AGP Executive Report

Migration & Justice: South Sudanese teen asylum seeker Chan Atak, 19, was jailed for two years and three months in the UK for piloting an overcrowded “mega dinghy” across the English Channel carrying 165 migrants, including 31 children; prosecutors said the boat was deflating and one engine was not working. Security in Abyei: The UNISFA says at least 26 people were killed and 82 injured in clashes at Amiet Common Market in Abyei after separate killings of Ngok Dinka and Misseriya men; UNISFA reinforced security and urged dialogue to prevent reprisals. SSPDF Integration Orders: South Sudan’s army ordered Lou-Nuer armed groups and forces awaiting integration to report to designated assembly areas within 72 hours ahead of an integration committee. Regional Politics: South Sudan will consult citizens on the proposed EAC political confederation starting Sept. 23 in Juba, focusing on structure, cooperation, decision-making, governance and funding. Humanitarian & Food Risks: Lakes State officials and partners plan a crop-failure assessment after prolonged drought threatens harvests. Media & Safety: The National Press Club-South Sudan trained security personnel and journalists in Unity State on freedom of expression and protecting journalists. Sports & Investment: Juba’s sports ministry seeks Turkish-African investment in sports infrastructure, while MTN South Sudan expands broadband coverage.

Abyei Violence: UNISFA reports 26 people killed and 82 injured in fresh clashes at Amiet market after killings of Ngok Dinka and Misseriya men sparked renewed fighting in the disputed Abyei area; UN says it has reinforced security and is urging dialogue to stop reprisals. Elections Watch: South Sudan’s former elections chief Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol says his dismissal should not derail preparations for the Dec. 22 vote, urging continuity from the newly appointed NEC chair. Parliament Update: The National Elections Act, 2012 (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was tabled in the TNLA, including proposals on how the president and vice presidents would be handled during the election period. Local Governance: Juba City Council intensifies night waste collection along main roads, warning traders and residents not to dump waste in public places. Education & Health: Governor Adil approves Africa International University’s Juba campus plans; a Chinese medical mission continues treating patients at Juba Teaching Hospital using acupuncture and cupping. Food Security: WFP warns “Super El Niño” is deepening hunger, with 7.8 million South Sudanese facing acute food insecurity and possible further loss of aid access by October. Cross-Border Trade: South Sudan and Uganda sign an MoU to strengthen customs cooperation, including e-permit enforcement and information sharing.

Elections & Power Transition: South Sudan President Salva Kiir is set to retain executive powers as the transitional unity government moves toward dissolution, with the National Elections Act 2012 (Amendment) Bill 2026 tabled in parliament—keeping the incumbent in office during the election period while vice-presidents are to be relieved three months before voting. Security & Politics: Rival SPLA-IO factions clashed in Central Equatoria around Magoya, with each side accusing the other of initiating the attack; the fighting adds pressure as December 22 elections approach. Governance Watch: Upper Nile residents and civil society called for the reopening of the inactive state legislative assembly, saying it has weakened oversight of the executive. Justice for Survivors: A two-week expedited court session in Juba will hear 81 pending criminal cases, including 66 rape cases, supported by UNMISS and funded by Norway. Regional Trade: South Sudan and Uganda signed an MoU to strengthen customs cooperation, including e-permits enforcement and information sharing to curb tax evasion. Humanitarian & Climate: WFP warned hunger is deepening in South Sudan, with millions at risk as El Niño impacts crops and aid funding shrinks. EAC Update: IGAD confirmed its 2023 treaty has entered into force, replacing the 1996 framework.

Elections Shake-Up: South Sudan President Salva Kiir has fired National Elections Commission chair Abednego Akok Kacuol and named Gabriel Bol Deng Majok as replacement, just months before the Dec. 22 vote—raising fresh fears of delays in voter registration and preparations. Dialogue Postponed: The inter-party political dialogue on elections, set for Sept. 17 in Juba, has been pushed to Sept. 24 at 10:00 a.m., with no reason given. Food Crisis Warning: WFP says “Super El Niño” is deepening hunger in South Sudan, with about 7.8 million people struggling to get enough food and more at risk as aid funding shrinks. Security and Accountability: A UN report warns people who cooperate with the UN on human rights face intimidation and reprisals, citing transnational repression and digital surveillance. Health Watch: Ebola screening rules are being adjusted in Bermuda, narrowing enhanced checks to travellers from the DRC, while WHO says DRC’s Ebola response is improving but the epidemic is still killing. Regional Tragedy: In Sudan’s West Kordofan, a gold mine collapse killed at least 60–82 miners, with many still missing. Local Governance: A Unity State MP issued a 30-day ultimatum to GPOC to fence and mark oil waste sites and set up community safety and early warning systems.

Elections Shake-Up: South Sudan President Salva Kiir has fired Abednego Akok Kacuol, chairperson of the National Elections Commission, just three months before the Dec. 22 vote, naming Gabriel Bol Deng Majok as replacement—sparking fears the change could disrupt voter registration and erode confidence. Humanitarian Alarm: The World Food Programme warns 7.8 million people face hunger, with over one million at risk of losing life-saving food aid by October as funding gaps widen amid conflict and a “super El Niño” drought threat. Fire in Juba: A fire gutted parts of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges in Juba, destroying offices, documents and equipment; officials say it started from an electrical socket linked to an air conditioner. Road Safety Deal: Central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria governors agreed to strengthen security along the Juba–Torit Highway and stop unauthorized money collection from traders. Local Services Boost: Leer County in Unity State received new health and education facilities, including hospital wards and classrooms, funded through the World Bank’s community resilience project.

IGAD in Djibouti: Ministers met for the 74th Extraordinary Session as IGAD warned of financial and institutional strain, urging members to clear arrears and fund operations while crises across the Horn—especially Sudan—push food, fuel and humanitarian budgets to breaking points. Hunger emergency: WFP says “super El Niño” is worsening South Sudan’s hunger, with 7.8 million people facing acute food insecurity; without new funding, food aid for two million could stop in coming weeks. Aid routes under pressure: Relief agencies warn a “triple chokepoint” after Houthi gains on Yemen’s Red Sea coast could drive up costs and delay supplies to crisis zones. Ebola preparedness: South Sudan formed a national Ebola task force despite no reported cases, citing risks from outbreaks in DRC and Uganda and the need to protect trauma care. Elections and rights: President Kiir replaced the NEC chair ahead of December polls, while a Juba High Court suspended UJOSS journalists’ union elections; a rights group also flagged restrictions on activists and media. Local life in Juba: Juba County launched a monthly cleaning drive to cut sanitation risks around markets and business areas.

Humanitarian Funding Crunch: WFP warns South Sudan’s food pipeline could run out by end of September, risking a stop of assistance from October for about 650,000 refugees and nearly 200,000 internally displaced people unless about $86m is secured for the rest of 2026. Disaster Preparedness in Juba: The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management convened a three-day National Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action (14–16 Sept) to shift the country from reacting to disasters toward early action on predictable droughts and floods. Economic Reform—Cash Taxes: The Economic Reform Committee met and heard from MTN, Zain and Digitel on implementing cash payment of taxes, and also set up a subcommittee to review a South Sudan–Kenya government-to-government oil supply deal to protect South Sudan’s interests and fuel affordability. Security & Integration: SSPDF ordered Agwelek militia forces in Juba, Greater Tonj and Twic East to report for assembly and screening for formal integration into the national army. Elections & Civic Space: Rights defenders urged South Sudan’s leaders and electoral institutions to protect human rights and civic participation, warning democracy is more than voting. Regional Watch: IGAD ministers reviewed peace and security issues across the region, including Sudan, Somalia and South Sudan, and stressed dialogue and stability.

Peace & Security: The SSPDF has ordered Agwelek militia forces in Juba to report for screening and integration at Terekeka County starting 15 September, while Agwelek units in Warrap and Jonglei are told to stay on standby for the screening committee. Humanitarian Access: UNICEF says conflict in Jonglei has cut off health and other services for months, but it has restored aid to isolated communities in Wiechjol and Waat, delivering over eight tonnes of supplies and screening 1,666 children under five for malnutrition. Elections & Civic Space: A South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network urges the government and electoral bodies to protect rights beyond voting—free speech, assembly, media access and accountability—ahead of elections. Economic Reform: The Economic Reform Committee met with mobile network operators (MTN, Zain, Digitel) on implementing cash tax payments and also set up work to review the South Sudan–Kenya oil supply deal to protect fuel availability. Local Impact: In Western Equatoria, an ambush near Kotobi killed at least three people and burned a police vehicle, with authorities still searching for suspects. Tech & Youth: MTN South Sudan opened an ICT hub in Rumbek to train young people in digital skills.

Elections Logistics in Unity State: South Sudan’s Unity State High-Level Election Committee received voter registration materials from Juba, including 1,300 registration books, 1,000 T-shirts, 350 caps and a generator, as the committee prepares for December general elections. Lakes State Politics: SPLM secretary general Akol Paul Kordit urged Lakes State voters to support President Salva Kiir ahead of the polls, saying the SPLM will back Kiir while other positions will go through primaries. Education Funding Push: The National Education Coalition called for more funding and stronger accountability in Lakes State after reports of unpaid teachers, poor classrooms and shortages of learning materials. Oil Workers Take Labour Ministry to Court: South Sudan’s oil workers’ union petitioned the Court of Appeal against Labour Ministry Public Circular No. 5, 2026, arguing it may be unconstitutional and should be properly applied. Forests Under Pressure: A new report warns South Sudan’s forests are shrinking fast, driven by charcoal, fuelwood, farming expansion and construction demand, urging community-led action to protect woodlands. Regional Security Spillover: Drone strikes hit Al-Damazin, Sudan’s Blue Nile capital near Ethiopia, raising fears for civilians as fighting pushes closer to previously safer areas.

Presidential Appointments: South Sudan President Salva Kiir has appointed his son, Major General Atem Salva Kiir, as commander of the Presidential Guard/Tiger Division, while another son already holds a senior role in the presidency—sparking criticism that the move tightens family control ahead of elections. Security & Justice: The UN Commission on Human Rights warns that renewed violence, political tensions and impunity are putting civilians at growing risk and threatening South Sudan’s election and transition process. Elections Law: Cabinet approved amendments to South Sudan’s National Elections Act, including restoring 102 geographical constituencies and setting up a 332-member National Legislative Assembly for December 2026 polls. Humanitarian & Rights: In Eastern Equatoria, drought, insecurity and food shortages are driving people and livestock to migrate, raising fears of new tensions over scarce resources. Women & Community Support: A new women’s centre opened in Aweil West to provide training, business support and programmes aimed at preventing gender-based violence. Regional Security: In Greater Pibor, attacks in a border town left five dead and six injured, with officials blaming worsening insecurity and resource competition.

Elections & Rights: South Sudan’s UN human rights commission warns renewed violence, impunity and political tensions are endangering civilians and could derail the country’s December election and transition, after a four-day visit that heard accounts of killings, sexual violence, displacement and lack of medical and psychosocial support. Election Law Update: The Council of Ministers approved further amendments to the National Elections Act, including restoring 102 geographical constituencies and a 332-seat National Legislative Assembly, with changes meant to guide preparations for the December 2026 polls. Security in GPAA: Five people were killed and six injured in two attacks in Raat, a border town in Greater Pibor, including an ambush involving Ethiopian traders and local soldiers, raising fresh concerns over worsening security. Humanitarian Pressure in Eastern Equatoria: The state government says prolonged drought, insecurity and food shortages are pushing people and livestock to migrate, with women, children and the elderly hit hardest and tensions rising over scarce water and pasture. Women’s Support in Aweil West: A new women’s centre opened in Aweil West to offer training, business support and gender-based violence prevention programmes, backed by EU and Germany through the ResPEct project. Local Governance: Eviction of alleged encroachers at Mt Kei Central Forest Reserve was suspended for two weeks to clarify boundaries amid a long-running dispute involving thousands of residents.

Elections & Rights Watch: UN human rights experts warn South Sudan’s December polls face mounting risk as violence, impunity and weak institutions keep pushing civilians into displacement and abuse, urging real political dialogue and better protection. Government Pushback: South Sudan’s foreign ministry rejects the UN commission’s election-risk claims, saying the country remains committed to the 2018 peace deal and inter-party dialogue. Security & Accountability: The UN Commission also highlights failures in justice and corruption follow-through, saying impunity is fueling the cycle of violence. Machar Assassination Claims: The government dismisses SPLM-IO allegations that First Vice-President Riek Machar faces an assassination threat, saying he is under maximum security in Juba and the claims aim to undermine his trial. Humanitarian & Local Relief: Eastern Equatoria warns drought, insecurity and food shortages are driving people and livestock to move, while Plan International launches a $1.5m “Play Matters” learning project for about 26,000 learners in Torit and Magwi. Women’s Support: A new women’s centre opens in Aweil West to offer training, business support and gender-based violence prevention. Land & Evictions: Eviction of Mount Kei encroachers is suspended for two weeks to clarify boundaries.

Elections Update: South Sudan’s Council of Ministers has approved amendments to the National Elections Act ahead of the December 2026 polls, including restoring the 102 geographical constituencies used in 2010 and setting up a 332-member National Legislative Assembly; the changes also remove links to completing a population census and will now go to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly before President Salva Kiir’s assent. UN Rights Warning: A UN human rights commission says worsening violence, impunity, and weak institutions are endangering civilians and could derail the democratic transition, urging credible accountability, civilian protection, and inclusive political dialogue. Security for Machar Trial: Riek Machar’s defence team says there are alleged threats against Machar, co-accused and their lawyers, including claims of a planned road accident and possible poisoning in court; the Special Court adjourned proceedings to 23 September for further investigation. Humanitarian & Education: Plan International launched a $1.5 million, four-year “Play Matters” learning project in Eastern Equatoria to support about 26,000 learners in Torit and Magwi through play-based teaching. Food Support in Terekeka: IsraAid distributed food to over 900 households in Terekeka amid drought-linked hunger fears, targeting displaced people and vulnerable host communities. Wildlife Boundaries: The wildlife ministry says communities near protected areas will be involved in defining conservation zone boundaries, aiming to fix outdated demarcations and improve land-use planning. Regional Health Alert: Congo’s Ebola outbreak has expanded to a seventh province, Sud-Ubangi, raising fears of further spread beyond the eastern epicenter. Livestock Disease (Kenya): Kenya reported African swine fever has killed 1,470 pigs in Kiambu and spread to six other counties, prompting stepped-up surveillance and cross-border movement controls.

Elections Under Scrutiny: South Sudan’s government rejected UN Human Rights Commission claims that December elections could spark confrontation and violence, saying the country will follow the 2018 peace agreement and push inter-party dialogue. Civilian Protection Warning: The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned worsening conditions—displacement, insecurity, rights abuses, and shrinking civic space—pose serious risks to the fragile political transition. Corruption and Impunity: A UN-appointed commission said there has been “no real change” in the civil war, citing entrenched corruption, persistent impunity, and ongoing violence despite the peace deal. Court Security for Machar Trial: Riek Machar’s defence team said there are alleged threats to lawyers and accused, including a plan for a road accident and possible poisoning in court; the case was adjourned to Sept. 23 for further security checks. Food Support in Terekeka: IsraAid distributed food to over 900 households in Terekeka amid drought-linked hunger concerns, targeting displaced people and vulnerable host communities. Wildlife Boundaries Plan: The wildlife ministry says communities will be involved in defining protected-area boundaries, aiming to set national demarcation procedures and address land-use concerns. Ebola Spillover in Congo: Congo’s Ebola outbreak has spread to a seventh province, Sud-Ubangi, with tests finding the Bundibugyo strain and reports of a fatal case.

Elections and rights under strain: A UN human rights commission warned in Juba that South Sudan’s planned December polls face renewed violence, political tension, shrinking civic space, entrenched corruption and persistent impunity, with civilians still reporting displacement, insecurity, killings and sexual violence. Machar trial delayed over safety: In the Machar case, his defence team filed a security application after alleged threats to lawyers and the accused, and the Special Court adjourned the trial until Wednesday, 23 September. Cross-border health cooperation: South Sudan and Uganda agreed to ease cross-border emergency health response, aiming to improve protection during outbreaks and other health emergencies. Drought and hunger pressure: Reports highlight worsening drought conditions in parts of South Sudan, with shrinking water points and rising food shortages as communities struggle to cope. Regional migration data spotlight: An IGAD report says Uganda is emerging as a major destination and transit hub for migrants, but warns that limited migration data across the region makes risks harder to track. Corruption concerns: UN experts also said there has been little progress on corruption and political stability ahead of elections, urging independent investigations and stronger safeguards for a credible transition.

UN Human Rights Warning: UN experts say renewed violence, shrinking civic space, corruption and impunity are putting civilians and South Sudan’s December elections at risk, urging protection, humanitarian access and inclusive dialogue. Elections Conditions: UN rights experts warn safeguards for peaceful, credible polls are still missing and Revitalized Peace Agreement implementation has stalled. ICE Arrest in US: A Southern Connecticut State University student from South Sudan, Deng Deng, was arrested by ICE at Tweed New Haven Airport after overstaying a visa; the university says it’s in contact and prioritizing his safety. Humanitarian Relief: NDMA and the LDS Church provided emergency support to 150 flood-affected households, including food and shelter items. Smuggling Crackdown (Region): Uganda’s URA says it seized 300+ cartons of cigarettes hidden in modified Fuso trucks entering from South Sudan. Ebola Update (Region): DR Congo’s Ebola response is at a “tipping point,” with thousands of cases and deaths reported and no licensed vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain. ICT for Youth: MTN South Sudan launched an ICT hub in Rumbek to train young people in digital skills and innovation.