western Bahr el Ghazal, where access to affected populations remains restricted following heavy fighting in mid-June that reportedly displaced thousands.
Unpredictable security conditions persist in much of the country, including the capital Juba, where fighting in mid-July displaced over 15,000 people. Amid increasing concerns regarding food insecurity and political instability, the UN estimates that 6.1 million people are in need of humanitarian aid in South Sudan this year.
Press Release: Over 26,000 people flee to Uganda to escape uncertainty in South Sudan (22.07.2016)

The influx continues to be characterised by a high proportion of women and children (more than 90%).
GENEVA, Switzerland, July 22, 2016 – Thousands of people continue to flee uncertainty and fighting in South Sudan. Since fighting erupted on July 7 between forces loyal to President Kiir and First Vice President Machar, 26,468 people have crossed into Uganda’s northern region, including 24,321 in the previous six days alone. The influx continues to be characterised by a high proportion of women and children (more than 90%).
Yesterday, an estimated 8,337 refugees crossed in to Uganda from South Sudan, a new record high since the influx began and in 2016. An estimated 6,500 crossed in Elegu, 659 in Moyo, 156 in Lamwo and 642 in Oraba while 380 arrived in Kiryandongo Reception Centre.
The influx is severely stretching the capacity of collection points, transit centres and reception centres. Elegu collection point is full to the extent that it is not possible conduct a head count. New arrivals figures in Elegu are based on an analysis of trends throughout the day. On Wednesday night, more than 7,000 people slept at Elegu collection point, significantly beyond its 1,000-person capacity. Similarly, Kuluba collection point is hosting 1,099 refugees, compared to its 300-person capacity. Torrential rains are further hampering registration efforts.
New arrivals in Adjumani report continued fighting between forces loyal to President Kiir and those loyal to First Vice-President Machar. There are reports that armed gunmen continue to loot properties, forcibly recruit boys and young men, and murder civilians in Magwi.
Another Uganda People’s Defense Force convoy evacuating Ugandan nationals from South Sudan is expected today. On previous occasions, a large number of refugees have taken the opportunity to flee the country by accompanying the convoy.
Breaking: SPLM-IO Gen. Taban Deng Gai soon to replace Dr. Riek Machar for the First Vice President of South Sudan
“According to Mr William Ezekiel, the SPLM/IO spokesman in Juba and a leader of the Shilluk community within SPLM/IO told the media that movement is planning to replace Dr. Riek Machar with Taban Deng Gai” (Dominic D., 2016).
South Sudan crisis: President Kiir not prepared to wait indefinitely for Machar’s return (Youtube-Clip)
“South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir, says he’s not prepared to wait indefinitely for his vice president, Riek Machar, to return to the capital, Juba. He has threatened to replace his rival in order to get the country’s peace process back on track” (CCTV News, 2016)
Press Release: Sharp rise in suspected cholera cases in South Sudan (21.07.2016)

The Juba Teaching Hospital reported that 69 new suspected cases were admitted on Wednesday, bringing the total number of people being treated in the capital to 112.
JUBA, South Sudan, July 21, 2016 – Amid a rise in the number of suspected cases of cholera in South Sudan, UNICEF is rapidly increasing its response activities.
The Juba Teaching Hospital reported that 69 new suspected cases were admitted on Wednesday, bringing the total number of people being treated in the capital to 112. An additional 29 suspected cases had been reported in Duk Island in Jonglei state. Nationwide, there are now 141 suspected cholera cases with six reported deaths.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partner agencies, UNICEF is providing medical supplies, sanitation services and community awareness.
“A fast and coordinated response is key to preventing a cholera outbreak,” said Mahimbo Mdoe, UNICEF’s Representative in South Sudan. “That’s underway, despite the fact that life in Juba was completely brought to a standstill for days by the recent violence and many humanitarian organizations have since evacuated staff.”
UNICEF and partners are providing medicines, intravenous drips and other items used to treat the illness. Three triage tents have been erected to serve as additional wards should the number of cases continue to increase. Chlorine has been provided for use in the handwashing stations put in place in the isolation unit. Elsewhere in Juba, five oral rehydration points have been established where people who feel ill can receive rehydration solutions and be referred to a clinic.
Community mobilizers are working to prevent further infections by educating the public on measures they can take to keep themselves safe, such as drinking only safe water and eating cooked food.
At the UN protection of civilians site – where thousands continue to shelter following the fighting that erupted in Juba nearly two weeks ago – daily water supplies continue to be provided, despite initial challenges of access. The water is then treated with chlorine.
Cases of cholera across the country remain unconfirmed due to a critical lack of the laboratory equipment needed to obtain a diagnosis, which humanitarian organizations are working to address.

