South Sudan and Kenya are discussing the remaining procedures needed to operationalize South Sudan’s dry port in Naivasha, a facility expected to reduce cargo clearance delays and storage costs for traders.

The discussions took place during an official visit to Kenya by Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Dr. James Pitia Morgan, who met Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, and other senior officials.

According to South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Kenya has confirmed that land for the dry port has already been granted to South Sudan.

The ministry says the remaining steps involve completing administrative procedures, including the issuance of the required waiver, before the facility can begin operations.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Apuk Ayuel Mayen said the talks focused on arrangements to operationalize the facility.

“The visit focused on matters of mutual interest, including arrangements for the operationalization of South Sudan’s dry port in Naivasha. The Government of Kenya confirmed that the land has been granted to South Sudan. The remaining steps relate to the completion of administrative procedures, including the issuance of the necessary waiver,” she said.

Ambassador Apuk said the dry port is expected to improve the movement and clearance of goods destined for South Sudan and help address challenges faced by traders at the Port of Mombasa.

She said delays at the port have resulted in high storage costs and, in some cases, the auctioning of cargo that remained uncleared for extended periods.

“Once operational, the dry port will ease the movement and clearance of cargo destined for South Sudan. It will help address the long-standing problem of goods overstaying at the Port of Mombasa, where traders have incurred heavy storage charges and, in some cases, lost cargo through auction because of clearance delays,” Apuk said.

The ministry says the Naivasha dry port is expected to lower the cost of doing business and improve cargo handling for South Sudan-bound imports once operational. Continue reading “South Sudan, Kenya discuss steps to open Naivasha dry port”

The United States says ongoing conflict in South Sudan continues to deny citizens the stability and peace they were promised when the country gained independence.

In a press released dated August 7th, 2026, New York-based US Ambassador Jennifer Locetta said violence, rising civilian casualties, and displacement remain major challenges facing the country 15 years after independence.

“Fifteen years after the world watched the promising beginning of South Sudan, conflict continues to rob its people of long-promised stability,” Locetta said.

She cited UNMISS figures showing that between April and July 2026, at least 418 people were killed, 400 injured, 122 abducted, and more than 420,000 displaced due to ongoing armed violence.

Locetta also pointed to renewed fighting in Akobo between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition, saying the violence does not represent the future envisioned for South Sudan.

She accused the country’s leaders of using violence as a tool for political competition and urged them to prioritize peace and accountability.

The US envoy also criticized restrictions on UNMISS operations, saying the mission recorded 86 violations of the Status of Forces Agreement between April and July, with most involving government-imposed movement restrictions.

“UNMISS remains on the ground protecting civilians, but peacekeepers cannot manufacture political will where none exists,” she said.

Locetta called on South Sudan’s leaders to engage in genuine dialogue, end violence, and cooperate with UNMISS.

She said peaceful conditions must be created if elections are to proceed and urged leaders to use the country’s own public resources to support the process.

“The people of South Sudan need leaders who choose peace over power, and accountability over impunity,” she said.

The United States called on all signatories to the 2018 peace agreement to return to dialogue and take steps to prevent further violence. Continue reading “US: Conflict continues to rob South Sudanese of promised peace”

Root of Generations (ROG), with support from DanChurchAid (DCA) through the Danida-funded programme, has launched two landmark community initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion and community resilience in Budi County, Eastern Equatoria State.

During a public event attended by the County Commissioner, government officials, traditional leaders, community members and development partners, ROG officially launched the Women and Girls Friendly Space (WGFS) Curriculum and Implementation Guide – Version 1.0 and handed over the Community Microfinance Management Cluster Unit (CMCU) to elected community leaders. The event formed part of a broader effort to strengthen locally led institutions and expand opportunities for women and vulnerable households.

Speaking during the event, Dorong Grace, Executive Director of Root of Generations, described the occasion as a significant milestone in measuring the impact of years of investment in community-led development.

“Today is not simply about launching new initiatives. It is about measuring progress. Development should not only be measured by the number of activities implemented, but by the lives transformed, the confidence restored, the livelihoods strengthened and the communities empowered to lead their own future.”

The newly launched Women and Girls Friendly Space Curriculum and Implementation Guide transforms the traditional Women and Girls Friendly Space into a centre for healing, learning, economic empowerment and leadership. Built around the four pillars of Heal, Learn, Earn and Lead, the curriculum combines psychosocial support with practical training in leadership, life skills, financial literacy, livelihoods, peacebuilding and community participation. It is expected to guide the implementation of Women- and Girls-Friendly Spaces across the communities served by ROG.

ROG also formally handed over the Community Microfinance Management Cluster Unit (CMCU), a community-owned financial management structure established through representatives elected from Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). The CMCU will manage community microfinance services, expand access to affordable loans and create opportunities for women, youth and local entrepreneurs, including those who are not members of existing savings groups.

The ceremony also recognised the achievements of beneficiaries who have participated in ROG programmes, including members of Income Generating Activities (IGAs), Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), farmers, women who received psychosocial and trauma support, and other community members whose lives have been positively impacted through ROG’s interventions.

Since its establishment, Root of Generations has directly reached more than 500,000 women, men, girls and boys through programmes in protection, peacebuilding, education, livelihoods, humanitarian response, gender equality and community development.

The organization reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside communities, government and development partners to strengthen locally led development, recognizing that sustainable change is achieved when communities are empowered to lead, manage their own institutions and shape their own future. Continue reading “ROG Launches Community Microfinance Unit, Women’s Empowerment Curriculum in Budi County”

The Ministerial High-Level Committee on Economic Reforms has supported a proposal by the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to finance the rehabilitation of the Juba–Nimule Highway using non-oil revenues.

The Juba- Nimule highway condition has recently deteriorated causing delays for cargo trucks, passenger buses, and other vehicles using the route.

In an extraordinary meeting on Thursday, the committee said the rehabilitation is aimed at improving the movement of goods and people, boosting regional trade, and increasing domestic revenue collection.

The committee also resolved that all fuel entering South Sudan must undergo quality testing and be appropriately marked to safeguard consumers and ensure compliance with national standards.

The committee further directed a review of the existing Public-Private Partnership agreement between the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards and its affiliated companies.

The review is intended to better protect government interests and strengthen revenue collection from the fuel-marking system.