AGP Executive Report

Refugee & Rights: A report on Gorom Refugee Settlement spotlights LGBTQ+ refugees facing daily discrimination and targeted attacks after fleeing persecution, underscoring how “protection” can still fail in South Sudan. Local Governance & Health: Juba County and Juba City Council are pushing weekly Saturday clean-ups and stricter sanitation enforcement, urging residents and businesses to stop littering and improper waste disposal. Culture, Faith & Peacebuilding: On the International Day of Peace, Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala urged Sudan and South Sudan to treat peace as justice and reconciliation, calling for dialogue over confrontation. Jobs & Infrastructure: A China-aided Juba Teaching Hospital expansion is creating nearly 500 local jobs and skills, linking healthcare upgrades with household incomes. Women & Agriculture: Central Equatoria plans to distribute 250,000 cocoa seedlings and expand a women-focused rural recovery programme to boost incomes and food security. Elections & Civic Life: An opinion piece warns South Sudan’s December election is approaching with key legal and operational foundations still missing, leaving citizens with uncertainty.

Education & Displacement: Displaced children are still waiting for peace to return before they can go back to school, keeping learning on hold for families caught in limbo. Youth Leadership: Rose Namayanja Nsereko urged young people to use civic and community platforms to build leadership skills now—not later—while speaking at the East African Youth Parliament in Arusha. Health & Aviation Aid: Canadian Christian pilots with Mission Aviation Fellowship are flying South Sudanese babies with hydrocephalus to Uganda for life-saving brain surgery, tackling the lack of permanent neurosurgeons at home. Women’s Football & Community Development: CAF acting secretary general Samson Adamu visited Juba to hand over a school block and help launch South Sudan’s first women’s football league, backed by CAF and the Motsepe Foundation. Humanitarian Crisis & Climate: El Niño preparedness remains underfunded as rains approach, with South Sudan facing worsening hunger risks and food aid shortfalls. Culture & Peacebuilding: A feature on South Sudanese mothers and grandmothers in Greater Pibor highlights how song, dance, and public action became tools to challenge cycles of violence. Sports Talent: South Sudan’s Maria Gakdeng earned a bronze at AfroBasket and is now getting a developmental contract in the WNBA pipeline, spotlighting homegrown talent abroad.

South Sudan Politics & Culture: A new piece looks at how political authority is negotiated on the ground, spotlighting Murle mothers and grandmothers in Greater Pibor who used song, dance, public shaming—and the threat of maternal nudity—to stop cycles of youth violence, showing how community power can challenge armed power. Sports & Gender: CAF acting secretary general Samson Adamu visited Juba to hand over a school block and officially launch South Sudan’s first women’s football league, a milestone for girls’ sport and public visibility. Humanitarian & Displacement: UNHCR says South Sudan hosts about 661,529 refugees and asylum-seekers across 31 locations, with women and children making up most of the population. Migration & Justice (South Sudanese link): In the UK, South Sudanese asylum seeker Chan Mathok Atak was jailed for piloting an overcrowded Channel dinghy carrying 165 people, including 31 children. Elections & Governance: South Sudan is preparing for December 2026 elections amid debates over constitutional reform and inclusion, with the peace agreement’s uneven implementation still shaping public expectations.

CAF & Women’s Football: CAF acting secretary general Samson Adamu arrived in Juba to hand over a new school block and officially launch South Sudan’s first women’s football league, backed by CAF and the Motsepe Foundation—an early win for sports and girls’ participation. Refugees & Displacement: UNHCR says South Sudan hosts 661,529 refugees and asylum-seekers across 31 locations, with Sudanese refugees the majority and women/children forming most of the population. Humanitarian Crisis: Multiple reports warn “Super El Niño” conditions are deepening hunger and threatening food aid for millions in South Sudan, as needs surge while funding lags. Migration & Justice (Diaspora link): A South Sudanese teen, Chan Mathok Atak, was jailed in the UK for piloting an overcrowded Channel crossing carrying 165 people, including 31 children—highlighting the risks faced by migrants and the legal crackdown around smugglers. Sports Talent Abroad: Toronto Tempo signed South Sudan’s Maria Gakdeng to a developmental deal, keeping spotlight on South Sudanese athletes in international leagues.

CAF & Women’s Football: CAF acting secretary general Samson Adamu arrived in Juba for a 24-hour visit, handing over a school block at Libya 1 Primary School and launching South Sudan’s first women’s football league, backed by CAF and the Motsepe Foundation. Refugees & Displacement: UNHCR says South Sudan hosts 661,529 refugees and asylum-seekers across 31 locations, mostly Sudanese, with women and children making up three quarters. EAC Political Confederation Consultations: South Sudan will hold national consultations on a proposed EAC political confederation starting in Juba on Sept 23, focusing on structure, decision-making, governance, and funding. Girls’ Health & Early Marriage: In Yambio, stakeholders urged stronger community action to prevent early marriage and teenage pregnancy and improve access to sexual and reproductive health information for girls. Human Stories in Migration: A South Sudanese man, Chan Mathok Atak, was jailed in the UK for piloting an overcrowded Channel crossing boat carrying 165 people, including 31 children. Climate & Food Security: WFP warns “Super El Niño” conditions are deepening hunger, with millions facing acute food insecurity and rising pressure on aid.

Migration & Rights: A US appeals court in Boston blocked Trump’s rapid “third-country” deportation plan, ruling migrants must get a meaningful chance to raise safety fears before removal to unfamiliar nations. Refugees in Focus: UNHCR says South Sudan hosts 661,529 refugees and asylum-seekers across 31 locations, with Sudanese refugees the vast majority and women and children making up most of the population. Youth Sports & Community: South Sudan’s name appears in FIFA’s inaugural U-15 World Cup & Festival group draw, while India’s AIFF launches an inaugural U15 Women’s Youth League starting October 15—both signals of growing youth football pathways. Media & Expression: The National Press Club-South Sudan trained security personnel and journalists in Unity State on freedom of expression and journalist safety, aiming to strengthen cooperation between media and the security sector. Early Marriage Prevention: In Yambio, stakeholders pushed for stronger community action to prevent early marriage and teenage pregnancy and to improve access to sexual and reproductive health information for girls. Humanitarian Climate Pressure: WFP warns “Super El Niño” conditions are deepening hunger, with over a million people at risk of losing food aid.

Migration & Justice: A 19-year-old South Sudanese man, Chan Mathok Atak, was jailed in the UK for two years and three months after piloting a deflating “mega dinghy” carrying 165 migrants—including 31 children—across the English Channel, with court details highlighting missing safety gear and risky steering. Elections & Governance: South Sudan’s former elections chief Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol urged continuity after Kiir replaced him, while parliament debated amendments that would keep the president’s executive powers during the Dec. 22 election period. Women’s Rights & Health: In Yambio, stakeholders pushed for stronger community action to prevent early marriage and teenage pregnancy and improve access to sexual and reproductive health information. Food Security & Climate: WFP warned that “super El Niño” and conflict-driven displacement are pushing 7.8 million South Sudanese into acute hunger, with funding gaps threatening millions more by October. Media & Safety: The National Press Club-South Sudan trained security personnel and journalists in Unity State on freedom of expression and protecting reporters. Youth Skills: DMI Sisters and Strome Foundation graduated 83 young people in vocational trades like plumbing and tailoring, with a focus on self-reliance. Education for Girls: Oxfam and partners marked National Girls’ Education Day in Lakes State, stressing support like menstrual hygiene kits and safer school environments. Regional Integration: South Sudan will consult citizens on an East African Community political confederation, including governance, decision-making, and funding. Sports & Culture: The inaugural South Sudan Women’s Premier League kicked off with teams preparing for the first matches, spotlighting women’s football as a pathway to regional competition.

Humanitarian Crisis: WFP warns “super El Niño” is deepening South Sudan’s hunger emergency, with 7.8 million people facing acute food insecurity and another million at risk of losing aid access by October as conflict and funding gaps bite. Local Services: In Leer, Unity State, communities celebrated handover of new health and education facilities funded through the World Bank’s ECRP, including hospital wards and classrooms. Elections & Governance: South Sudan’s NEC leadership is shaken as President Salva Kiir removes elections chief Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol and appoints Gabriel Bol Deng Majok, while parliament tables amendments to the National Elections Act to keep the election timeline on track. Girls’ Education: Oxfam marks National Girls’ Education Day in Rumbek, pushing beyond access toward safer schools and menstrual hygiene support so girls can stay learning. Justice & Rights: A two-week expedited court session in Juba will hear 81 pending cases, including 66 rape cases, with UN support and protections for survivors. Culture & Community: Africa International University gets the green light for a Juba campus, promising training and capacity-building for young South Sudanese. Border Tensions: UNISFA reports 26 killed and 82 injured in renewed clashes in Abyei after earlier ethnic killings heightened tensions. Faith & Self-Reliance: A Catholic bishop praises “self-reliance rooted in faith” and local resource-mobilization efforts as communities begin to contribute more actively.

Election & Governance: South Sudan’s transitional election clock keeps ticking as President Salva Kiir is set to retain executive powers during the Dec. 22 vote, while parliament tables amendments to the National Elections Act that would also require removal of vice presidents three months before polling. Electoral Process Pressure: Kiir also replaced NEC chair Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol with Gabriel Bol Deng Majok, raising fears among civil society that the change so close to elections could shake voter confidence. Girls’ Education: Oxfam marked National Girls’ Education Day in Rumbek, pushing beyond access toward safer schools, teacher training, and menstrual hygiene support so girls can stay in class. Justice & Rights: A two-week expedited court session in Juba will hear 81 pending criminal cases, including 66 rape cases, with UN and embassy support and privacy protections for survivors. Food Security & Culture of Care: WFP warns hunger is worsening fast under “super El Niño,” with 7.8 million people facing acute food insecurity and funding gaps threatening more than a million by October. Local Services: Leer County celebrated handover of new health and education facilities funded through the World Bank’s ECRP project, including hospital wards and classrooms. Community & Peacebuilding: The African Inland Church renewed its commitment to work with Eastern Equatoria authorities on peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion.

Justice & Gender-Based Violence: South Sudan’s judiciary opened a two-week expedited session in Juba to clear 81 pending criminal cases, including 66 rape cases, with three judges handling gender-based violence and juvenile matters through Sept. 29, supported by UNMISS and funded by Norway. Humanitarian Crisis: WFP warns “super El Niño” is worsening hunger: 7.8 million people face acute food insecurity, with 2.2 million children and 1.2 million pregnant/breastfeeding women needing urgent nutrition support; over a million could lose aid by October amid funding gaps. Elections & Governance: President Salva Kiir replaced NEC chair Abednego Akok Kacuol with NEC secretary-general Gabriel Bol Deng Majok, just three months before the Dec. 22 polls—sparking concerns about electoral preparations and voter confidence. Local Services & Community Life: Leer County in Unity State celebrated handover of new health and education facilities funded under the World Bank’s ECRP, including hospital wards and classrooms. Culture, Faith & Peacebuilding: The African Inland Church reaffirmed cooperation with Eastern Equatoria State to support peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion. Security & Everyday Safety: A 26-year-old boda boda rider was shot dead in Juba’s Khor William, with residents calling for stronger night patrols. Diplomacy: The UK appointed Rebecca Fabrizi as its next ambassador to South Sudan, expected to take up the role in early October.

Elections & Civic Space: President Salva Kiir has replaced National Elections Commission chair Abednego Akok Kacuol with NEC secretary-general Gabriel Bol Deng Majok, just three months before the Dec. 22 polls—raising fresh worries about voter confidence and whether preparations can stay on track. Human Rights & Media: A rights group says political and media space remains restricted ahead of elections, documenting arrests, detentions, and limits on journalists and civil society. Humanitarian & Food Culture: WFP warns “super El Niño” plus conflict and shrinking aid could push 7.8 million people into acute hunger, with over a million at risk of losing food and nutrition support by October. Local Services & Community Life: Leer County in Unity State celebrated handover of new health and education facilities, while in Rumbek SPLM leaders paid delayed salaries for unpaid health workers. Public Safety: A Northern Bahr el Ghazal governor urged new police recruits to avoid drugs and misconduct as they train. Health Preparedness: South Sudan formed a national Ebola task force to strengthen border surveillance and early warning as risks rise in neighboring countries. Education & Skills: An Egyptian vocational academy in Juba is expanding agricultural training and plans for a seed bank and research center to boost food security. Diplomacy: The UK appointed Rebecca Jane Fabrizi as its new ambassador to South Sudan.

Food Security & Hunger: WFP warns “super El Niño” is already worsening South Sudan’s hunger, with 7.8 million people facing acute food insecurity and funding shortfalls threatening food aid for two million people unless resources surge. Humanitarian Access: UNICEF says conflict has cut off communities in Jonglei for months, restoring aid to Wiechjol and Waat but stressing conditions can deteriorate fast without safe, predictable access. Elections & Civic Space: Rights defenders report restrictions on media and activists ahead of December polls, while UN experts say credible elections remain hard to achieve amid missing safeguards. Governance & Health Workers: SPLM leaders in Lakes and Rumbek paid $21,000 to unpaid health workers, highlighting chronic salary delays and the strain on women’s and maternity services. Public Health: South Sudan forms a national Ebola task force to strengthen border preparedness as Uganda and DRC face outbreaks. Culture & Community: In Karamoja, a regional cultural gathering framed peacebuilding and pastoral livelihoods as shared responsibilities across Ateker communities. Human Interest: A 78-year-old man in Juba and his wife welcomed triplets, sparking online support appeals. Safety & Violence: A militia-linked attack in CAR is described as a warning about partnership perils, while South Sudan also records deadly incidents including an ambush in Mundri West.

Election Rights Under Pressure: A South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network says civic and political space is restricted ahead of December polls, documenting arbitrary arrests and detention of activists and journalists, plus media and civil society curbs. Health Workers’ Pay Boost: SPLM secretary general Akol Paul Kordit gives $21,000 to 210 unpaid workers at Kiir Mayardit Women Hospital in Rumbek after months without salaries. Food Crisis Deepens: WFP warns a “super El Niño” and overlapping conflict and displacement are pushing 7.8 million people into acute hunger, with food assistance at risk of running out by October without new funding. Humanitarian Access in Jonglei: UNICEF reports restored aid to conflict-isolated communities in Jonglei after months of disrupted services, including malnutrition screening and emergency supplies. Education in the Election Season: South Sudan’s education calendar is adjusted so exam candidates can sit in November before December elections, but implementation must protect learning quality. Digital Skills in Rumbek: MTN South Sudan opens an ICT hub in Rumbek to train young people and expand access to digital jobs. Rainmaking Under Climate Stress: A feature highlights how climate change is straining traditional rainmakers’ roles, sometimes leading to violence when drought persists. Local Politics and Mobilisation: SPLM urges Lakes State voters to support President Kiir as voter registration preparations continue.

Anticipatory Action Dialogue: South Sudan’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs convened a three-day National Dialogue Platform in Juba (14–16 Sept) to shift disaster response toward early action for predictable droughts and floods, aiming to adopt a Juba Joint Communiqué and strengthen coordination. Humanitarian Access in Jonglei: UNICEF says conflict-isolated communities in Jonglei (Wiechjol and Waat) finally received life-saving support after months of constrained access, including malnutrition screening and treatment for children. Elections & Civic Space: The South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network marks the International Day of Democracy by warning that democracy is more than voting—citizens must be able to speak, assemble, access information, and hold leaders accountable without fear. Church Peace Legacy: An apostolic message urges South Sudan’s church leaders to carry forward Bishop Gasi’s legacy of peace, linking leadership to staying close to Christ. Local Politics in Lakes: Lakes State’s education coalition calls for more funding and accountability over unpaid teachers and shortages, while SPLM leaders mobilize voters ahead of December elections. Security & Community Life: A police ambush in Mundri West left at least three dead and a vehicle burned, while MTN opened an ICT hub in Rumbek to train young people in digital skills. Culture & Environment: A new report warns South Sudan’s forests are vanishing fast, driven by fuelwood, charcoal, farming, and urban energy demand—communities must lead the fight. Diaspora Spotlight: A South Sudanese student detained by ICE at Tweed New Haven Airport in the U.S. highlights ongoing immigration pressures on students and families.

Humanitarian Access: UNICEF says it and partners restored life-saving aid to conflict-isolated communities in Jonglei (Wiechjol and Waat), warning that mothers and children are left hanging when access stays constrained. Elections & Civic Prep: Unity State’s election committee received 1,300 voter registration books from Juba, as preparations for December polls continue. Education & Accountability: Lakes State’s education coalition is pushing for more funding after reports of unpaid teachers, overcrowded classrooms, and missing learning materials. Women’s Support: A new women’s centre opened in Aweil West to offer training, business support, and gender-based violence prevention, with EU and Germany backing. Environment & Livelihoods: South Sudan’s forests are vanishing fast, and communities are urged to lead protection efforts as fuelwood, charcoal, and farming pressure grows. Conflict & Safety: A police vehicle was ambushed and burned in Mundri West, killing at least three, as Western Equatoria reports more insecurity. Community Needs: A 78-year-old man in Juba is appealing for help after his wife gave birth to triplets, with families struggling to cover milk, diapers, clothing, and medical care.

UN Rights Warning: The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan says renewed violence, impunity, and political tension are putting civilians at growing risk and threatening the December elections and transition. Women’s Livelihoods: A new women’s centre opened in Aweil West, offering training, business support, and gender-based violence prevention. Education Through Play: Plan International launched a four-year “Play Matters” project in Eastern Equatoria to help about 26,000 learners through play-based learning. Drought Pressure: Eastern Equatoria warns prolonged drought and insecurity are driving people and livestock to move, straining water and pasture and hitting women, children, and the elderly hardest. Elections Update: Cabinet approved amendments to the National Elections Act, restoring 2010 geographical constituencies and setting up a 332-member National Legislative Assembly. Culture & Community: In Iowa City, an African Festival of Arts and Culture returns with music, dance, food, and art celebrating African communities. Royal Ties: South Sudan’s Azande king arrives in Uganda to pay tribute to Tooro’s late King Oyo, highlighting cross-border cultural links.