NEWSLINE

South Sudanese government on Friday denied reports that forces loyal to Dr. Reik Machar have seized Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State. 27 December 2013 Kuol Manyang Juuk, the South Sudanese Defense Minister insists his forces are still in control of Malakal despite rebels claims, dismissing all other media reports. [File] Gurtong. JUBA, 27 December 2013 [Gurtong] –  Kuol Manyang Juuk, the South Sudanese Defense Minister insists his forces are still in control of Malakal despite rebels claims, dismissing all other media reports. “The elements of Riek [Machar]…were defeated and they are no any longer there in Malakal,” Kuol told Gurtong on Friday, saying SPLA forces are being reinforced to expand its control in the state. Fighting in Malakal erupted since December 23, 2013 after forces loyal to Riek Machar rebelled. Though Moses Ruai Lat, the official Spokesman of the Unity State Military Interim government under Riek Machar’s governance exclusively t

NEWSLINEKENYA: Why South Sudan has exploded in violence :

Bor Globe . This is a guest post by College of William and Mary political scientist   Philip Roessler .  His research focuses on political violence, and he has conducted extensive fieldwork in Sudan and South Sudan. As a poor, landlocked, oil-dependent state with a long history of violent conflict and a belligerent neighbor to the north, South Sudan’s post-independence challenges were always going to be immense. But there was much hope that with wise leadership, prudent policy-making, an inclusive government and generous foreign assistance, South Sudan could leapfrog some of the post-independence crises that plagued other African countries. Tragically, as evidenced by the   violent events   that have transpired over the past 10 days (for a useful backgrounder see   this post   by Max Fisher), South Sudan has fallen prey to one of the most pernicious sources of state failure in post-colonial Africa:   the coup-civil war trap . This trap leads rulers to pursue ethnic

Men believed to the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) are Locked up after the Sudanese Army gained control of the Blue Nile state  September 5, 2011. April 25,2013 The fright that broke during the time South Sudan was separating from his counterpart Sudan did affected more than 900,000 people according to UN statistic. Sudan government Accused south Sudan of supporting the rebel, an allegation which was denied. An AU panel lead by former south African president Mr Tabo Mbeki met a Sudanese delegation and SPLM- North  to try and negotiate a peace talk among the two groups. The diplomat said the leaders from the two sides ie  Ibrahim Ghandour from Sudanese side and Yassir Arman from SPLM-North where to start the peace talk meeting. SPLM-North were optimistic for a fruitful negotiation to address Humantarian need and the root course of the fight among them. The negotiation gives us a clear indication that things are beginning to be good for both group t

Poor Roads Could Hinder Access To Kapoeta Kapoeta residents are complaining about bad road conditions which they say are limiting their access Torit Town affecting development in the area. 22 April 2013 A section of the Ikwoto road in Eastern Equatoria State in March 2013. [Gurtong | File] TORIT, 22 April 2013 [Gurtong] –  While calling for quick attention from the government, the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Ann Itto Leonardo witnessed and confirmed the state of Kapoeta-Torit road condition as appalling during her recent visit to the region. Briefing journalist at Hotel Torit in Torit shortly after her arrival from Kapoeta, Dr. Itto expressed profound worry over Kapoeta-Torit road conditions saying very soon as rains are commencing, Kapoeta will be disconnected or left in an isolation from Torit. The State Transport and Roads Minister Charles Lokonoi Ambrose said Eastern Equatoria roads were in deplorable sta

Relief As Fuel Prices Drop In Wau Just a week after the resumption of South Sudan’s oil production and the reopening of the border between Sudan and South Sudan, fuel prices in Western Bahr el Ghazal State have dropped. 22 April 2013 Nile Petroleum Station in Wau. Sudan and South Sudan agreed to resume oil production last month and the first cargo would reach Port Sudan at the end of May. [Gurtong | File] WAU, 22 April 2013[Gurtong] –  The one and half litre fuel dropped from 15 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) to 11 SSP this week. The price of fuel and other commodities had skyrocketed following a long year of South Sudan shutting down oil production. However, the transport fares remain unchanged ranging at 500 SSP between Wau and Juba with local transport within the town at 10 SSP and air travel to Juba moving as high as 700 SSP. With recent the drop of fuel price, passengers still complains that trans

Livestock Prices Increase in South Sudan The current insecurity in parts of Jonglei State has led to an increase of livestock prices at the local market. 29 December 2012 Livestock at a local market in Juba. [] BOR, 28 December 2012 [Gurtong] – During the year, cattle traders moved freely from Ayod, Fangak, and Bentiu using river transport and Duk and Uror by use of road during the dry season. In Pibor County, the traders are freeing because of insecurity on the road and this has affected business in the area. James Panchol, a trader in the town says prices have gone up to 5,000 South Sudanese pounds (SSP) for a cow and it’s expected to get even higher. Last year there was booming business between Jonglei and Central Equatoria states where Murle from Pibor escorted their cattle to Juba and some Dinka men also transported their bulls using vehicles to sell in Juba. Cattle business is one of the most international businesses in South Sudan which