

South Sudan: OCHA – Abyei clashes – Flash Update No. 2 (09.03.2022)








The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) of 2018 and Khartoum Declaration of Agreement Between the Parties of South Sudan of 2018. Later the parties involved also signed another agreement in the Rome Declaration of 2020. While we cannot deny the importance of the Entebbe Declaration on the Operationalization of the Arusha Agreement on the Reunification of the SPLM, which was signed and agreed upon in 2017.
We are now in 2022 and the R-ACRSS haven’t been fulfilled or implemented within the boundaries of time. The R-JMEC and stakeholders are seeing the possibilities of extending the transitional period. Which seems to make sense at this point. As the stipulations in the R-ARCSS for a free and fair election isn’t there. Neither, is all the parties or involved all in agreement on how to move forward at this point.
The SPLM/A-IG, SPLM/A-IO, R-SPLM, SSOMA, NDM and NAS. There are plenty more, but it shows the reality on the ground. The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU). This government haven’t succeeded or been able to ensure the articles being meet in time. There been push-back and lack of concern, as the importance of holding on to power seems more important than actually implementing the R-ARCSS.
We are seeing leaders, war-lords and whatnot is moving between the main parties within the R-TGoNU as it is preparing for an election. However, I have doubts that it will even happen. If it will happen, it will be a pre-selected game-plan, where the ones involved will ensure longevity and secured victory without any shadow of a doubt. The ones who has negotiated and secured offices with perks and salaries will not back-down now. They took these offices with guns and ammo. These folks will not give way to the public will. I cannot see it now, as there is only a chosen few who might retire or give way to others. They are the noble ones and the ones who has integrity, but don’t expect a huge portion of the R-TGoNU to willingly do that now.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit seems not interested in losing power. He has run the nation by decree and orders. He decides who to appoint and who to promote. It is all within his ranks and power to do so. I cannot see him stepping down or retire as a head of state. No, he will prolong his terms and ensure “legitimacy” for his time there. If it means postponing elections and use the slowly implementation of the R-ARCSS. It is just favouring him and his allies.
The other parties also have stakes in this. They might risk losing out and they have now safe offices because of the agreements. This being SPLM/A-(IO) or SSOMA who could have valid concerns and ability in a possible election. The sentiments will spark and they have to sell policies. As they are now part of the same project and has position to regain. That might be sold, if they are running an election. That is something Kiir can trade-off, as the leverage of up-keep and retaining positions is more viable in the current regime. However, that still make it seem far-fetched to have a representative and civilian government. Since, this is the war-lords, militia leaders and former rebels who are in power now.
That’s why I doubt Kiir will offer an election very soon. He can use the R-ARCSS and hold talks with stakeholders. He can issue an extension and ensure his passing legacy as a President for Life in South Sudan. It is not like he will risk losing power or waste this opportunity. If he is in doubt or fears the loss control. Kiir will call Museveni and get help from the UPDF to cease the opposition usage of skirmishes within the Republic. That’s the sort of thing he does and it wouldn’t shock anyone.
I have doubt that Kiir will issue an election now. Unless, he will re-issue a possible selection and ensure total control of the Transitional National Assembly and Cabinet. Where he will not loose a thing and crowned King yet again. Peace.

UNMISS deployed peacekeepers proactively as well as pre-emptively, to conflict hotspots and conflict areas throughout the year.
NEW YORK, United States of America, February 18, 2022 – Reported incidents of violence against civilians fell by around 42 per cent in 2021 compared with the previous year, according to a new report released by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Thursday.
The UNMISS Human Rights Division’s annual brief on violence affecting civilians, documented 3,414 civilian victims subjected to killing, injury, abduction, and conflict-related sexual violence, out of 982 recorded cases.
Mostly male victims
Some 75 per cent of the victims were men, while 14 per cent of cases involved women, and 11 per cent, children.
This compares with 5,850 civilian victims documented in 2020. Cases of conflict-related sexual violence declined slightly from 211 in 2020, to 194 in 2021, but remained “unacceptably high”, said UNMISS in its press release.
Subnational conflict accounted for most victims in 2021. Warrap remained the state with the highest number of reported incidents, accounting for 24 per cent, followed by Western Equatoria (19 per cent), and Jonglei and Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) (17 per cent each).
Militia attacks
Many of the victims were killed or injured during attacks by armed community-based militias across Jonglei and the GPPA.
In May last year, violence surged with at least 230 killed, 120 injured, 178 abducted, and 14 women subjected to conflict-related sexual violence.
A concerning surge of fighting was also documented in Tambura, Western Equatoria, between ethnic militias who are allegedly affiliated with conventional parties to the conflict, said the report.
Such violence resulted in 440 deaths, 18 injured, 74 abductions, 64 victims of sexual violence and an estimated 80,000 people displaced.
UNMISS deployed peacekeepers proactively as well as pre-emptively, to conflict hotspots and conflict areas throughout the year.
Abuses must be investigated
The Mission established 116 temporary operating bases last year which enhanced the protection of civilians through sustained long and short distance patrols.
At the same time, UNMISS engaged in political and community consultations at the local, state and national level, adopting a Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus approach.
UNMISS is urging the Government of South Sudan to investigate human rights violations and abuses wherever they are taking place, and to hold all perpetrators accountable, particularly as violence continues to surge in several parts of the country.



MSF has been forced to temporarily suspend operations at the hospital, with the 24 patients that were receiving medical treatment transferred to a hospital in Abyei.
JUBA, South Sudan, February 16, 2022 – It is with great sadness that Doctors Without Borders (MSF) confirms the death of David Deng Aleu, a South Sudanese nurse that worked in the MSF hospital in Agok. David was killed inside his home on Thursday 10 February when intercommunal fighting broke out in Agok, a town 38km south of Abyei in South Sudan.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of our colleague and express our heartfelt condolences to David’s family and friends”, said Gouranga Manna, MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan. “We strongly condemn this act of violence which has led to the tragic loss of lives in the community.”
As fighting broke out, locals have fled to the surrounding bush and other towns for safety. Among them were several members of our staff that work at the MSF Hospital. As a result, MSF has been forced to temporarily suspend operations at the hospital, with the 24 patients that were receiving medical treatment transferred to a hospital in Abyei.
MSF remains committed to delivering medical assistance to the people of Agok. We are continuing to maintain a presence in the community to ensure access to essential medical care.
“MSF’s principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality means that we provide medical care to any person in urgent need, regardless of their ethnicity, political affiliations or any other factor”, said Gouranga Manna. “We call for respect and safety of our medical teams so that we can continue to provide these life-saving services”.


