Q1 FY 2016 Quarterly Report / Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS)

The program's strategic plans were updated, and staff capacity was built through a series of training sessions and workshops. The VISTAS annual Strategic Review Session (SRS) was held in Kampala from October 12-16, bringing together over 100 people, including VISTAS staff, USAID Mission in Juba, and USAID OTI. The SRS aimed to update the program's analysis in light of the changing political context, test its program assumptions, and review its performance for FY 2015. The VISTAS regional teams presented the outcomes of their "deep dives" that considered lessons learned from FY 2015 and current environments in their respective regions. The SRS led to several key shifts in the program's focus, including tightening engagement criteria, a planned scoping mission to the Equatorias, and refocusing the Wunlit office to Lakes State only. Despite the rapidly evolving context and consequent security and operational challenges, VISTAS maintained operational capacity in 10 areas across South Sudan. The program designed and implemented activities with its usual multi-pronged approach, working at a rapid pace to respond to opportunities at the local and national level. VISTAS also focused on streamlining internal processes, staff capacity building, and bolstering the Monitoring and Evaluation Department to improve the quality and ensure compliance of activities. The program cleared 24 grant activities totaling $1,913,870 during the first quarter. The VISTAS team was preparing for an intensive program training on internal program design approaches and documentation procedures, scheduled for early January. This training aimed to equip the program team to respond to the complex and evolving political and security landscape effectively and efficiently. The political and security landscape in South Sudan remained volatile during the reporting period. There was some progress with the implementation of the Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS), but it was equally threatened by increased conflict in the Equatorias and an attempt to create 18 new states. President Salva Kiir unilaterally decreed the expansion from 10-28 federal states, prompting swift reactions from the SPLM-IO leader, Riek Machar, and the international community. The SPLM-IO contended that the agreement and the Transitional Constitution are based on 10 states, and the president's decision aims to undermine and delegitimize both. The president justified his decision by saying it reflected the will of the people and the need to decentralize power and place resources closer to the rural population. The Minister of Justice tabled a presidential order to divide the country into 28 states, which was later reported to have been passed by Parliament. The Africa Union Commission of Inquiry for South Sudan released its long-awaited report in early November 2015, which was received with mixed reactions by the parties in the conflict. The report equally blamed both parties for human rights violations, but the SPLM-IO and Civil Society Organizations welcomed the release of the report, lauding it as a positive step towards the implementation of the peace agreement. The government, however, was disappointed with some revelations in the report and blamed the media and the international community for sensationalizing it. The Chairman of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) appointed the Former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, as the head of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism to oversee the implementation of the peace agreement.