AGP Executive Report

Ebola Alert: South Sudan has heightened surveillance after Kenya confirmed an imported Ebola case. No cases have been detected in South Sudan; screening is underway at Juba airport and in 15 high-risk counties. Security: Church leaders are demanding a nationwide ceasefire and an end to arming young people, warning that killings, abductions and displacement are spreading across several states and disrupting aid access. Election Readiness: December 22 polls face major hurdles: voter registration has not begun, and the elections commission has received only $27 million of the $250 million it says it needs. Trade Tensions: Juba County’s commissioner says foreigners are not being ordered to leave, but small-scale retail should be reserved for South Sudanese. Uganda has urged South Sudan to protect lawful foreign businesses and address concerns through dialogue. Humanitarian Crisis: Aid shortages are worsening, with food stocks running low and a convoy in Jonglei reportedly forced to offload 162 metric tons of food aid.

Trade Tensions: Uganda has urged South Sudan to protect lawful foreign businesses after Juba authorities moved to reserve small-scale retail for South Sudanese. Juba County Commissioner Kalisto Ladu denies ordering foreigners to leave, but Ugandan traders say they fear restrictions. Election Readiness: South Sudan’s December 22 vote faces major hurdles: voter registration has not begun, and the Elections Commission has received only $27 million of the $250 million it says it needs. The commission is seeking Church support for a peaceful process. Security: Church leaders are calling for a nationwide ceasefire and an end to arming young people, warning that violence across several states is killing and displacing civilians and obstructing aid. Humanitarian Crisis: Food stocks in Malakal have plunged from 10,000 tonnes a year ago to fewer than 300, while the World Food Programme warns more than one million people could lose food and nutrition assistance.

Humanitarian Crisis: WFP warns South Sudan’s food stocks are collapsing as needs rise, with Malakal’s supplies dropping from 10,000 metric tonnes to under 300 tonnes, and over a million vulnerable people at risk of losing life-saving aid by October. Aid Access Under Fire: In Jonglei’s Ayod County, armed youth blocked a river convoy and forced WFP to offload 162.54 metric tonnes of food meant for 4,400 people. Health System Strain: Only 11% of health facilities are highly functional, while Northern Bahr el Ghazal faces closures after aid cuts, leaving women and children with fewer places to get care. Election Readiness & Governance: South Sudan says it has completed legal steps for December polls, with Kiir urging dialogue and Kenya pledging support; meanwhile Central Equatoria’s caretaker governor orders ministers to protect public resources and prepare for peaceful voting. Local Economy Pressure: Juba County caretaker commissioner Kalisto Ladu warns foreigners off small-scale retail, targeting chapati, onions, tomatoes and boda boda trade, while Ugandan traders say they’re panicking after notices. Regional Politics & Security: Church leaders call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to youth arming as violence disrupts humanitarian access across multiple states. Climate & Food Prices: Weather updates point to relatively cooler pockets in parts of Equatoria, but food insecurity remains severe as conflict and dry conditions drive displacement.

Disease Response Cuts: CDC offices in Angola and South Sudan have closed, with Zimbabwe set to shut later this year, as the U.S. “America First” approach shrinks overseas public health presence. Local Economy Protection: Juba County caretaker commissioner Kalisto Ladu ordered foreign nationals to stop small-scale retail trading in Juba, including chapati stalls and boda bodas, saying retail should be reserved for South Sudanese while foreigners focus on wholesale. Elections Prep in Central Equatoria: Caretaker Governor Augustino Jadalla Kamilo Wani told commissioners to prioritize security, peace, voter readiness, and to reach out to holdout groups ahead of the 22 December polls. Humanitarian Access Under Fire: WFP condemned armed youth blocking a Jonglei river convoy, forcing 162.54 metric tons of food offloading in Ayod County. Health System Strain: Only 11% of health facilities are highly functional, while funding gaps are pushing closures and worsening access to care. Security and Ceasefire Call: The South Sudan Council of Churches demanded an immediate nationwide ceasefire and an end to youth mobilisation and arming amid violence across multiple states. UN Peacekeeping Update: UNMISS built a police post in Yambio to improve detention conditions, including gender- and status-separate cells.

Refugee Policy Critique: A new report says the White House is on track to resettle zero refugees fleeing religious persecution in the latest fiscal year, drawing sharp criticism as persecution remains high worldwide. China–Trade Boost: China’s expanded zero-tariff access is expected to open new opportunities for South Sudanese products entering the Chinese market. Trade & Finance Pressure: South Sudan’s Trade Ministry urged banks to form a banking union and speed up digital banking as a cash shortage keeps disrupting withdrawals and trade; Equity Bank met the ministry over the crisis. Health Update: The Ministry of Health says 850,000 malaria cases were treated with first-line medicines in the first half of 2026. Humanitarian Access Blocked: WFP condemned an incident in Jonglei where armed youth forced offloading of food aid meant for thousands in Mogok. Elections & Stability: Returnees from Uganda’s settlements in Morobo and elsewhere called for peace and security so they can vote in December 2026. Education Woes: Teachers in Yei River County demanded better pay, working conditions, and regular training as salary delays push some out of the profession. Security & Local Economy: Traders in Morobo urged the new caretaker commissioner to prioritize security to protect goods and revive cross-border commerce. Climate Risk: UN warns Bentiu flooding could submerge up to 50,000 people as hydrological crisis deepens.

Elections & Diplomacy: President Salva Kiir has travelled to Kenya for high-level talks with President William Ruto, with discussions expected to focus on South Sudan’s December 22 elections and regional stability. Humanitarian Access: WFP condemned a security incident in Jonglei’s Ayod County where armed youth forced the offloading of 162.54 metric tons of food meant for 4,400 people, calling for protection of aid workers and civilians. Returnees & Peace: Returnees from Uganda urged Kiir’s caretaker administration to restore peace and security so they can rebuild and vote, citing worsening conditions in refugee settlements. Food Security Crisis: Boma County in Greater Pibor remains in emergency acute food insecurity, with localized catastrophe pockets during lean periods, as malnutrition pressures continue nationwide. Climate & Flood Risk: UN warns Bentiu’s flooding has become a permanent hydrological crisis, with El Niño-linked rains from October to February raising fears of dykes failing. Local Governance & Security: In Morobo, traders called on the new caretaker commissioner to prioritize security to protect goods and boost cross-border trade with Uganda and the DRC. Women & Food Insecurity: UN Women warned 11.7 million more women and girls across 28 countries could face food insecurity by end-2026, including South Sudan. Arts & Jobs: South Sudan Artistes Union received $11,000 studio equipment to set up a recording studio offering free or affordable services to members.

Food Security Crisis: South Sudan’s Boma County in Greater Pibor remains in emergency acute food insecurity, with IPC Phase 4 overall and pockets reaching catastrophe during lean periods, as millions of children and pregnant or breastfeeding women across the country face malnutrition. Elections & Political Space: Canada says it is funding South Sudan’s December election preparations but warns key safeguards are missing, citing repression and narrowed civic space that could undermine credibility and raise conflict risks. Oil & Economy: South Sudan’s oil exports are still being hit by the Sudan war, with production and revenue disrupted as crude relies on routes through Port Sudan, while the petroleum ministry also meets partners to boost investment and production. Regional Diplomacy: President Salva Kiir travels to Kenya for talks on elections, regional stability, and economic cooperation, including the Lamu refinery’s role for South Sudan. Western Equatoria Governance: Caretaker Governor Badagbu appoints commissioners for all ten counties, while Adut Salva Kiir’s office donates Land Cruisers to strengthen state service delivery. Local Security & Community: A Kajo-Keji chief detained in Uganda for nearly ten months is released and handed back at the border, and Morobo swears in a caretaker commissioner amid ongoing cross-border insecurity.

Oil & Diplomacy: President Salva Kiir has travelled to Kenya for talks with President William Ruto on bilateral cooperation, election preparations and how South Sudan and Kenya will work around the newly launched Lamu refinery. Regional Energy Politics: Uganda’s Museveni backed Dangote’s Kenya refinery but said Kampala is not committing money yet, pointing to the need to clarify a proposed Tanga refinery status first. Elections & Parties: SPLM has opened nominations for December polls (Oct. 5–9) as an internal party candidate-selection exercise ahead of the NEC-run vote on Dec. 22. Security & Governance: Western Equatoria’s caretaker governor met the Chief of Defence Forces on force integration and security coordination, while the state received five Toyota Land Cruisers from Adut Salva Kiir. Oil Sector Watch: South Sudan says Sudan’s war is choking its crude exports, cutting production and threatening revenue as exports rely on Port Sudan. Humanitarian & Food: Reports warn food insecurity will worsen across the region, with El Niño-linked drought risks and rising prices. Sports & Society: A South Sudanese wheelchair athlete in Kenya plans to run the Nairobi Marathon on Oct. 25 to fund custom wheelchairs for children.

Oil Revival: South Sudan’s petroleum comeback is gathering pace as production rises and Juba pushes for fresh investment, better recovery from ageing fields, and more domestic refining, with Petroleum Undersecretary Dr. Santino Ayuel Longar and the African Energy Chamber backing the drive. Elections Watch: SPLM opens nominations for December polls from Oct. 5–9 in Juba, while opposition parties reject President Salva Kiir’s national dialogue, raising new hurdles for the Dec. 22 vote. Court Update: South Sudan’s Special Court rules Riek Machar can present his defence orally, with the trial set to resume Oct. 7. Economy & Currency: Bank of South Sudan data shows gross international reserves plunged to about five days of import cover, far below the EAC benchmark. Standards & Digital Services: SSNBS unveils progress on an ERP system in Juba and highlights ISO engagement in Paris. Humanitarian & Food Security: UN aid chief Tom Fletcher releases $160m for underfunded crises including South Sudan, as food insecurity risks deepen across the region. Local Governance: Caretaker commissioners are sworn in for Juba County and Yei River County, as Yei Teachers Training College marks 25 years. Regional Ties: Russia and South Sudan pledge stronger cooperation, while Germany funds women-and-girls projects in Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal.

Food Security Alarm: A new warning says an East Africa food crisis is building, with Somalia’s hunger deepening and children in South Sudan and Sudan facing worsening risk as drought, conflict and aid cuts bite. Riek Machar Court Update: South Sudan’s Special Court ruled Machar can present his defence orally, rejecting a bid to confine him to a written statement, with trial resuming 7 October. Elections Stumble: Opposition parties rejected President Kiir’s national dialogue, saying it’s controlled by the ruling party, as election preparations for 22 December face fresh friction. Forex Pressure: The Bank of South Sudan reports gross international reserves fell to about five days of import cover, far below the EAC benchmark. Standards Go Digital: The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards unveiled progress on an ERP system in Juba and engaged on standards work at ISO in Paris. Local Appointments & Loss: Yei River County named Emmanuel Taban Seme caretaker commissioner, while the body of late Major General John Hakim Elia Soro arrived in Yei for burial. Humanitarian Support: ICRC and the South Sudan Red Cross distributed tools and seeds to 800 farming families in Lainya to restart livelihoods. Regional Shock: Ebola deaths in DR Congo rose to 4,018 as the outbreak worsens amid conflict and weak response capacity.

Caretaker Politics: Juba County caretaker commissioner Kalisto Ladu Nyigilo was sworn in and vowed to stay neutral as South Sudan prepares for the 22 December 2026 elections, saying caretaker officials will organize communities for voting without bias. Elections Readiness & Safety: The caretaker Interior Minister warned Juba has only two firefighting vehicles, highlighting urgent gaps in Civil Defence ahead of elections. Food Security: UN Women says the Middle East crisis could push an extra 11.7 million women and girls into food insecurity by end-2026, with South Sudan facing the highest proportional risk (about one in seven women and girls). Women & Business: Ecobank says it will expand credit to women-owned businesses, including in South Sudan, targeting $2bn for women entrepreneurs by 2030. Health Crisis: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 4,000 deaths as conflict and weak systems hamper response, with a UN report of a burned transit centre forcing thousands to flee. Regional Integration: EAC consultations in Rumbek gathered civil society and women’s groups to shape a proposed EAC political confederation constitution. Tax & Telecoms: Zain, MTN and Digitel were directed to settle tax arrears in cash, as the government pushes to ease a liquidity crunch. Trade & Deals: South Sudan and Turkey move to implement a 2017 trade and economic cooperation agreement covering mining, fisheries, agriculture and energy. Child Protection: Central Equatoria traditional chiefs committed to intensify efforts to end child marriage and protect girls.

Oil & Regional Trade: South Sudan’s Ambassador to Kenya urged Nairobi to cut costly trade barriers, spotlighting high customs bond fees and delays that hit South Sudanese traders, as the two countries push smoother cross-border business. Elections & Peace: The African Union called for the release of political detainees, an end to hostilities, and a consensual electoral roadmap ahead of South Sudan’s December vote, with AU leaders meeting under the C5 Plus framework. Humanitarian Funding: UN OCHA says donors have contributed nearly $1.2 billion for South Sudan humanitarian action, including over $980 million for the South Sudan Crisis Response Plan. Health & Food Security: WHO data shows South Sudan among the countries with the highest cholera caseloads, with children under five making up a large share of cases. Security & Community Response: In Yei, a former youth leader raised alarm over rising murder, robbery and rape, questioning community and rights groups’ silence and calling for action. Sports & Community: The Watoto Juba City Marathon is set for Oct 3 with 21km, 10km and 5km races supporting vulnerable women’s entrepreneurship. Standards & Development: South Sudan’s National Bureau of Standards is engaging at the ISO General Assembly in Paris to strengthen quality assurance and market integration.

Standards & Trade: South Sudan’s National Bureau of Standards says its Executive Director is in Paris for the ISO General Assembly, aiming to strengthen the country’s standards infrastructure and links to regional and international markets. Elections & Politics: The African Union, through its C5 Plus, urged South Sudan to release political detainees, end hostilities, and stick to a consensual electoral roadmap ahead of December polls. Sports & Youth: South Sudan Athletics Federation set Nov 27–29 for the 4th Athletics Republican Championships and scheduled state elections for Oct 1–31, with the federation elective assembly on Jan 5–6, 2027. Humanitarian Aid: UN OCHA reports donors have contributed nearly $1.2bn for humanitarian action in South Sudan, including $980m for the Crisis Response Plan. Security & Civilians: Western Equatoria says 78 civilians abducted along the Juba–Mundri road have been released after days in captivity. Regional Business: South Sudan and Uganda signed a one-stop border crossing deal to cut delays and costs for cross-border trade, including support for women traders. Oil & Industry: Caretaker Petroleum Minister Awow Daniel Chuang joined regional leaders in Kenya for the Lamu refinery groundbreaking, tied to the LAPSSET corridor and expected to boost regional energy access.

Elections & Peace: South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa urged South Sudan’s leaders to uphold the 2018 peace agreement as December elections near, warning that a ballot alone won’t secure peace and calling for swift action on remaining political, legal, technical and security issues. Caretaker Government: President Salva Kiir tasked additional caretaker ministers to strengthen service delivery and election readiness, while the ICT minister said the national broadcaster SSBC will give equal access to parties and focus on civic and voter education. AU Election Push: The African Union urged the government to resolve outstanding issues fast for free, fair and credible polls, after repeated delays and the recent dissolution of the transitional government. Women’s Justice: A police unit for sexual and gender-based violence in South Sudan is giving survivors a chance to be heard, as a court case highlights ongoing challenges and cultural barriers. Energy & Jobs: In Kenya, regional leaders backed the $16bn Dangote East Africa refinery in Lamu, targeting 700,000 barrels per day and promising tens of thousands of jobs—an industrial boost South Sudan’s oil corridor partners are watching closely. US Deportations Impact: The US Supreme Court allowed Trump’s third-country deportations to resume for now, with reports noting some deportations have included South Sudan.

Elections Watch: South Sudan told the UN General Assembly that “the ballot must replace the bullets,” pledging December 2026 polls will end the transition and be settled through democratic competition, while ceasefire monitors urged parties to exercise restraint and protect civilians. Women’s Political Participation: Women’s rights advocates in Juba urged South Sudanese women to contest elective posts and move from participation to leadership ahead of the December vote. Security & Small Arms: The government vowed to tackle operational challenges at the Bureau for Community Security and Small Arms Control, stressing its role in election-era public awareness. Peace & Humanitarian Planning: UNMISS said it may set up a temporary humanitarian base in Yei to support Ebola preparedness and community peacebuilding, alongside plans to improve sanitation and security infrastructure. International Support: China reaffirmed strong backing for South Sudan’s peace, stability and development. Regional Economy: Kenya’s Lamu refinery ground-breaking drew African leaders as Dangote pledged a 40-month timeline and 700,000 barrels per day—fueling hopes for regional trade that could include South Sudan’s oil supply routes. Health Alert: WHO reported cholera deaths rose 30% in 2025, with South Sudan among the hardest-hit countries. Human Rights: UN-linked reporting also highlighted the risks of US third-country deportations, including to South Sudan.

Elections Push: The African Union’s C5, with IGAD, urged South Sudan to speed up preparations for the 26 December polls, stressing that elections alone won’t secure peace and calling for security, funding, and a clear legal framework. Political Dialogue: President Salva Kiir’s government and regional leaders also backed renewed political dialogue and urged parties to resolve standoffs ahead of the vote. Diplomatic Appointments: Juba received news of ambassadorial changes as Spain’s new envoy was named for Angola, while new ambassadors were appointed for the Philippines, Madagascar, and South Sudan. Health & Borders: Canada extended Ebola-linked entry and immigration restrictions affecting DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan until 27 November 2026. Public Health Watch: WHO reported cholera deaths rose 30% in 2025, with South Sudan among the countries carrying a heavy share of the burden. Banking: The Bank of South Sudan retired 11 veteran staff at age 65, marking leadership transitions inside the central bank.