AGP Executive Report

Child Safety: The army says it arrested eight people, including three soldiers, over an alleged child-trafficking ring in Juba. One missing child has been reunited with family, while several others are still being traced. Marriage Customs: A Kenyan court ruling requiring a divorced wife or her family to return dowry has sparked debate in South Sudan, where bride price traditions differ and the ruling does not apply. Faith: Yei’s Catholic bishop says insecurity, poor roads and too few priests leave some communities waiting up to six months for pastoral visits. Sport: South Sudanese player Delicia Washington scored 29 points for Rwanda’s REG in the opening game of the Women’s Basketball League Africa qualifiers. Traditional Culture: Terekeka County’s ban on weekly traditional dances has drawn attention to tensions over how local authorities regulate cultural gatherings.

Food Innovation: A women-led Juba business is turning locally grown oilseeds into cooking oil, linking 90 farmers to markets and helping reduce reliance on imports. Traditional Culture: Terekeka County has banned Saturday-night dances at Freedom Square, saying the gatherings create security risks—a move that curbs a regular community tradition. Youth and the Arts: Seven schools in Yei took part in a music and dance contest promoting peace. Women’s Safety: A four-year project to prevent sexual and gender-based violence has ended after reaching more than 38,000 people and providing support to over 12,300 survivors and others affected.

Regional Culture: East African Community ministers adopted a 10-year tourism strategy to promote the region as one destination, highlighting cultural heritage and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations as draws for visitors. Women’s Safety: A four-year South Sudan project to prevent gender-based violence has ended after reaching more than 38,000 people and providing medical and psychosocial support to over 12,300 survivors and others affected. Traditional Dance: Terekeka County has banned Saturday-night dances at Freedom Square, citing security concerns; in Yei, seven schools took part in a music and dance contest for peace. Local Food: A women-led Juba business is processing locally grown oilseeds into cooking oil, linking 90 farmers to markets and helping build a more self-reliant food system.

Faith and Safety: Two Sudanese pastors at Gorom refugee settlement say they face death threats after an earlier attack, raising concern for religious minorities in the camp. Women’s Support: A four-year EU- and Germany-funded project has ended after reaching more than 38,000 people in South Sudan, including over 12,300 survivors and others affected by gender-based violence. Cultural Life: Terekeka County has banned Saturday-night traditional dances at Freedom Square, citing security concerns. In Yei, seven schools recently used music and dance in a contest promoting peace. Learning and Exchange: The University of Juba has launched a free Chinese-language course for 124 students and staff, opening new opportunities for study and cultural exchange. Local Food Enterprise: Juba-based women-led business Africa Cornerstone now connects 90 farmers to markets by processing locally grown oilseeds into cooking oil.

Cultural Life: Terekeka County has banned Saturday traditional dances at Freedom Square. The commissioner cited security concerns, but the order does not say how long the ban will last, raising questions about its impact on a key community gathering. Food & Livelihoods: For World Food Day, WFP highlighted Juba entrepreneur Cissy Apio Mario’s women-led cooking-oil business, which buys oilseeds locally and connects 90 farmers to markets. Meanwhile, WFP says 7.8 million people in South Sudan struggle to find enough food. Education & Exchange: The University of Juba has launched a free Chinese-language course for 124 students and staff from three universities, building academic and cultural ties. Teachers: Central Equatoria educators say some have gone seven months without pay, and warn that poor conditions are driving teachers from classrooms.

Cultural Heritage: Terekeka’s caretaker commissioner has banned weekly traditional dances at Freedom Square, without explaining why or how long the order will last. The restriction affects a valued community gathering and a way to preserve local traditions. Youth and the Arts: Seven Yei secondary schools are taking part in a music, dance and drama contest promoting talent, peaceful coexistence and cultural diversity. Education and Exchange: The University of Juba has launched a free Chinese course for 124 students and staff, while South Sudan is exploring expanded Korean scholarships, including a proposed programme for 1,500 students. Food Security: WFP says 7.8 million people in South Sudan struggle to find enough food, as funding gaps threaten assistance for vulnerable families.

Cultural Heritage: Terekeka’s caretaker commissioner has banned weekly traditional dances at Freedom Square, without explaining why or how long the order will last. The restriction affects a community gathering that helps preserve local traditions. Youth & Arts: Seven Yei secondary schools are competing in a music, dance and drama event promoting talent, peace and cultural diversity. Education: South Sudan is exploring expanded AI and medical training with a South Korean foundation, while a separate proposal would fund 1,500 students to study in South Korea. Women Traders: Traders welcomed a cleanup and reorganisation at Kuburi Haboba Market, saying improved access is making it easier to bring in goods. Youth Opportunity: A planned Yei innovation bootcamp will support young people, with priority for women and vulnerable youth.

Football: Seventeen-year-old Akol Akon is set for a move to Colorado Rapids worth up to $2.5 million after his siblings gave up football to support his dream. Women Traders: Traders welcomed a cleanup and reorganisation at Kuburi Haboba Market in Juba, saying clearer access is helping them receive goods and serve customers. Youth & Peace: Young people in Pibor have drawn up a plan to strengthen youth networks and peacebuilding, while a new Yei bootcamp aims to help young people—especially women and vulnerable youth—turn ideas into solutions. Sport: South Sudan’s beach volleyball teams are set to make their debut at the CAVB Zone V championship in Uganda, running October 21–26. Education: Türkiye’s TİKA donated 150 desks to Mahad Primary School to improve classroom conditions. Faith & Environment: The Episcopal Church of South Sudan is expanding parish waste-management efforts, with more than 19 parishes involved in sorting waste and promoting environmental care.

Youth Peacebuilding: Fifty young people in Pibor, including 20 women, are drawing up an action plan and strengthening youth networks to support peace and local decision-making. In Western Equatoria, the UN says a new youth centre in Yambio will offer space to build leadership and take part in peace initiatives. Skills and Education: A planned Yei innovation bootcamp aims to help young people turn ideas into practical solutions, while Türkiye donated 150 desks to Mahad Primary School in Juba. Community Safety: Clashes between rival communities in Lakes State have left about 70 people dead, authorities say, and overwhelmed Rumbek hospital with wounded people. Faith and Environment: The Episcopal Church is expanding waste-management efforts across more than 19 parishes, including waste sorting and community awareness. The church also marked 50 years as an Anglican province with a week of events and a Juba procession attended by about 3,500 people. Mental Health: An estimated 1.2 million South Sudanese need mental health support, but only around 1% receive services, according to WHO figures.

Floods and Livelihoods: Floodwaters have kept farmland submerged in parts of South Sudan, leaving families hungry and unable to cultivate crops, a new World Food Programme report says. Education: Türkiye’s development agency donated 150 desks to Mahad Primary School to improve classroom conditions. In Jonglei, girls face long, dangerous journeys to reach upper-primary and secondary schools. Mental Health: About 1.2 million people need mental health support, but only around 1% receive services, according to the World Health Organization. Faith and Heritage: The Episcopal Church of South Sudan marked 50 years as an Anglican province with a week of events, including a Juba procession attended by about 3,500 people.

Student Safety: Eastern Equatoria’s education minister has warned exam candidates not to rent houses outside school for private study, citing risks including misconduct and teenage pregnancy. Mental Health: About 1.2 million South Sudanese need mental health support, but only around 1% receive services; Yei has recorded 448 mental health cases and 748 epilepsy cases this year. Education Access: Girls in Jonglei’s Otallo area face dangerous journeys to reach upper-primary and secondary schools, with families fearing abduction and abuse. Schools: Central Equatoria suspended Juba Integrated High School’s Kadoro branch over alleged foreign-currency fees and barring students from class. Faith and Community: The Episcopal Church of South Sudan marked 50 years as an Anglican province, with about 3,500 people joining a Juba procession. Maternal Health: South Sudanese obstetricians are promoting blood donation and awareness to help prevent postpartum haemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal deaths.

Community Safety: Clashes between rival groups in Lakes State left about 70 people dead and overwhelmed Rumbek hospital with wounded patients. Schools: Central Equatoria suspended Juba Integrated High School’s Kadoro branch over alleged foreign-currency fees and other violations; a Yei child-rights advocate is also urging more funding to keep schools staffed and equipped. Girls’ Voices: At a Juba event, South Sudanese girls highlighted how floods can displace children and cut off access to schools and healthcare, calling for inclusive, quality education. Sport: Wheelchair basketball is bringing South Sudanese players with disabilities together, with 45 athletes from several towns taking part in a Juba tournament. Art and Identity: Melbourne-based South Sudanese artist Atong Atem’s major exhibition will showcase more than 65 works exploring identity and Dinka culture. Music: South Sudanese-Australian DJ and producer Skin On Skin has released new single “Someone Like You.”

Education: Central Equatoria suspended Juba Integrated High School’s Kadoro branch over alleged foreign-currency fees and barring students from class. In Yei, a child-rights advocate urged authorities to fund schools, pay teachers and improve facilities. Peaceful Elections: Archbishop Elias Taban called for dialogue and unity ahead of December’s vote, while a Yei activist urged the Elections Commission to open county offices and begin voter education. Inclusive Sport: A Juba wheelchair basketball tournament brought together 45 players from across South Sudan, offering athletes with disabilities a chance to compete and build community. Arts & Identity: South Sudanese-Australian artist Atong Atem’s first major solo exhibition opens in Melbourne on October 30, bringing together more than 65 works exploring identity, Dinka culture and diaspora. Girls’ Education: Two South Sudanese girls used a day at the British Embassy in Juba to highlight how floods disrupt girls’ access to schools and health services.

Inclusive Sport: Wheelchair basketball is helping South Sudanese players with disabilities build confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging. A Juba tournament brought together 45 players from across the country. Arts and Identity: Melbourne-based artist Atong Atem’s largest exhibition yet opens October 30, showcasing more than 65 works rooted in identity, storytelling and Dinka Bor culture. Creative Community: In Juba, artist Abul Oyay Deng Ajak’s Baobab House has grown from a home and studio into a welcoming hub for artists, entrepreneurs and aid workers to meet and share ideas. Girls’ Education: South Sudanese girls used a British Embassy event to highlight how floods can displace girls and cut them off from schools and health services, calling for quality, inclusive education. Learning Opportunity: Eastern Equatoria sent 33 vulnerable students to Aweil on scholarships, offering a path to secondary education for young people whose families struggle to pay school fees.

Girls’ Education: Duchess Sophie marked International Day of the Girl with a letter congratulating Juba Diocesan Model Secondary School on its 20th anniversary, praising its work to get more girls into school. At a separate Juba Embassy event, girls highlighted how floods disrupt education and access to health care, and called for inclusive, quality schooling. Education Access: Eastern Equatoria has sent 33 vulnerable students to Aweil on Adut Salva scholarships, giving them a chance to continue their studies despite financial hardship. Arts and Community: In Juba, artist Abul Oyay Deng Ajak’s Baobab House has grown from a home and studio into a welcoming hub for exhibitions, workshops and conversations amid political uncertainty.

Community Safety: At least 71 people, including four soldiers, were killed in intercommunal clashes in Rumbek. Fighting spread from Nyangkot into town, forcing families to flee as security forces moved in. Art & Gathering: Juba artist Abul Oyay Deng Ajak’s Baobab House has grown from a home studio into a gallery and meeting place where artists and residents connect amid political uncertainty. Marriage & Misinformation: The Gender Ministry has rejected as fake a document proposing standard bride prices for different communities, correcting a claim about a sensitive cultural practice. Faith & Tradition: South Sudan’s Catholic bishops elevated celebrations honoring St. Josephine Bakhita and St. Daniel Comboni to solemnities, urging prayer for peace and service. Creative Scene: A planned free recording studio could give South Sudanese artists more space to develop their music.