Conflicts to Watch in The New Millennium

when their overcrowded boat sank as they tried to flee across the Nile. On 15 January,
fighting continued in the streets of Malakal with both sides claiming to control the town.
On 18 February 2014, fighting between members of various ethnicities broke out within
the UN Mission in the capital city of Upper Nile State, Malakal, resulting in ten deaths.
In Bentiu, capital of Unity State, SPLA 4th Division divided along factional lines with
troops, including division commander James Koang, clashed with loyal troops, who
retreated from their barracks on 20 December 2013. The next day, Koang announced
allegiance to Machar and declared an ‘interim government’ of the state and state
governor Nugen Monytuel fled Mayom county. The loyal soldiers retreated to the
outlying Abiemnom County and were reinforced by Western Bahr el Ghazal's 5th
division and the Northern Bahr el Ghazal's 3rd division to take back Bentiu. South
Sudan Liberation Movement (SSLA) militia forces, led by the Bul Nuer commander
Matthew Puljang, decided to support them. By 27 December, a combined force of SSLA
and SPLA seized Mayom, 90 kilometers from Bentiu, on 29 December. Peter Dak, the
rebel commander in Mayom, announced that he fled the town on 7 January. Around 8
January 2014, the SPLA forces advanced on Bentiu, which had been mostly
evacuated, securing the city on 10 January 2014.
Peace Talks and Rebel Split (2014–15)
Negotiations between both sides were mediated by "IGAD +" (which includes the eight
regional nations as well as the African Union, United Nations, China, the EU, USA, UK
and Norway). In order to ensure a stronger negotiating position, South Sudanese troops
fighting alongside Ugandan troops retook every town held by the rebels, including Bor
on 18 January and Malakal on 20 January. Government troops were assisted by
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