South Sudan Declares State of EmergencyJuly 19, 2017 - Following fierce battle between warring sides in Gogrial state, the South Sudan government declared a three-month state of emergency. The army would be given powers to stop the fighting in Gogrial state, and that citizens' rights would be suspended, said Michael Makuei, South Sudan’s information minister. The Information minister also stated that the state of emergency also applied to the neighboring South Sudan areas of Tonj, Wau, and Aweil East. South Sudan descended into civil war in December 2013, largely between soldiers and militia from the Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups. Deadly cattle raids are common in South Sudan, an impoverished country awash in automatic weapons where livestock are used as money.

Source: Ethiopian News July 19, 2017 11:15 UTC