In response to U.S. postponement of decision on lifting sanctions on Sudan in July, Sudan provided limited military support and freedom of movement to S Sudanese rebels to launch offensives from Sudan into former Unity and Upper Nile states in S Sudan. Breaking unilateral ceasefire, govt forces captured from rebels Pagak in north east (former HQ of rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLA-IO)) 7 Aug to secure border area for development program with Ethiopia; skirmishing continued in surrounding areas. In Yei River state in south, offensive by SPLA-IO rebels loyal to former first VP Riek Machar on govt forces 26 Aug left nineteen dead near Kaya, including American journalist. President Kiir 10 Aug rejected new peace talks with rebel groups citing Aug 2015 peace agreement and National Dialogue (ND). Govt 11 Aug said it had released 30 political prisoners as part of ND. Phased deployment of UN-authorised Regional Protection Force (RPF) troops, agreed in Aug 2016, began in Juba early Aug; force to comprise 4,000 additional peacekeepers to support 13,000 strong UN mission (UNMISS). Disputes over deployment led govt to block UN flights for several days and standoffs between govt and RPF.

In response to U.S. postponement of decision on whether to lift sanctions on Sudan (see Sudan), Sudan late July supported S Sudanese rebels, Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), to launch attacks from Sudan against govt forces in northern Unity oil field. Despite govt’s unilateral ceasefire declared in May, govt forces negotiated and fought with SPLA-IO near Pagak, SPLA-IO’s former HQ, in north east during July to secure area for oil refinery project with Ethiopia. SPLA-IO 30 July near DRC border clashed with group who defected from it to join opposing rebel group, National Salvation Front. Troika members (U.S., UK and Norway) and EU 20 July denounced attacks by opposition and govt forces’ “clear violation” of ceasefire. National Dialogue Steering Committee (NDSC) delegation early July went to South Africa to meet rebel leader Riek Machar and invite his input in National Dialogue design. NDSC 3 July said Machar declined to meet. President Kiir 10 July earmarked 2.4bn S Sudanese pounds for NDSC activities.

Govt maintained unilateral ceasefire declared 22 May despite attacks on govt forces by rebels, some claiming loyalty to Riek Machar, as preparations for national dialogue continued. Machar in South Africa refused to declare ceasefire and has not formally joined national dialogue process. Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) summit 12 June in Ethiopia called for High Level Revitalisation Forum comprising signatories of Aug 2015 peace agreement to revive deal, develop realistic implementation and election timeframes and bring Machar back to negotiations. Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) factions held talks in Kampala, mediated by Ugandan President Museveni late May and mid-June. Following mediation supported by Museveni, govt and rebel faction SPLA-In Opposition Yei River state signed peace deal 4 June to end violence in and around Yei in south.

President Kiir 9 May replaced ethnic Dinka army chief Paul Malong with ethnic Luo James Ajonga Mawut and 23 May restructured army command. Govt offensive against ethnic Shilluk and Nuer rebels under Johnson Olony, part of Riek Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), launched late April in former Upper Nile state, forced many rebels to flee to Sudan where authorities disarmed them and treated them as refugees; fighting also caused thousands of civilians to flee including into Sudan. Thousands of Bor Dinka from Jonglei state entered neighbouring Boma state in east early May to pressure ethnic Murle to return abducted children and stolen cattle; fighting lasted almost two weeks. Kiir 22 May declared unilateral ceasefire, launched national dialogue and said Machar, in exile, not welcome back. In accordance with Sudan-S Sudan deal, govt forces late May forced Sudanese rebel faction Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) from S Sudan into Sudan, where SLM-MM fought Sudanese troops (see Sudan).

Following rebel attacks around Wau in west, govt forces launched campaign against rebels SW of Wau early April. In ambush, rebels 9 April killed two senior Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) officers. Ethnic Dinka retaliated, attacking civilians from ethnic groups they associate with rebels in Wau town, killing at least sixteen. Rebels briefly overran Raja town, Lol state capital in west 14 April. Govt forces and rebels clashed early April around Pajok in south and Waat and Tonga regions in east. Govt forces late April moved into rebel-held areas around Kodok in NE, following failed negotiations with rebels and offensive by Aguelek and Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) rebels in Jan. President Kiir, responding to calls from churches, civil society and donors, late April appointed more diverse range of leaders to national dialogue steering committee, including former political detainees, Kenyan General Sumbeiywo and Kenyan religious leaders as advisers. UN mission (UNMISS) 29 April said Regional Protection Force had started to arrive in Juba and deployment would continue in coming months.

President Kiir advanced National Dialogue process, umbrella for local negotiations; 10 March pardoned former Wau state governor and deputy arrested June 2016. Govt 3 March increased price of visa for foreign workers including aid workers from $100 to $10,000; some donors suspended funding for govt until it reverses decision; govt halted move and formed review committee. Former army deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka, who resigned in Feb, 6 March formed new rebel group, National Salvation Front/Army, and was joined by some members of existing rebel groups including former VP Riek Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO). SPLA-IO kidnapped two foreign oil workers 8 March and another 18 March in former Upper Nile state in attempt to force company to leave; all three released 30 March in Khartoum but SPLA-IO 31 March said it would try to stop oil production. Unidentified attackers killed six aid workers north of Juba 26 March. Gunmen from S Sudan 12-13 March reportedly killed 28 people and abducted 43 children in Gambella region in western Ethiopia.

Clashes continued between ethnic Shilluk rebels under Johnson Olony, part of Riek Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), and govt forces on west bank of Nile, former Upper Nile state. SPLA-IO’s unsuccessful offensives coinciding with AU summit late Jan generated tensions between Machar and his military leadership. SPLA-IO 22 Feb clashed with govt forces in Kuek area, northern former Upper Nile state and Yuai, former Jonglei state in east. Govt and UN 20 Feb declared famine in parts of Unity state in north centre, said nearly 100,000 people face starvation.

Ethnic Shilluk rebels under Johnson Olony, part of Riek Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), defeated rebels under Gen. Tanginye and Gen. Yohannes Okiech, part of forces loyal to Lam Akol, chairman of opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) party, early Jan in former Upper Nile state; Tanginye, Okiech and prisoners killed in fighting. Rebels and govt forces clashed several times around Malakal, Khor and Gabat, former Upper Nile state late Jan. After U.S. proposed UNSC resolution including sanctions and arms embargo late Dec, govt refused to meet U.S. Asst Sec State Thomas-Greenfield on visit to Juba 18 Jan. President Kiir 14 Jan created four new states bringing total to 32. Kiir’s meeting with Egyptian President Sisi in Cairo 9 Jan strained relations with Ethiopia which has rejected Egypt troop contributions to proposed UN Regional Protection Force in S Sudan. Kenyan authorities detained two S Sudanese opposition figures 23 and 24 Jan on unknown charges pending deportation.

President Kiir 14 Dec said govt would hold national dialogue aimed at promoting reconciliation. Ethnic Shilluk Aguelek rebels under Johnson Olony, part of Riek Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), clashed with ethnic Nuer rebels under Gen. Tanginye early Dec. Govt forces continued to fight SPLA-IO rebels in Equatoria region in south; rebels captured govt position on DRC border. U.S.-proposed UNSC resolution including sanctions and arms embargo 23 Dec failed to win enough votes to pass.

Insurgency continued in Greater Equatoria region in south provoking Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) reprisals against rebels and civilians; rebels continued targeting civilian transport and Dinka civilians. SPLA 17 Nov clashed with rebels loyal to former first VP Riek Machar in former Unity state. U.S. 18 Nov proposed draft UNSC resolution including arms embargo and targeted sanctions on Machar, army chief Paul Malong and Information Minister Michael Makuei. President Kiir and Sudan President Bashir 23 Nov agreed again to expel each other’s rebels from territories but S Sudan has not taken action (see Sudan). UN 1 Nov criticised peacekeeping mission’s failure to protect civilians in Juba during July violence and next day sacked Kenyan Force Commander; Kenya 3 Nov said it would withdraw over 1,000 Kenyan peacekeepers (over 200 withdrew 9 Nov) and not contribute to Regional Protection Force as planned; will remain involved in peace process.

Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) rebels affiliated to former First VP Riek Machar carried out ambushes on Juba-Yei and Juba-Nimule main roads and around Yei and Morobo in former Equatoria states, including 10 Oct ambush on four buses between Juba and Nimule, killing over 30 and targeting ethnic Dinka. Hundreds of Equatorian civilians living in Dinka areas elsewhere fled fearing revenge killings. Ethnic Shilluk forces aligned with Machar’s SPLA-IO 14-15 Oct clashed with govt soldiers near Lelo, Greater Upper Nile region but did not capture territory. UN mission in S Sudan, SPLA and SPLA-IO continued negotiations over joint security plan for Juba and deployment of UNSC-authorised Regional Protection Force (RPF). As UNSC continues to threaten arms embargo, President Kiir and UN 16 Oct formed committee to ease aid delivery including removal of illegal roadblocks.

Govt and UN made slow progress toward deployment of UNSC-authorised Regional Protection Force (RPF) as former first VP Riek Machar confirmed commitment to armed rebellion. President Kiir and UNSC delegation in joint communiqué 4 Sept committed to move toward deployment of 4,000-strong RPF as part of UN mission (UNMISS); RPF’s tasks and troop contributors being negotiated. UN mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) continued to pick up S Sudanese fighters loyal to Machar in Garamba National Park in NE DRC who fled S Sudan after fighting in July and transport them to Goma in eastern DRC citing humanitarian grounds; mission moved 635 people by 12 Sept. Over 100, whom MONUSCO handed to DRC govt, flew to Sudan, from where they returned to rebel-held areas of S Sudan; for this Kiir 13 Sept accused UN of taking Machar’s side. Machar’s group in Khartoum 23 Sept confirmed commitment to armed struggle; S Sudan’s neighbours, including Ethiopia and Sudan, said they would not allow Machar to wage rebellion from their territories. Former Minister Lam Akol formed National Democratic Movement, intended as umbrella for armed and unarmed opposition groups. Small clashes took place south of Wau, former Western Bahr el-Ghazal state and south of Bentiu, former Unity state.