SOUTH SUDAN
Security
The security situation in South Sudan remained relatively stable. In Eastern Equatoria, Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) elements attacked a private truck on 11 August on the road from Nimule to Pageri, 30 km north of Nimule. Seven people were reported killed and two injured. In light of the incident and based on the reports of general increase in LRA activity in the area, all additional security measures in place remain valid.
Sobat corridor remains "no go" area
Sobat corridor remains a "no go" area for UN and HAC due to insecurity. There are militia groups operating in Sobat corridor which do not belong neither to the Government nor to the SPLM/A. A joint mission composed of ADRA, HAC, OCHA and UNHCR to assess the general situation of returning IDPs and refugees and the need to construct a way station in Bailiet (on Sobat corridor) has been postponed.
Juba is confirmed as new capital of South Sudan
Juba has been confirmed as the new capital of South Sudan and government institutions have been instructed to prepare to relocate to the new capital. The Ministry of Finance and Economy will be the first to move to Juba in order to prepare for office buildings and accommodation. In the meantime, the 15-member team drafting the Constitution of South Sudan has finished its task on 17 August. The draft Constitution will be submitted to a 40-member executive team for revision.
Western Equatoria State officials move from Juba to Yambio
All the UN agencies and NGOs working in Yambio were called for a meeting on 11 August convened by the Acting Secretary of the Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SRRC), Yambio. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the Commissioner of SRRC, Western Equatoria State, who recently moved from Juba along with other officials of the Western Equatoria State Government to establish their offices in Yambio. The Commissioner stated that there is a need to establish a committee in Yambio similar to the Return and Rehabilitation Committee established in Juba which plans, implements and monitors all humanitarian assistance. He showed interest in knowing more about the UN return and reintegration programme and stressed that any communication and meetings with the State Government have to be channelled through his office.
Administrative Supervisor for Upper Nile meets with UN Country Team in Malakal
The Administrative Supervisor for Upper Nile returned to Malakal on 12 August after having left for Juba for consultations following Garang's death. The Administrative Supervisor met the UN Country Team (UNCT) on 15 August for the first time after his arrival on 24 July. He confirmed that the administration in Malakal is under the Ministry of Interior in South Headquarters (Juba). It is still unknown when the SRRC office will be established in Malakal, which is one the main concerns of the UNCT.
UNHCR raised the issue with the office of the Administrative Supervisor regarding the site for a way station after having failed to identify a suitable and secure plot (a plot of land identified by the Ministry of Urban Planning proved to be insecure).
Population movements
About 3,350 returnees (mainly IDP returnees and some returnees from Ethiopia) have been reported to Melut (Government area) and its county by SRRC. SRRC emphasized that there is an urgent need for food aid. A joint assessment mission with HAC, SRRC, ADRA, FAO, OCHA, UNICEF, WFP and UNHCR is planned.
The SRT/SRRC enumerator of Yambio county again reported movement of IDPs from Western Mvolo to Nadiangere Payam in Yambio county. Apparently, the move started because of food shortages in that area.
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