AGP Executive Report

Housing & Urban Growth: Central Equatoria signed a partnership with Ethiopia’s Federal Housing Corporation to boost housing construction and urban planning in Juba, with officials promising quick implementation. Ebola Watch: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak rose to 689 confirmed cases and 139 deaths, with new infections and deaths reported in Ituri and response hampered by community resistance, limited treatment capacity, and funding gaps. Public Health & Politics: As campaign season heats up, a youth leader says “Oyee” should mean medicines, functioning schools, electricity, and roads—not just party handouts. Skills for Jobs: STEMpower South Sudan graduated 180 students from a four-month digital skills program across six STEM centers, aiming to support youth economic independence. Security in Eastern Equatoria: Two soldiers were killed and community police were reported missing after an ambush that killed Kapoeta East County Commissioner Stephen Lomongin. Refugees as Economic Actors: UN and government officials urged South Sudan to back refugee entrepreneurship with finance, skills, and market access. Elections Budget: The Economic Cluster approved an SSP 11.335 trillion budget framework for 2026/27 focused on food security, economic diversification, and sustainable peace. Travel Curbs: Israel imposed Ebola-related travel restrictions affecting nationals from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and DR Congo. Rights & Accountability: Amnesty says a South Sudanese whistleblower abducted in Kenya is being held in a military detention facility in Juba.

Ebola Response: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak is worsening, with confirmed cases rising to 689 and 139 deaths, as Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu report new infections amid community resistance to testing, limited care capacity and a funding gap. Travel Curbs: Israel has imposed Ebola-linked travel restrictions affecting travellers linked to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and the DRC, with airlines told to deny boarding for people who recently visited the listed countries. Elections & Service Delivery: As South Sudan’s December 2026 campaign heats up, voters in Twic are pushing back on “red T-shirts” politics, saying “Oyee” should mean medicines, functioning schools, electricity and roads. Budget & Food Security: The Economic Cluster approved an SSP 11.335 trillion budget for 2026/27, prioritising agriculture, resilience, food security and sustainable peace before it goes to the Council of Ministers and parliament. Refugees as Entrepreneurs: UNHCR and partners urged South Sudan to back refugees as investors and business owners, not just aid recipients, calling for access to finance and markets. Security Incident: Two soldiers were killed and community police were reported missing after an ambush on Kapoeta East Commissioner Stephen Lomongin. Rights & Detention: Amnesty says a South Sudanese whistleblower abducted in Kenya is being held in a military detention facility in Juba after alleged unlawful deportation. Oil & Environment: Kenya’s offshore oil licensing plans drew criticism over risks to coral reefs, mangroves and coastal protected areas. Online Disruption: A major Facebook outage hit users worldwide, disrupting news access and online business activity in South Sudan.

Refugees as economic drivers: In Juba, UNHCR and government officials urged South Sudan to back refugees as entrepreneurs and investors, not just aid recipients, calling for access to finance, skills, markets and private-sector support for displaced people and host communities. Budget for food security and growth: South Sudan’s Economic Cluster approved an SSP 11.335 trillion budget for 2026/27, with agriculture highlighted as a key priority before the plan goes to the Council of Ministers and the legislature. Abduction claims in Kenya, detention in Juba: Amnesty says South Sudanese whistleblower Athorbey Al-Gaddhaffy-Dit, abducted in Nairobi, is unlawfully held at a military detention facility in Juba after alleged deportation. Parliament vehicle re-registration: The Transitional National Legislative Assembly ordered MPs using its vehicle registration numbers to re-register within two weeks to improve accountability and transparency. Elections-focused youth message: A Twic County youth leader told politicians that “Oyee” should mean medicines, functioning schools, electricity and roads—not campaign handouts. Human rights debate abroad: Delegates at a global human rights forum in Beijing praised China’s “development first” approach, drawing international attention to how rights are framed and delivered. World Cup controversy spills over: FIFA faced criticism over empty seats at opening matches, while broader debate continues around racism and visa barriers affecting fans from several countries, including South Sudan. Facebook outage hits public life: A major Facebook service disruption reportedly affected logins, feeds and messaging, disrupting news and online business updates in South Sudan.

Elections & Governance: President Salva Kiir returned to Juba after a week-long Bahr el Ghazal tour, using public rallies to urge peace, farming investment, and preparation for December 2026 elections—while residents in Aweil Center complained of shortages in schools, healthcare, and clean water. Parliament & Accountability: South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly ordered MPs with National Legislative Assembly-registered vehicles to undergo mandatory re-registration for two weeks, saying it will improve efficiency and transparency. Nasir Trial Fallout: In Riek Machar’s suspended-vice president trial, lawmaker Gatwech Lam Puoch named senior officials he says fueled tensions around the March violence in Nasir County through inflammatory statements. Detention & Rights: The family of abducted businessman Athorbey Al-Gaddhaffy-Dit confirmed he is held in military intelligence detention at Giada in Juba, after he was taken from Nairobi. Health Support: WHO delivered blood bank refrigerators to Wau and Aweil hospitals and installed solar power at Aweil Teaching Hospital to strengthen emergency care and reduce power disruptions. Care Economy: The Gender Ministry and UN Women launched an assessment of South Sudan’s unpaid care work to tackle gender inequality and improve women’s economic opportunities. Ebola Preparedness: The UK contributed $650,000 via WHO to boost South Sudan’s Ebola surveillance, labs, and frontline response capacity. Humanitarian & Refugees: UNHCR reported global refugee numbers fell to 41.6 million in 2025, but millions remain displaced; locally, INKOMOKO marked World Refugee Day in Juba by promoting refugee entrepreneurship over aid dependence.

Health & Infrastructure: WHO delivered blood bank refrigerators to Wau and Aweil hospitals and installed solar power at Aweil Teaching Hospital to improve safe blood storage and reduce power disruptions. Human Rights & Safety: A family says abducted businessman Athorbey Al-Gaddhaffy-Dit is being held in military intelligence detention at Giada in Juba after he was taken from Nairobi; authorities deny knowing details, raising fresh fears for due process. Gender Equality: South Sudan’s Gender Ministry and UN Women launched an assessment of the care economy to measure how unpaid childcare, eldercare and domestic work drive gender inequality and limit women’s education and jobs. Food Security: Save the Children warns hunger is deepening in Jonglei as conflict disrupts aid, with families surviving on leaves and water lilies and children pulled from school. Governance & Civic Space: The Relief and Rehabilitation Commission ordered registered associations to refrain from political activities, stressing neutrality under the NGOs Act. Economy & Services: A cash shortage is disrupting private schools in Central Equatoria, with banks limiting withdrawals and delaying exam preparation and basic operations.

Oil Transparency Push: A South Sudan civil society leader welcomed higher crude output to 174,000 barrels per day, but warned that transparency must go beyond production figures to include how much revenue is earned. Budget & Security Spending: The Economic Cluster endorsed a 2026/27 budget of Shs11.335 trillion, with priorities including agriculture for food security plus mining and livestock support, alongside broader resilience plans. Cash Crunch Hits Schools: Private schools in Central Equatoria say a liquidity shortage is trapping money in banks, limiting exam preparation, utilities, and printing. Humanitarian Alarm in Jonglei: Save the Children warns hunger is worsening in Jonglei as families survive on leaves and water lilies, with violence disrupting aid and education. Politics & Elections: Opposition leader Dr. Lam Akol returned to Juba from medical treatment in Jordan, saying his party is ready for December elections if civic space and a clear timetable are guaranteed. Civil Society Curbs: The Relief and Rehabilitation Commission ordered registered associations to refrain from political activities, stressing neutrality under the NGOs Act. Ebola Preparedness: Kenya’s doctors’ body issued urgent Ebola guidance to isolate suspected cases immediately and heighten clinical vigilance. Cross-Border Rights Concern: A South Sudanese man abducted in Nairobi has been deported to Juba and held in military detention, raising fears of forced return and calls for access to family and legal counsel.

Elections Watch: President Salva Kiir reaffirmed South Sudan will hold general elections in December 2026, saying the campaign will start in July and urging presidential hopefuls to declare early. Investment Push: The Juba Special Economic Zone says it is stepping up efforts to attract investors, holding talks with a U.S. firm on trade, infrastructure support and private-sector collaboration. Justice Access: UNDP and the Judiciary launched a 30-day mobile GBV and Juvenile Court at Juba Central Prison to clear backlogs and bring survivor-centered justice closer to communities. Security & Compliance: The National Security Service warned the public against unauthorised manufacture, sale, possession or wearing of NSS uniforms and insignia, citing risks of impersonation and public harm. Regional Politics: Parliament Speaker Joseph Paciko Ngere travelled to Tanzania for preparations for the EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games, aimed at boosting regional cooperation. Ebola Preparedness: The U.S. announced an extra $20 million (Ksh2.59bn) for Ebola preparedness in Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan, including surveillance, border screening and medical supplies. Humanitarian Trends: UNHCR reported global forced displacement fell for the first time in a decade, but 117.8 million people remain forcibly displaced worldwide.

Elections & Governance: President Salva Kiir told supporters in Aweil that South Sudan will hold general elections in December 2026, with the campaign set to start in July, warning against any extension of the transition. Justice & Rights: UNDP and the Judiciary launched a GBV and Juvenile Mobile Court at Juba Central Prison, running for 30 days from June 11 to July 22 to speed up survivor-centered cases and reduce backlogs. Security & Compliance: The National Security Service warned the public to stop the unauthorized manufacture, sale, possession, and use of military uniforms and insignia, saying it fuels impersonation and criminal activity. Regional Politics: Parliament Speaker Joseph Paciko Ngere traveled to Tanzania to prepare for the 2026 EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games in Mogadishu. Economy & Investment: The Juba Special Economic Zone met U.S. investors to boost trade and industrial partnerships, while the AfDB said South Sudan will benefit from new regional development projects. Humanitarian Crisis: Save the Children warned that families in Jonglei are increasingly surviving on leaves and water lilies as conflict and hunger push parts of the state toward famine. Cross-border Safety: A South Sudanese businessman was reported abducted in Nairobi, with rights groups urging Kenya to use due process rather than forced return.

U.S.-Norway Diplomacy: The U.S. and Norway urged South Sudan’s leaders to restart direct political dialogue and improve how public revenue is managed, linking the call to wider Sudan diplomacy. AfDB Regional Projects: South Sudan’s finance ministry met the African Development Bank on new regional development plans, alongside progress on electricity distribution, agriculture, climate resilience, and economic diversification. Famine Warning in Jonglei: Save the Children says families in Jonglei are surviving on leaves and water lilies as violence suspends aid and floods worsen hunger, with thousands of children out of school and at risk of malnutrition. Ebola and Travel Pressure: The U.S. is pushing Europe to impose Ebola travel restrictions tied to the World Cup, while the U.S. already bars entry to noncitizens recently in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan. Water Access Plan: South Sudan’s water ministry says it will build 500 “water yards” to expand clean-water access and reduce flood impacts across all states. Election Governance: The Political Parties Council warned parties to submit audited financial reports by early July and the NSS warned against unauthorized use of its uniforms.

Ebola Border Pressure: The Trump administration urged Europe to impose travel restrictions on people recently in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan as the World Cup approaches, after the U.S. already barred noncitizens with recent travel to those countries from entering and is pushing overseas screening to keep Ebola from reaching the U.S. Humanitarian Funding Shift: After USAID cuts, the U.S. State Department announced it will award Catholic Relief Services more than $240 million for food, water, health, sanitation, and shelter, including support tied to the Ebola response. Local Health & Security: In Jonglei, Save the Children says families are increasingly surviving on leaves and water lilies as conflict and hunger worsen, with millions facing acute hunger and many children needing treatment for malnutrition. Elections & Governance: South Sudan’s Political Parties Council warned registered parties to submit audited financial reports by the first week of July or face penalties, while the National Security Service warned against unauthorized manufacture and use of its uniforms. Water Access Plan: South Sudan’s water ministry says it plans to build 500 “water yards” nationwide to improve clean-water access and reduce flood impacts. Youth Leadership: YPLS Africa launched its 13th cohort in Liberia with participants including South Sudanese youth, focusing on ethical governance and democratic renewal.

National Security: South Sudan’s NSS warns it will arrest and prosecute anyone manufacturing, selling, possessing, or wearing its uniforms or insignia without authorization, targeting tailors and businesses that produce and trade the items. Ebola Watch: The DRC reports Ebola deaths rising to 101 as armed groups continue to limit access; WHO also praised Uganda’s response while urging it to ease border restrictions. Elections vs Health: An opinion piece argues citizens’ safety must come before election politics as Ebola risks importation into South Sudan. Politics & Courts: In the Nasir attack case, a close associate of Riek Machar denies sharing classified information or financing activities tied to the March 2025 incident. Governance & Capacity: UNDP and AfDB hand over laptops to South Sudan institutions to strengthen data use for economic planning and oversight. Local Economy: Farmers in Yei call for tools, storage, and transport support to boost food production amid rising food insecurity. Security Administration: Western Equatoria’s police commissioner is transferred, with a new commissioner expected to arrive.

Ebola Response: WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Uganda’s handling of the Ebola outbreak linked to DR Congo, saying border screening, surveillance, testing and case management are working—while urging Uganda to ease border restrictions that he says hurt the economy. Regional Health Aid: UNICEF says it has rushed more than 100 metric tons of emergency supplies to DR Congo, including PPE, medicines and WASH materials, as the outbreak remains “highly concerning.” Elections & Politics: Analysts say President Salva Kiir’s Bahr el Ghazal tour looks like early election positioning ahead of December 2026, aimed at strengthening loyalty networks in a key SPLM stronghold. Party Preparedness: In Juba, the Political Parties Council launched a five-day workshop to help registered parties prepare for the general elections, including governance, conflict resolution and digital operations. Governance & Security: Co-operative Bank of South Sudan hosted a Northern Bahr el Ghazal forum to boost food security, market access and jobs through the co-operative model. Diplomacy: Ethiopia concluded a five-day diplomatic training program for South Sudanese diplomats in Addis Ababa, covering modern diplomacy, negotiation and peacekeeping. Health & Services: Kiir’s medical team provided free treatment at Akon Hospital in Warrap, reporting hundreds of patients seen for illnesses including pneumonia and malaria. Local Economy: Farmers in Yei River County called for more support—tools, storage and transport—to raise food production and cut rising household hunger.

Ebola & Border Controls: Mauritius has temporarily banned entry for foreigners who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days, while residents and citizens can enter but must undergo a mandatory 21-day quarantine; the move follows the WHO-declared Ebola emergency in eastern DRC and rising regional screening. Public Health Pressure: The UN warns the Hormuz crisis and war-linked supply disruptions are feeding into a wider food crisis, with hunger risks spreading beyond the Middle East and hitting vulnerable communities. Peacekeeping & Safety: The UN marked the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, honoring more than 4,500 fallen blue helmets over 78 years, as attacks continue to endanger missions. Detention & Rights in South Sudan: Aweil East youth petitioned President Kiir to release three former senior officials held for months without charge, while another youth association in Juba called for the release of six detainees held since late 2025/early 2026. Oil Transparency: Civil society activist Edmund Yakani urged South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum to disclose oil revenue figures, not just production, and push earnings into productive sectors like agriculture.

Ebola Response & Travel Curbs: Mauritius temporarily banned entry for foreign nationals who recently traveled to, transited through, or stayed in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan, while allowing residents and citizens back with a mandatory 21-day quarantine and enhanced screening—UAE also introduced related travel restrictions. Public Health Pressure in the US: The CDC expanded Ebola airport screening to Atlanta (adding to Dulles) and issued a separate Los Angeles alert tied to medical tourism. South Sudan Detention Watch: Aweil East youth petitioned President Kiir to release three former senior officials held for months without charge, while Twic Mayardit youth demanded the release of six detainees held since late 2025/early 2026. Oil & Economy Accountability: Civil society activist Edmund Yakani urged the Ministry of Petroleum to disclose oil export revenue, not just production figures. Healthcare Support: Nilepet donated hygiene and sanitation supplies to Juba Teaching Hospital to boost infection prevention. Digital Finance: DigiCash and Inkomoko launched a partnership to expand mobile-based services for small businesses amid cash shortages.

Ebola Response and Travel Curbs: Mauritius temporarily banned entry for foreign nationals who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the last 21 days, while allowing citizens and legal residents to enter but requiring a 21-day quarantine; the UAE also introduced Ebola-linked travel restrictions for passengers from the same countries, tightening screening as the outbreak continues to worry the region. Cross-Border Trade Hit: Uganda’s border closure with the DRC over Ebola fears is leaving traders with rotting goods and mounting losses, as trucks are stuck at Mpondwe and other points. Health Aid Funding: The U.S. announced nearly $38 million more for Ebola response in the DRC and Uganda, bringing its direct contribution to over $200 million, alongside earlier humanitarian support that includes South Sudan. Oil Sector Labor Pressure: Oil workers’ unions in South Sudan are resisting a directive tied to contributions to the National Social Insurance Fund, saying legal steps were skipped. Elections and Peace: President Salva Kiir urged mass voter registration ahead of December 2026 elections, calling elections the “only pathway” to a peaceful transition. Reintegration Story: Four women, eight men and two children—14 former LRA captives—returned from Juba to Uganda for rehabilitation after years in captivity, welcomed with Acholi cultural ceremonies.

Ebola Response and Border Fallout: Mauritius temporarily bans entry for foreigners arriving from, transiting through, or staying in DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the last 21 days, with returning residents allowed but forced into a 21-day quarantine; the UAE also imposes travel restrictions over Ebola risk, while Uganda’s border closure with Congo is disrupting traders and leaving goods rotting at Mpondwe. U.S. Funding Boost: The U.S. announces nearly $38 million more for Ebola containment in DRC and Uganda, bringing its direct contribution above $200 million, as South Sudan says it has no Ebola cases and intensifies border monitoring. Oil Workers vs Social Insurance Fund: Oil-sector unions in South Sudan call for suspending a National Social Insurance Fund directive, arguing legal steps like a board of trustees and required procedures were not followed. Digital Finance Push: DigiCash and Inkomoko partner to expand mobile money access for small businesses, targeting cash shortages by enabling loans, payments, and transfers via wallets and retail outlets. Elections and Peace: President Kiir urges mass voter registration ahead of December 2026 elections, saying elections are the only path to a peaceful transition.