South Sudan In Focus - VOA Africa

U.N. Security Council members learn the violence continues in South Sudan, despite a unilateral ceasefire agreement; a widespread fuel shortage in Juba leaves hundreds of its residents in desperate need for public transportation; and South Sudan’s national football team gears up for their upcoming match against Uganda.

SPLA-IO forces ambush police in Kapoeta State in an attack that violates the ceasefire agreement; an SPLA-IO commander loyal to Riek Macher says his troops are prepared to fight and protect territories under the control of the SPLA-IO; and the ongoing conflict in Yei River State prevents health officials from vaccinating children against life-threatening diseases.

A spokesman for the SPLM-IO faction loyal to Taban Deng says his party has brought much needed changes to South Sudan; the government appeals to donors to help combat the spread of armyworms that are invading crops in South Sudan; and an aspiring young writer challenges South Sudanese leaders to tackle the country’s humanitarian, economic and political crises.

President Salva Kiir declares a three month state of emergency in his home state of Gogrial, and parts of Tonj, Wauk and Aweil East; a veteran South Sudanese journalist joins the SPLM-IO; and South Africans celebrate the birthday of Nelson Mandela by spending 67 minutes helping others.

Cattle raiders kill thirty people and steal twelve thousand heads of cattle in a Bor North County village; a family of four is struck and killed by lightning at a Bidibidi refugee settlement in Northern Uganda; and the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says the number of violent incidents against aid workers in South Sudan rose in June.

‘Doctors Without Borders’ is forced to relocate after armed gunmen loot its clinic in Pibor; the Sudan government expresses disappointment in the United States for delaying the lifting of sanctions on Sudan; and the United Nations makes plans to establish a base that will protect civilians and restore peace in Yei Town.

President Salva Kiir fires twelve judges who have been on strike over poor salaries and working conditions since May; the head of JMEC acknowledges he failed to end the fighting between government and rebel forces; and a South Sudanese analyst says the people of South Sudan have lost confidence in their government.

The Trump administrations adds a three month extension to lift sanctions against the government of Sudan; a South Sudanese activist calls for the evacuation of thirty South Sudanese civilians stranded in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and foreign traders threaten to close their businesses because of ongoing robberies in Yei Town.

A UNICEF spokesman calls for the unconditional release of three subcontractors detained by armed forces in Pagak; another deadly ambush on the Juba-Bor Road has locals demanding more protection; and the judge overseeing the trial of soldiers accused of raping aid workers and murdering a journalist at the Terrain Hotel has adjourned the trial for ten days.

The U.S announces millions of dollars in additional aid for famine relief in South Sudan and three other countries; an influential U.S. foreign policy observer says it would be tough for the U.S. to turn its back on South Sudan after investing so heavily in its independence; and on the country's sixth Independence Day anniversary, President Kiir says the 2015 peace deal will not be renegotiated.