U.N. agencies say tens of thousands in parts of South Sudan face catastrophic levels of food insecurity and warn that, without urgent action, famine could hit the young nation.
Justice Minister Paulino Wanawilla proposes changing the constitution to increase the number of states from 10 to 28, and to allow President Salva Kiir to appoint the governors and lawmakers of the new states.
Legal experts and opposition politicians say President Salva Kiir flouted the law when he decreed that the young nation will, as of November 1, 2015, comprise of 28 states instead of the current 10.
Officials say the death toll in the fuel tanker disaster near Maridi, in Western Equatoria state, has topped 200.
IGAD announced the delay in a short email, citing logistical problems and the fact that it has not received the names of participants, South Sudan Information Minister Michael Makuei says.
Among items that will be discussed at the workshop is a proposal,which the government has objected to, to redeploy all forces that are currently in Juba to at least 25 kilometers outside the capital.
The government and rebels loyal to former vice president Riek Machar blame each other as fighting flares in Western Equatoria state and escalates in Unity and Upper Nile.
A witness to the shooting says a South Sudan army soldier opened fire after being denied entry to the U.N. camp for displaced persons in Malakal.
South Sudan's petroleum minister dismisses reports that 400 Chinese oil workers were pulled out of the strategic oil-processing center at Palouch, insisting operations there are proceeding normally.
Government spokesman Michael Makuei says the moves show the government is committed to restoring peace, but rebel chief Riek Machar says they only complicate the peace process.
In separate messages to mark the passage to a new year, both President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar say they want peace in South Sudan.
The deals, which cover mainly the use of water resources from the Nile River, were signed during a visit by President Salva Kiir to Egypt last week.
Opponents of the draft national security bill say it would give excessive power to security operatives, while supporters say it would make South Sudan safer.
The agriculture minister and aid agencies say although food security has improved in South Sudan, hundreds of thousands of people are still going hungry, and the situation could deteriorate when the dry season returns next year.
Aid agencies, businesses say order is ill-timed and will only make crisis worse
News editor David Ocen is released from custody four days after he was detained over a story that the government says blamed the army for starting the latest round of fighting in Unity state.
The opposition says it would welcome any investigations and would not protect anyone on its side who is found to have committed the atrocities documented in the report.
Opposition negotiators come under fire as they boycott Day 2 of the slow-moving talks in Addis Ababa.
US Assistant Secretary of State Anne Richard says the United States is pressing the warring sides in South Sudan to return to the negotiating table.
The fighting comes days after international donors pledged $600 million to South Sudan, and warned that without an end to the violence, the funds would be of no use.
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