AGP Executive Report

UN & Conflict Spillover: A new UN report says foreign networks are fueling Sudan’s war, supplying RSF with weapons, logistics, training and foreign personnel—another reminder of how regional instability can ripple into South Sudan’s security and humanitarian needs. Culture & Heritage: South Sudan’s Ministry of Culture plans an official celebration after UNESCO listed the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape, home to the Great Nile Migration of about six million antelope. Elections Funding: The African Union urges donors to close South Sudan’s election funding gap for December polls, warning of “shortfalls” as the NEC still needs far more than government has provided. Health & Safety: The Drug and Food Control Authority recalls Duphaston and Navidoxine over quality and safety concerns, especially for pregnant women. Community Life: EU and Germany handed over a rehabilitated sports playground in Terekeka to support youth, inclusion and peaceful coexistence. Drugs & Children: Police call on communities to help curb tramadol and other drug abuse among children through community reporting and support. Infrastructure for Access: IOM and the government validate designs to rehabilitate airstrips in Jonglei and Greater Pibor to improve movement of people and humanitarian supplies.

Women’s livelihoods: A South Sudanese-led handicraft cooperative in Kenya is getting a boost through a South Korea trade trip, linking refugee and migrant women to ethical buyers and new markets. Maternal health & regulation: South Sudan’s drug regulator ordered a recall of Duphaston and Navidoxine over safety and quality concerns, with warnings aimed especially at pregnant women. Child health access: Ahead of World Hydrocephalus Day, a cross-border pathway is helping South Sudanese infants reach neurosurgery in Uganda when local options are limited. Climate pressure: UNICEF warns El Niño-linked droughts and floods could hit children hard across South Sudan, worsening food, water, health, and schooling. Community safety: Police urged communities to report tramadol and other drug abuse involving children, stressing community policing. Faith & security: Two Carmelite sisters survived an ambush on the Juba–Torit highway; reports also say children were abducted. Sports & youth: EU and Germany handed over a rehabilitated community sports playground in Terekeka to support youth, inclusion, and peaceful coexistence. Governance & culture: State legislative speakers pledged deeper parliamentary cooperation, including peacebuilding and dialogue across communities.

EAC Trade & Investment Push: South Sudan was urged in Juba to speed up EAC commitments and position itself as a regional hub for investment, manufacturing, and value chains, with focus on customs reforms and the Nimule–Elegu one-stop border post. Community Safety & Health: Police called for community support to curb Tramadol and other drug abuse among children, warning it’s driving intoxication, violence, and theft. Public Health Alert: The Drug and Food Control Authority ordered a recall of Duphaston and Navidoxine due to safety and quality concerns, especially for pregnant women. Faith & Security on the Road: Two Carmelite sisters survived an ambush on the Juba–Torit highway; they were robbed and reports say two children were abducted. Youth & Sports: The EU and Germany handed over a rehabilitated community sports playground in Terekeka to support peaceful, inclusive youth activities and gender equality. Education & Services: Fashoda County received a new health facility and school via IOM and World Bank funding to improve access for children and communities. Legal & Learning: South Sudanese lawyers are in Cairo for the Pan African Lawyers Union conference, discussing AI in justice and legal practice. Tech in Schools: A South Sudanese software engineer urged AI education in the national curriculum so students can spot AI-generated content online. Health Policy: South Sudan is moving to ratify the WHO tobacco control treaty to strengthen protections, especially for children and young people.

Church & Community Safety: Two Carmelite sisters were ambushed on the Torit–Juba road after Mass; one was injured and reports say two children were abducted, with the diocese arranging help in Juba. Elections & Civic Life: Upper Nile Governor James Koang urged state authorities to coordinate with the State Elections Commission as voter and civic education rolls out ahead of December 2026 polls. Politics: Kornelio Kon Ngu declared he will challenge President Salva Kiir in the December election, arguing services and opportunities are too concentrated in Juba; SPLM leaders rejected claims the party acts like an armed group. Health & Education: Fashoda County received a new health facility and school (IOM with World Bank funding) to boost access for children and communities. Youth, Culture & Identity: A Juba father renamed his baby “Carlik” after Bright Stars star Carlik Jones, linking national pride to naming traditions. Tech & Learning: A South Sudanese software engineer called for AI basics in the school curriculum so students can spot AI-made images and content. Public Health Policy: South Sudan is pushing to ratify the WHO tobacco control treaty, with a stakeholder meeting planned in Juba to strengthen child-focused protections. Sports: South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars were thrashed 5-0 by Kenya’s Police Bullets in CECAFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers, setting up a final.

Legal & Justice: South Sudanese lawyers, including a woman, are in Cairo for the Pan African Lawyers Union conference, where AI’s role in justice and child online protection are on the agenda. Education & Tech: A South Sudanese software engineer urges AI basics to be added to school curricula so students can spot AI-made content online. Health & Youth: The government is pushing to ratify the WHO tobacco control treaty, with a focus on protecting children and young people from addiction. Elections & Civic Life: Upper Nile Governor Koang calls for close coordination with the State Elections Commission as voter and civic education rolls out ahead of December 2026 polls. Culture & Sports: Bright Stars’ World Cup qualifier win is inspiring real-life naming—one Juba father officially renamed his baby after Carlik Jones—and Central Equatoria and the national government renew plans for a basketball arena. Humanitarian & Food Security: Japan pledges about $2.2m to WFP for lifesaving nutrition support for malnourished women and children. Governance & Economy: Civil society activist Edmond Yakani challenges the economic committee over SSP cash shortages despite reported non-oil revenue gains.

Sports & Identity: South Sudan’s Bright Stars keep turning wins into culture. After the team’s late victory over Tunisia, Juba father Yuang Philip Akuei renamed his eight-month-old son Carlik Akuei Yuang—“he makes us proud as South Sudanese.” Youth, Culture & Community: Central Equatoria and the national government renewed plans for a national basketball arena, with land promised and partners lined up to build a stadium that matches the team’s growing profile. Education & Livelihoods: Upper Nile University is overhauling agriculture training with Premium Agro Consult, shifting from theory to practical, business-focused farming and agribusiness skills. Food & Health: WFP welcomed Japan’s $2.2m for lifesaving nutrition support for vulnerable women and children as hunger and malnutrition remain severe. Humanitarian & Daily Life: In Warrap, mothers rely on mobile nutrition outreach after long walks to clinics; in Terekeka, women report water shortages forcing long journeys and affecting hygiene after childbirth. Politics & Governance: SPLM rejected claims it acts like an armed group, while Kornelio Kon Ngu declared a presidential bid challenging Salva Kiir. Media & Rights: Journalists were urged to use accurate, dignified language when reporting on migrant workers’ rights.

Economic Accountability: Civil society activist Edmond Yakani challenges South Sudan’s High-Level Economic Reform Committee to explain why SSP cash still can’t be withdrawn at commercial banks despite claims of improved non-oil revenue collection. Politics & Elections: TNLA Third Deputy Speaker Kornelio Kon Ngu formally declares a 2026 presidential bid, arguing development and services remain too concentrated in Juba. Land & Community Peace: VP James Wani Igga backs Shilluk calls for a “radical solution” to long-running land and boundary disputes in Upper Nile, blaming the issue for conflict and displacement. Nutrition & Daily Survival: A WFP-backed nutrition push, including Japan’s USD 2.2m contribution, targets severe malnutrition among women and children as families in hard-hit areas struggle to reach care. Education & Culture: UNESCO supports South Sudan to set up its first education sector monitoring system, aiming to turn plans into measurable results. Sports & Pride: Central Equatoria and the national government renew plans for a basketball arena after the Bright Stars’ World Cup qualifier run, betting on sport to lift national morale. Displacement After Violence: Displaced families in Lafon’s Lafon County seek urgent aid after an attack burned homes and forced hundreds into churches and schools. Media & Dignity: Journalists are urged to use accurate, dignified language when reporting on migrant workers’ rights and labour migration. Heritage & Climate: A UNESCO World Heritage Committee update highlights renewed global commitments to protect diverse sites, with heritage framed as a tool for cohesion amid climate stress.

Diplomacy & Education: UNESCO-backed consultations in Juba aim to set up South Sudan’s first education sector monitoring system under the GESP plan, so targets can finally be measured, not just promised. Health & Community Care: WHO warns South Sudan still relies too much on family blood donors; NBTS urges regular voluntary giving, with Muslim communities in Juba driving much of the supply while church outreach lags. Women’s Daily Life: In Terekeka, women in Rijong Payam say water access can mean hours of walking, pushing pregnant mothers to move closer to wells and straining hygiene after childbirth. Elections & Civic Peace: Central Equatoria Governor Emmanuel Adil calls for dialogue and a voter education push that counters misinformation, hate speech, and inflammatory politics ahead of December polls. Local Governance & Clean Streets: Juba City Council warns residents against dumping rubbish on roads, citing health risks and promising organized collection across quarter councils. Humanitarian Returns: In Kajo-Keji, Red Cross and ICRC aid is reaching thousands of returnees, but families say flat-rate distributions don’t match household sizes. Sports for Cohesion: EU and Germany hand over a rehabilitated sports ground in Terekeka, betting on football to build teamwork and peaceful coexistence.

Blood Donation Push: South Sudan’s National Blood Transfusion Service is urging regular voluntary donations, warning that reliance on family and replacement donors is still dangerously low—especially for mothers facing severe bleeding in childbirth, trauma victims, and surgery patients. Women’s Water Struggles: In Terekeka’s Rijong Payam, women say they walk hours to reach water sources, forcing some to move near wells during pregnancy and making hygiene after childbirth harder. Education Accountability: UNESCO-backed consultations in Juba aim to set up South Sudan’s first education sector monitoring system for the GESP plan, so targets can be measured instead of just promised. Health Under Pressure: At Wau Teaching Hospital, medical staff describe rising trauma caseloads and the cultural and language barriers that complicate care for the wounded. Local Civic Life: Juba City Council warns residents against dumping rubbish on streets, linking poor waste habits to health risks. Election Peacebuilding: Central Equatoria Governor Emmanuel Adil calls for civic education that counters misinformation and hate speech ahead of December elections. EU-German Sports for Peace: Terekeka County receives a rehabilitated community sports ground, framed as a space for youth connection and peaceful coexistence. Returnee Aid in Kajo-Keji: The Red Cross and partners deliver emergency support to thousands of returnees, but families say distributions don’t always match household sizes. Regional Health Watch: WHO and partners step up Ebola screening and education at border crossings as the outbreak in eastern DRC spreads closer to South Sudan.

Education Monitoring: UNESCO-backed consultations in Juba aim to set up South Sudan’s first education sector monitoring system under the GESP (2023–2027), so plans can be measured instead of just announced. Families & Memory: In Juba, families still search for loved ones missing since conflict, with the Red Cross supporting a local network that turns grief into mutual support. Health & Care: At Wau Teaching Hospital, staff describe the growing pressure of treating the wounded, including language and cultural barriers that complicate care. Blood & Community: WHO warns South Sudan still relies too much on family replacement donors; the National Blood Transfusion Service says mosques are a key source for voluntary blood drives in Juba. Elections & Civic Life: Central Equatoria Governor Emmanuel Adil urges peace, dialogue, and accurate voter education while warning against hate speech ahead of December polls. Public Space & Youth: EU and Germany rehabilitate a sports ground in Terekeka, betting on football and inclusive sport to build community ties and peaceful coexistence. Health Alerts: Magwi reports a measles outbreak with 88 suspected cases. Ebola Watch: Border screening and entry restrictions linked to Ebola continue to ripple across the region as DRC cases rise.

Elections & Civic Peace: Central Equatoria Governor Emmanuel Adil urged voters and political actors to reject misinformation, hate speech, and inflammatory language ahead of December polls, saying peace must start in families and spread through communities. Public Health & Community Care: WHO reports South Sudan is still struggling to move beyond family blood donors, with voluntary donations far below safe levels—while Wau’s trauma caseload shows how cultural barriers and mistrust can complicate treatment for the wounded. Faith & Healing: Cardinal Ameyu unveiled a Juba Archdiocese strategic plan calling the Church to lead trauma healing, listening, and reconciliation through parish-level Small Christian Communities. Youth, Sport & Social Cohesion: EU and Germany handed over a rehabilitated sports ground in Terekeka, betting on football and inclusive sport to build ties and peaceful coexistence. Local Governance & Daily Life: Juba City Council warned residents that dumping rubbish is a crime and highlighted shift-based waste collection across the city. Health Alerts: Magwi County reported a measles outbreak with 88 suspected cases, as health teams track spread from Abara to nearby areas. Ebola Spillover Watch: Border health teams in Western Equatoria stepped up screening and public education as Ebola risk rises from eastern DRC.

Elections & Civic Peace: Central Equatoria Governor Emmanuel Adil urged voters and leaders to reject hate speech and misinformation ahead of December polls, saying peace starts in families and must extend through communities and institutions. Church & Reconciliation: Cardinal Ameyu of Juba Archdiocese unveiled a strategic pastoral plan focused on trauma healing, listening, and measurable parish-level implementation of synod priorities. Health & Conflict’s Hidden Cost: At Wau Teaching Hospital, staff describe the mental and cultural strain of treating a rising trauma caseload, as the ICRC reports hundreds of wounded evacuated in early 2026. Public Health & Community Safety: WHO warns South Sudan still relies too much on family blood donors; meanwhile, Magwi reports a measles outbreak with 88 suspected cases. Ebola Preparedness: With Ebola still raging in eastern DRC, UN and partners are strengthening screening and community education in border towns, while Canada extends Ebola-related travel limits affecting DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. Local Governance & Daily Life: Juba City Council cracked down on rubbish dumping during a peace-day cleanup, and Terekeka received an EU-Germany rehabilitated sports ground meant to build youth ties and peaceful coexistence.

Ebola Preparedness at the Border: WHO and UNMISS partners are stepping up Ebola screening and community education in Ezo, Western Equatoria, as the DRC outbreak grows and cross-border movement keeps risk high. Blood Safety for Mothers: WHO says South Sudan still relies too much on family blood donors, with voluntary non-remunerated donations far too low—raising stakes for childbirth bleeding, anemia, trauma, and surgery. Elections & Responsible Speech: Central Equatoria Governor Adil launched civic and voter education, urging leaders and communities to curb misinformation, hate speech, and inflammatory language ahead of December elections. Child Health Alerts: Magwi County reports a measles outbreak with 88 suspected cases, while UNICEF data marks only 71% of mothers exclusively breastfeeding for six months. Nutrition Funding Pressure: Japan pledged $2.2M to WFP for nutrition services, as WFP warns food aid could end for hundreds of thousands without urgent funding. Aid Diversion Crackdown: Northern Bahr el Ghazal banned the sale of humanitarian supplies in markets and confiscated Plumpy’Nut and CSB. Youth, Women & SRHR: Hope for Women and Youth South Sudan launched a nine-month project in Yambio to improve girls’ access to accurate sexual and reproductive health information. Culture & Sport: Bright Stars’ World Cup qualifiers get high-level government support in Tunisia, and Yei Joint WFC made history reaching the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA semis.

Elections & Diplomacy: Germany, Japan, Norway and the U.S. urged South Sudan to start “authentic inter-party dialogue” and end violence as political competition heats up, while the government summoned those ambassadors over an “inappropriate and divisive” joint statement. Humanitarian & Food Security: Northern Bahr el Ghazal banned the sale of humanitarian aid in markets, seizing Plumpy’Nut and CSB amid diversion fears. Nutrition Support: Japan and WFP signed a $2.2m deal to fund nutrition services for nearly 40,000 women and children, as acute food insecurity and malnutrition remain severe. Aid on the Ground: The Red Cross began distributing assistance to returnees and displaced families in Kajo-Keji, highlighting gaps between aid allocations and household sizes. SRHR for Girls: A Yambio project launched to improve adolescent girls’ access to accurate sexual and reproductive health information and keep them in school. Youth & Culture in Motion: South Sudan’s Yei Joint WFC reached the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA semi-finals for the first time in six tries. Community Safety: Duk County in Jonglei saw inter-clan clashes leave six dead and 21 injured, with dialogue underway to prevent more violence. Sports & National Pride: Officials traveled to Tunisia to support the Bright Stars ahead of FIBA 2027 qualifiers.

Humanitarian Nutrition Boost: Japan signed a $2.2M deal with WFP in Juba to fund nutrition services for nearly 40,000 women and children as acute food insecurity and malnutrition bite hardest in Greater Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity, Warrap and parts of Greater Bahr el Ghazal. Aid Integrity: South Sudan’s Relief and Rehabilitation Commission warned against selling humanitarian supplies like Plumpy’Nut, saying both sellers and buyers could face legal action. Women’s Leadership in Politics: The EU’s outgoing deputy head urged South Sudan to turn women’s leadership commitments into results, stressing protected civic space and pushing for women’s representation ahead of December elections. Girls’ Health & Rights: Hope for Women and Youth South Sudan launched a nine-month SRHR project in Yambio to improve adolescent girls’ access to accurate, age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health information and help them stay in school. Community & Culture on the Court: Yei Joint Stars reached the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA semi-finals after a 1–1 draw with Rayon Sports, while Yei’s captain credited resilience and discipline. Local Governance: Lakes State swore in new cabinet, commissioners and commission members, with a focus on service delivery and security. Inter-communal Violence: Duk County reported six deaths and 21 injuries in two days of inter-clan fighting, with dialogue involving chiefs and government underway. Sports Diplomacy: Senior officials traveled to Tunisia to back the Bright Stars ahead of their FIBA 2027 African Qualifiers match against Guinea. Immigration Controls: South Sudan put a pause on “Silence Search” credential checks for foreign nationals pending coordination with security and diplomatic authorities.

Humanitarian Aid & Nutrition: Japan and WFP signed a $2.2m deal to deliver lifesaving food and nutrition support to nearly 40,000 vulnerable women and children in South Sudan as acute food insecurity and malnutrition remain severe. Diplomacy & Dialogue: Germany, Japan, Norway and the US urged urgent inter-party dialogue and an end to violence as a political tool, linking peace to security, accountability and better services. Elections & Civic Space: The EU’s outgoing deputy head called for protected civic space and stronger women’s political participation ahead of December elections, while UNMISS and partners again warned that attacks on peacekeepers and aid workers undermine civilians’ access to help. Women, Youth & Rights: Miss World South Sudan pushed to end child and forced marriage through her “Breaking the Cycle” initiative, and Lakes State leaders were sworn in with culture, youth and sports among the portfolios. Conservation & Community Jobs: Badingilo National Park graduated 50 wildlife rangers after training, stressing professionalism and community cooperation to protect natural heritage. Local Governance & Services: Lakes Governor swore in cabinet, commissioners and commission members, urging service delivery and security. Water & Health Risks: Civil society warned of a growing water crisis in Kapoeta East’s mining settlement, with residents traveling hours for unsafe water. Immigration & Dignity: South Sudan paused “silent search” credential checks for foreign nationals pending coordination, after concerns about harassment and oversight. Culture & Identity: An op-ed reflected on African naming, faith and identity—arguing modern trends are weakening a sacred tradition. Sports & Community Pride: Yei Joint Stars reached the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA semi-finals after a draw in Rwanda.