Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
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On 13 May, the Embassy of Japan announced a contribution of USD 6.8 million from the Government of Japan towards UNHCR’s programme for refugees in Unity and Upper Nile states (South Sudan). This is part of an overall contribution of USD 66.8 million from the Government of Japan for UNHCR’s refugee and IDP response operations in 18 African countries. In South Sudan, the Government of Japan has earmarked its contribution for life-saving interventions in the areas of health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, benefiting refugees residing in camps in Maban County (Upper Nile state) and Ajuong Thok camp (Unity state). The nearly 140,000 refugees hosted in those camps are from the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile state in Sudan. Unity and Upper Nile states are, along with Jonglei, the worst affected by ongoing conflict and internal displacement.
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On 12 May, there were reports claiming that South Sudanese rebels have engaged in fresh fighting with government troops, breaking the new ceasefire deal and dashing hopes of a swift end to five months of civil war. The Defense Minister, Kuol Manyang, said there had been fighting in the oil-producing state of Upper Nile and government troops had been ordered not to attack but only to fight in self-defense.
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On 09 May, in Addis Ababa, President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar signed an agreement, in which they committed themselves to implement immediately and fully the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (ceasing all hostile activities within 24 hours), to facilitate the full deployment of the IGAD Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM), to open humanitarian corridors, and to establish a transitional government of national unity through an all-inclusive peace process. The transitional government will be tasked to implement critical reforms, oversee a constitutional process, and guide the country to new elections, but terms will be negotiated through the IGAD-led peace process. The two leaders agreed to meet again within one month to evaluate progress.