South Sudan In Focus - VOA Africa

Civil society activists call for more pressure on South Sudan’s warring parties to end the conflict ahead of the next phase of peace talks; Kenya warns its citizens not to travel to areas of South Sudan affected by the conflict; and the governor of Jonglei State orders citizens living in U.N. protection sites to allow internally displaced persons to return to their homes.

A new proposal for a power sharing government was tabled at the high level revitalization forum peace talks for South Sudan; and an official of the National Dialogue Steering Committee has joined a chorus of voices calling on President Salva Kiir to pardon Riek Machar's spokesman James Gatdet Dak.

Catholic church leaders and civil society activists in Juba express disappointment with the outcome of negotiations at the high-level revitalization forum; political analysts in South Sudan say government and opposition groups must compromise on governance and security sector reforms; and a Bor State hospital admits more than 400 people for suspected food poisoning.

South Sudan peace talks in Addis Ababa adjourn without an agreement in place to restore peace in the country; South Sudanese advocates begin work to provide counseling and health services for freed child soldiers; and U.N. and education officials launch a “back to learning” campaign to help re-open dozens of schools in Kapeota State.

Activists at the high-level revitalization forum appeal to South Sudanese warring parties to make concessions on their political differences; a South African national could face the death penalty if found guilty on charges that include conspiracy against the South Sudan government; and religious leaders in South Sudan say peace deal violations will continue unless the country’s security sector is reformed.