The most popular stories published by Radio Tamazuj in October were all about political or security issues in South Sudan, according to the number of website page views. Readers were drawn to stories about the peace process, conflict, new security legislation, and other political issues.
1. Top commander of South Sudan’s SPLA-Juba collapses (27 Oct.) – Commander Paul Malong collapses and is reported to be suffering from “muscle weakness, general malaise and difficulty communicating.”
2. Fighting inside Bentiu town (29 Oct.) – SPLA-IO troops penetrate the capital of Unity State after earlier clashes on the outskirts.
3. South Sudan MPs fail to show up for vote on Kiir loyalty oath (7 Oct.) – Parliament fails to reach quorum on a vote to require security officers to take an oath of obedience before President Salva Kiir.
4. ‘Breakthrough’ involves concession to SPLM-IO (27 Oct.) – Sources reveal that Salva Kiir agreed to allow his rival Riek Machar to serve as the country’s prime minister – a concession described by mediators as a ‘breakthrough’.
5. Hundreds of MPs absent during vote on Kiir’s security bill (8 Oct.) – Another attempt at quorum on the security bill backed by Salva Kiir fails, as the ruling party divides over the bill. Only about 87 out of 309 lawmakers show up for the vote.
6. IGAD claims ‘breakthrough’ in S Sudan talks (22 Oct.) – Leaders of Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda, accompanied by the IGAD chief mediator, meet South Sudan’s president and afterwards announce a ‘breakthrough’ in the peace process.
7. South Sudan peace talks not expected to resume on time (14 Oct.) – A temporary adjournment of peace talks is extended, as ‘consultations’ between East African leaders and the heads of South Sudan’s two warring parties remain pending.
8. Amum blames Kampala and Khartoum for interfering in S. Sudan politics (20 Oct.) – The leader of the SPLM-G10 group, a ‘third bloc’ of the formerly united ruling party, blames Sudan and Uganda for harming peace prospects in South Sudan.
9. Mediators condemn SPLM-IO attack on Bentiu (30 Oct.) – The East African IGAD mediator says Riek Machar’s forces are responsible for starting fighting in Unity State. They express concern about humanitarian consequences of the fighting and call for restraint.
10. SPLA-IO denies Riek Machar ordered attack on Bentiu (29 Oct.) – SPLM-IO spokesman James Gatdet Dak denies troops were ordered to attack Bentiu and claims remaining committed to the peace process.
File photo: South Sudan’s parliament