The national parliament has resolved to summon three ministers of health, petroleum and environment to clarify alleged oil pollution that resulted in birth defects in Ruweng Administrative Area and Upper Nile State. Continue reading Parliament to grill 3 ministers over birth defects in oilfields
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Donors reiterate calls on South Sudan to abolish tax on aid imports
The International Community has reiterated calls on the South Sudan government to end “illicit” taxation on imports from diplomatic missions and United Nations agencies to ease humanitarian response in the country. Continue reading Donors reiterate calls on South Sudan to abolish tax on aid imports
Govt seeks to speed up academic year ahead of elections
The Ministry of General Education and Instruction has directed limited holidays for primary and secondary schools after the first terms in a bid to end the academic year ahead of elections in December 2024. Continue reading Govt seeks to speed up academic year ahead of elections
Yau Yau makes U-turn to SPLM, cites community intervention
Former Deputy Minister of Defense David Yau Yau announced his resignation from SPLM-IO and rejoined SPLM-IG which he abandoned only four weeks ago. Continue reading Yau Yau makes U-turn to SPLM, cites community intervention
UNMISS bolsters peacekeeping bases amid fresh violence
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it has deployed additional peacekeepers to reinforce its peacekeeping bases in two conflict hotspots in Western Equatoria and Greater Pibor region. Continue reading UNMISS bolsters peacekeeping bases amid fresh violence
Parliament discusses Tombura unrest as MPs urge action
Some members of the National Legislative Assembly raised concerns on Monday over the growing insecurity and the disappearance of four people including a priest in Tombura County. Continue reading Parliament discusses Tombura unrest as MPs urge action
Kiir meets UN, AU officials on elections
President Salva Kiir met with UNMISS chief Nicholas Haysom, and the Head of African Union liaison office in South Sudan, Ambassador Mukama Biswaro, to discuss the country’s readiness for the December 2024 elections.
The meeting comes as the US government said the South Sudan peace parties have collectively failed to meet the standards necessary for genuine and peaceful elections to take place in the country.
The Biden administration was citing the UN Secretary-General Guterres’ April 8 Negative Assessment of Preconditions for Elections in South Sudan which outlined numerous critical preconditions necessary to hold genuine and peaceful elections that have not been met.
Haysom, the Special Representative of the UN secretary general to South Sudan said the discussed emphasized on the importance of well-organized elections.
Peace parties are currently at an impasse over whether or not to hold the country’s first general elections as scheduled due to pending critical tasks that experts fear may trigger further instability in the country.
The SPLM-In Government and an alliance of political parties maintain that it is ready for polls in December 2024.
However, the main opposition, SPLM-In Opposition said the country is not ready for elections, citing pending key provision of the peace agreement, especially the security arrangements and permanent constitution.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ramadan Mohammed Abdallah Goc, who attended the meeting, said elections would be held at the end of the transitional period, according to a statement from Kiir’s office.
Haysom and Biswaro have apparently taken up the issue of taxation on donor governments, UNMISS, UN agencies, and their implementing partners, which is said to be increasing the cost of providing humanitarian assistance.
Foreign Minister Goc told the media that the issue of taxing UN-imported items will be subject to South Sudan’s laws and regulations and that it is not a privilege that NGOs should take advantage of.
On Monday donor governments reiterated a joint statement complaining about the government’s imposition of the “ePetroleum Accreditation Permit” requirement on UN fuel trucks, which they said is preventing these trucks from bringing fuel into South Sudan to support UN operations.
“This illicit action is severely impacting the ability of UNMISS, UN humanitarian agencies, and humanitarian partners to conduct their mission in support of the South Sudanese people,” the statement said.
IGAD envoy to Sudan Lawrence Korbandy assumes duties
Newly appointed IGAD Special Envoy to Sudan, Lawrence Korbandy, took oath of office in the regional bloc headquarters in Djibouti on Sunday. Continue reading IGAD envoy to Sudan Lawrence Korbandy assumes duties
CSE exams results to be out in 3 weeks after govt releases fund
The National Ministry of General Education and Instruction said the examination council will release results for 2023-2024 Certificate of Secondary Education examinations in three weeks’ times. Continue reading CSE exams results to be out in 3 weeks after govt releases fund
EAC central bank governors meet in Juba amid single currency hints
The East African Community Monetary Affairs Committee Central (MAC) holding a meeting in Juba on Monday as the regional bloc is gearing towards adopting a single currency. Continue reading EAC central bank governors meet in Juba amid single currency hints